Older than the sun and moon, untouched by wind or water, fire or earth, Kao hides and hates, skitters and steals. Some seek it out, hoping to converse with it without showing any emotion, and thus gain a secret. Almost all fail, and have their faces added to its collection. Instinct: to cause fear and dismay

• Steal a face that shows emotion
• threaten and cajole through a stolen mouth
• slither from the darkness
• Share a secret of the world's true nature