Bestiary
Beware the wilderness, places uncivilized and untamed, for there roam beasts of monstrous intent, and creatures who, though neither good nor evil, despise mankind giant insects, man-eating beasts, enormous worms, and hideous serpents. These are not creatures of magic or intelligence, but they are powerful and viscous, and any traveler should be wary of their presence.
Many of the dangerous and strange monsters in the bestiary are creations of Kastuulian sorcerers. The giant insects and many monsters that seem highly illogical were created by magic, either as pets, guards, or simply experiments. When the magic kingdom fell, these creatures were left to roam freely.
Dangerous Wildlife
Claw Beast - ImageOne of the most feared predators of the Wildlands, the Claw Beast is a hunting cat of unsurpassed aggression. This large, pitch-black cat can run at great speeds, can stalk silently, and track with absolute perfection. It is the very embodiment of the hunt and the chase. And they hunt man, just as they hunt any animal. A Claw Beast will attack without warning, without even a sound, pouncing from a tree, overhang, or from the bushes nearby, going right for the victims throat with its fanged teeth. If this fails, it will strike with its claws and fight until it is wounded at which point it will usually flee. A Claw Beast can attack twice in one action, once with each of its fearsome clawed forepaws.
Range: Wildlands grassland
Eagles, like many birds of prey, are hunters. But they do not hunt humans. Eagles hunt only rodents, and will only attack humans if they believe their nest is threatened. It is said that Griffins can also summon many eagles to attack potentially threatening interlopers, and these eagles will be very aggressive, under the griffin's mental control. Nevertheless, eagles always attack from above, and usually target the victims face, notable the neck and eyes.
Range: Mountains, Forests, Coasts
One of the nastiest creatures known is the giant acid worm of Marmo. These giant slug-like worms burrow through the earth using their grinding teeth and acidic juices, forming deep tunnels underground. Many of their tunnels intersect natural cave systems, and even beneath Castle Conquera. The giant worms are only known to exist in Marmo, but it is possible that they may reside elsewhere.
The worms are extremely large, and can grow upwards of a hundred meters in length. Newly hatched, they are only as big as a man. The giant worms are rarely seen, as their tunnels are very deep underground. The only recorded attack occurred during the final siege against the Temple of Kardis, when the group of adventures accidentally stumbled across one. There may have been other attacks in the past, but if so, none survived to tell about them.
Giant acid worms have many dozens of slimy tendrils they use to grab victims and shove into their gapping, wormy mouth. It is nearly impossible to break the grip of a tendril once it has taken hold, and cutting a tendril can be extremely fatal. The blood of a giant acid worm is, as its name implies, pure acid. When attacking such a worm, you must take careful measure not to be hit by its blood as you strike. Anyone hit by the corrosive acid will be burned by it. It will continue to burn until the acid runs out or is healed. Usually this is fatal. In any event, it is bad news. Fire spells are very effective against a giant acid worm, as the fire blast generally seals the wound it makes before the creature can spurt its blood everywhere. Acid worms are also very fearful of fire, and may simple flee if attacked by several fire spells, whether they harm it or not.
Range: Marmo
Many mistake the giant lizard for a small dragon, but such lizards have little relation to those large, magical creatures. Giant lizards are three meters long, and look similar to our Komodo dragons. They are carnivorous, though prefer to scavenge for carrion. They occasionally attack humans for food, but most often avoid humans or superior foes. Giant lizards attack with a bite using its sharp-toothed jaws.
Range: Forests and caves
Rook are gigantic birds of prey that are extremely rare. They inhabit the Storm and Fire Desert, but are rarely seen and the population is probably lower than 100 individuals. They are larger than a wyvern, but not as big as a dragon. They can carry off a horse in their talons.
Range: Central Mountains, Storm and Fire Desert
A terrifying monster that lurks beneath the sands of deserts. Sandworms can be up to fifteen meters in length and are covered in chitinous plates. They travel through soft sand and often lurk underground, listening for the sound of prey to cross their path. Sandworms have been hunted nearly to extinction in the Storm and Fire Desert, but they are numerous in the small desert on Marmo.
Range: Storm and Fire Desert, Marmo desert
Two headed snakes are often encountered in wilderness forests and swamps. Most are just a bit bigger than their single headed counterparts (like vipers), but are often more aggressive. A two headed snake can attack twice in one action, once with each head, though often one head simply hisses and keeps at distance while they other attacks. If one head is severed, the snake will flee. Each bite inflicts damage, but any bite that breaks the flesh will inject poison into the victim. Such poison causes stun damage each minute and after about ten minutes, causes the victim to fall very ill, though no further damage is inflicted. He will remain sick for the rest of the day unless healed.
Range: Deep forests and swamps
Vampire bats of often found in dark caves, dungeons, haunted places, and all over Marmo. They have little relation to actual vampires, though many live in the lofts of castles occupied by vampires. Vampire bats are larger than normal bats, with about a half meter wingspan, and drink blood as their name implies. Vampire bats often attack livestock, as farms supply a plentiful supply of food. When they attack people they do so in defense, and attack to rupture the neck vain to cause severe bleeding and death.
Range: Marmo ruins and caves
A viper is a large poisonous snake. They are often black in color, but some also have distinctive markings and stripes. Vipers lurk in deep forests and swampy regions, and a hapless traveler can often stumble upon a viper layer and not know it until he is bit. Each bite inflicts minor damage, but any bite that breaks the flesh will inject poison into the victim. Such poison causes stun damage each minute and after about ten minutes, causes the victim to fall very ill, though no further damage is inflicted. He will remain sick for the rest of the day unless healed.
Range: Forests and swamps
Lodoss wolves prefer to keep to their forests and avoid humanity, but if the pack is threatened, they will defend themselves with deadly force. Wolves are truly a noble species, but many humans fear them and despise them. Farmers often blame wolves for the loss of livestock, but unless desperate, a wolf will not come so close to human settlements.
Range: Forests of Lodoss and Marmo
Kastuulian Creatures
Aerial Jellyfish - ImageOf the beasts that hunt in the sky, the aerial jellyfish is the most fearsome. They never leave the cover of the thick clouds which they make their home, and none but the most learned sages and wizards have seen their true form. When prey is found, the aerial jellyfish drops its horrendously long stinging tentacles to grasp the hapless victim.
These tentacles can reach down from the very sky to the ground, some even in excess of five hundred meters, and there can be dozens of such tentacles. The only defense is to chop and hack and the tentacles, but once grasped, there is no escape. The tentacle wrapped around a victim will squeeze like a python until the prey is dead, or passes out. Further, if the tentacles contact bare skin, the stinging hairs will inflict painful stings. The worst that can happen, however, is for the jellyfish to lift its victim high in the air, then drop it hundreds of meters back to the ground!
Range: Mountains
Without a doubt, the Ameba is the lowest monstrous life-form, but it is a deadly foe. The Ameba lives only to eat and eat, and when it has gorged itself, it divides to create another just like itself. The Ameba is formless, gelatinous, and semi-transparent, its primitive organs can be seen inside it, and even the dissolving bodies of its previous victims. To attack, the Ameba oozes around its victim and attempts to completely envelop it. Once this has been done, it will try to crush the life out of it, and being to digest. Well-armed fighters can usually escape by cutting through, and wizards often cast fire or lightning spells to blast out. Amebas often have treasure or other items floating inside them, as it cannot digest metals or gems.
Range: Caves and Ruins
Measuring nearly three meters from end to end, the giant centipede is a fearsome carnivorous insect. Like smaller centipedes, the giant centipede is primarily a scavenger, but will attack prey if it seems suitable and an easy target. They do not attack people for food, but will aggressively defend their lairs. Giant centipedes live in deep caves, tunnels, and ancient underground ruins. The giant centipede attacks with its scissor-like mandibles.
Range: Forests, ruins, caves
Not related to dragons at all, a dragonfly is simply a large insect that looks similar to a serpentine dragon. Unlike its smaller cousins, this is a giant dragonfly, usually measuring two meters from head to tail. The dragonfly attacks only to defend its lair, which is usually in caves or deep within a forest. They bite with their razor-sharp mandibles.
Range: Swamps, forests, riversides
Always terrifying to encounter, the Giant Mantis can tower above any warrior on its spidery legs, grasping with its huge crushing claws. The Giant Mantis can run quickly on its legs, but can also fly, and often attacks from the air. The Giant Mantis attacks with its claws, grabbing its pray and ripping it apart. It can also bite with its mouth. Wildlands Mantises are often green in color while Marmo are dark brown and black.
Range: Wildlands and Marmo
The Giant Poison Toad is a vile creature, despised even by goblins and ogres. Lurking primarily in the Silent Swamp, the Poison Toad hunts for large insects, mammals, and small reptiles. It kills with its poison spit, then waits for it to die before snagging it with its long tongue to eat. Poison Toads do not attack people to eat, but will spit to defend themselves, and often do so even if they are not threatened. Their spit it toxic only if it contacts bare flesh, and it will quickly seep into the skin. There after, the subject will become extremely ill. Vomiting and severe pain will follow. If untreated, the victim will die within the day. Antidotes do exist, derived from certain plants in the Silent Swamp, and adventurers should have a few doses with them just in case. Poison Toad poison is also sold on the black market for 3 to 4 Raidens for a fatal dose (usable as food poison or on weapons).
Range: Silent Swamp
Only found near the Silent Swamp and in the deep forests of the Wildlands, the Giant Rhinobeetle can be a fearsome beast to encounter. The insect is large, heavy, and bulky, so much so it is incapable of flight in its adult stage. The gruesome horn that gives it its name measures over two meters in length. It can lower its horn to strike when threatened and use it as a weapon.
Range: Silent Swamp, Wildlands
These docile creatures are quite similar to the tiny rolly-pollies (aka, pill bugs, potato bugs, etc.) of more common variety. Giant Rolly-Pollies make their lairs in damp wet caves or in underground tunnels, often even in ancient catacombs. They have practically no intelligence, and often react to intruders simply by running away. However, if they are attacked cornered, or otherwise threatened, they will curl up into a defensive ball. They will attack back by rolling themselves toward the attacker like a tumbling bolder. These attacks are often unsuccessful, but if they hit can be devastating.
Range: Ruins and caves
Few creatures are more feared in the deserts of Flaim than the Giant Scorpion. The Giant Scorpion is about two to three meters long, with a chitinous arched tail, armed with a deadly, poison filled stinger. It also has two crushing pincer claws, capable of inflicted terrible wounds and grasping its prey. Giant Scorpions are unusually aggressive, and will attack people for no apparent reason. Their stinger will cause damage through puncturing the skin, and if any damage is inflicted through armor, deadly poison will be injected. The poison does additional damage every minute, and causes extremely ill. Vomiting and severe pain will follow. If untreated, the victim will die within the day. Antidotes do exist, derived from certain plants in the Silent Swamp.
Range: Storm and Fire Desert
The Giant Slug lurks in damp, wet places, most commonly within the Silent Swamp, but also in ancient ruins, dungeons, catacombs, and underground tunnels. Unlike smaller slugs, the Giant Slug has a large mouth, giving it the ability to take large bites of meat and devour small creatures. Giant Slugs are not normally aggressive, but will attack if they or their lair is threatened. Giant Slugs attack by biting.
Range: Swamps, ruins, caves
No insect monster is more terrifying than the Giant Spider. These horrid arachnids create intricate webs in dark caverns, dungeons, and abandoned places, to capture the animals they prey upon. Any soul unfortunate enough to tread upon the lair of a Giant Spider may become tangled in its web and attacked by the creature. The fanged bite of a Giant Spider inflicts a deep puncture wound, and injects poison that can paralyze a victim in minutes.
Range: Caves, ruins, deep forests
Giant stagbeetles are uncommon flying insects. The look much like their smaller cousins, but are nearly as large as a war-horse. These creatures live mostly in the Silent Swamp and Marmo, but they have been spotted in other regions as well. They are rarely encountered, and often flee from danger. Being carrion eaters, they are not hunters, and thus, fair poorly in battle. Even so, an enraged Stagbeetle can cause serious damage to its aggressors with its deadly stag-like horns.
Range: Wildlands Forests, Silent Swamp, Dark Forest of Marmo
The Steel Bees of the Wildlands south of Fire Dragon mountains are among the most aggressive of the giant insect. Steel bees are not made of steel, but their armored, chitinous bodies are extremely ridged and contain iron particles, giving it metallic shine. Like bumblebees, steel bees live in hives, but feed off tree sap instead of nectar. These creatures are not terribly big, only being a large as a rat, but they tend to swarm when their nest area is invaded. A swarm of such insects can bring down nearly anything. Each steel bee has a stinger like a dagger, which can inject mild poison that will inflict stun damage each hour, for about a day, causing itching and irritation.
Range: Wildlands
Kastuulian Chimeras
Manticore - ImageThe manticore is considered to be one of the most dangerous predators. It has the body of a lion, wings of a dragon, and the head of a man. The mouth is filled with three rows of razor-sharp teeth and its tail is like that of a scorpion. The monster stalks through forests in search of humans, which it prefers over all other creatures. Upon an encounter with a human, it will attack with its deadly tail. A manticore can also attack with claws and teeth.
Range: Wildlands, Marmo
A pegasus is a winged horse. They are usually white and have great, eagle-like wings. Pegasus are wild horses that despise captivity and domestication. Thus, they rarely allow humans to ride them. They can be tamed and ridden, but it requires an expert animal handler and plenty of time. But the pegasus must first be caught! Magic can also be used to tame them, such as with Charm or mind control spells.
Range: Wildlands, secluded meadows and pastures, Blue Dragon Island
Magical Creatures
Basilisk - ImageA basilisk is a fierce six-legged monster, often encountered in swamps or dark forests. They are reptilian, but their scales are more feathered and hair-like than most scaly creatures. A basilisk's most devastating attack is its ability to breathe deadly green poisonous gas. They are also fast runners, and have a bite as powerful as that of a crocodile.
Range: Wildlands, Silent Swamp
Gargoyles are monstrous creatures spawned of magical energy and are an abomination of nature. They may have been first created in Kastuul as a weapon of war, but could have existed far earlier.
Gargoyles are large, green, winged monsters who attack without warning or provocation. Their greatest ability lies in concealment. Gargoyles have the magical ability to turn themselves into stone, and make themselves seem as mere statues. When a tasty-looking traveler ventures by, the gargoyle awakens, sheds his stony disguised, and attacks the hapless victim.
Gargoyles usually reside in unsuspecting places, where it would not be unusually to see old statues. Ancient ruins or abandoned fortresses are a common hiding place for gargoyles. Many gargoyles also live on Marmo. On Marmo it is common sense to avoid old ruins and to never get close to a monstrous looking statue, so these Marmo gargoyles do not lie waiting for their pray and have simply take up hunting.
Range: Ruins, Marmo
Griffins are magical beasts, half-lion/half-eagle. The front half of a griffin is that of a great eagle, with golden feathers, wide powerful wings, and the head and beak of a bird. The back half is that of a lion. A griffin stands on two eagle-taloned feet and two hind lion legs, and can fly with its mighty eagle wings.
Griffins are rare in Lodoss. It is believed these noble creatures may live on Alecrast and other lands, but this is unknown. The few griffins that do live in Lodoss reside on tall mountains and are rarely seen. They are by no means aggressive, but they will protect their nest and their young. Though griffins bear their young as a lion does, they also lay eggs as a bird lays eggs. One out of five griffin eggs laid are solid gold, weighing upwards of five kilograms. If this wasn't enough incentive for unscrupulous thieves, it is said that a griffin's claw holds certain magical healing properties. If made into a drinking vessel, the griffin's claw-cup can magically heal anyone who drinks from it!
Griffins are not considered evil monsters, and in actuality, griffins want nothing better than to simply be left alone. Griffins are clearly intelligent. It is said that if you save a griffin's life (or the life of its young) it will give you one of its healing claws as a gift.
Range: Cliffsides and mountains, Blue Dragon Island
Sphinxes are found in the desert regions Flaim. They are beasts with the body of a lion, but the head and face of man. The lion's main usually comes over the head and down the face as a golden beard, which if often well groomed. Sphinxes are quite intelligent, but they do not appear to have any sort of structured society or language. Some are said to have learned to speak in human tongues, but only in a very rudimentary way. Most sphinxes have some magical powers and know a few nature or elemental spells, which they use for survival. If attacked, a sphinx will fight back or defend it's lair, using it's claws or casting magic.
Range: Storm and Fire Desert
Inhabiting only the Glassy Woods, Mirror Forest, and Forest of No Return, very few humans have ever encountered a unicorn. They exist only in myth to the human society and are seen more as exotic magical animals than the intelligent individuals they are. Unicorns cannot communicate vocally and often use empathy and telepathy to communicate. In the Forest of No Return, they are immortal, elsewhere their lifespan is unknown. They rarely reproduce, only one foal maybe born every thousand years.
Unicorns are most well known, and named for, the single twisted ivory horn growing from their forehead. They appear to be a combination between goat and horse. Their basic build, height, and facial structure can be compared to a light breed riding horse, but they have more superficial goat-like features including cloven hooves, beards, hairy fetlocks, and their tails, though longer than a goat's. They are usually gray, silver or white, though a few black unicorns have been known to exist. Their manes and tails often grow long with softy, wispy hair unlike that of a horse. Unicorn females appear more delicate than males, but both sexes are tougher than they appear.
Unicorns have the ability for Shamanism, though usually only use it for communication. They all have the power to heal to varying degrees. Other gifts include teleportation by traveling via the astral plane.
Range: Forest of No Return, Glassy Woods, Mirror Forest
A wyrm is a medium-size, fire-breathing reptile which fits somewhere between a dragon and a giant lizard. Many people are content to call them dragons, but they are not intelligent, and are far less powerful than a true dragon. Wyrms are most often encountered in caves, ancient ruins, or catacombs. They are scavengers by nature, but will not pass up a good opportunity to have fresh meat. Wyrms are also highly territorial, and will not hesitate to defend their domain.
Range: Ruins and caves
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