Mistaken for: Compulsive behaviour
Key lesson: Acceptance is understanding the way beyond doubt and compulsion.
This peculiar creature is the DJ within our mind, obsessed with playing the same broken records over and over and over again, highlighting every scratch and imperfection.
This creature spins webs endlessly to weave intricate lattices created from the doubts, worries and fears of those all around it. Rational, or irrational, every fear becomes another strand it is meticulous tapestry which becomes an elaborate trap for nearby.
Brushing against one of these invisible threads causes the fear used to spin it to manifest within the mind of whomever disturbed it, like a flood of questions or a nervous checklist. "Did I turn off the stove? Is my hair unkempt? Was that comment awkward? When did I last wash my hands? Is this jewellery causing bad luck or is it bad luck to get rid of it?" All repeated with a frantic, almost endearing insistence.
Unlike ordinary webs, which weaken when broken, the Ocedord’s webs grow stronger with each disturbance. This, I have observed, is because acting on these compulsive doubts only mends and thickens the webbing. In time, it creates a cocoon almost impossible to escape.
I've found myself tangled in Ocedord's compulsive grip during times of upheaval—new cities, new jobs, or unexpected changes—moments when stress calls out to this peculiar creature and draws it near.
At first, distraction was my weapon against the webs. Exercise, work, art, and - in extreme cases - a chaotic party helped on by the "Party Snail" (See Wassail) which can crash the scene and leave webs intangles.
But these are temporary measures. Again, the webs grew back, stronger than ever. Diversions dulled the effect but never truly broke me free. In fact, liberation came only through understanding. I studied the Ocedord and viewed it in new eyes. The creature was not a menace, but simply looking for acceptance in an uncertain world where it is often shunned. Its webbing, and their effect on people was merely an effort to feel safe amid uncertainty.
If you see one, or feel the effects of its webbing, try speaking to this odd creature. Remind it, and yourself, that you are okay even with quirks and worries and doubts. The thoughts that track through your head are just as part of you as your limbs and that too is okay. In this act, the Ocedord's web can work for you. You can collaborate on doubts with hyper-focus and the Ocedord can even spin elaborate webs to focus in on small details.
This hyper-focus, has allowed me to tackle many problems in my monster hunting and turn find solutions to complex solutions. Sometimes the obsessive loop can allow us to perfect our technique and refine the task until we can master it with ease.
The heart of Ocedord’s lesson is this: doubts and insecurities may entangle us, and distractions offer only temporary relief. But acceptance—the gentle embrace of our quirks and fears—is the key to unravelling all binds. When we accept ourselves fully, we empower growth and break free from the webs that once held us captive.