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Bhok'rala

Interpretation of the bhoka'rala Moby by Corporal Nobbs

Bhok'arala (sgl:Bhok'aral)[1] also spelled Bhoka'ral/Bhoka'rala[2]/Bhokarala.[3]

(A squall of) Bhok'arala, were small monkey-like[4] winged creatures who mostly dwelt on cliffs in the deserts of Seven Cities. They had tiny, human-like hands and were quite vocal, communicating by chirping, squawking, and strangely mournful hooting calls.[5][6] They had mottled tan and brown hides, black lips, long canines, and wizened remarkably human faces. They fed on Rhizan.[7][8][9] Conflictingly, they were described as both having tails[10] and being tailless.[11]

Bhok'arala were sometimes kept as pets and brought to distant lands by traders to Seven Cities and Nemil.[12] They displayed a certain level of intelligence and were capable of imitating human actions. One tribe in particular seemed to consider Iskaral Pust to be their god.[13]

They produced segmented cones of hairy dung.[14]

The terms Bhoka'rala/Bhok'arala were based on the Seven Cities (Bisbrha and Debrahl) language.[15]

"Bhok'arala seem to have originated in the wastes of Raraku. Before long, these social creatures spread outward and were soon seen throughout Seven Cities. As efficacious rat control in settlements, the bhok'arala were not only tolerated, but often encouraged. It was not long before a lively trade in domesticated breeds became a major export…

The usage and demonic investment of this species among mages and alchemists is a matter for discussion within treatises more specific than this one. Baruk's Three Hundred and Twenty-first Treatise offers a succinct analysis for interested scholars…
"
―Denizens of Raraku
Imrygyn Tallobant[src]

The Jaghut bred a larger, more muscled, and more intelligent version of the bhok'arala known as the Nacht.[16][17] Nachts were twice as heavy as their natural kin.[18]

Notable Bhok'arala[]

In The Bonehunters[]

With a spyglass of her own design, Samar Dev and Karsa Orlong observed a bokh'aral that had occupied the nest of a falcon amongst the towers of Ugarat. The beast took great pleasure in tossing rotted fruit onto passersby below, laughing hysterically at the results. But when the bhok'arak began using bricks, Samar Dev lamented that it would soon be killed.[19]

In Toll the Hounds[]

Spite's ship was crewed and piloted into Darujhistan's docks by a crew of bhokarala.[3] A score of scampering bhokarala followed Iskaral Pust into the city, hissing at the waterfront crowds.[20] When he triumphantly presented himself at the Temple of Shadow, the bhokarala somehow followed him despite the temple wards meant to keep them out.[21] The bhokarala made themselves at home within the temple, chasing off most of the acolytes and opening doors to visitors.[22]

Pust later charged into the city on his mule in an attempt to claim Dragnipur, the bhokarala flitting after him in a shrieking crowd, flinging snot and dung at every woman they saw. They fought tooth and nail for each clump of dung produced by the mule. Kruppe sought to delay Pust's quest and the two met in a heroic charge of mules with the bhokarala swarming both contestants in a chaotic brawl that also included Mogora's spiders.[23] When it was over, Pust climbed free of the mound of thrashing, snarling, spitting and grunting bhokarala with Kruppe nowhere to be seen.[24]

Fan art gallery[]

Notes and references[]

  1. Deadhouse Gates, Glossary
  2. Midnight Tides, Prologue, Glossary
  3. 3.0 3.1 Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.100-101
  4. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 5, UK MMPB p.189
  5. Gardens of the Moon, Chapter 11, UK MMPB p.367-369
  6. House of Chains, Chapter 12, US SFBC p.453
  7. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 1, US HC p.41
  8. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.77
  9. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.164
  10. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US SFBC p.346
  11. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 2, US HC p.77
  12. Midnight Tides, Prologue, US SFBC p.26
  13. Deadhouse Gates, Chapter 11, US HC p.293
  14. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.915
  15. Deadhouse Gates, Glossary, UK MMPB p.936
  16. Midnight Tides, Prologue, US SFBC p.26-28
  17. Midnight Tides, Glossary
  18. Midnight Tides, Prologue, US SFBC p.26
  19. The Bonehunters, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.184-185
  20. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 3, US SFBC p.114
  21. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 5, US SFBC p.164-168
  22. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 19, US SFBC p.782-783
  23. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.915-916/938
  24. Toll the Hounds, Chapter 24, US SFBC p.969
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