An amalgam of the 8/16 bit era of story-driven exploration and strategic combat of turn-based rpgs like Final Fantasy, Breath of Fire, Chrono Trigger, Phantasy Star, and others, but designed around a modern graphic style and audio performance, design conveniences, familiar gameplay and, of course, an abundance of nostalgic references.
The origins of the creature known as Terivorare can be traced back to the catastrophe of the Seal's breaking, like so many other calamities. The original plant, a benign flower called Teripholos, resembling a cross between a nightrose and a nettlelily, is very useful in alchemical pursuits due to the ease with which it can absorb earthen materials like prime metals and its capacity to withstand, and channel, various arcane streams. As such, it is highly sought after by Alchemists and Wizards, although it is hard enough to find and harder still to keep alive that its presence remains extremely rare. It is impossible to cultivate outside of its native lands, although Alchemists have found means to dry and preserve some parts of it for their work.
Originally from an island far to the east, the Teripholos that would come to be Terivorare was planted in a grove to care for the dead, undoubtedly a gesture of kindness from a relative, possibly one of the means to acquire such a rare plant in the first place. Alas, the corruption of magic in the area forced surges of untamed, uncontrolled energies through all available conduits. Teripholos, an excellent conduit for both the raw magic of the grove and the lifeforce of the cycle's end found in the bodies underneath, mutated. The current form is a travesty of the original meaning of the flower in its native lands, as it signifies peace for the souls of travellers, and has become a constant menace to anyone in its area of influence.