Bestiary
Aeronyth
Aeronyths are vicious, predatory creatures whose cunning and brutality make them apex hunters of the skies. Fiercely territorial, they dominate their domains with ruthless precision, attacking anything that dares to trespass with their serrated, saw-like beaks and spiked, morning-star-like tails. Aeronyths are solitary by nature, patrolling their skies alone and only gathering during brief, aggressive mating seasons. Their hunting strategy is calculated and merciless; they prefer to stalk their prey from high above, swooping down with deadly accuracy to strike when least expected.
Bog Boar
The Bog Boar is a brutish yet calculating creature, driven by a primal instinct to safeguard its swampy lair. It’s a creature of habit, stalking its murky terrain with a steady, deliberate pace, watching for anything out of place. The Bog Boar is neither reckless nor mindless—it’s deliberate in its actions, assessing threats before charging with bone-rattling force. It doesn’t seek confrontation but responds to disturbances with an intensity that leaves no doubt about its dominance.
Bog Bomber
It flies in a fearless fashion, humming in a rhythmic pattern to ward off any threat to its domain. This beetle-like creature will rip out pieces of its abdomen and toss them at enemies until either it dies or the threat is eliminated; an alchemical compound found within its chest serves as a potent explosive when exposed to air, creating organic bombs from the removed sections of the creature’s belly
Eyesoar
Its body resembles little more than a giant eyeball cast aloft by the fluttering wings of a bat. Its stare is said to entrance with the powers of suggestion, which gives it enough time to rally forth an amount of allies that may serve as a potent threat
Ground-Griffon
Ground-Griffons are resilient and adaptable creatures with a surprisingly cooperative and pragmatic nature, making them well-suited for both wild and domesticated life. In the wild, they are social animals that thrive in small, structured groups, relying on teamwork to find food, defend their territory, and rear their young. They are not overly aggressive, preferring to avoid unnecessary conflict by displaying postures or calls to ward off potential threats. Domesticated Ground-Griffons, by contrast, are dependable and even-tempered, valued for their willingness to work and their strong bonds with handlers. These creatures are particularly patient and calm under stress, qualities that make them excellent for pulling caravans over long distances.
Gulg
Gulgs are ambush predators, preferring to lurk in shadows or murky environments where their hunched, writhing form can blend seamlessly into the surroundings. They move on their grotesque, elongated forearms, their wings of rotting flesh flaring when they lunge or glide toward prey. Solitary by nature, they inhabit desolate places such as abandoned ruins or swamps. They are drawn to areas filled with death and decay. Gulgs feed on living flesh, though they often prolong the hunt to savor the fear of their victims.
Gutter Dog
Though it appears feral, the creature displays an unsettling intelligence, choosing the perfect moment to strike. As a symbol of the city’s decay, the Gutter Dog embodies the danger and despair that thrive in its shadowy underbelly. Encountering it is more than a fight for survival—it forces people to confront the rot within themselves as much as the monster before them. A relentless and terrifying force, the Gutter Dog is a grim reflection of the world it inhabits
Lamia
While they are not inherently violent, Lamias are calculated and will not hesitate to strike if they sense weakness or deceit. They prefer to toy with intruders, gauging their intentions through veiled questions and subtle provocations. Lamias are known for their territorial habits, often inhabiting hidden grottos, ancient ruins, or dark forests, places where their presence commands a sense of mystery and danger. They adorn their lairs with treasures or artifacts, either stolen or acquired from their prey.
Larvaloth
The Larvaloth is a horrifying, parasitic creature whose very existence seems designed to unsettle and disrupt the mind. Its personality is alien and inscrutable, driven by primal instincts rather than recognizable emotions or intent. It exudes an air of predation mixed with a perverse mimicry of innocence, using its infant-like face and haunting cry to disarm or confuse those who encounter it. This cry is its most insidious weapon, inducing a disorienting dysphoria that clouds perception and disrupts rational thought.
Man-Catcher
This predatory plant contains a prominent appendage that serves as a giant maw with which to entrap its prey. After ensnaring an unlucky creature with lightning-quick vines, it drags its meal towards its mouth with haste. An entrapped creature as large as a man may find itself helplessly trapped in this appendage, which secretes digestive enzymes capable of breaking down any organic matter until even bones no longer remain
Moon Bear
Despite its horrific beauty, the Moon-Bear exudes an air of quiet menace. It moves silently through forests and mountains, leaving no trace but a faint luminescence and an overwhelming sense of awe. Those who are spotted by the creature are met with a less beautiful side of the bear. It attacks without hesitation when threatened
Mud Golem
The Mud Golem is a hulking creature of wet, shifting earth that constantly oozes and reshapes itself. Despite its massive size, it moves with surprising agility, leaving deep, sticky footprints in its wake. Created through dark rituals, it obeys commands without question, protecting its domain with unyielding force
Murk-O-Rise-Ee
From within the murky mires of the swamp, a fetid fungus emerges, sprouting a mushroom cap containing hazardous spores that smell of rotting flesh and that glow with a strange, purple hue. Any trespassers of the domains where these malignant mushrooms may be found should beware not to damage them unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, they may find the vigor of life sapped from their very bones in short order as the spores take root in the unwanted host
Ngozi
It groans and wails as its ghastly and translucent visage casts a look of rage at the nearest source of human or elven life. Little is known about these spirits of vengeance except for their insatiable lust for revenge over a past grievance. While their ire may be directed to a particular individual(s), others should also beware, as none may escape this phantom’s wrath once it is provoked
Pit Viper
Though it rarely wastes energy, when threatened, the Pit Viper strikes with lightning speed, delivering a venomous bite that incapacitates almost instantly. To encounter the Pit Viper is to face a creature perfectly attuned to the art of survival and the silent terror of a predator that never hesitates
Putrid Thing
Its form, expressed as little more than a sac of rotting flesh and sinew, pulsates with a sickening squelching of vital fluids. Though it appears to be harmless, at first, many find themselves to be horrified once they realize that it is only larval. What it may become could truly be something to be feared; however, none remain who may confirm what horrors this transformation bodes...
Rat King
The Rat King thrives in the city’s darkest, most neglected corners. Moving with unnerving speed and precision, it stalks the sewers and alleys, leaving a trail of disease and terror in its wake. The creature’s presence is marked by an overpowering stench and the sound of countless smaller rats that seem to serve it as a loyal swarm
Rat Minion
Rat Minions are the loyal, scurrying servants of the Rat King, driven by an almost hive-like devotion to their master. They are opportunistic and relentless, scavenging for scraps or stealing from the unwary to bring sustenance to their leader. In groups, they act with eerie coordination, swarming over obstacles and enemies with an overwhelming, chaotic energy. Despite their small size, they are cunning and bold, working together to exploit weaknesses or distract foes
Shilling Spectre
The Shilling Spectre is a ghostly guardian bound to protect treasure with unwavering vigilance. It drifts silently through the air, its translucent form shimmering like coins reflecting dim light. Eternally watchful, the Spectre’s hollow eyes glow with an eerie gold, scanning for intruders who dare approach its hoard. Though it rarely speaks, the faint clinking of coins accompanies its every movement, a haunting reminder of the wealth it protects
Slitherling Warrior
An elite fighter of the slitherling tribes, it licks the edge of its blade with a sneer as it hisses defiantly and stands its ground. Its scaled flesh dampens blows from any weapon and its dexterity creates openings with which to place critical strikes on a foe. Complexed with the ability to cloak itself and spit an acidic bile, these traits allow this warrior to both evade its foes and extinguish the life from them with ease
Slitherling
They are fiercely territorial, often forming tight-knit clans that work together with remarkable coordination to protect their homes or raid neighboring lands. Highly intelligent, they are adept at crafting tools, traps, and weapons from their surroundings, favoring sleek designs that mimic their swift and efficient nature. Despite their cold-blooded demeanor, Slitherlings value loyalty within their ranks and can be fiercely protective of their kin
Sunder-Seer
A creature of silence and shadow, the Sunder-Seer rarely makes noise beyond the scraping of its claws or the shuffle of its feet, allowing the tension of its presence to build. Its palm-eyes are more than tools for sight—they seem to pierce into the very mind of those it hunts, unraveling their courage and leaving them paralyzed by terror. The Sunder-Seer thrives in forgotten, desolate places, stalking those who stray too far from safety.
Swamp-Strider
A notorious denizen of the swamps of Ahl’Tien, it chirps using its anterior legs in such a way as to produce a deafening sound at close range. This burrowing insectoid creature may be a scavenger, but its bite is no less harmful than that of a cobra’s. Only the foolish would dare face a swarm of these creatures without protection from the cacophony of noise they use to incapacitate their foes
The Entwined
The Entwined moves with an unnatural, jerking motion, dragging itself forward with an array of gnarled tentacles and twisted legs. It exists as a living curse, bound by dark magic or unspeakable tragedy, seeking to spread its suffering to all who cross its path. Despite its horrific appearance, the creature exudes a haunting sense of sorrow, as though it longs for release from its eternal agony. To encounter The Entwined is to witness both horror and tragedy woven into a single, unforgettable nightmare
Water Roach
The water roach is a highly aggressive and opportunistic scavenger, thriving in damp, decayed environments such as swamps, caves, and stagnant waterways. About the size of a small dog, its body is segmented and armored with a shiny, water-resistant carapace that helps it glide through water and scuttle across surfaces with ease. Its formidably sharp, serrated jaws are its primary tools for feeding, capable of tearing through flesh, plant matter, and even softer armor.
Will-O’-the-Wisp
Will-O’-the-Wisps are mischievous and enigmatic entities, small glowing orbs of light that float through marshes, forests, and other desolate areas. Their personalities are whimsical yet cunning, often using their alluring glow to captivate or deceive travelers. They are neither fully malicious nor benevolent, but rather chaotic, driven by an innate desire to toy with those who cross their paths. Their movements are fluid and hypnotic, flickering and darting in erratic patterns that evoke both wonder and unease.