TEXT: Sarah Dahlinger
  Andreas Walters
    
  
    
  
    
  
  Creative Director
  Andreas Walters
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  Sarah Dahlinger
  www.SarahDahlinger.com
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  Carol Darnell
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  Carol Darnell
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  Published By
  Metal Weave Games
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  © 2017 Metal Weave Games
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  20 Basilisk
  26 Blink Dog
  32 Bulette
  38 Chimera
  44 Cockatrice
  50 Couatl
  56 Dragon Turtle
  62 Faerie Dragon
  68 Griffin
  74 Harpy
  80 Hippocampus
  86 Hippogriff
  92 Hydra
  98 Lizardfolk
  104 Manticore 
  110 Myconid
  116 Otyugh
  122 Owlbear
  128 Pegasus
  134 Phase Cat
  140 Rust Monster
  146 Sphinx
  152 Treant
  158 Unicorn
  164 Wyvern
  Table of Contents
  8 
  The Beastmaster’s Code
  8 
  The Role of a Beastmaster
  10 Beastmaster Ranks
  12 
  Animal Companions
  12 
  Non-Humanoid Sentience
  14 
  What is a Magical Creature
  16 Creature Origins
  16 Using This Guide
  introduction
  Cataloged Beasts
    
  
    
  
  The Beastmaster’s Code
  From where the land ends
  And the oceans begin
  From where skies soar high
  And all the stars within
  I am a beastmaster
  And this is my code
  It is an oath I swear
  As I walk this road
  I will protect the creatures
  Of land, sky, and sea
  I will study them all
  Finding none beneath me
  I will protect who I can
  Using every skill in my set
  I will pay homage to
  Every beast that I’ve met
  I will be true to my order
  Dragon, Hatchling, and Drake
  I will do what’s best for beasts
  With every breath I take
  I am a beastmaster
  And this is my code
  It is an oath I swear 
     As I walk this road
  A note from the author
  Over my many travels I’ve learned much about 
  various beasts. The Atlas Animalia is my first 
  cohesive attempt at recording my research. In this 
  book you will find a comprehensive list of different 
  creatures found within the various realms, along 
  with a number of variants connected to each 
  species. I will also tell you about the beastmaster 
  organization, what it means to be a beastmaster, 
  our responsibility, and the joys of our profession. 
  It is my sincere hope that this guide sparks your 
  imagination and delights your sense of wonder at 
  the myriad of breath-taking creatures out in the 
  realms.
  The Role of a Beastmaster 
  The role of every beastmaster is the 
  understanding and preservation of all 
  creatures. Often, rearing and domestication 
  is added to the aforementioned roles, 
  because both play an important part of many 
  beastmaster’s lives. Finally, beastmasters also 
  provide protection from the creatures they 
  study when needed and expert advice when 
  situations become dire. Whatever course of 
  study you choose as a beastmaster, it will 
  undoubtedly dovetail into the other disciplines 
  as the best beastmaster is a well-rounded 
  beastmaster.
  Knowledge – The study of creatures ranges 
  from the scientific to the magical. Scholarly 
  beastmasters spend much of their time looking 
  into the origins of species, how they gained 
  their special abilities, and what mutations are 
  found in different members of the species. 
  They look at things such as environment 
  and diet to gauge those factors influencing a 
  creature’s development. Furthermore, such 
  beastmasters spend hours searching for new 
  species, new mutations, and pursuing answers 
  through diligent observation.
  Beastmasters who focus on the arcane nature 
  of creatures do roughly the same things. They 
  investigate the auras of creatures and test how 
  spells can influence what color a creature it is, 
  what abilities it has, and even where it chooses 
  to live. They also work on developing new 
  potions and rituals to heal creatures or even 
  create new ones.
  Preservation – Preservation of all creatures 
  who exist in the planes is important, because 
  each life (or sometimes unlife) is unique. While 
  many creatures are best left alone or need 
  to be contained, no beastmaster with their 
  membership in good standing would ever seek 
  10.
    
  
  to make a species extinct. To that extent, one 
  of the beastmaster’s main missions it to make 
  sure that humanoids and non-humanoids can 
  peacefully cohabit with one another. This is 
  not always successful, but it doesn’t mean a 
  beastmaster shouldn’t try.
  Rearing, Domestication & Training – 
  Many who start on the path of becoming a 
  beastmaster do so because they want a magical 
  creature as a companion. This isn’t a bad thing, 
  but they do not often finish their studies 
  to become a fully-fledged beastmaster after 
  finding a magical creature they love and want 
  to care for.
  Protection & Prevention -   One of the 
  main benefits of learning about these various 
  creatures is learning how to protect ourselves 
  against them. Many creatures, such as the 
  hydra, were first studied for this reason, and 
  the practice continues today. It is the aim of 
  every beastmaster to, rather than provide 
  protection from any type of creature, to 
  prevent any altercations from ever happening 
  in the first place. This is done by learning 
  what causes creatures to attack others, as 
  well as what deters them from doing so. The 
  ideal situation is one where a beastmaster can 
  prevent an incident before it ever happens.
  IMPORTANT: Not all creatures want to become 
  someone’s companion, in fact a large portion of 
  them do not. As humanoids, we often assume our 
  intelligence is the only kind which exists, but this is 
  far from true. Many creatures have equal or greater 
  intelligence than ours and therefore see becoming a 
  pet more akin to indentured servitude than anything 
  else. Likewise, many creatures aren’t suited for 
  domestication, which you will undoubtedly read later 
  on in this guide.
  11.
    
  
  Beastmaster Ranks
  The ancient organization of beastmasters 
  have various ranks based on a being’s learning 
  and understanding of beasts. In order to 
  pass to the next rank, one must undergo a 
  set of gruelling tasks, which become more 
  difficult with every new rank. Ranks are also 
  awarded for amazing discoveries in the field of 
  Beastiology.
  Hatchling – Hatchlings are the first rank of 
  beastmaster. This rank is given to people just 
  starting their studies into various creatures. 
  Each Hatching is guided by a Dragon who 
  serves as a mentor to them and teaches them 
  how to properly observe and care for creatures. 
  Hatchlings are encouraged to focus on a few 
  creatures who spark their interest along with 
  a field of study (preservation, domestication, 
  etc.) to focus their time as a beastmaster.
  Drake – A beastmaster graduates from the 
  rank of Hatchling to the rank of Drake when 
  their Dragon mentor deems them ready. This 
  is normally after a few years of study. Being a 
  Drake means taking on more responsibilities 
  as a beastmaster and being available 
  for the order if ever called upon. 
  Drakes are no longer required to be guided 
  by their Dragon mentor, but many still seek 
  their advice, with the mentorship turning into 
  a mutual respect among colleagues or even a 
  friendship. 
  This rank does, however, have less 
  responsibility than that of Dragon and 
  therefore many beastmasters choose to 
  stay at the Drake rank, even when they are 
  ready to graduate into being Dragons. Many 
  adventurers enjoy the freedom a Drake 
  provides in comparison with being a Dragon, 
  having the ability to move in and out of the 
  organization and quest through the lands when 
  they see fit.
  Dragon – In order to graduate from Drake 
  to Dragon one must contribute significantly 
  to the field of Beastiology. The rank of Dragon 
  is awarded by the Council of Dragons and 
  approved by the High Dragon: the most 
  important beastmaster of all. 
  Dragons work solely 
  as beastmasters and 
  swear their lives to the 
  creatures they study. 
  Hatchling
  Drake
  Dragon
  12.
    
  
  The Journal of  
  Deliliah B. Timpleton
  Beastmaster Training - Day 1
  Stepping into the Great Hall of the 
  beastmaster, my small figure was swallowed 
  by its grandeur. Like stepping into the mouth 
  of a leviathan, the soaring stone walls echoed 
  with sound far in the distance. All around me 
  the illustrious robes of Hatchlings, Drakes, 
  and even a few Dragons hurriedly went 
  about their business. Soon, I would earn 
  the honored rank of Hatching and begin 
  my journey into becoming a full-fledged 
  beastmaster! A part of me wondered, was 
  there place in such a big organization for such 
  a small gnome like me?
  Soaring, slithering, and sauntering along 
  with the beastmasters was a myriad of 
  beasts I never dreamed I would ever see. I 
  could very nearly touch a couatl who passed 
  me on the shoulder of an ancient half-orc 
  beastmaster (Dragon rank obviously). As 
  we were hurried through the halls I swear 
  I caught the whiff of an otyugh! The Great 
  Hall alone was better than any ranger 
  expedition I’d ever been on.
  There was nary time to doubt myself as the 
  other recruits and I were hurried through the 
  hall and into the High Dragon’s chambers. 
  It’s hard for me to recall what happened 
  after the door closed, as I was awestruck in 
  her magnificence. A grizzled tiefling with 
  giant silver wings and impressively strong 
  arms — the High Dragon was every story I 
  had heard and more — I think. Like I said 
  I kind of blacked out for a moment in joy.
  When I came back to my senses we were 
  already walking towards our quarters. 
  Hatchling robes in our hands and ready to 
  start our duties.
  They report to the Council of Dragons and 
  sometimes perform special quests for the High 
  Dragon when they are too busy to deal with 
  other matters of importance.
  High Dragon – The High Dragon is a title 
  afforded to only one being, the leader of all 
  beastmasters. This person is the most learned 
  and skilled of all beastmasters. They are the 
  one called when situations are most dire and 
  entire cities are in danger. High Dragons 
  almost always leave the running of the 
  beastmaster order to the Council of Dragons 
  who decides on day-to-day matters within the 
  organization. If a High Dragon steps in, it is 
  because the situation is extremely important, 
  or they do not agree with the Council, which 
  rarely happens.
  High 
  Dragon
  13.
    
  
  Animal Companions
  As mentioned above, many start on the path 
  to becoming a beastmaster because they want 
  an animal companion. This is understandable, 
  the connection a beastmaster has with their 
  animal companion is profound and deep. 
  Finding the right animal companion means a 
  person (or animal) has a friend for life.
  Note: Some creatures in the Atlas Animalia 
  detailed later are not technically ‘animals’, but 
  would still make great companions. We’ve used the 
  word animal here for ease of explanation.
  When picking a species of animal there are 
  three important factors to consider:
  Aggression – Aggression is the first and 
  most important factor to think of when 
  picking a species of creature in which you are 
  interested. Many creatures are too violent to 
  be a person’s companion and are completely 
  unsuitable. It’s important you properly 
  research the various breeds within your chosen 
  species, because temperaments can vary 
  greatly depending on innate traits and magical 
  enhancements. For example, a hunting blink 
  dog makes an amazing animal companion, but 
  a blink wolf is nigh impossible to train and will 
  mostly likely kill you if you enter its territory.
  Temperament – While aggression is part 
  of a beast’s temperament, it is not the only 
  aspect of it. Once you’ve found a safe species 
  to have as an animal companion it is important 
  to look at whether or not they match your own 
  temperament. If you’re someone who doesn’t 
  enjoy being annoyed, tricked, or fooled, best 
  not take a mimic as an animal companion.
  Sometimes the animal companion you 
  find most appealing, because it is cute or 
  has funny habits, will suit you terribly in the 
  long run. Sadly, once many of these creatures 
  are domesticated, it is impossible for them 
  to go back to their natural environment. 
  To make matters worse they will not be 
  accepted in either societies either. When you 
  decide to take a rare creature as your animal 
  companion, realize that it is for their entire 
  life and is not a choice you should make on 
  a whim. Beastmasters have seen too many 
  cases of animal companions brought to our 
  order by owners who no longer want them. To 
  avoid this, it is important to know what your 
  animal’s temperament will be like.
  Lifestyle – Finally, it is important to look 
  at your lifestyle when picking an animal 
  companion. Once you bond with your 
  companion, it is likely they will want to 
  spend as much time as possible with you 
  and some lifestyles don’t work with certain 
  animal companions. For example, if you 
  often adventure in sunny, dry areas, a sludge 
  swimmer will suffer because of the fine mucus 
  layer on their skin, which should stay moist at 
  all times.
  Non-humanoid Sentience 
  Non-humanoid sentience is difficult for many 
  beastmasters to understand, because it is hard 
  to conceptualize thought alien to our own. 
  We assume our ideas and preconceptions are 
  universal, when that is in fact false. Life would 
  be easier if we could assume we were the center 
  of the known planes, but it would also be so 
  much less interesting.
  Many species detailed in the pages that follow 
  are sentient, but in an unconventional manner 
  (at least to humanoids). As beastmasters, 
  we’ve attempted to describe their behaviors, 
  thoughts, and feelings in a clear manner, but 
  this comes with a caveat: it will ultimately be 
  impossible to truly understand beings who 
  are other than our own. This doesn’t mean 
  we cannot treat each other with empathy and 
  kindness, nor does it mean we cannot forge 
  friendships, it simply means one cannot truly 
  understand what it is like to be someone (or 
  something) else without first-hand experience.
  14.
    
  
  Below is a short list of different types of 
  sentience we look at in this book:
  Animalistic - Many people incorrectly 
  assume this is just primal reactions. Animals 
  feel, think, and are able to make complex 
  choices and therefore they are sentient. Among 
  the beastmaster community this is still a highly 
  contentious subject, because animals are one of 
  our primary food sources. If animals are truly 
  sentient, what does that mean about our eating 
  habits and who we are? Where do we draw the 
  line for animal rights? Do we only listen to the 
  creatures who can speak for themselves, or is it 
  our own fault for not being able to understand 
  them?
  Celestial – Celestial sentience is perhaps 
  the easiest form of sentience for humanoids to 
  grasp. This is because we’ve spent much of our 
  lives worshiping the divine. In doing so, we’ve 
  put in the time and effort it takes to know and 
  understand how celestial creatures think and 
  why they do what they do. Also, many celestial 
  creatures are not that emotionally removed 
  from the humanoids below them. Often 
  their feelings are very similar to ours, but the 
  creatures have been elevated to another plane 
  of cognition, meaning their thoughts are very 
  different.  Sometimes, even incorrectly, we 
  assume sentience where there is none. 
  Just because a creature inhabits 
  the celestial plane, because it is a 
  higher being, does not mean it 
  has sentience. 
  Draconic – Draconic 
  sentience, most 
  beastmasters would argue, 
  is very similar to our own, 
  but often ancient and 
  warped. On the other hand, 
  dragons find themselves very 
  far removed for humanoids 
  and as they are creatures of 
  uncountable intelligence and 
  history, we must respect their 
  thoughts on the matter. One piece of evidence 
  dragons often cite is the fact that they consider 
  many of the humanoid races non-sentient, akin 
  to how a human sees its cat. This would suggest 
  dragons have a deep understanding of the 
  intricacies of the world, which we are incapable 
  of understanding. However, it is difficult 
  to distinguish what of the aforementioned 
  statement is simply disdain and what has any 
  scientific merit. 
  Flora – These creatures are perhaps most 
  alien to our own way of thinking and therefore 
  difficult to explain completely. Many flora 
  species live connected to others of their kind 
  in a profound way. Some function as a literal 
  hivemind, thinking and acting as one, others 
  have unique connection with one another. This 
  connection extends so far that their entire 
  selves may be combined at one point, while still 
  retaining a sense of individuality. Myconids 
  often miss this connection when they sprout 
  and explore the world, never able to truly feel it  
  again until they meet others of their kind.
  Many beastmasters early in their career often 
  assume that flora creatures are peaceful. This, 
  to a large extent is true, but this peacefulness 
  15.
    
  
  does not come from the same locus as it does 
  in humanoid creatures. Flora creatures do not 
  exist on a higher plane of existence, nor have 
  they reached a level of enlightenment which 
  allows them to shrug off violence. Instead, they 
  are motivated almost solely by community.  
  Most species will do nearly anything to protect 
  their people and this makes most of them 
  extremely non-violent. However, if there is no 
  chance to escape or work things out peacefully, 
  flora creatures can become extremely and 
  ruthlessly violent. Even the most sadistic 
  creatures often feel the need to leave flora 
  creatures alone for this reason, because facing a 
  horde of angry treant isn’t worth whatever evil 
  scheme they’ve cooked up.
  As beastmasters, we could write an entire 
  anthology to itself on non-humanoid 
  sentience, but that is not the purpose of this 
  atlas. In fact, from reading the list above you 
  are probably already coming to the conclusion 
  that many philosophers have mulled over for 
  centuries: the fact that sentience is very hard 
  to define. Also, who gets to define it? If the 
  answer is creatures who are sentient, that 
  would be a very long list. 
  If all creatures are sentient to a certain 
  degree what does that mean for our humanoid 
  omnivorous diet? Do we consume things that 
  have complex emotions just because we are 
  hungry? Or do we try to deny our base nature 
  because higher thought warns us against it? 
  Where do we draw the line at what is right 
  and what is wrong? These types of questions 
  have plagued beastmasters since the start of 
  our order and if you are thinking about, no 
  matter what side of the debate you fall on, you 
  are taking the right steps in your beastmaster 
  journey. 
  I encourage you to look for signs of a 
  creature’s sentience in your studies. Ask 
  yourself the hard questions and come up with 
  your own answers. Here are a few to think 
  about when asking yourself if a creature is 
  sentient or not:
  Does the creature have a sense of self?
  Does it exhibit emotions and feelings?
  Does the creature have intelligence? 
  What form does it take?
  Can the creature intentionally reproduce?
  What is a Magical Creature? 
  Creatures often fall into two distinct 
  categories: creatures who possess magic and 
  creatures who have natural abilities that are 
  so fantastic they seem like magic. It is often 
  hard for people to discern which is which, and 
  therefore many creatures are often incorrectly 
  labeled until they reach a learned beastmaster 
  who can properly look at them. When you 
  first encounter a new species of creature, 
  it is important that you don’t jump to any 
  conclusions.
  Creatures with magic are able to do thing 
  such as cast spells, perform rituals, and brew 
  potions. For example, sorcerers of various 
  species would be considered magical creatures. 
  What is interesting among non-humanoid 
  species is that often an entire species has 
  magical aptitude rather than a few individuals. 
  Within humanoid species, it is often only 
  a small subset of individuals who are born 
  with power or decide to use it. Two totally 
  non-magical gnome parents may still have a 
  sorcerer as a child, though sorcery often runs 
  in a family.
  In this way, humanoids are sadly less 
  complex than other species who are able to 
  cast magic. Where a creature’s makeup seems 
  complicated enough to pass magic among 
  one another, teach each other, and learn... we 
  16.
    
  
  seem incapable. Yet another humbling fact one 
  learns as a beastmaster.
  A word of warning: magical creatures often 
  have a very high level of intelligence and a 
  razor sharp wit; combine this with magical 
  abilities, and it makes them near unstoppable. 
  We advise against angering magical creatures 
  when you can avoid it. They tend to think of 
  devilishly creative ways to get you back if you 
  do.
  On the other side of the coin we have 
  creatures who have innate abilities that seem 
  magical, but are not. These creatures, such as 
  the treasureshell dragon turtle, appear to have 
  magical abilities, but in fact they are quite 
  mundane. The treasureshell, grows actual 
  treasure on its back — casks of gold, rubies, 
  crowns — but this is not something the beast 
  can intentionally start or stop. Instead, it is 
  part of who the creature is, like the claws on a 
  cat.
  Confused? That is understandable. For the 
  sake of argument, let’s look at arguably the 
  simplest humanoid creature: a human. Let’s 
  say this human is a wizard, so he is a magical 
  creature. What made him this way? Some 
  people would argue what gives a human access 
  to magic is learning, which is centered in the 
  brain. So, then technically doesn’t that make 
  the human just a creature with an innate 
  ability?
  The answer to that question is no, because 
  the human wizard had to learn his magic. This 
  brings us to another great debate: if the above 
  is true, does this mean sorcerers, humanoids 
  born with magic, are magical creatures? I 
  would argue the answer to that question is yes. 
  Sorcerers are born with innate abilities they 
  cannot get rid of. They use them to function in 
  their daily life and ripping a sorcerer from their 
  magic is deadly. This fits all the qualifications 
  for a creature with innate abilities, does it not?
  The Journal of 
  Deliliah B. Timpleton
  Beastmaster Training - Day 101
  When your Dragon asks you what your 
  favorite beast is, and you blurt out hydra, 
  it’s best not to follow their next question of, 
  ‘So that’s what you’ll be studying then?’ 
  with the word ‘yes’. What have I gotten 
  myself into? Don’t get me wrong, I love 
  hydras. I’ve literally ready every epic 
  with them in it, even Ruesh’s controversial 
  Voyage into Hellscape, but I never 
  considered wanting to be face-to-face with 
  one. 
  Luckily, I trusted my Dragon as much 
  then as I do now, and Rutherford is a 
  great teacher. Funnily enough we even 
  share the same middle name, weird how 
  these things work out. I mean I still trust 
  Rutherford, but as I am writing this 
  entry he and I are sitting in a swamp 
  far, far away from the beastmaster 
  Great Hall. Apparently, a hydra has 
  uncharacteristically ventured from 
  her territory and is moving through a 
  swampland laying waste to whatever 
  unhappy soul enters her path. 
  Rutherford has told me multiple times 
  we are just here to observe and report 
  back, but there is a certain twinkle in his 
  eye... something I don’t completely trust. 
  He’s normally such a levelheaded kobold 
  and has given me multiple lectures about 
  how I should never, ever seek out the 
  subject of my study until I am Dragon 
  rank, but something in my stomach 
  doesn’t feel right. 
  Rutherford says that is just the 
  aftereffects of the toxic cloud hydrae leave 
  behind them.
  17.
    
  
  Creature Origins 
  Most creatures on the planes evolved from 
  simple organisms to complex ones. Whether 
  you think this is because of a creator god or 
  science is left to your individual beliefs. For 
  the sake of this guide, we will assume that 
  whatever the case, creatures did evolve for 
  some reason.
  Aside from evolution, there are also 
  creatures who have been created by magic or 
  manipulated by magic. These creatures would 
  never have never existed in the planes if not 
  for another shaping them, breathing life into 
  their lungs, or mutating an existing creature 
  so greatly they are unrecognizable from their 
  original species. Tracing the precise routes of 
  a creature’s origin is a complex and confusing 
  process, requiring significant efforts in both 
  biological and anthropological research.
  Even once a creature’s origin story is 
  discovered, it is still under scrutiny in the 
  beastmaster field. Some tales of a creature’s 
  origins that have flourished in the wild are so 
  ancient, they are closer to folklore than fact. In 
  these situations, immortal and ancient beings 
  must be found to consult with. They are the 
  only near-reliable source to tell if a tale is true 
  or not, and even then, they could be mistaken. 
  Using this Guide
  Each entry in this book has either come 
  from my own research, reviews within made 
  by a different beastmaster, or beastmaster 
  ally, dedicated to their chosen field of study. It 
  reviews the basic information on each species 
  and then looks into different variants of each 
  species.
  Beast Overview
  This examines the species as a whole.
  Introduction
  The introduction takes you through the 
  common conceptions of the beast and 
  its origins. It looks into taxonomy (the 
  classification of the beast), etymology (the 
  origins of the name), and morphology  
  (the shape the beast takes).
  Biology
  This section delves deeper into the evolution 
  of the species. It looks at how they move and 
  the natural protections the beast may have. 
  Finally, it reviews a creature’s special and 
  magical abilities if it has any.
  Behavior
  In ‘Behavior’ we look at a creature’s 
  intelligence and ability. We look at whether it 
  has any social structures in place and how the 
  species organizes itself. Finally, we attempt 
  to give a comprehensive look into a creature’s 
  temperament as seen through our own 
  18.
    
  
  perspective. Temperament will be looked upon 
  differently depending on the person reading 
  this book. Where an orc warrior may find an 
  owlbear prone to violence a good thing, an 
  elven child most likely will not.
  Diet
  This section looks at what the creature eats 
  and if there is anything special about its waste.
  Mating
  Mating reviews how the creature selects a 
  mate, gives birth, and raises their offspring. 
  This section is one of the most diverse 
  sections within the Atlas due to how varied 
  reproduction can be in any given species. Some 
  species don’t mate at all, but split themselves 
  instead. Likewise, not all species raise their 
  young, and some may be born of eggs where 
  others are carried in sacs attached to their 
  parent’s bodies.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  In ‘Interactions with Humanoids’ we look 
  at whether or not the creature has been 
  domesticated and how general interactions 
  have been between humanoids and the species. 
  We speak about conservation of rare species, 
  and whether or not they are commonly hunted. 
  Variant  - For each species we look at four 
  variants.
  Overview
  Each variant has a short overview looking at 
  any differences between the variant and the 
  information mentioned about the species in 
  general.
  Rumors & Legends
  In ‘Rumors & Legends’ I note numerous 
  stories that I have collected over my travels but 
  have yet been able to verify.
  The Journal of  
  Deliliah B. Timpleton
  Beastmaster Training - Day 112
  Well, I’m not dead.
  Four days away from reaching the hydra, 
  Rutherford gave me a special poultice of 
  swampweed to eat to counteract the effects of 
  her toxic cloud.
  Three days away from the hydra, we waded 
  through a swamp filled with dead snakes 
  bobbing on the surface of the water.
  Two days from the hydra, we heard the 
  moaning screams of some poor swamp beast 
  caught in the caustic aura of the hydra.
  One day from the hydra, something started 
  following us.
  Thanks to Rutherford’s quick footwork we 
  managed to sneak behind the great beast. 
  Scarfing down handfuls of extra poultice, 
  we came upon her giant sleeping form. 
  Three heads restlessly slept intertwined with 
  one another and we spied the cause of the 
  hydra’s distress. A fourth neck extended from 
  her shoulders, scratched and ragged from 
  where she was biting in. Half of a wooden 
  shield protruded from the stump, splintered, 
  stunting the hydra’s ability to regrow her 
  head.
  In normal cases, we’d leave the beast be, 
  but the pain it was causing her meant she 
  wasn’t leaving anything else be and something 
  needed to be done. Rutherford gave me two 
  choices — thief or prey — and not wanting 
  to try to outrun the hydra I choose thief.
  More later I need to go to professor 
  Letih’lik’li’s lecture!
  19.
    
  
  20.
  Beasts of the Realm
    
  
  The Journal of 
  Deliliah B. Timpleton  
  Beastmaster Training - Day 112 part 2
  The back of the hydra was smooth and cold. Her giant serpentine scales 
  were beautifully smooth and lovely to touch. At least they would be if I 
  wasn’t sure I was going to die at any moment.
  Reaching the hydra’s neck stump, I turned to Rutherford and nodded. 
  With a great shout he screamed at the beast, clanging his sword against his 
  shield. The hydra reeled upwards, rudely awoken from her slumber and 
  ready to attack Rutherford. That’s when I took my chance. Grabbing onto 
  the wooden shield lodged in her neck and holding on for dear life, I used her 
  own momentum to pull it from her neck.
  A spray of caustic blood showered over me, but I couldn’t think about 
  the pain. Rutherford jabbed his sword at the beast, distracting it from 
  my flight and I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. As I fled, I heard 
  Rutherford’s pained shouts and feared the worst.
  By the time I stopped, my legs had given way and my chest burned. I 
  made it to our rendezvous point, but there was no sign of my Dragon. 
  Finally, the pain of the hydra’s blood caught up with me. Half my 
  hair was boiled from my skull and two fingers on my left hand were 
  unrecognizable. I slathered myself in mud like Rutherford taught me and 
  sat huddled next to a tree stump weeping for the mentor I lost.
  Gasping for air through another pained sigh, I heard something move 
  behind me. I was sure the hydra caught up and was ready for another tasty 
  snack. Turning to face my fate, I saw no one other that my beloved mentor 
  limping towards me. He’d survived! Together we hobbled back to the 
  nearest town to nurse our wounds. 
  That was my first experience with a hydra.
  I love my job.
  21.
    
  
  The basilisk bears a menacing and harrowing 
  reputation on account of its lethal glare. These 
  eight-legged lizards dwell in isolated rocky 
  areas. There are many interesting ideas that 
  exist in the world about how the basilisk came 
  into being. The most prominent tale of the 
  basilisk’s origin is that a chicken, specifically 
  a rooster, laid upon the egg of a snake or 
  serpent. As a former colleague has reported, 
  this is obviously preposterous.
  Despite their savage reputation, basilisks 
  are still often sought out by humanoids as a 
  target of hunting. Although they are reported 
  to be largely solitary, further research on this 
  beast has turned up surprising information. 
  They are in fact a social creature that has been 
  discovered to cannibalize its own kind when 
  starvation finds them, as it often does when 
  they are trapped in humanoid cities. 
  Biology
  For speed, the basilisk has eight legs, each 
  ending in lethal claws. Their skin is rock-hard, 
  protecting them from the bites and claws of 
  other basilisks. Sharp, jagged teeth are good 
  for shearing rock while the powerful jaws have 
  incredible crushing power. Their eyes are small 
  and protected by hardened skin and extra 
  layers of skin around the neck and eyes. 
  As myth reports, the basilisk’s eyes are 
  dangerous. They can petrify any living creature 
  the lizard looks at and leave a trail of withering 
  wherever they go. In some legends, their gaze 
  may even kill upon a single glance. Although 
  no cases of this have been confirmed, reported 
  cases seem to indicate the basilisk in question 
  was aged and nearly blind. This may suggest 
  the basilisk has some control over their gaze, 
  and as they age, they lose that control.
  22.
    
  
  23.
  Behavior
  Basilisks are intelligent in how they hunt 
  and trap humans, but show no interest in 
  formal training. When able, they hunt in 
  groups called banks. They are based on a social 
  order of dominance with the strongest, not 
  always male, leading the bank. Recently, it was 
  believed that basilisks were solitary creatures. 
  This is because of their tendency to kill and 
  cannibalize each other. 
  Squabbles for power are common and it 
  is nothing for a bank to lose half or more of 
  its members to fighting during a territory 
  challenge or during mating season. They are 
  generally aggressive, territorial, and brutal 
  creatures that work in cohesion to frighten and 
  corner prey before turning them to stone.
  Diet
  The basilisk has a very specific, very 
  difficult diet that makes domestication nearly 
  impossible. The lizards eat stone, but not just 
  any stone. They need living stone, or stone that 
  has been made from living creatures. To eat 
  such, they hunt in their bank or in small packs 
  to find and gaze into the eyes of anything they 
  encounter. 
  A desperate basilisk will and can eat 
  ordinary stone or rocks. These are very low 
  in nutritional value and an adult basilisk will 
  starve unless it can find and eat living rock. 
  Cannibalism is not uncommon amongst the 
  species. Several beastmasters have reported 
  finding adult banks feeding on one of their 
  own kind, now stone, or even eating the young 
  they have found or shaken out of rock crevices 
  and trees. 
  Mating
  Basilisks mature into adults around eight or 
  nine years of age. Male basilisks from the bank 
  surround the female and then begin a violent 
  display of dominance as they fight for the 
  female. At the end of the fight, the last male 
  remaining will claim the female. After mating, 
  the female gestates her eggs and lays them into 
  a hole she digs in the ground. Her eggs look 
  and feel almost identical to rocks to keep them 
  hidden and camouflaged on the ground. The 
  eggs hatch some six months later.
  Lizardling basilisks are small and relatively 
  defenseless against their adult counterparts 
  and immediately run for the tree line to avoid 
  detection and subsequent devouring. For 
  the first several years of their life, they will 
  live in the trees and bushes surrounding the 
  adult banks’ territories. Here they will feed 
  on small mammals and birds, until they are 
  large enough to present a challenge to other 
  basilisks.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  While there are noted rumors of hand-raised 
  lizardlings being pleasant enough pets, they are 
  few and far between. Most often, the basilisk’s 
  eggs are stolen and freshly hatched lizardlings 
  are harvested for their precious eyes. These 
  eyes, when used in magical potions and 
  alchemical formulas, are a potent toxin that 
  can kill even the most heavily enchanted. 
  Basilisks, in large enough banks, can take 
  over a humanoid village or settlement with 
  little trouble. This explains why often a sole 
  basilisk can be found hunting and claiming 
  the territory of humanoid ruins, as it has 
  eventually cannibalized its fellow basilisk until 
  only it remains. They are keen problem solvers 
  and will spend great deals of energy to find 
  ways to claim what they crave. 
   
  23.
    
  
  Blue Basilisk
  The blue basilisk continues to be the most 
  threatening of its species. It’s speed and fierce 
  jaws alone would make it a threat, but the 
  paralyzing effect of its glare continues to cause 
  strife in nearby cities and villages. Without 
  the aid of powerful and expensive magic, no 
  natural cure has been found. 
  Despite their reputation for solitary 
  hunting, blue basilisks are more commonly 
  observed hunting in banks. If such a group 
  of basilisk is to appear near your village, I 
  highly recommend you collect your things and 
  immediately flee the area. 
  The blue basilisk is the most common type 
  seen by adventurers, as they are the only 
  breed that will prefer ancient structures 
  and caves to the open wild. There have been 
  several occasions where young basilisks will 
  be born near great structures, only to crawl 
  in and reside happily living off vermin until 
  they become so large that they are unable to 
  leave. The basilisk is forced to hibernate until 
  disturbed by explorers, at which point the 
  basilisk tasks advantage of both a newly 
  discovered meal and the 
  newly exposed exit.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  An ancient treasure is guarded by a bank of 
  basilisks, all aware of and eager to meet the 
  prospective adventurers. As the flow of explorers 
  has dwindled, great basilisk have started to hunt 
  the nearby countryside causing panic.
  • 
  As part of a royal hunt, a good prince has called 
  for the heads of basilisks, although none of 
  his hunting party have returned when they 
  ventured into the northern ruins.
  • 
  Only the breath of a powerful basilisk 
  completely turns its prey into stone, preserving 
  the soul trapped inside. If the basilisk is not 
  powerful enough, the trapped soul will only 
  wither and degrade leaving a mindless husk if 
  saved.
  • 
  Within a royal quarry, miners have uncovered 
  an ancient ruin with hungry basilisks inside. 
  Without the mine, the kingdom will run into 
  severe financial troubles.
  • 
  There is an ancient awakened basilisk dwelling 
  deep in within an ancient city that holds a 
  unique secret. The trip alone is perilous, but due 
  to her blindness, she cannot control the power 
  of her gaze.
  24.
    
  
  Crested Basilisk
  Deep within the rainforests of the world, 
  the crested basilisk lives. At the edge of water, 
  mostly rivers and small lakes and ponds, it 
  makes its home. Unlike the blue basilisk, the 
  crested is quite small, being under a meter long 
  and weighing 5 - 7 ounces (141 - 198 grams). 
  Most of this basilisk is made up of its long, 
  thin tail. Instead of spikes along its back for 
  protection, the crested basilisk has a fan-like 
  crest on its head, back, and tail. It also has 
  fringes on the toes of the feet to help with 
  staying afloat on liquid surfaces.
  Due to their small size, these basilisks can 
  easily become prey. In moments of panic, 
  they raise their crests and run rapidly on two 
  feet, even across bodies of water, using their 
  tail for balance. The crest raises to intimidate 
  predators. The eyes stare straight ahead, 
  stopping anything that looks into them as they 
  attempt to flee. Unlike the blue basilisk, the 
  crested basilisk’s gaze paralyzes rather than 
  turns to stone. 
  It’s diet normally consists of small mammals 
  and fish, typically rising to the surface once 
  paralyzed providing an easy meal. When the 
  gaze is used on humanoids, there have been 
  several reports of short-term blindness. I can 
  only assume the same will happen to larger 
  creatures that attempt to harm or spook the 
  crested basilisk. Fortunately, it is often more 
  eager to run than to confront those  
  who would cause it harm. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A wizard’s errand boy was supposed to catch and 
  deliver a crested basilisk... though it appears to 
  have escaped (or been released) and now runs 
  wild through the city.
  • 
  A sudden increase of political assassinations 
  have emerged. The only clue that has circulated 
  is that the assassin uses the basilisk to paralyze 
  their target, but after the deed is done, the 
  assassin just leaves the crested basilisk behind.
  • 
  A rumored cure for the sickness a crested 
  basilisk can give someone has been reported to 
  be found in the mountains and discovered by 
  a harrowing witch who refuses to give the cure 
  over until the local lord relinquishes her land 
  back to her.
  • 
  Two young women have domesticated a crested 
  basilisk and are attempting to breed their little 
  monster by baiting other crested basilisks in 
  the area, which has caused a sudden influx of 
  basilisks to the village they live in.
  • 
  Legs of the crested basilisk are powerful 
  ingredients for making potions of water-
  walking. It is also said that the eyes can be used 
  to make paralysis-curing poultices. Beyond these 
  two uses, the meat just tastes like chicken.
  25.
    
  
  Gila Basilisk
  Deep within the realm’s deserts, hidden in 
  self-created tunnels within the red rocks, hides 
  the gila basilisk. This dust dwelling relative of 
  the blue basilisk is mottled red and black, a 
  perfect colour for hiding in plain sight within 
  the sands and rock. It’s body is long and wide, 
  heavily muscled, and slow to move. Even with 
  its eight legs, the gila remains the slowest of its 
  species. Measuring at a meter and a half, the 
  gila is densely built, weighing between 155 - 
  245 pounds (70 - 111 kilograms). 
  They are highly venomous, with toxin filled 
  mouths that have few effective anti-venoms. 
  Their eyes cause instant and intense illness in 
  those they gaze into, before the wicked bite 
  comes. Most creatures fall immediately, dying 
  slowly as the gila consumes it. Humanoids 
  caught as prey may have several long, pain-
  filled minutes before succumbing to death. 
  Before consuming, the gila waits until its 
  victim is fully immobile with no chance of 
  recovery. It’s slow body means it is a patient 
  and clever hunter. 
  Not unlike its blue cousin, the gila can, if 
  needed, eat rock. Unlike the blue basilisk, 
  however, it appears this is done more for 
  digestion than for any nutrients. This ability 
  has lead the gila to create its own elaborate 
  caves and tunnels within rock faces for 
  protection, reproduction, and for feasting upon 
  prey. Finding a gila in the wild can be nearly 
  impossible unless one is willing to venture 
  into their black caves beneath the desert’s 
  surface. They are, however, solitary creatures, 
  so if one is encountered, an adventurer can be 
  reasonably certain it is the only hazard they 
  face.
  Their breath is said to be able to kill a man. 
  Luckily, its sluggish nature means that it rarely 
  gets close enough to breathe on humanoids, 
  unless they stare into its eyes and fall 
  immediately ill. These dangerous lizards are 
  often sought by locals for the healing power of 
  their hides.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  An aged healer has spent her life domesticating 
  a family of gila basilisks to be able to harvest 
  the venom in their mouths, and has created a 
  small apothecary and visitation center for the 
  basilisks.
  • 
  Great desert wyrms have begun to make the 
  wastes impossible to navigate after all the 
  basilisks in the region were hunted down and 
  killed by the local noble’s soldiers, allowing the 
  desert wyrms to take over without a natural 
  predator there.
  • 
  A small girl has disappeared from her village 
  home, and was last seen heading into the desert 
  where she crawled into gila tunnels to escape a 
  dust storm, but none are brave enough to go find 
  her.
  26.
    
  
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A sacred glider has been lost in the palace and 
  the regent demands that none leave until his 
  most precious pet be found and recovered safely.
  • 
  A sudden flush year has caused an increase in 
  the insect population which has in turn caused a 
  dramatic increase in the glider population. Those 
  wandering the jungle are getting attacked so 
  often that travel is becoming impossible.
  • 
  Thought of as non-threatening, a group of 
  starving gliders have banded together to hunt 
  and kill larger prey, killing dogs, a cow, and 
  recently believed to have killed a small child.
  • 
  The gliders of Myangang Jungle have been 
  appointed the guardians of a sacred hollow, but 
  the gliders are being systematically killed by a 
  group of treasure hunters in the jungle, causing 
  the jungle’s magic to fade and decay.
  Native to temperate climates, 
  the smallest of the basilisk 
  family lives in the forests of the 
  world. These tiny and deadly 
  lizards live in the canopies and 
  tops of trees, spending their 
  days feasting on insects. The 
  fastest of all the basilisks, gliders 
  move about rapidly through the 
  trees, using small hooks on the 
  pads of their toes to cling to the 
  bark. When they are startled or see 
  prey in the distance, these basilisks 
  release their wing-like flaps and glide.
  Although they are sometimes called the 
  flying basilisk, they do not fly. The wing-like 
  flaps of skin stretched over extended ribs allow 
  them to glide from tree to tree or from tree to 
  ground. There is a small fold of tissue under 
  the chin called a dewlap. The brightly colored 
  dewlap is used to make the basilisk appear 
  larger than it is, and to startle or confuse 
  predators. Unlike its larger cousins, the gliding 
  basilisk cannot eat rock, and lacks the sharp 
  teeth common to the other breeds. Instead, it 
  has a flat mouth and sticky tongue designed for 
  catching insects. 
  The powerful blue eyes of the gliding basilisk 
  paralyze those who gaze into them. Paralysis 
  sets in rapidly, though the effects will only 
  last for a few minutes unless eye contact 
  is maintained. As a secondary defense, the 
  gliding basilisk has a powerful venom. Those 
  bitten will feel a prickling heat over their skin 
  that slowly becomes a muscle spasm until they 
  can’t control the movement of their bodies. 
  Pain wracks the body. It is recommended 
  victims of the gliding basilisk sit or lay down 
  before the full paralysis sets in to prevent 
  further injury. Pain slowly dissipates after 
  several hours.
  Gliding Basilisk
  27.
    
  
  Blink dogs are similar in size and shape to 
  other canine species, but with magical abilities. 
  Their temperaments match those of dogs, but 
  their actions are influenced by a high level of 
  intelligence, which surprises many trainers 
  who are not used to working with blink dog 
  breeds. Over the years, the term ‘blink dog’ 
  has become a blanket term for any canine with 
  magical abilities, but originally it only referred 
  to what we now call the hunting blink dog.
  The earliest tales of blink dogs was that they 
  were born from a litter of puppies blessed by a 
  forest sprite. Earlier in the year, a hunter had 
  saved the forest sprite’s tree from a group of 
  traveling bandits who wanted to plunder it 
  for treasure. The hunter leapt to the sprite’s 
  defense with his pack of dogs and successfully 
  fended off the scoundrels. Sadly, one of the 
  dogs was lost in the fight, unable to dodge 
  a fatal sword blow to the head. When the 
  hunter’s dogs had a litter that fall, the sprite 
  blessed the dogs in thanks for their heroic 
  efforts. Each dog was able to blink in and out 
  of existence, ensuring that none of the pack 
  would never again be caught by a fatal blow.
  Biology
  Blink dogs’ physiology matches that of 
  common canines, but blink dogs tend to live 
  up to a decade longer than ‘normal’ dogs. 
  Beastmasters are not entirely sure why this 
  is, but most assume it is related to the magic 
  infused into their beings, which slows the 
  aging process and accounts for their higher 
  intelligence. Blink dogs also have sharper 
  reasoning skills than their canine counterparts 
  and can read intent and purpose behind a 
  person’s actions.
  How smart a blink dog is, is largely 
  dependent on the dog’s breed and individual 
  personality, but there are some commonalities 
  between all species. One of the most 
  noticeable signs of intelligence in blink dogs 
  is their ability to recognize themselves and 
  communicate this to others. This fact alone 
  places them as one of the smartest animal 
  companions a beastmaster can have.
  Behavior
  Most blink dogs have genial, kind 
  personalities and make excellent companions. 
  They are loyal, considerate, and once bonded 
  with their beastmaster will do nearly anything 
  for them. The creatures also get along 
  extremely well together and enjoy travelling in 
  packs like other canine species. Lone blink dogs 
  are rare and they can suffer deep depression 
  without companions to travel with.
  However, blink dogs do prefer being among 
  their own kind rather than being with humans. 
  Given the choice, a blink puppy will choose 
  to run free with other blink dogs rather than 
  live with a human owner (though once they 
  are bonded, their love is unbreakable). Most 
  beastmasters assume this is because of the 
  blink dog’s increased reasoning skills compared 
  to those of a normal dog. With the ability to 
  understand motivation removes a cloud of 
  ignorance, which allows most dogs to stay with 
  their owners – even if those owners perform 
  despicable acts. Blink dogs living among 
  their own kind is a form of self-preservation, 
  allowing them to live and thrive in a kinder, 
  more community-focused group of like-minded 
  creatures.
  An overview by Gabriella Loosden, human blink dog trainer
  28.
    
  
  29.
  Diet
  If you want to keep your blink dog healthy 
  and happy, it is best to feed them meat. Blink 
  dogs are carnivores, but can handle eating 
  various vegetation if no meat is available to 
  them. If the blink dog eats something that 
  upsets its stomach, it will often eat a large 
  amount of grass to help pass whatever is 
  bothering their system.
  Reproduction
  Blink dog ladies (females) give birth to 
  roughly 4-6 pups and gestation takes 65 days. 
  Ladies stay with their puppies for roughly 12 
  weeks, before kicking them out of the nest to 
  live with the rest of the pack. Afterwards, it is 
  common for mothers to still look out for their 
  pups, but from afar – only stepping in if the 
  pups are in danger.
  Most lords (male blink dogs) and ladies are 
  polygamous, but blink dogs do have favorite 
  mating partners. This is often a friend they like 
  to play or hunt with. It’s clear blink dogs have 
  mate preferences, just like humanoid species, 
  but don’t encounter jealously in regards to sex 
  or mate choice. A blink dog is much more likely 
  to act out, because they are excluded from 
  a fun playing session than if they see their 
  favored mate with another romantic interest.  
  Interactions with Humanoids
  How well a blink dog interacts with 
  humanoids is entirely down to their breed. 
  Hunting blink dogs are often seen at the side of 
  hunter and beastmasters alike, however, they 
  get along terribly with phase cats, and even 
  the most seasoned beastmaster is unable to 
  keep the two creatures together (without one 
  eventually killing the other). Blink wolves are 
  hardly ever seen with humanoids, except for 
  a few dark elves who’ve managed to tame the 
  creatures.
  29.
    
  
  Hunting Blink Dog
  Hunting blink dogs are descended from the 
  original litter of puppies blessed by the tree 
  sprite centuries ago. Each hunting blink dog is 
  able to ‘blink’ in and out of reality at will, and 
  how long they are able to stay away is based 
  entirely on how old the dog is and also how 
  closely related they are to the original line of 
  blink dogs. Elderly blink dogs are able to stay 
  ‘out of reality’ for the longest periods of time 
  and have the most control over their abilities.
  When elderly hunting blink dogs die, it is 
  common for their bodies to slowly fade out of 
  existence, never to be seen again. No one is 
  sure where they go, although rumors abound 
  as to the possibilities. One thing is certain 
  though: wherever blink dogs go, it is the same 
  place phase cats go as well; this seems to be 
  the seed of their often deadly issues with one 
  another.
  Beastmasters who’ve been around blink dogs 
  long enough will notice that when they sleep 
  (and dream) they fade out of existence for 
  long periods of time. These periods are always 
  accompanied by long, low howls- the same 
  type of howl a blink dog emits when they see 
  a phase cat. Sometimes, when the blink dog 
  returns, they will have one or two scratches on 
  their bodies, matching that of phase cat claws.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Some say when a hunting blink dog dies they 
  do not die at all, but transition to another 
  realm. This realm has been described as a land 
  of endless fields and forests, with flocks of prey 
  that one can hunt to their heart’s content. There 
  are so many similarities to this realm and that of 
  the Great Huntress’ realm, one can only imagine 
  that they could be linked.
  • 
  Although blink is noted in a wizard’s capacity of 
  manipulating the weave, it has been observed 
  that some blink dogs have far more control over 
  their abilities, enough so that some wizards 
  would describe them as haste or even time stop.
  • 
  Large groups of blink dogs are able to escape 
  fights by blinking out for lengthy periods of 
  time and reappearing far from their original 
  starting place. It is generally assumed the more 
  blink dogs in one place, the more powerful their 
  abilities. Beastmasters posit that with a large 
  enough group of blink dogs, the creatures would 
  even be able to transport other species with 
  them by harnessing their combined magical 
  powers.
  30.
    
  
  Laughing Fox 
  Laughing foxes are the only known vulpini 
  canines who possess magical abilities. 
  Laughing foxes do not blink in and out of 
  existence, but are able to temporarily blink 
  into other creatures’ minds, playing on their 
  most dire fears and often mocking them. Once 
  inside a creature’s mind, they assault their 
  victim’s fears with what has been described as 
  a dark onslaught of foxes laughing at them.. 
  Victims who fall prey to the laughing foxes, and 
  survive, often add the laughing fox to their list 
  of fears.
  Unlike other blink dogs who hunt for food 
  or attack to protect themselves, laughing 
  foxes tend to antagonize other creatures for 
  fun. They enjoy scaring others and delight in 
  becoming another creature’s greatest fear. 
  These creatures also tend to live more solitary 
  lives, only making friends with other laughing 
  foxes who show them the respect of trying to 
  scare them first.
  Ladies will often refuse a mate if the lord 
  hasn’t tried to terrify them at least once. Their 
  initial attempts often fail, and so if a lord’s 
  desired mate is still unimpressed with him, he 
  will go through great lengths to win her over. A 
  common tactic is to lead a parade of confused 
  and terrified adventurers past her nest. If 
  he can convince her that he is an adequate 
  companion, the lady will allow him into her 
  nest to mate.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Many believe that one can confront their 
  deepest fears in the face of a laughing fox and 
  learn to conquer them. 
  • 
  Laughing foxes are favored by the Goddess of 
  Luck and therefore it is incredibly unlucky to kill 
  one of them. 
  • 
  It is said that one can gain kinship with the 
  laughing fox if they can successfully scare it, 
  though so far I have yet to see even the most 
  skilled illusionist succeed.
  31.
    
  
  Herding Blink Dog
  Herding blink dogs are by far the most docile 
  of the blink dogs, even if they are not the most 
  numerous. Unlike the other species, herding 
  blink dogs prefer being around humanoids 
  and are more intensely loyal than others of 
  their breed. These creatures are also slightly 
  less intelligent, but still far surpass a normal 
  non-magical canine. As their name suggests, 
  they are mostly used for herding, but also as 
  companionship animals.
  Rather than blinking in and out of existence, 
  herding blink dogs are able to make exact 
  duplicate copies of themselves, all of which are 
  controlled by the original dog. When the dog is 
  finished using their copies, it can disperse them 
  at will. The copies are not physical clones, but 
  more minor illusions of the dog and therefore, 
  if they are hit, it does not damage the herding 
  blink dog themselves, but does dissipate the 
  illusion. How many copies a herding blink dog 
  can make of themselves is based on training 
  and not natural ability. The more your herding 
  blink dog is kept mentally stimulated, healthy, 
  and happy – the more copies they will be able 
  to make of themselves. 
  Another name for the herding blink dog is 
  the ‘baby blink’, because the canines make 
  excellent babysitters, considering their owner’s 
  children to be their own pups. Baby blinks use 
  multiple copies of themselves to watch babies 
  and even keep a copy active while they are 
  slumbering – to protect the infants.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  It’s said herding blink dogs were originally bred 
  by pixies who needed war mounts, but didn’t 
  want the mess of keeping hundreds of dogs in 
  their villages. Instead, they infused the dogs 
  with the ability to split and re-collect themselves 
  at a moment’s notice. The pixies bred ultimate 
  obedience into their steeds and thus herding 
  blink dogs are extremely susceptible to pixies, 
  often blindly obeying their commands.
  • 
  There is a halfling legend of a resident blink dog 
  named Tharin (which coincidentally is the name 
  of their town) who defended their community 
  from an oncoming goblin invasion by presenting 
  so many copies of himself that it scared the 
  invaders off.
  32.
    
  
  Blink Wolf
  Blink wolves are much like hunting blink 
  dogs, but with more powerful builds and an 
  aversion to humanoid contact. Blink wolf 
  packs prefer the peace and quiet of nature and 
  have been known to attack humanoids who 
  encroach on their territory. These creatures 
  are not outwardly evil, but they are not afraid 
  to take offensive action when it comes to 
  protecting their land.
  Blink wolves are able to protect their homes 
  by creating what is known as a “howl barrier”. 
  By blinking into trees, rocks, and other natural 
  features, they leave a trace of their howl in 
  the object. When an uninvited guest crosses 
  a threshold between the two objects, a low, 
  deadly howl is released.. This howl serves 
  two purposes. First it warns the wolf that 
  a potential enemy is near. It also is likely 
  to frighten the intruder away, avoiding an 
  unnecessary confrontation. The blink wolves’ 
  howl is a sorrowful, deep tune which can scare 
  even the bravest of warriors.
  Blink wolves fall somewhere 
  between a normal and dire wolf 
  in size. They are very agile and 
  much stronger than they 
  appear, with their biting 
  strength matching that 
  of a dire wolf. They are 
  able to handle a wide 
  range of temperatures 
  and are not negatively 
  affected by extreme 
  heat or cold.  
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The surface-dwelling dark elves of the west are 
  the only group that has successfully integrated 
  with the blink wolves. Elves who venture 
  from this tribe are always accompanied by a 
  companion wolf.
  • 
  As blink dogs can jump through realms, some 
  believe that the blink wolf is a creature linked 
  to the shadow realm, some even going so far as 
  to say that blink wolves can even jump through 
  shadows.
  • 
  It is said a legendary tracker named Kaelswik is 
  accompanied by a blink wolf, though this has not 
  been officially confirmed yet. 
  33.
    
  
  Bulettes, often times called ‘land sharks’, 
  swim through the ground as well as their sea-
  dwelling ancestors did the oceans. Taking their 
  prey by surprise, they thrust up with sharp 
  teeth and powerful jaws. With a penchant for 
  humanoid flesh, they are dangerous to observe 
  and even more so to train.
  In addition to sharks, bulettes share their 
  ancestry with the more docile giant turtle. The 
  bulette has a hardened, natural armor that 
  protects the creature from the rocks, roots, and 
  bones under the ground through which they 
  travel. They have sharp, thick claws on each 
  leg, good for angling upwards and tearing aside 
  ceilings of grass, sand, ice, and even stone.
  The most common tale of the origin of 
  the bulette is that it was the product of a 
  hermit wizard’s experimentation. After many 
  grotesque failures, and with the rumored help 
  of a demon, he finally succeeded in creating 
  the huge, fierce animal with an insatiable 
  appetite. Some say the wizard’s success was too 
  perfect, as the moat of bones near the lair kept 
  adventurers away; without prey, their instincts 
  led them to escape to hunt in other lands.
  Biology
  The bulette grows between a terrifyingly 15 - 
  20 feet (4.5 - 6 meters) long; the smallest billy 
  was recorded at one-and-a-half feet long and 
  weighed around 100 pounds (45 kilograms) at 
  birth. They see in the dark and sense vibrations 
  to know when prey is near. With a sectioned, 
  overlapping bony carapace, leathery hide, and 
  a fin that helps them travel and break ground, 
  bulettes look bulky and slow; however, they 
  can leap with all four clawed legs leaving the 
  ground. Impressive, as the adult bulette can 
  weigh over 2,000 pounds (910 kilograms). 
  Adventurers, surprised at the huge creature 
  gracefully sailing through the air as effortlessly 
  as it slices through the earth, have on occasion, 
  had that be the last thing they ever saw. In 
  addition to their foul tempers, and their 
  original diet of humanoid flesh, their constant 
  hunger is another factor that makes them quite 
  difficult to study without great preparation 
  (and protection)! 
  Behavior
  The only thing truly short about a bulette is 
  its temper. They travel underground, but don’t 
  spend most of their time there. They prefer 
  temperate zones, and are at ease in caves, 
  although offshoots can be found elsewhere. 
  Bulettes patrol territories around 30 miles (50 
  An overview by Lorelai Kendall, human beastmaster
  34.
    
  
  35.
  kilometers) in diameter. They do not typically 
  travel or shelter in packs, as their surly nature 
  extends to their own kind. Even their mating 
  rituals are solitary. Patrolling their domain, 
  hunting and consuming prey is their primary 
  drive. They usually have the element of 
  surprise when attacking. If their prey survives 
  the initial strike, leaping or bull-rushing is 
  always a good follow-up. If surrounded by 
  enough forces, or the ‘prey’ is tougher than 
  they are, some retreat underground to fight 
  another day. Others take down as many as they 
  can before falling.
  Diet
  It might take less time to list what a bulette 
  won’t eat. It takes tremendous energy to move 
  through the ground at the speed they do, as 
  well as to leap as they may once above ground. 
  Bulettes are constantly hungry. Their jaws are 
  wide enough to swallow prey whole: clothes, 
  armor, weapons, and all. Some scholars 
  speculate that since the bulettes don’t eat 
  elves, that their creator might have been one. 
  Stories tell of the bulettes rebelling by escaping 
  their creator. However, not ingesting elf flesh 
  doesn’t mean the bulettes won’t 
  attack them. Bulettes have killed 
  both elves and dwarves. They just 
  don’t consume most of those kills. 
  Halflings, however, are definitely on the 
  menu.
  Mating 
  A female releases a clutch of eggs and a trail 
  of pheromones for the male (bull) to follow. 
  The male finds the eggs and fertilizes them. 
  He carries the eggs in a pouch near the end 
  of his tail. This is one time a bulette tolerates 
  other predators in his territory, as he can still 
  menace them away, but allow them to drive 
  off other potential intruders. Throughout 
  the 16-18 month gestation period, a number 
  of new creatures enter the area. Once the 
  strongest billy emerges (after consuming the 
  others), the male leaves. Often he then goes on 
  a hunting spree as he seeks out a new territory 
  to dominate.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  There are a few verified accounts of 
  beastmasters raising and training young billies. 
  The relationship between beastmaster and 
  beast adds a layer of complexity to the bulette. 
  Given that hatchlings a 
  re left to devour one 
  another at birth, most billies aren’t familiar 
  with affection. However, those trained from 
  birth by a caring, intuitive beastmaster may 
  bond with them. This is the exception. Bulettes 
  in the wild will hunt and kill any humanoid 
  they find. They may not always eat their kills, 
  but the majority have no hesitation following 
  their instincts. They stay away from towns and 
  only occasionally come near farms, if they have 
  livestock that wander or stray.  
  35.
    
  
  Rock Bulette
  The most common, originally created bulette 
  prefers temperate zones, preferably those with 
  hills and caves. Though they are usually on the 
  move, they do sleep and stop to eat, and they 
  prefer to do so away from prying eyes. They do 
  not keep hoards, as anything their prey might 
  have been carrying usually ends up eaten as 
  well. Bulettes, in general, are not terribly picky 
  eaters, although I had an elven beastmaster 
  once tell me that when the bulette they 
  encountered took their leg, they actually spit it 
  out. I do believe she was offended. 
  One of the few stories heard of beastmasters 
  obtaining a billy to raise was of one found 
  shortly after birth. The bull had run into an 
  adventuring party, and though he fought to 
  protect his clutch, it was right at the time 
  the hatchlings were fighting for dominance. 
  It made for quite the spectacle, and the 
  adventurers had enough skill and luck to 
  kill it. They had a beastmaster among their 
  companions who captured and raised the billy. 
  It never quite became tame, but it did protect 
  its keeper and listened to him... most of the 
  time.
  From time to time, rock bulettes have 
  ventured close to populated areas, and 
  not quietly. A rock bulette traveling under 
  farmland can destroy a season’s crops, topple 
  trees, and damage homes. 
  It is difficult to say just how long a rock 
  bulette can live, as no one has found one 
  that has died of old age. They have no social 
  structure to speak of, most likely due to the 
  specific purpose of their creation. Some have 
  evolved to fit into and accommodate other 
  ecosystems, and though difficult, some can 
  be trained from birth to show restraint and 
  loyalty. Who is to say that they may not one 
  day develop further?
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A group of con-artists has gotten their 
  (remaining) hands upon a female bulette’s 
  pheromones. They lure the bulette to cause 
  damage to settlements, then swoop in, 
  masquerading as retired beastmasters who can 
  solve their problem... for a modest fee of course. 
  • 
  Legend tells of a particular grove where 
  newborn bulettes do not fight for dominance. 
  The number surviving billies from each clutch 
  ranges between 3 to 5. As they grew older, 
  they developed a pack-family mentality, much 
  like wolves. Beastmasters and scholars alike 
  are curious about this fabled grove; as it could 
  contain great knowledge of how magic can 
  directly influence the creature’s instincts. 
  36.
    
  
  Bulettes are tough, durable creatures. They 
  have a strong survival instinct and it serves 
  them well, particularly those of the arctic 
  offshoot. It tunnels through the frozen 
  tundra and glaciers, taking down other arctic 
  creatures. It is somewhat larger than the rock 
  bulette, as it has developed a firm layer of 
  insulating fat over its muscle. They have also 
  grown a thick, shaggy pelt that follows their 
  spine to their tail. It adds another layer of 
  warmth under their bony shell and spills out 
  over their pale, leathery hide. Their claws are 
  thicker, but no less sharp than their cousins’. 
  The arctic bulette relies more on the species’ 
  ability to eat inanimate objects and gain 
  some form of sustenance from them. They’ve 
  eaten rocks, and even the permafrost that 
  covers the tundra, as it contains decaying 
  organic materials frozen along with the dirt 
  and minerals. They are more likely to engage 
  with powlbears (arctic owlbears) than other 
  denizens of the cold lands are, but they are 
  both such deadly creatures, it is anyone’s guess 
  which one would prevail. The only surety is 
  the clash will be loud and messy, frightening 
  away smaller, meeker animals (and 
  people). Still, the victor 
  is sure to eat well 
  for some time.
  Like all bulettes, their burrowing through 
  the ground acts, as strange as it may seem, 
  as a cleaning mechanism, as the rough stone 
  and rocks they pass through dig out dirt from 
  crevasses. They sometimes pass through 
  mountains to get a thorough cleaning. The 
  arctic bulette has fewer particles to clean from 
  itself, however, as there are fewer pests and 
  parasites in the frozen lands.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A frozen lake is a popular area for some of the 
  local children. The cold lands are unforgiving, 
  and they find joy in sliding across the lake and 
  playing. A nearby bulette has taken to stalking 
  the lake for distracted prey. 
  • 
  Wizards bordering the northern tundra have 
  discovered latent magical properties imbued 
  in a bulette’s hide and bony plating. If given to 
  the right craftsman, to make the armor, and 
  enchanter, to draw out its magical properties, it 
  would be a formidable suit of armor.
  Arctic Bulette
  37.
    
  
  Marsh Bulette
  Particularly cynical folk who live near the 
  swampy areas call these bulettes ‘swamp 
  toads’ for two reasons. One, it’s a coping 
  mechanism to call something so devastating 
  by a diminutive name. Two, it’s a fun way to 
  mess with strangers in town; particularly those 
  who style themselves adventurers. The marsh 
  bulette is smaller than those originally created. 
  Moss and algae decorate its plating, sometimes 
  growing in the crevices. Its hide mixes well 
  with the murky swampland, adding a degree 
  of stealth to its hunt. Their lung capacity is 
  larger than other versions of the creature, 
  and it moves swiftly through muddied and 
  waterlogged areas.
  Their diet, perversely enough, does include 
  alligators, and giant toads, and sometimes 
  getting into scuffles with boggy dragon turtles. 
  As the swamp bulette tends to be a solitary 
  creature, they don’t always win those fights; 
  the swamp snappers have an equally foul 
  temper, and their size often leaves the lone 
  bulette at a disadvantage. They will, however, 
  give them more than one scar as a memento 
  of the fight if they lose. And, as always, they 
  have absolutely no problem exploding from the 
  swampy muck to attack any humanoids who 
  dare to enter. 
  Swamplands have many plants and animals 
  with alchemical value, so there are plenty of 
  reasons for adventurers and wizards to brave 
  the dangers, even from bulettes. Some say that 
  the churned up wetlands, the mineral-rich soil 
  that bulettes travel through the most often 
  in this area are also prized as having magical 
  properties ranging from making your crops 
  grow strong, to beauty masks, to creating 
  explosives. These could, however, just be tales 
  from charlatans and folk wanting to make 
  some coin off those who aren’t native to the 
  area. Perhaps. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  There is a rumor that bandits, who robbed a 
  local barony, are hiding in the nearby marshland. 
  Those chasing them to recover the treasure are 
  puzzled at how the bandits are not yet dead, as 
  the area is near the center of the territory of a 
  known marsh bulette. After the last skirmish, 
  a survivor swore that the bulette that attacked 
  them did so at the behest of the bandit leader, 
  who some say may be a disgraced beastmaster.
  • 
  A retired adventurer who lives near the edge 
  of the swamplands has sponsored a contest. 
  The prize? Riches from his adventuring career. 
  The challenge? Wrestle and pin down a marsh 
  bulette by hand. You’re allowed to wear armor 
  but magic and weapons are prohibited. Some 
  say that the adventurer is nearing 
  their last days and may be a bit 
  mad; others believe that they 
  wish to see young, brash 
  adventurers attempt the 
  impossible, to remind 
  them of their glory days.
  38.
    
  
  Pygmy Bulette
  Not possessing the ability to survive in more 
  extreme climates, the pygmy bulette tends to 
  stay in the most coastal temperate zones. The 
  smallest of the species, rarely weighing in at 
  more than 1000 pounds (453 kilograms), it is 
  no less fierce or territorial than its relatives. 
  Though one could call it ‘cute’ relative to the 
  other bulettes, I would do so from a distance. 
  Its size simply means it cannot eat you whole, 
  not that it won’t try to. Like the others, it 
  doesn’t like elven-flesh, but will (and has) 
  swallowed gnomes whole. They are mostly 
  muscle, and their plating overlaps more than 
  the others’ do, creating a more solid armor as 
  they burrow underground. They have fewer 
  openings for adventurers to try to find a weak 
  spot as well.
  Their mating rituals are in accordance with 
  the parent line, save for they produce fewer 
  eggs. Therefore, these are the least populous 
  of the species. Because of that, it sometimes 
  isn’t identified as a bulette immediately, 
  much to the chagrin of some adventurers. 
  These smaller bulettes also are the exception 
  to not tolerating others of their kind, and 
  mating pairs have targeted prey in tandem, 
  increasing the surprise and lethality of their 
  attacks. Scholars among the beastmasters have 
  theorized that this offshoot could be the most 
  likely to develop a social structure in its further 
  evolution. Some mages are keen on studying 
  this phenomenon, and possibly helping it along 
  with magic as well. Pygmy bulettes benefit 
  from allowing more of their kind in the same 
  territory, if they are to defend it as well as 
  their parent line and cousins. They have fewer 
  offspring, so it also benefits them to protect 
  them for at least a time, before they either 
  leave for another territory, or force their young 
  to leave.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In a coastal chaparral forest, there is a story of 
  the smallest of the pygmies hunting from up in 
  the sturdy branches of the elder trees. This is not 
  to say that they live there, but the fact that they 
  can and do spend time up there and are able to 
  leap down on their prey means they can attack 
  from above as well as below. Some say they 
  attack as a team, enabling them to take down 
  larger pray when using a two-pronged attack. 
  One acts to surprise their quarry by bursting 
  from the ground while the second leaps down 
  upon its head. 
  • 
  Rumors abound of a sorcerer looking to 
  ‘improve’ the pygmy bulette. Their liege has a 
  vast expanse of untamed territory, and they 
  are conducting an experiment with captured 
  male-female pairs. They wish to tame the beasts 
  into tolerating others of their kind around 
  them, others to which they are not bound. If 
  true, and they could tame this type of bulette, it 
  could mean this offshoot could develop quite a 
  different temperament than the other species.
  39.
    
  
  Rare, bizarre, and fierce, the chimera is a 
  creature awash in story and legend. This 
  fabulous-looking creature has become 
  renowned for its ferocity and danger. Found 
  the world over, the chimera is a three-headed 
  creature with fiery breath that makes it one of 
  the most dangerous beasts to attempt to study. 
  Several beastmasters have tried and have 
  nearly always become a meal or a victim of the 
  chimera’s wild temper.
  It is obvious that the chimera comes from a 
  magical background and defies all attempts at 
  explaining how it may have evolved. Several 
  sources in historical documentation have 
  noted the creation of the chimera by some 
  sort of divine being. This, given the animal’s 
  appearance, seems the most likely. Whether 
  the chimera was a grand experiment or a 
  deliberate creation is unclear. The efficacy 
  with which the chimera’s system handles the 
  needs of all its heads seems to suggest it was a 
  deliberate creation rather than a mistake.
  Biology
  All chimera have three animals combined into 
  one. Sometimes more, but never less. Chimera 
  are easily one of the most difficult creatures 
  to understand because of their inherent 
  discordance. It isn’t until the chimera is well 
  into adulthood that their heads begin to work 
  in full unison. It makes for a shaky beginning, 
  and thus makes their young easier to hunt.
  Chimera are rumored to have a variety of 
  special abilities, including fire-breathing, the 
  summoning of doom, and the calling of winter. 
  The only one that can truly be confirmed is 
  fire-breathing, which is said to be seen in older, 
  established chimera who have lived beyond a 
  decade. Whether or not chimera can truly be 
  the portents of ill fate, however, is debated 
  amongst scholars as it is obviously a creature 
  of magical construction. Several kingdoms 
  have told of their downfall being heralded 
  by a chimera, although how much of that is 
  coincidence is unclear.
  In the wild, without humanoid interference, 
  the chimera is a creature of grace that covers 
  large expanses of territory. Based on stories, 
  we know that they used to intersect quite 
  often with people, although over time, they 
  have become more and more isolated to avoid 
  interacting with us. Chimera are generally 
  solitary creatures, unless a paired couple are 
  raising a cub together. The chimera is one of 
  the only non-life-bonding beasts that spend 
  years together to raise offspring. This unique 
  bond begins with bloodshed, as all chimera 
  fight for the best territories. 
  In captivity, a chimera has a keen mind that 
  is easy to train if they have trusted and bonded 
  with the trainer. They are otherwise wily and 
  often dangerous to those attempting to tame 
  them. Their overlapping territories mean that 
  chimera can and do regularly encounter one 
  another. If they are almost equally matched in 
  size and strength, a show of skill will result. To 
  outsiders, this looks like a desperate fight. But 
  after the creatures demonstrate their speed, 
  cunning, and strength, one will be winner. The 
  other accepts this and must move territories.
  Diet
  Chimera have a very broad diet with respect 
  to the kind of meat it will eat. They are 
  ravenous in their hunger and adept hunters 
  when it comes to feeding themselves. Both the 
  dragon or serpent head and the predator head 
  (the lion, the tiger, etc) will work together to 
  hunt. The prey head will not participate unless 
  the body is starving. Even then, the herbivore 
  is barely useful in a hunt, but will remain silent 
  and avoid getting in the way. It will, however, 
  40.
    
  
  41.
  graze in order to find valued nutrients that 
  may not be consumed by the other two heads.
  Chimera hunt by stalking their prey, 
  following them throughout their territories. 
  They use their size and powerful limbs to sprint 
  and suddenly land upon them. The chimera 
  immediately suffocates their prey, and once it 
  is dead, carries it to its den and there consumes 
  it. Bones are removed from the den regularly 
  by the beast. The chimera grazes its herbivore 
  head at least once a day, preferring somewhere 
  open. 
  Mating
  During mating season, chimera abandon 
  their territories to reach the mating grounds. 
  These grounds are usually a clear open space 
  near mountains for protection. Males and 
  females fight for the prime partners. The 
  strongest pair off and retreat to continue their 
  courtship. Courtship is tender, with mutual 
  grooming and hunting until the female is in 
  heat. They return to her hunting grounds and 
  territory after copulation to prepare her den 
  for their future cub.
  Gestation lasts for nearly six months before 
  the cub is born. The cub is fully weaned at 18 
  months but begins hunting at around 3 to 
  6-months of age. Both parents remain with 
  the cub until it is nearly three years old and 
  considered an adolescent. The parents and cub 
  return to the mating grounds then, allowing 
  their fledgling to observe but not participate. 
  The parents do participate, and then leave 
  the now-adolescent cub to find its own 
  territory after.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Once, humanoids hunted and widely killed 
  chimera on sight, as they were considered evil 
  and a portent of doom. This belief still holds 
  today, although the number of chimera that 
  exist is drastically lower than it once was. 
  Hunting has been the primary reason the 
  chimera has become rare, hardly being found 
  near any significantly populated area. They 
  now live deep within the mountainous forested 
  regions in an attempt to remain unseen.
  It’s unclear just how many of these beasts 
  remain. There have been multiple attempts 
  by fringe groups to domesticate them, or by 
  royalty looking for a grand creature to add 
  to their menagerie. These attempts have 
  almost always failed, except in one case of a 
  young queen who bonded quite strongly with 
  a chimera cub she raised by hand after the 
  parents were slain by local knights. As goes the 
  superstition, her kingdom fell to ruin, as all 
  chimera are considered omens of destruction. 
  41.
    
  
  Desert Chimera
  These unique chimera are perhaps the only 
  one of their kind known that do not possess 
  an obvious draconic head. Instead, they 
  feature a cobra as their tail while displaying 
  a dominantly feline body. Long, delicate ears 
  on the feline head help with hearing soft 
  movements in the desert sand that make 
  finding prey much easier. The cobra tail allows 
  for deadly venom to enter into prey, killing 
  them rapidly. 
  The goat’s head in the desert chimera has 
  stunning, long, spiral horns evolved for 
  defense and clashes over territory. The long, 
  widely padded feet allow for fast and silent 
  movement over desert sands. It is fascinating 
  that no draconic head is attached to the desert 
  chimera, owing perhaps to the fact that deserts 
  are much too warm an environment for most 
  dragons to survive in. Instead, the cobra tail 
  is perfectly suited to desert life, allowing the 
  body to sense and taste prey in the air and 
  confirm what the ears of the feline head are 
  hearing. These unique adaptations have made 
  the desert chimera a perfect hunting machine. 
  Within local folklore, it is said that the desert 
  chimera is a guardian of the dead. It is true that 
  nearly all of their territories tend to overlap 
  with a tomb or a long-forgotten ruin that holds 
  the remains of the dead. They haunt sites of 
  trauma and war, protecting these places from 
  poachers and treasure hunters. Of course, 
  as adventurers have become more and more 
  common, these beautiful creatures have nearly 
  vanished.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In the sandy region of Rhe’dima, it is said that 
  whenever a king of old is raised from the dead, it 
  is accompanied by a desert chimera, promising a 
  terrible fate to those who stand before them.
  • 
  A great and honored queen has died suddenly 
  and tragically in battle. The kingdom needs a 
  chimera to bind to her tomb in order to protect 
  her final resting place from future tomb raiders. 
  • 
  Earthquakes have begun in the desert, driving 
  the chimera out of their homes and into 
  the nearby cities, settling in the castles and 
  palaces of the local kingdoms, causing fear that 
  something terrible is afoot.
  42.
    
  
  Within the fetid swamps of the world, 
  the most dangerous of all chimera can be 
  found. The swamp chimera is the second-
  largest of its kind, consisting of a tiger, 
  a bongo, and a black dragon. By far 
  the most clever of its kin, the swamp 
  chimera is an expert in hiding and 
  stalking. Very solitary, these chimera 
  do not stay together once mating has 
  happened. Rather, a male ranges over 
  several female territories and mates 
  with those females. The offspring 
  remain with their mother for 
  nearly four years before they go 
  in search of their own territory. 
  Of all the chimera, this 
  subspecies is the most 
  aggressive, hunting down any 
  potential threats or predators to 
  their flock’s prey. It is said that 
  swamp chimera bring ruin to 
  any kingdom they approach. The 
  creature’s mere presence seems to result 
  in increased aggressive behavior, provoking 
  fights that have been known to escalate to 
  war. Several beastmasters have noted the 
  slight changes in their own personalities while 
  studying these creatures, and it must be noted 
  that regions, where swamp chimera thrive, are 
  almost always in conflict.
  It may be that this is a defense mechanism to 
  ensure that the humanoid population avoids 
  where the chimera breed and live, as kingdoms 
  mired in war have little time to patrol its 
  uncontested lands. The musk that these 
  creatures give off is what, in theory, causes 
  the anger and rage to rise in local humanoid 
  populations. When one is in the presence of 
  a swamp chimera, an overwhelming sense of 
  fear and terror washes over the witness. They 
  are often hunted as they flee at the sight of the 
  creature.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A single female swamp chimera has taken 
  up residence between two normally peaceful 
  villages and her presence is being used to excuse 
  the feuds that have turned into a war between 
  the two communities.
  • 
  Due to a recent drought, the swamp begins dry 
  out, driving its resident chimera further from 
  its home. It has taken a liking to preying on the 
  local farmsteads, cattle and residents alike.
  • 
  A mad king is attempting to train and breed 
  swamp chimera to be ridden into battle. I can’t 
  imagine how this could go wrong. 
  • 
  There is a request out for the black dragon’s head 
  of the swamp chimera. If you ask me, I think he 
  just wants the trophy to say he’s slain dragons.
  Swamp Chimera
  43.
    
  
  Undersea Chimera
  Perhaps the most elusive and mysterious 
  of its kind, the undersea chimera is a strange 
  amalgamation of sea life that is both terrifying 
  and awe-inspiring. The undersea chimera 
  consists of the heads of a dolphin, angler fish, 
  and eel, with the elongated boneless body and 
  long, grasping tentacles of a giant squid.. It is a 
  voracious hunter, playful, alluring, and deadly. 
  Bioluminescence from the angler head and 
  along the squid’s long tentacles create beautiful 
  dancing lights in the water as it lures its prey. 
  During the day, or when the undersea 
  chimera hasn’t descended into the deepest 
  depths, their playful nature becomes obvious. 
  They move wistfully through the waves, finding 
  others of its kind to form pods and go on group 
  hunts. Once nightfall hits, these pods dissolve 
  and the chimera return to deeper depths 
  where their hunting continues by luring other 
  creatures to their demise. It is commonly said 
  that these creatures help guide sailors when 
  they have lost their way. The bright lights from 
  the tentacles will glow through the water and 
  help those at the helm find their way. 
  Although they can be aggressive, most 
  seafarers note the undersea chimera to be a 
  symbol of good fortune and clear sailing. It is 
  not uncommon for them to feed the chimera in 
  order to earn its good will and guidance during 
  storms or when the stars have failed them. In 
  turn, the chimera will often accompany boats 
  until they are safe. It is considered ill luck 
  to kill an undersea chimera, and those ships 
  that have committed such a crime often find 
  themselves struck from the sea by a vicious 
  storm. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A pod of chimera continues to bump into and 
  antagonize a ship, seeming to want to lead the 
  ship into the depths of the undersea, perhaps in 
  an attempt to show them something important 
  and forgotten.
  • 
  One wizard has managed to capture and contain 
  an undersea chimera, keeping it in a giant 
  bubble of water that floats in his foyer. The 
  creature’s distress has caused it to begin calling 
  its pod to it, and now the waters around the 
  island kingdom are impassable.
  44.
    
  
  Forest Chimera
  Within the forests of the world, the largest 
  of the chimera lives, indomitable and giant. 
  The forest chimera is nearly twice the size of 
  its common cousin and is virtually impossible 
  to slay. Made of the largest bear, the fiercest 
  dragon, and the great buffalo, this chimera’s 
  presence demands a wide space and avoidance. 
  Known for being the guardian of forests and 
  villages alike, it is considered a greatest offense 
  to kill one and has lead to revolts by peasants 
  against such lords who are foolish enough even 
  to try. 
  Unlike other chimeras, the forest chimera 
  mostly forages for its food. It feeds on 
  fruits, berries, plants, fish, and occasionally 
  the carcass of someone else’s kill. It is 
  opportunistic, and will eat meat if presented 
  it with it, but largely favors plants and berries 
  over carrion. The great wings that grow from 
  its back allow for some flight, though its 
  massive size prevents it from attaining any 
  significant altitude.. Instead, the wings are 
  used as powerful weapons to ward off any 
  assaults. 
  As fierce as the forest chimera can be, it 
  is a fairly passive creature. It holds a 
  wide territory and is more likely to 
  find humanoids unworthy of 
  its notice than it is to attack 
  them. 
  It fears nothing, given its size. Disputes 
  between two forest chimera can cause large 
  territory damage, and so the creatures tend to 
  avoid one another, except for in spring when 
  the thaw comes. It’s then that almost all the 
  chimera can be found by the rushing rivers, 
  hunting for fish and other fresh life, as well 
  as finding mates. Cubs are born two at a time 
  and fiercely protected by their mother. These 
  are perhaps the only chimera not currently in 
  danger of being eradicated, partially due to 
  their size and partially due to their inherently 
  calm nature. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  It is said that when river sphinx travel overland, 
  they do so upon the backs of forest chimeras.
  • 
  The first domesticated forest chimera was seen 
  as the companion to a local ranger, and everyone 
  has come to witness the only forest chimera 
  they’ve ever been able to pet and see up close, 
  but something’s not quite right.
  45.
    
  
  Even the common cockatrice is a sight to 
  behold; its diverse origins blend to form 
  an elegant, lithe body with plumage that 
  seamlessly flows into the scales that protect 
  its torso and back. Its colors, temperament, 
  and even abilities are varied, depending on the 
  creature who incubated the egg. Cockatrices 
  produce their own eggs, but often will sneak 
  their eggs into nests of other creatures for 
  incubation, resulting in different variations of 
  cockatrices.
  The origins of this species is still a matter 
  of debate among academics and mages; 
  many of whom are more than willing to talk 
  about where they “actually” came from in 
  exchange for space by the tavern fire and a 
  few complimentary ales. The only thing they 
  can indeed agree upon is that magic had to 
  be involved to bring together the parts into a 
  working whole.
  Though there are some who posit that birds 
  and reptiles are not so far apart that breeding 
  did not play a role in its creation. They point to 
  the successful experiments of a few who have 
  brought forth variants of the species not in 
  existence until recent years.
  Some say that the creature originated from a 
  rooster’s egg, and others point to the symbiotic 
  relationship between some giant swamp lizards 
  and a type of bird that sustains itself from 
  the bits of remains stuck in their large teeth. 
  Whatever the case, these strange and deadly 
  creatures are truly a sight to behold... if they 
  don’t petrify you with their gaze.
  Biology
  Their reptile heritage means that cockatrices 
  are cold-blooded creatures, so they stay 
  away from caves and dungeons. They prefer 
  temperate plains regions, and though they 
  make dens in which to roost, spend a good deal 
  of time outside of them. The creatures enjoy 
  sunlight, and their ability to petrify predators 
  several times their size means that some strut 
  with impunity through their favored territory. 
  Most can fly, though not quickly, which gives 
  them some maneuverability.
  The cockatrice is well-known for its petrifying 
  stare. Its bite will cause a less damaging 
  hardening of flesh, but will ultimately lead to 
  the same result. Although it would seem that 
  its gaze means instant and deadly petrifaction, 
  the cockatrice can control this ability. How and 
  why cockatrices use their ability is a topic of 
  much debate in many scholarly circles, with 
  many agreeing that perhaps cockatrices select 
  their targets at random.
  Note: mongooses, weasels, and of course 
  cockatrices themselves are immune to the 
  cockatrice’s petrifying ability.
  Behavior
  Cockatrices are simple beasts but can be 
  clever, as I have observed them stalking 
  their prey and timing their gaze attacks, so 
  their victims are in interesting (and probably 
  uncomfortable) poses when they strike. My 
  own observations contradict this. I believe the 
  creatures have a preference towards prettifying 
  targets, and even demonstrate a sense of 
  comedic timing.
  They are mercilessly territorial and move in 
  flocks. While hunting flocks move seamlessly 
  as one terrifyingly coordinated unit, but when 
  it comes to eggs all bets are off. Cockatrices 
  are so fond of devouring one another’s eggs 
  that mothers are forced to leave their own eggs 
  hidden away in the care of other species.
  As told by Bogdan, human beastmaster and carrot farmer
  46.
    
  
  47.
  Diet
  In addition to other cockatrice eggs, 
  cockatrices also eat small mammals, usually 
  petrifying them first — for texture. Trackers 
  look for partially digested petrified remains 
  when carefully searching out these creatures 
  and their dens. When neither insects nor 
  other cockatrice eggs are available, the 
  creatures have been known to consume 
  eggs of other creatures, knowing that 
  they may contain cockatrice eggs 
  among them.
  A cockatrice’s cannibalistic nature, 
  while brutal, serves an important 
  purpose. As these creatures are also 
  voracious breeders, their appetites serve 
  as a form of population control. If cockatrices 
  were not to consume each other’s eggs, the 
  population would swell and soon the known 
  worlds would have an epidemic on their hands.
  Mating
  Cockatrices mate often, due to the loss of 
  eggs to other cockatrices and environmental 
  hazards; though not as often as fowl, they do 
  more often than reptiles. Females are ready 
  for mating at 6 months old and choose their 
  mates by assessing the wattle and comb of the 
  available males.
  Cockatrices can incubate their own eggs 
  or leave them in nests of other creatures for 
  incubation.If a cockatrice mother leaves her 
  eggs with another creature, she instinctively 
  knows when to return for her hatchlings, 
  petrifying the creature caring for them before 
  taking the babies back to the flock.
  Once a cockatrice is born, the chick’s gaze is 
  not as lethal as that of their parents, but it is 
  still wise to not make eye contact. Although 
  there is a market for cockatrice chicks, there is 
  little evidence that anyone has ever been able to 
  domesticate an adult.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  No one has ever said that cockatrice meat 
  is a delicacy; their venom — and some say 
  their dispositions — make the meat bitter and 
  dangerous to ingest. If they are hunted, it is for 
  their poison, or their eggs, usually to sell to the 
  highest bidder. There sits more than one statue 
  of a foolhardy townsperson or inexperienced 
  adventurer who thought they could become a 
  cockatrice poacher.
  Some academics wish to preserve the 
  cockatrice because of its transformative 
  abilities, and because it has a stable place in 
  some ecosystems. However, they are few and 
  far between. Most people agree the only thing 
  these creatures are good for is as an ingredient 
  in alchemical experiments. Alchemists prefer 
  to buy and breed them because they can extract 
  their venom to transform organic material into 
  various minerals.
  47.
    
  
  Coiffed Cockatrice
  Coiffed cockatrices are among the few 
  whose babies manage to hatch while being 
  incubated by their own cockatrice mothers. 
  These creatures are few and far between, 
  mostly because of the cockatrice 
  appetites, but does sometimes occur 
  in nature. Benefitting from spending 
  every waking moment with their 
  mother, the coiffed cockatrice is the 
  most vicious of their kind.
  From the moment of their birth, 
  mother coiffed cockatrices use 
  their young to help hunt eggs. 
  Her hatchlings are sent in to 
  other nests to distract the 
  awaiting mother. They peck at 
  her feet, pull at her feathers, 
  and when she runs after the 
  hatchlings, their mother 
  swoops in and devours any 
  eggs in the nest, leaving only 
  the barest scraps for her own 
  hatchlings.
  Through this game of 
  hunting, pestering, and 
  thievery, coiffed cockatrices 
  learn to become self-
  sufficient, to only look 
  out for themselves, and 
  to viciously attack any 
  creature who dares get 
  in their way.
  Rumors & Legends
  • A coiffed cockatrice’s gaze turns creatures into 
  different minerals based on the type of creature 
  they are. It is rumoured that cockatrices are even 
  able to turn some creatures into gold, but the 
  exact creature needed in order to make that 
  happen is still unknown.
  •   When cockatrice flocks decide to leave 
  an area, people who explore their discarded 
  territory often find eerie stone graveyards filled 
  with humanoids and creatures who crossed their 
  paths. Since the bird’s gaze only turns their flesh 
  to stone, any items or treasure they may have 
  had on their persons would still be there.
  48.
    
  
  Shoebill Cockatrice
  Shoebill cockatrices are larger than their 
  coiffed cousins and are the result of eggs left 
  with crocodiles and other large reptiles for 
  incubation. These beady-eyed creatures have 
  two long, powerful legs, and a giant crocodile’s 
  tail. Their mouths are filled with jagged teeth 
  and, unlike other cockatrices, they have a taste 
  for flesh.
  Often when a cockatrice mother returns to 
  steal her shoebill hatchlings back, she is in for a 
  cruel surprise. Managing to successfully petrify 
  the crocodile, she turns her back to signal to 
  her hatchlings that they should jump on and be 
  carried back to the flock. Instead, they attack 
  their mother, tearing her to pieces and feasting 
  on her flesh. From then onwards, the shoebill 
  hatchings hunt together as a flock until they 
  come of age and strike out on their own.
  Some adult shoebill cockatrices will join 
  a flock of coiffed cockatrices, occasionally 
  eating one of the flock to satisfy their hunger. 
  However, this is a rare occurrence, because 
  though shoebill cockatrices enjoy meat, they 
  are also lazy. Often, the migratory, frantic life 
  of coiffed cockatrices is too much for a shoebill 
  cockatrice and the creatures live lazy lives, only 
  fighting and hunting when it can no longer 
  ignore the hunger in its belly.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Theoretically, the feathers of a shoebill cockatrice 
  can be used in a potion to remove cockatrice 
  petrifaction from a creature. They must be boiled 
  for three days straight and mixed with dragon’s 
  tears. Once the potion is ready, it should be 
  poured over the petrified victim and with any 
  luck they will become un-petrified and be very 
  much alive.
  49.
    
  
  Peacockatrice
  Peacockatrices are a rare breed of cockatrice, 
  which are now forbidden in many rearing and 
  wizard circles. The first was bred only fifty 
  years ago by a gnomish king who believed he 
  could use the creatures as crime deterrents in 
  his kingdom. His royal beastmaster incubated 
  cockatrice eggs with a peacock resulting in 
  this oddly beautiful creature, which was also 
  seemingly very loyal.
  For a time, the king’s plan worked. 
  Peacockatrices, as he dubbed them, wandered 
  the palace gardens with golden blinders 
  preventing them from unintentionally 
  petrifying someone. When people were accused 
  of a crime, they were brought before the king, 
  and when they were found guilty, promptly 
  petrified by the creatures. Petrified criminals 
  were placed on the palace walls to deter any 
  more crime.
  Sadly, the king’s plan was not to last, as one 
  night all the peacockatrice’s blinders were 
  removed and they set about petrifying the 
  entire palace. By daybreak the creatures were 
  gone and everyone had been turned to stone. 
  Today, beastmasters are on high alert any time 
  a peacockatrice flock is spotted, as they are 
  drawn to towards cities and seem to  
  delight in turning people into stone.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In their creation, it is believed that the 
  beastmaster who first bred them was behind 
  the fall of the kingdom, because his body was 
  not found in the palace. Before these creatures 
  turned on the palace they were known as 
  incredibly well-trained creatures who were 
  even friendly at times. Those who visited the 
  castle while the creatures were there could not 
  believe they would do something like this unless 
  ordered to by someone they trusted
  • 
  Peacockatrice are shrewd judges of character, 
  and individuals may sometimes be found 
  ‘serving’ a minor warlord or bandit king. 
  • 
  Since the peacockatrice is a ‘new’ creature, 
  many enchanters and alchemists are looking 
  to get their hands on alchemical components 
  of the creature to discover its unique magical 
  properties. Some may even pay a high price for a 
  captured one.
  50.
    
  
  Aquatic cockatrices are created by 
  a cockatrice egg being incubated 
  by any type of penguin. 
  Rather than a petrifying 
  gaze that turns a creature 
  into stone, their stare will 
  turn a creature into solid 
  ice. Because of the close 
  nature many penguins 
  have with their eggs and 
  babies, female cockatrices 
  are often rejected by their 
  hatchlings when they 
  come back for them. 
  Refusing to go with 
  their cockatrice mothers, 
  if an aquatic cockatrice hatchling is 
  lucky, they will be able to stop their cockatrice 
  mother from petrifying their penguin parents. 
  If they are unable to stop their cockatrice 
  mother, they live with the remaining non-
  petrified parent, or are adopted by another 
  penguin.
  Like their penguin parents, aquatic 
  cockatrices primarily eat fish. They spend hours 
  each day diving into deep waters for tasty 
  morsels and huddling with other penguins for 
  warmth. Because the creatures are still part 
  cockatrice, many have difficulties blending 
  in with other penguins. They have outbursts 
  of anger, tendencies to steal eggs, and can be 
  ostracised from penguin society if they cause 
  too many issues.
  If an aquatic cockatrice is ostracized 
  from other penguins, it becomes extremely 
  dangerous. With no social structure to keep 
  it in line, the cockatrice turns into a brutal 
  hunter and uses its icy gaze to freeze anything 
  that comes in its path. If the cockatrice 
  manages to stay in the good graces of other 
  penguins, it becomes a fearsome warrior for 
  the other penguins and makes sure their family 
  is never bother by predators or poachers.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Currently unverified, but it has been observed 
  that twin cockatrices share a close bond, perhaps 
  being facilitated by some sort of telepathic link. 
  If true, these would make them ideal hunting 
  pets — if it was ever possible to train them.
  • 
  The aquatic cockatrice has been seen to be a 
  favored pet by some unsavory characters who 
  use them to freeze less edible creatures. Those 
  frozen remains are commonly used to keep 
  various foods and goods cold. 
  • 
  Aquatic cockatrices have learned from penguins 
  that a collection of pretty rocks can help impress 
  a prospective mate. Perhaps related to its ability 
  to freeze, aquatic cockatrices seem to enjoy 
  crystalline patterns and tend to collect small 
  piles of gems and crystals.
  Aquatic Cockatrice
  51.
    
  
  Couatl have maintained an active presence 
  within civilizations near their homelands 
  over centuries of recorded history. Their aid 
  and guidance are not only tales of legend, but 
  memories of recent decades. My research led 
  me to the expertise of one Amiko kaj Zorgo, a 
  bold-hearted half-orc druid from the southern 
  continent. By the time I met him, Amiko had 
  spent nearly two decades of his life in the 
  service of various couatl mates. His personal 
  experience and academic knowledge made 
  him an invaluable guide, and certainly my 
  research would not have been so complete 
  without his expertise.
  Biology
  Though sometimes confused with 
  wyverns, couatl have little in common 
  with their extended draconic family. 
  Lacking in legs or forearms, the couatl 
  is more akin to a common serpent in 
  appearance. Their wings 
  vary from feathered to 
  smooth-skinned, and 
  boast an impressive 
  span as wide as 35 
  feet (10.6 meters). 
  Despite its size, the couatl is a surprisingly 
  light creature, due to the hollow bones that 
  make up its large spine and thin ribbing. The 
  chest and shoulders are supported by the 
  musculature that powers the creature’s flight. 
  Vital organs, protected in the upper torso 
  area, are perfectly adapted to regulate air- and 
  blood-flow throughout the entire body, all of 
  which work together to support long periods 
  of flight. The couatl 
  uses its jaws primarily 
  for hunting prey and, 
  on rare occasion, in 
  battle. Couatl are not 
  well-suited for physical 
  combat, however, 
  and rely more on their 
  psionic magics for defense 
  and support when the 
  situation arises.
  Couatl are also noted 
  for their scales, which 
  are unique in color and 
  texture. Practically, their 
  scales allow for easy 
  camouflage within their 
  distinct environments, but 
  shedded scales are prized 
  by enchanters, particularly 
  diviners, for their magical 
  properties. 
  52.
    
  
  53.
   Behavior
  Couatl species live in close-knit communities, 
  but as a race they are intimately connected. 
  Those like Amiko who are trusted to serve 
  couatl mates relate that little, if any, violence 
  between or within clans occur. Disagreements 
  are overseen in meetings between the 
  concerned parties, and compromise is typically 
  settled as solemnly as a judge’s court. Though 
  he was never allowed to attend any meetings, 
  Amiko said he had witnessed only one 
  banishment in his twenty years of service, with 
  all other disputes resolved peacefully.
  Couatl communicate telepathically, and I 
  inquired to Amiko if they ‘spoke’ Common 
  or their own language. He replied, “It was 
  not Common that I heard, nor Orcish, yet 
  I understood.” My impression is that it is a 
  language of images and ideas, interpreted 
  innately by all intelligent creatures.
  Diet
  Though their specific diets depend on their 
  environment, couatl as a whole are carnivores. 
  Less active couatl feed only occasionally 
  on large creatures to sustain their slower 
  metabolisms, while others hunt several times 
  a week for small to medium prey. Adult couatl 
  are expected to hunt for themselves, and mated 
  pairs will rotate the duty of delivering food to 
  their young, as neonates require feeding until 
  they are fully fledged, about a year after birth.
  Many creatures in the draconic family are 
  notorious livestock poachers for local farmers. 
  Couatl, however, hunt exclusively wild animals, 
  and are even known to protect herds and crops, 
  making them welcome neighbors for farms and 
  towns.
  Mating
  When couatl reach the age of ten, they make 
  their first flight to what scholars refer to as the 
  Gathering, a meeting of couatl from across the 
  world. Couatl change mates every twenty years, 
  and only those seeking a partner attend the 
  Gathering. There, in a hidden mountain valley, 
  males and females alike perform intricate 
  aerial dances. When two couatls’ dances join 
  together, they are considered bonded, and will 
  bear eggs together for the next twenty years.
  Couatl attending the Gathering are purposed 
  with more than seeking a mate, however. The 
  Gathering is a time of networking, and couatl 
  of every variant will exchange news from their 
  homelands. The Gathering is the keystone of 
  fostering their connections, strengthening 
  their clans, and empowering each other to 
  protect their corners of the world.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Couatl presence over their homelands is 
  intertwined closely with nearby settlements, 
  although direct contact is rare. Cooperation 
  and understanding between these villages and 
  their mythical neighbors goes back centuries, 
  with the earliest recorded history in such 
  areas mentioning giant serpents driving back 
  orc raids, aiding lost travelers, and teaching a 
  chosen few how to live harmoniously in their 
  new home.
  The few people privileged to learn from 
  the couatl are often tasked with helping to 
  raise their neonates, or young. Some will 
  spend several seasons with the couatl before 
  returning to their homes, gifted with new 
  connections and knowledge. Others, like 
  Amiko, will travel beyond their homelands to 
  serve and learn from other clans. 
  Interaction with the couatl cannot be 
  forced; they are creatures of wisdom and 
  thoughtfulness, and choose carefully to whom 
  they will pass on their knowledge and, in some 
  cases, their power.
  53.
    
  
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In the mountain ranges, there is a rumor that 
  the overarching clan is led by a single elder, 
  called the First. Some believe the First is truly 
  the first living sunset couatl, kept alive by the 
  blessings of the gods, while others say it is a title 
  passed down to worthy couatls. 
  • 
  It is said that the Sir Cuthbert of Riven was 
  aided by sunset couatl to retake his homeland. 
  Upon his death, the couatl attended his funeral 
  and took his shield back to their home, in the 
  mountains.
  • 
  Local rumor is that there have been sightings of 
  an exiled sunset couatl whose feathers are slowly 
  turning black.
  Sunset Couatl 
   Along the expansive Cloudrise 
  Mountains, with snow-capped 
  peaks and verdant green valleys, dwell the 
  sunset couatl. They are the most populous of 
  their kind, aided perhaps by the vast landscape 
  thriving with flora, fauna, and pockets of 
  civilization. The natural seclusion of their 
  mountains is also the ideal place for the 
  Gathering, hidden away in a small lake 
  valley that is nearly impossible to reach for 
  travelers and monsters alike.
  While most couatl species live only with 
  their mates or in clans of no more than half a 
  dozen creatures in size, the sunset species has 
  an extensive network of complicated family 
  trees spread throughout various mountainous 
  regions. A sunset couatl’s ancestry is revealed 
  in the coloring of its plumage and scales. The 
  most ancient bloodlines have feathered wings 
  with fire-red tips melting into almost pure gold 
  in color, and their scales are an envious sea-
  green. Lesser couatl have plumage that range 
  in warm oranges and reds, with scales tinted 
  in more green or yellow and occasionally pure 
  royal blue. 
  Though the differences in the couatls’ 
  bloodlines is too minutely sophisticated for 
  most scholars to comprehend, the couatl 
  keep strict accounts of their family trees. 
  Clan hierarchies are determined primarily by 
  ancestry, but ranking is malleable by merit as a 
  couatl grows and contributes to its society.
  The sunset couatl are the only ones of their 
  kind known to leave their homelands in the 
  name of defending just causes, and they 
  have a notable proficiency in fighting. While 
  most couatl specialize in defensive magics, 
  the sunset variant makes strategic use of its 
  psionic abilities to aid their allies in battle. 
  There are historical accounts of couatl aiding 
  sovereigns in battle against invading armies 
  and monsters.
  54.
    
  
  Glass Couatl
  In the jungle climes of the world, the glass 
  couatl remains more aloof than its brethren. 
  They remained hidden in the misty cloud 
  forests for so many centuries that their 
  existence is relatively new knowledge. Early 
  adventurers wrote accounts of flying skeletal 
  serpents, not realizing they were a tropical 
  breed of the couatl with which they were 
  more familiar. As communication between 
  adventuring guilds and the tribes who call 
  the tropical forests home improved, so did 
  academic understanding of the glass couatl. 
  These couatl do not seek the aid of others 
  in raising their neonates, so much of what I 
  learned — thanks as always to Amiko’s expert 
  connections — came from the jungle tribes’ 
  personal experiences. Called crystal couatls 
  by locals, these creatures are almost entirely 
  transparent due to their clear crystal scales. 
  Their wings resemble those of a bat - bony, with 
  translucent skin. Due to their appearance and 
  the near-constant fog of the cloud forests, glass 
  couatl are nearly impossible to spy in the nests 
  they build in the tree canopies. Their scales, 
  however, are littered throughout the mossy 
  floor of the jungle, glittering and sharp.
  The tribal leaders with whom I spoke said the 
  glass couatls are not civilization’s protectors, 
  but rather guides who taught the tribes 
  survival in the jungle centuries ago. Violence 
  in the cloud forests is nearly unheard of, as 
  the tribes rely on each other for survival in 
  the harsh environment. The couatl tolerate 
  the tribes and travelers so long as no harm 
  comes to the forest itself. Their presence 
  even dampens some magics, in particular 
  illusionary, necromantic, and enchantment. 
  Both strict and aloof, the glass couatl protect 
  a harsh yet captivating world, where only the 
  hardiest adventurer may travel to catch a brief 
  glimpse of their crystalline beauty.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Folklore from the cloud forest tribes claims 
  anyone who holds a glass couatl scale in their 
  hand cannot tell a lie, as lies are a form of deceit 
  or illusion, and thus are intolerable to the 
  couatls’ nature.
  • 
  Legend states that Kralick Na-nikot, a tribal 
  leader in ancient times, was the first human to 
  gain audience and aid from the glass couatl. The 
  forest had begun to decay and Kralick required 
  the couatls’ assistance to hunt a warlock who 
  defected from his tribe and was spreading a 
  great rot. 
  • 
  On nights with strong moonlight, groups of 
  glass couatl will sing an unearthly song in 
  chorus. This charms beasts into their woods for 
  food, though it has been known to inadvertently 
  also lure in children and those with sensitive 
  dispositions. The couatl will not harm them, but 
  the lured beasts can be a hazard.
  55.
    
  
  Arctic Couatl 
  Couatl are known for 
  connecting the corners of the 
  world, so the solitary arctic 
  couatl is an oddity of its 
  kind. When I attended the 
  Gathering, I observed not 
  a single arctic couatl was 
  present. Amiko informed 
  me that the arctic couatls 
  live self-exiled in the 
  unforgiving northern 
  climes of the world, where 
  few other benevolent 
  forces dare to tread. 
  Amiko traded favors for 
  a teleportation circle to 
  the northern city Kot’ulaar, 
  where a couatl nest is tucked 
  just ten miles outside the city 
  limits. Fully interested were the 
  couatl mates in my research, and for an entire 
  spring season, they generously offered their 
  roost to us, so long as we aided in caring for 
  their young. Thus was I able to observe and 
  inquire when I was not caring for the couatl 
  neonates alongside Amiko.
  I soon learned their hospitality was not 
  unusual, as arctic couatl are generous towards 
  travelers and locals alike. Records debate when 
  couatl settled in the arctic, but even ancient 
  travel journals mention the mystical creatures’ 
  presence across the northern landscape. Their 
  wisdom informed the founding of the region’s 
  cities, and their watchful eyes keep the few 
  major roads safe from bandits, powlbears, or 
  bands of ice giants that wander down from the 
  mountains.
  In appearance, the arctic couatl are most 
  famously known for their auroral wings. Like 
  lighthouses along a coast, arctic couatl are 
  the beacons of the north. During blizzards, 
  their shimmering wings are the only visible 
  landmarks for miles. An arctic couatl can 
  withstand the frigid wind and ice of a blizzard 
  for days on end, their wings outstretched 
  for any lost travelers seeking shelter. During 
  fair weather, the greens, blues, and purples 
  of the arctic couatls’ wings are often spotted 
  streaking across the sky during their patrols.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Old records kept in Kot’ulaar claim that hordes 
  of frost giants descended from the mountains 
  barely a decade after the city’s founding, 
  protesting the new civilizations in the north. 
  On that day, legend says the arctic couatls’ 
  auroral wings blanketed the sky as the creatures 
  rallied to fend off the frost giants and protect 
  the cities. The couatl were successful, and the 
  frost giants retreated back to the mountains, 
  but northerners fear that the giants have never 
  forgotten — or forgiven  — their failure.
  56.
    
  
  Cryptic Couatl
  Underneath the earth in the 
  deepest woods of Swórettung 
  Holt, the cryptic couatl dig a network 
  of tunnels that intertwine harmoniously 
  with the roots of the forest. This eerie couatl 
  is completely blind, and uses its scales as 
  sensory nodes to navigate underground. Their 
  rough hide, having the appearance and texture 
  of rough tree bark, also provide excellent 
  camouflage in the open-air forest.
  Smallest in mass but longest in length 
  compared to their cousins, the cryptic couatl 
  leave Swórettung Holt only for the Gathering. 
  One must assume the Gathering’s magical pull 
  guides them safely to and from the mountain 
  valley, as scholars are otherwise unsure how 
  they travel such a long distance without sight. 
  With elongated snouts and wide wings that 
  fold perfectly against their bodies, the cryptic 
  couatl is more suited for extended stretches of 
  precision gliding than flight. Their wings attune 
  to air movement for the nighttime hunting of 
  bats and ground rodents. From the top of the 
  canopy, the cryptic couatl winds itself into a 
  tight coil from which it launches into flight, 
  sometimes hundreds of yards into the air. 
  Once airborne, the creature controls the speed 
  of its descent while traveling and hunting 
  before eventually returning to the forest 
  below, expending energy for ascending wing 
  movement only when necessary.
  Despite little direct interaction with village-
  folk and adventurers, the cryptic couatl shows 
  a protective nature much like its cousins. As I 
  traversed Swórettung Holt, Amiko showed me a 
  distinctive swirl shape in the earth that pointed 
  to the nearby river. The couatls’ green-tinged 
  bark scales, shed often, were also laid along 
  the ground forming a trail that guided us back 
  to the main road. Though one might never set 
  eyes on the cryptic couatl, even the loneliest 
  traveler in its forest is never forgotten.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  “Swórettung Holt” roughly translates 
  to “breathing wood,” a name coined by 
  ancient travel journals that claimed the 
  ground around the oldest trees would 
  swell like the rise and fall of a breathing 
  chest. Rumor spread that the forest was 
  alive until scholars learned of the cryptic 
  couatls’ presence. Superstitious folk still 
  believe a malevolent spirit is buried in the heart 
  of Swórettung Holt.
  • 
  Before my field studies with Amiko, I scoured 
  the historical records of the cryptic couatl’s 
  forestland and the surrounding hillsides dotted 
  with villages. I discovered that the villages 
  within a several-mile radius of the forest have 
  never once suffered from drought or famine, 
  even when cities and towns within reasonable 
  distance experienced crop blight or dry spells. 
  Though no definitive causation has been 
  drawn to the cryptic couatls’ presence, locals 
  sometimes refer to them as “druid couatl,” and 
  believe the creatures magically enrich the land’s 
  water and soil.
  57.
    
  
  The word dragon not only denotes a species 
  of creatures, but has an ancient weight, a 
  meaning. It represents something great and 
  powerful, something to be feared, but most 
  of all to be respected. It is not surprising the 
  subjects of this entry have many names with 
  one commonality: the word dragon. They swam 
  in the oceans of the earth when it was still 
  young; before folk much smaller than them 
  came into being, before thoughts were given 
  a voice and immortals were called gods. They 
  are as eternal as the waters of the earth. In my 
  elven tongue they are known as ear‘loki, or sea 
  dragons, but for the sake of the many readers 
  who many peruse this book I shall keep to their 
  name in the common tongue: dragon turtles.
  Biology
  For clarity’s sake I would like to state early 
  in this entry that dragon turtles biologically 
  have very little to do with dragons. At best, 
  they can be considered very distant cousins, 
  much as a monkey resembles a human. This is 
  not a comment on relative intelligences, but 
  rather on the biological incompatibilities. Most 
  dragon turtles are able to breathe and live on 
  both land and underwater, save for the desert 
  dragon turtle mentioned later in this entry.
  Two traits shared by all sub-species of dragon 
  turtle is their inability to vocalize, and the hard 
  shell each carries on their back. Dragon turtles 
  measure roughly 50 feet (15 meters) in length 
  and have a various number of scaletones based 
  on their natural environment. A dragon turtle’s 
  maw has adapted to the diet available to 
  them. Some have a mouth filled with serrated 
  teeth for tearing flesh, whereas others have a 
  complex set of plates that allow them to filter 
  various fish from the water.
  Finally, dragon turtles live impossibly long 
  lives. Other scholars in my field are remiss to 
  say the creatures are immortal, as they visibly 
  age and grow larger throughout the years. 
  However, no dragon turtle is known to have 
  died of natural causes. If you ask me, it sounds 
  a lot like immortality, does it not?
  Behavior
  It is impossible to gauge the true intelligence 
  of dragon turtles, because they do not 
  communicate in a language we understand. 
  I once spoke to a (traditional) dragon on 
  communication with dragon turtles and her 
  answer was simple, “They are busy with far 
  many greater things than you small folk need 
  language to express.” She also explained that 
  dragons were able to communicate with (or 
  at least understand) dragon turtles in some 
  manner, but the exact intricacies were not 
  explained.
  These immense creatures live solitary lives, 
  but are extremely social. One easily observed 
  trait is how dragon turtles make friends. While 
  each may live alone in its own territory, a 
  dragon turtle who has made a friend will swim 
  leagues each day to visit, play, and spend time 
  with them. And it should be noted that who a 
  dragon turtle considers a friend is not limited 
  to its own species. They have an amazing 
  capacity to love and care for others, a bond that 
  transcends species. The patron ear’loki of my 
  clan not only graces us with his presence, but 
  also has an otter pup he found and cares for.
  Diet
  While active, dragon turtles eat hundreds of 
  fish per day. Their giant bodies require massive 
  amounts of energy and many would assume 
  this means they spend most of their day 
  As told by Fethirel D’nanonil, matriarch of the Elven Seafolk
  58.
    
  
  59.
  hunting, but that is not so. Dragon turtles have 
  a natural ability which allows them to draw 
  schools of fish towards them. They send out a 
  psychic pulse allowing them to lure meals from 
  far and wide without having to leave the task 
  they are currently attending to.
  Mating
  Dragon turtles may mate many times in 
  their lives, but females produce a singular egg 
  only twice in their lives. Some scholars believe 
  females of the species are able to choose when 
  they conceive an egg, only doing so when they 
  find a mate they truly wish to have a child 
  with. Once the wyrmling is born it stays with 
  its parents for upwards of a century. Often 
  parents will enlist the help of their best friends 
  or former lovers to help care for the child, all 
  of the dragon turtles swimming in a pod for a 
  time to raise one baby.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  There is no such thing as domesticating a 
  dragon turtle, but they can choose to be a part 
  of your life if you are worthy. One sad reason 
  dragon turtles are so coveted by mortals is 
  because of their supernatural ability to bring 
  wealth to those they care for. Mortals who find 
  a dragon turtle patron will find themselves 
  increasingly wealthy over the years. For 
  example, they may find boxes of treasure, a 
  gold necklace around their neck when they 
  wake, or a golden nest their dragon turtle made 
  for them as a present.
  Though as mortals we are unable to 
  understand how it is that a dragon turtle 
  communicates, the presents the great creatures 
  lavish on their mortal counterparts are a 
  show of their affection. Dragon turtles adore 
  treasure themselves and all beauty in the 
  world, so they attempt to make our world 
  more beautiful to show they care. However, 
  they only choose to share these gifts with the 
  truly worthy: those of a good, strong, and kind 
  heart.
  59.
    
  
  Emerald Dragon Turtle
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  My folk have a tale of earcalen’loki. One day 
  many moons ago our patron grew lonely; he’d 
  experience all the world had to offer and the 
  others of his kind were far away. In his loneliness 
  he created the seafolk, my people, so he could 
  experience the world through our eyes, fleeting 
  and beautiful. Our patron loves the short-lived 
  folk and will grant a great boon to anyone who 
  brings him a unique story.
  • 
  If a mortal spends enough time with a emerald 
  dragon turtle, it is said they start speaking as 
  one with the creature, as if they can understand 
  it or they share the same thoughts.
  • 
  If the theory that emerald dragon turtles are 
  immortal is true – does the same go for their 
  eggs? I’ve heard deep within the ocean is an 
  egg lost by two parents who were killed by a 
  forgotten god. If the egg were to be retrieved, I 
  wonder, would it still hatch?
  The emerald dragon turtle, known in elvish as 
  earcalen’loki, is what many would consider the 
  most common type of dragon turtle. Though 
  ‘common’ is not a fair word to describe this 
  species as there are not many in existence in 
  the world. Since it can be millennium between 
  a dragon turtle female laying her two eggs, 
  these creatures are a rare sight, even more rare 
  than dragons. However, if one were to look at 
  pure numbers, emerald dragon turtles would 
  be in the most abundance, with their numbers 
  in the hundreds.
  Emerald dragon turtles are also the most 
  playful of their species. They are curious, 
  love to explore new places and to meet new 
  creatures. Anything beautiful and unique 
  draws their attention and they love sharing 
  new experiences with others. These majestic 
  creatures have the ability to share in another’s 
  experiences, to see the world through 
  their eyes and live in another’s feelings. 
  Seeing something they love with someone 
  experiencing it for the first time means they 
  get to see it through a set of fresh eyes, and 
  this brings them joy.
  60.
    
  
  Swamp snappers, more formally known as 
  boggy dragon turtles, or nandaear’loki 
  in elvish,  are smaller than their 
  emerald cousins, measuring 
  around 33 feet (10 meters) 
  in length when fully grown. 
  They live in swamps and 
  bogs, feeding off a diet of 
  small reptiles and swamp 
  plants. Unlike the mild 
  temperaments of of 
  emerald dragon turtles, 
  swamp snappers are often 
  in a foul mood and enjoy 
  snapping at others who 
  displease them — hence 
  their name.
  While swamp 
  snappers are by no 
  means evil, they prefer 
  to be left alone. It takes 
  these dragon turtles a long 
  time to trust somebody, and 
  even longer to make friends, and you can only 
  imagine how long that must be for a creature 
  who experiences a decade in the blink of an 
  eye. However, when a swamp snapper does 
  make a friend, it is a friend for life and rather 
  than living alone they often travel with one 
  another for the rest of their time on earth.
  Also, unlike their brethren, swamp snappers 
  have found subtle ways of communicating with 
  the small folk. Most scholars surmise this is 
  because of their overwhelming wish to be left 
  alone. They developed a slow rumbling speech 
  out of necessity, so they could tell people to 
  leave them be, rather than having to dirty 
  themselves with violence.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  If a mortal manages to make friends with 
  a swamp snapper, the dragon turtle will 
  reward the person not with treasure, but with 
  knowledge. The mortal will find lost scrolls, 
  ancient tomes, and runic inscriptions wherever 
  they travel, as the swamp snappers prize 
  knowledge above all else.
  • 
  The swamp snapper has vast territories they 
  frequent and care for. If flora or fauna is harmed 
  in their territory, terrible luck befalls the person 
  who caused the harm.
  • 
  Swamp snappers are particularly fond of songs. 
  If you wish to appease a local swamp snapper 
  while traveling through its territory, it is advised 
  to sing a low, beautiful song.
  Swamp Snapper Dragon Turtle
  61.
    
  
  The desert dragon turtle, anfauglir’loki in 
  elvish, is unable to swim or breathe underwater 
  like its aquatic brethren. Instead, this gigantic 
  beast is perfectly suited for arid environments. 
  The desert dragon turtle is also the largest of 
  its species, measuring around 164 feet (50 
  meters) high with a shell roughly as broad. 
  Under its shell, the desert dragon turtle is 
  able to store untold liters of water, much like a 
  camel, which means the creature can go up to a 
  year without eating or drinking.
  Desert dragon turtles act as mobile homes for 
  desert-dwelling folk, making it unique amongst 
  others of its kind. While the desert folk are 
  unable to speak to the desert dragon turtle, any 
  family living atop it has a basic understanding 
  of the dragon turtle’s wants and needs. Desert 
  folk care for the desert dragon turtle, keeping 
  its shell clean and its eyes free from sand. In 
  return, the dragon turtle gifts the 
  riders with the most precious 
  gift of all in the desert: 
  protection and routes 
  between oases, never 
  allowing anyone to go 
  hungry.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Rather than care for their eggs themselves, 
  it is said desert dragon turtles lay their eggs 
  in a secluded oasis in the desert where a large 
  city of desert folk families care for the eggs. 
  When an egg hatches, the new desert dragon 
  turtle chooses their family, and they venture 
  off together. I’ve heard terrible rumors that a 
  band of mercenaries has been looking for this 
  hatching ground in recent years.
  • 
  Desert dragon turtles are believed to have the 
  power to summon rains and thunderstorms 
  in times of great need. Whenever a dark cloud 
  rumbles over the desert, it is a desert dragon 
  turtle crying to the heavens to help someone in 
  need.
  • 
  There exists a spot hidden away in a vast desert 
  where the shell of an ancient desert dragon 
  turtle, long since dead, has become a haven for 
  travelers that have become stranded amidst the 
  sands.
  Desert Dragon Turtle
  62.
    
  
  Treasureshell dragon turtles, or aranear’loki, 
  are the rarest of all dragon turtles and only a 
  handful are known to still exist. This sad fact is 
  not because the treasureshell are more hesitant 
  to breed than their more numerous brethren, 
  but because they have been hunted to near-
  extinction. Like the emerald dragon turtles, 
  treasureshell dragon turtles were once friendly 
  and curious creatures. This was long before the 
  world knew greed and strife.
   Treasureshell dragon turtles are unique, 
  because treasure literally grows on the giant 
  shell on their back. Gold coins sprout, ruby 
  necklaces, golden chalices... all the treasures 
  one could think of would sprout, and these 
  magnanimous creatures once happily shared 
  with all who knew them. Then man turned 
  greedy and began to hunt the turtles. They 
  wanted more than what fell from the shell, but 
  the shell itself to preserve with magics and 
  exploit for riches. Slowly, the treasureshells 
  were hunted to the brink of 
  extinction and they turned 
  away from the world of the 
  small folk. 
  These creatures now 
  live far down in the 
  depths of the ocean, 
  rarely surfacing and 
  only in dire times of 
  need.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  An ancient treasureshell dragon turtle is said 
  to still float on the surface of the ocean with 
  its head and limbs far under water so only its 
  shell appears as a floating pile of treasure. If a 
  person can resist plundering the treasure, the 
  treasureshell will reveal herself and reward the 
  person.
  • 
  Somewhere deep within a mine is the tomb of 
  an ancient dwarven king who was buried with 
  an enchanted shell taken from a treasureshell 
  dragon turtle. To this day the shell continues to 
  pour forth riches and gold, an ever-expanding 
  pile of treasure ripe for someone to find it.
   
  Treasureshell Dragon Turtle
  63.
    
  
  Long-stepp’d traveler, ‘ware the court
  Ancient halls of kings and queens
  Its marbl’d paths lead nowhere fast
  And take you further yet from me. 
  Excerpt from “The Faerys’ Fortune,” 
  originalauthor unknown, as performed by the 
  half-elf bard Renn Far’lel. 
  Adventurers often associate the fey with 
  sprites, nymphs, dryads, and the like. Strange 
  creatures who, though in appearance seem 
  almost humanoid, have customs and cultures 
  far unlike our own. But the presence of fey goes 
  far beyond shy nymphs in woodland ponds. 
  Faerie dragon courts are scattered throughout 
  the world, spreading their mischief in towns 
  and countrysides, or leading travelers off well-
  beaten paths into magical secrets and dark 
  shadows from which they might never emerge.
  Biology
  Faerie dragons compensate for their physical 
  weakness by displaying exemplary camouflage 
  in their habitats of choice. The first faerie 
  dragon scholars believed the creatures were 
  smooth-skinned, but closer observation has 
  proven their skin is covered in countless 
  miniscule scales, each one individually capable 
  of shifting in color tone. This allows the faerie 
  dragon to remain unobserved by passers-by 
  for days on end, as their many scales alter to 
  match the changes in light and color depending 
  on the environment’s time of day and weather 
  conditions. Faerie dragons with wings are 
  capable of flying, though flight is more 
  essential for varieties that migrate alongside 
  the change of seasons or their mating period. 
  Adventurers should beware that nearly 
  all faerie dragons possess a stinger on the 
  end of their tails, used for defense should 
  an unwanted creature approach. The pain 
  resulting from a single sting has been described 
  as: “a dozen wasps armed with fish hooks 
  instead of needles.” Faerie dragons’ stingers are 
  also full of euphoric venom that not only dulls 
  the immediate pain for its poor victim, but also 
  reduces them to drunken antics that can be 
  highly amusing for nearby witnesses.
   Behavior
  Like other small fey creatures, faerie dragons 
  compensate for their small size by living in 
  colonies. Though shy, they are more cautious 
  than insular. Curiosity is a trait shared by all 
  faerie dragon species, and that curiosity can 
  manifest into harmless mischief or deadly 
  encounters for travelers depending on the 
  variant. The contrasting natures of innocence 
  and ill-intent have allowed scholars to classify 
  the different faerie dragon species as ‘seelie’ 
  and ‘unseelie’, respectively. Although their 
  curious and mischievous nature is well-
  documented, very little is known about the 
  inner society of the faerie dragon courts, and 
  most theories are unique to their respective 
  variants.
  Diet
  The faerie dragon’s diet depends greatly on its 
  size. Smaller species, typically the size of small 
  house cats, are primarily insectivores. Larger 
  faerie dragons along the lines of medium to 
  large dogs shift towards a more carnivorous 
  diet that includes rodents and small mammals. 
  As these are the most common faerie dragon 
  diets, they are typically not regarded as a 
  threat, and in many cases even beneficial as 
  pest control. More dangerous varieties have 
  long since retreated to hostile parts of the 
  world, so little is known of their diet beyond 
  the recommendation that travelers avoid them.
  64.
    
  
  65.
  Mating
  Faerie dragons’ elaborate courtship displays 
  should come as no surprise, given the creature’s 
  generally flamboyant personality. Both males 
  and females display courting attempts, but 
  their traditions have more rigamarole than 
  most creatures’ do. To impress potential mates, 
  faerie dragons display feats of cleverness that 
  are often inscrutable to the non-fey observer, 
  and even highly disruptive where large courts 
  gather. Faerie dragon neonates mature quickly 
  after hatching, and are old enough to mate the 
  following season. As they live up to fifty years, 
  and typically birth two clutches annually, a 
  female can raise around four hundred offspring 
  in a lifetime.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Faerie dragons approach city-dwellers and 
  rural-folk with a mixture of caution and 
  curiosity. Their mischievous nature enjoys 
  people’s exaggerated reactions to their pranks, 
  which vary from annoying and amusing to 
  deadly, depending on the type. People have 
  been known to welcome the presence of seelie 
  faerie dragons in their towns and even their 
  homes, as faerie dragons, like pseudodragons, 
  can serve well as familiars and companions 
  when trained. 
  Exposure to townsfolk has proven faerie 
  dragons display intelligence and wit, though 
  they lack long attention spans. They are 
  telepathic, but can only communicate in 
  simple ideas and concepts, thus requiring great 
  patience to train properly. Elves, with their 
  understanding of fey culture, are often amused 
  by faerie dragon antics from a distance, while 
  humans are wont to contract druids to remove 
  nearby pestering courts. Halflings and gnomes, 
  however, are known as excellent faerie dragon 
  handlers, perhaps due to their similarly 
  mischievous natures.
  65.
    
  
  The monarch faerie dragon is known as 
  the ‘kitten dragon’ for more reasons than its 
  feline size. Vain and playful, a monarch faerie 
  dragon that enters a household will empty 
  drawers, scatter toys, and tear into sealed 
  boxes in the attic until it finds an item the 
  exact hue of its scales. If unable to find an 
  object which satisfies its finicky judgment, the 
  monarch dragon will prank the residents of 
  the household before moving on. Its pranks 
  are rarely dangerous and tend towards that 
  of a bored and magical school-child, such as: 
  brief rain showers indoors, clouds of strange 
  smells, and shimmering faerie lights that 
  hover through the house before bursting 
  like fireworks. Commonfolk on the receiving 
  end of these pranks would prefer to classify 
  the monarch faerie dragon as ‘unseelie,’ but 
  scholars agree the creature’s harmlessness does 
  not warrant the same warning as that of its 
  swallowtail skink or will-o-wisp cousins. 
  Monarch faerie dragon courts are migratory, 
  settling in northern rural climates during the 
  warm months and moving south when the 
  first nip of autumn appears. Entire courts will 
  migrate together and swarm on a seemingly 
  random town in their path, wreaking several 
  days of madness before making the final leg of 
  their migration.
  Neonates are low in court hierarchy, and 
  can improve their standing by satisfying 
  expectations that are inscrutable to outside 
  observers. Early in her studies, Clarisa Speckle-
  cheeked once studied the antics of a wild court: 
  “I saw a younger male approach an elder lord. 
  He whistled impressively, and balanced acorns 
  on his back as he strutted upward through the 
  air. He then twisted on his side, allowing the 
  acorns to fall one by one and land squarely on 
  other dragons observing the show. The elder 
  monarch chirped, then smacked the youngling 
  squarely across the face with his tail, while the 
  onlookers trilled in unison before going on 
  their way. I’ve no notion if he was accepted or 
  rejected, but it was entertaining, at any rate.”
  Rumors & Legendss
  • 
  Monarch faerie dragons have traveled the same 
  migratory path for centuries, and towns and 
  cities along their route have several names for 
  what has become a biannual event-the Week 
  of Colors or Rainbow Festival being the most 
  common terms. Druids follow monarch faerie 
  dragon courts along the migration routes and 
  estimate in which town or city the faerie dragons 
  will enact their mad search for colors. During 
  this time, families leave out knick-knacks in a 
  swath of colors on their windowsills, hoping 
  their home will remain unscathed if a court 
  arrives.
  • 
  Local folklore states a household ransacked 
  by a monarch faerie dragon will have an 
  abundance of laughter for a year, while a home 
  lucky enough to satisfy the creature will have 
  monetary fortune in the new season.
  Monarch Faerie Dragon
  66.
    
  
  Stray Sod Faerie Dragon
  In the heart of deep woods, where the dense 
  trees keep out even daylight, stretch swaths 
  of forest which druids call ‘graveyard groves.’ 
  These are not groves of skeletons and undead, 
  but rather a natural part in the life cycle of the 
  stray sod faerie dragon, a seelie creature that 
  leaves a floral legacy after its passing. 
  Stray sods mate for life, sealing their pact 
  by exchanging a seed with each other. These 
  seeds are sometimes from trees like oak or 
  fir, but can also be from large bushes such as 
  lilac or myrtle. The gifted seed is tucked into a 
  pouch on its back, and grows simultaneously 
  with the sod. At the end of the creature’s life, 
  it will come to rest in the graveyard grove of its 
  court. The plant will almost entirely consume 
  the sod’s body, and grow rich and fertile long 
  after the sod has passed on. Mates typically 
  rest beside one another, and botanical scholars 
  have noted that stray sods always choose mates 
  whose marriage seed is a plant complementary 
  to their own.
  Stray sod faerie dragons are the only 
  variation that remain flightless. They use 
  highly sensitive appendages 
  around their nose to dig 
  for insects and worms 
  underneath the damp 
  earth and crayfish 
  along riverbanks. The slow and deliberate 
  movement of the stray sod allows it to move 
  undetected between the trees, while the 
  quickness of its mouth and nose catches prey 
  off guard.
  Stray sods have little interaction with 
  civilization, but observing druids have noted 
  that mischief is common in their courts. Young 
  sods will set foul-smelling or strange objects 
  in the paths of their kin for a nasty surprise 
  during a hunt. They can also stand so still as 
  to perfectly camouflage themselves against 
  foliage, allowing them to scare passers-by and 
  then melt out of sight into the woods.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Respassers of a graveyard grove seem to be 
  dizzied and put to sleep by a sweet-smelling 
  cloud, only to then be moved out of the forest 
  with their pockets filled with all manner of seeds 
  and cleverly placed plants.
  • 
  A stray sod faerie dragon’s gifted seed has 
  sprouted into a venus fly trap that has shown 
  to be sentient and it appears to be looking for 
  something.
  67.
    
  
  Though most faerie dragons keep their 
  curiosity at a cautious distance, the swallowtail 
  skink faerie dragon has been considered both 
  pest and friend by gardeners, hedgewitches, 
  and hags for centuries. They prefer to live in 
  populated areas, burrowed in the corners 
  of tidy gardens or tucked under the 
  eaves of houses. Wherever they 
  make their home, they also store 
  their ‘hoard’: everything from shiny 
  buttons and stones if a town is lucky, 
  to enchanted crystals and heirloom 
  rings if they are not.
  The swallowtail skink’s 
  greedy nature has led to its 
  classification as ‘unseelie’, but 
  it is not wittingly malicious. 
  Shrewd hedgewitches have 
  even learned to coexist with these faerie 
  dragons, satiating them with intriguing but 
  useless objects for their hoards. In return, 
  the creatures take residence in their gardens, 
  feasting on insects that might harm the rare 
  and magical plants. Not a particularly powerful 
  fey, the swallowtail skink’s residence also 
  provides it with protection from predators like 
  hawks and foxes.
  Swallowtail skink faerie dragons can be 
  trained into dangerous mischief, however, as 
  hags are known to use the creatures to lure 
  travelers to their huts. Small and quick as they 
  are, swallowtail skinks can easily snatch items 
  of interest, such as magical pendants and coin 
  bags, from adventurers. They then spew small 
  bursts of euphoric gas, stored in fleshy pockets 
  inside their cheeks, to confuse the traveler and 
  lead them to their mistress’ home.
  Their mischief is minimal during child-
  rearing, as they focus on  protecting and 
  hunting for their young. Swallowtail skinks, 
  like most faerie dragons, mature quickly, and 
  do not remain long in their parents’ nest.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Clarisa Speckle-cheeked, a halfling druid, breeds 
  and raises them for interested parties at her 
  cottage on the southern edge of Swórettung 
  Holt. Some druidic circles whisper that even 
  hags bargain for one of her expertly trained 
  swallowtail skink faerie dragons.
  • 
  The swallowtail skink faerie dragon population 
  was once nearly endangered. Adventurers 
  realized that looting their nests, though often 
  filled with nothing but knick-knacks, sometimes 
  led to objects of great value; it’s like looting a 
  chromatic dragon’s hoard, but with far less risk. 
  Huge swaths of swallowtail skinks were killed, 
  until the druidic guilds, led by an ancestor of 
  Clarisa Speckle-cheeked, released a protection 
  edict against the unchecked hunting. Since then, 
  traveling druids ease the swallowtail skink’s 
  peskier tendencies by retrieving stolen valuables 
  and relocating those which are particularly 
  troublesome.
  Swallowtail Skink Faerie Dragon
  68.
    
  
  The marshlands of Luz’mala are eerily 
  silent. Though locals say countless 
  skeletons of lost travelers are 
  buried deep in the damp 
  earth, no restless spirits 
  wander. Only the eerie 
  glow of the will-o-wisp 
  faerie dragons betray 
  the life—and death—
  in these vast swamps.
  Tiefling scholar 
  Erudite writes in his 
  book, Unseelie Courts: 
  The Observance of 
  Mischief and Malice, that 
  the the will-o-wisp faerie 
  dragon is: “particularly 
  malign in its interactions 
  with the unlucky lost traveler.” 
  For unlike other faerie dragons, the will-o-
  wisp variety lures victims with alluring dark 
  magics and natural toxins for the sole intent of 
  consuming them. The creature’s body is scored 
  with deep gouges that are filled with mucus. 
  The secretion reacts with a toxin in the marsh 
  air to create an eerie, ghostly glow that charms 
  travelers.
  Lost travelers are particularly susceptible to 
  the will-o-wisp faerie dragon, bewitched by 
  the false promise of lamplight and aid. More 
  keen adventurers claim to observe rock-like 
  formations in the swamp that glow when 
  observed peripherally, but appear normal when 
  looked at directly. Erudite explains this is due 
  to the caution of the court. Young and old work 
  together to lure a victim, and the expended 
  energy must be worth a successful kill. His 
  writings, though disturbing in their detail, 
  paint a clear picture:
  “Young scouts keep watch over the court’s 
  borders and select potential victims, often 
  fresh-looking travelers who are less wary of 
  the danger. These dragonlings produce brief 
  flashes, enough to catch the victim’s curiosity. 
  The deeper the victim traverses the swamp, 
  the older the faerie dragon—and the stronger 
  the allure of the lights—becomes, until they 
  are brought to what one must presume is the 
  center of the court. It is there the victim’s light 
  is extinguished, and the energy of their spirit 
  feasted upon by the entire community.”
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Fey experts are divided on labeling the will-
  o-wisp faerie dragon as an undead creature. 
  Though most agree the dragon feasts upon 
  their victims’ souls rather than their flesh, there 
  remains the question if such behavior, typically 
  found in undead creatures, outweighs their fey 
  nature. 
  • 
  Townsfolk near the Luz’mala marshlands claim 
  that the number of travelers disappearing in the 
  area has increased over recent decades, and that 
  the glow from the marshlands pulses brighter 
  than before on the darkest nights of the year.
  Will-o-Wisp Faerie Dragon
  69.
    
  
  Griffins are honorable and majestic creatures, 
  with the forelimbs, wings, and head of a bird, 
  and the body of a cat. Unlike manticores, their 
  closest relatives, they are respected by humans 
  and even capable of cooperating with them at 
  times. Griffins are quite intelligent with a strict 
  sense of justice, and will not hesitate to attack 
  anyone who violates their principles.
  Biology
  With feline hindlimbs and avian forelimbs, 
  griffins are not well-adapted to fast running, 
  but are remarkably effective climbers and fliers. 
  Griffins will often climb large trees, either to 
  swoop directly at its prey, or to get above tree 
  cover before opening their large wings and 
  taking off. Griffins have keen vision and can 
  spot small prey from over a mile away. When 
  diving from a high perch, griffins can reach 
  speeds of up to 200 mph (322 kph). While 
  learning to hunt as juveniles, griffins will hide 
  in snow or leaf piles, while others dive after 
  them into the snow. Juveniles on the outskirts 
  of villages have been known to interrupt 
  children’s snowball fights by diving to grab the 
  snowballs in their talons. Parents are advised 
  to be cautious in allowing their children to 
  play with juvenile griffins, as the griffins do 
  not yet understand how human strength and 
  physiology differs from their own.
  Behavior
  Griffins are highly intelligent, and can even 
  understand the common tongue, although 
  they cannot respond in any comprehensible 
  language. Griffins sometimes interact with 
  humanoids individually, but do not interact 
  much with their society, and do not show 
  70.
    
  
  71.
  interest in entering towns or cities. Juveniles 
  are more curious than adults, and those that 
  live near settlements will sometimes venture to 
  the edges of their territories to observe them.
  Unpartnered griffins are generally solitary 
  creatures, usually marking a small hunting 
  territory, with a cave to sleep in. They will 
  occasionally leave their territories to venture in 
  search of a mate. This is a long and haphazard 
  process, as griffins are very choosy. Once a 
  griffin is partnered, it mates for life, and will 
  not seek another mate even if its mate dies.
  Diet
  Most griffins prey opportunistically on any 
  game that they come across, mostly hares, 
  rodents, livestock, and deer. They occasionally 
  chase game down from the ground, but prefer 
  to swoop down on their prey from the air. After 
  making a kill, the griffin will drag or fly its meal 
  back to its cave to consume it, burying any 
  leftovers for later. If the griffin has any young, 
  it will regurgitate a portion of its meal into the 
  mouths of its offspring.
  Griffins are meticulous about their dens. 
  Leftover bones are stacked neatly next to the 
  den, and often even organized into stacks by 
  size. Waste is buried away from the den, to 
  prevent contamination of buried meat.
  Mating
  Juveniles become sexually mature at 1 year 
  of age, although most do not find a mate until 
  years after that. Juveniles will roam freely 
  for a period of two years, searching for 
  a mate. Adult griffins will generally 
  allow juveniles to invade their 
  territory and hunt during this 
  period. If the juvenile does 
  not find a mate by 3 years 
  of age, or full maturity, 
  it will choose a more 
  permanent territory, and 
  only venture in search 
  of a mate on occasion. If a male griffin finds 
  a potential mate he is interested in, he will 
  perform a mating display, flapping and diving 
  in a complex pattern. If the mate accepts the 
  offer, they find a permanent territory together, 
  and find a large cave mouth to use as a den. 
  Once partnered, griffins rarely leave their 
  territories.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Griffins are as intelligent as any humanoid 
  creature, and have refused all attempts at 
  domestication. However, it is not unheard of 
  for individuals to form co-equal partnerships 
  with griffins. These partnerships are often 
  based around a specific goal, such as guarding 
  a location from an evil force. Once the task is 
  complete, the griffin usually leaves abruptly to 
  return to its territory.
  The griffin is respected and even revered for 
  its majestic appearance and devotion to love 
  and honor. For this reason, many noble houses 
  feature griffins on their heraldic symbols. It 
  is considered a grave misdeed and extremely 
  unlucky to kill a griffin. Townsfolk will rally 
  to punish those who commit this atrocity by 
  carving the shape of a griffin’s talon into the 
  delinquent’s palm using the talon of the dead 
  beast. Those who bear this scar will be turned 
  away from all but the seediest taverns.
  71.
    
  
  72.
  is righteous. If the griffin is unmoved by the 
  cause, it is likely to be insulted by the request, 
  and to attack without warning. However, if 
  the griffin is convinced, it will bow its head in 
  acceptance, and may even consent for a human 
  to ride it. It is almost impossible to predict for 
  sure if a griffin will approve of a quest, but they 
  seem to be particularly moved to protect the 
  vulnerable and avenge unjust deaths.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In one town, a griffin known as Judgment 
  became interested in the everyday affairs of the 
  town. Townsfolk bring their disputes before 
  Judgement, who scratches a mark in front of 
  one party to find in their favor. If Judgement 
  finds that one party was dishonorable or 
  untruthful, she flies back to her cave with them, 
  where they are presumably killed. Despite this, 
  the townsfolk utterly trust Judgement, and 
  say that quality of life has improved since she 
  arrived.
  • 
  Bards have begun to sing new tales of the great 
  warrior, Astor. They say he has befriended 
  a griffin atop whom he rides in service of 
  justice and glory. The songs tell of battles that 
  seemed hopeless, only for Astor and his griffin 
  companion to fly in and turn the tides. 
  Common Griffin
  Common griffins are the majestic and well-
  known combination of lion’s hindquarters 
  and eagle’s head, forelimbs, and wings. They 
  live among the hills and valleys that are 
  especially suitable for human settlement. As 
  a result, they come into contact with humans 
  fairly often, and have become accustomed to 
  their presence. Most common griffins respect 
  human-claimed territory, and will never 
  hunt livestock or intrude on human lands. In 
  return, they demand respect of their hunting 
  grounds, and will attack humans who poach 
  from their land. Griffins mark their territory 
  by spraying bordering trees, but only a trained 
  ranger can detect which trees are marked. 
  If you are traveling near griffin territory 
  without a trained ranger or naturalist, I highly 
  recommend bringing a tracking hound to help 
  you avoid crossing territorial boundaries.
  Storytellers sometimes describe griffins that 
  take a particular interest in humans, and in 
  particular, the pursuit of human justice. Some 
  say that griffins believe that humans are too 
  ineffective to carry out justice, and require a 
  griffin’s help. Adventurers who wish to quest 
  alongside a griffin should bring an 
  offering of meat (griffins are quite 
  fond of raw mutton), and should 
  be prepared to explain 
  their quest and why it 
    
  
  Lesser Griffin
  The lesser griffin, also known 
  as the pygmy griffin, is about 
  the size of a large house cat, 
  with the hindquarters of a 
  Pallas cat and the forelimbs, 
  head, and wings of a rock 
  Ptarmigan grouse. This 
  species behaves much like 
  the common griffin, honor-
  bound and closely guarding 
  its roost, but lives solely 
  in bamboo forests. Unlike 
  other griffin species, it eats 
  very little meat, instead 
  eating insects and bamboo 
  shoots. Researchers believe 
  that this diet evolved after the species diverged 
  from other griffins, since it retains the ability 
  to digest meat, and will hunt small rodents if 
  other food sources are scarce.
  Lesser griffins were once thought to be 
  less intelligent than the other griffin species 
  because of their small size and reclusive ways. 
  Its association with majesty and honor were 
  weakened by its somewhat comical appearance, 
  with its small grouse head and bushy fur. As 
  a result, lesser griffins were hunted for fur 
  and sport for decades. Lesser griffin pelts 
  were considered highly fashionable among 
  nobility for a time, and some families still 
  have collections of cloaks and small rugs made 
  from these pelts. Fortunately, this practice 
  has subsided in recent years, but the damage 
  has been done, and it is increasingly rare 
  to see a lesser griffin in the wild. The sport 
  hunting is all the more disturbing, since my 
  own research suggests that beliefs about the 
  species’ inferior intelligence were misguided. 
  I have documented patterns of talon marks 
  scored into bamboo stems that are highly 
  non-random. The same pattern appears with 
  greater frequency as one approaches a griffin 
  den, suggesting a kind of signature. Other, 
  more complex markings appear other places, 
  particularly near the outskirts of settlements. 
  I believe that these markings constitute a 
  simple written language, and that the markings 
  outside settlements constitute a warning to 
  others of their kind.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Not everyone has stopped hunting this species. 
  Baroness Bianca is said to be planning a great 
  hunt, to add to her trophy room. However, 
  the griffins seem to have become aware of her 
  intent. Many of her horses have been found 
  dead in their stables, covered in claw marks. It is 
  possible that the griffins are banding together to 
  defend against the impending hunt.
  • 
  When winter ends and the spring months arrive, 
  the lesser griffin sheds its white feathers in favor 
  of a brown summer coat. The molted feathers 
  have powerful healing properties, and may be 
  brewed into a rather disgusting tea that can cure 
  blindness. Interestingly, feathers plucked from a 
  pelt do not have this same property.
  • 
  Some forest-dwelling gnomes have taken a 
  group of lesser griffins as pets in order to protect 
  them. After a bit of time spent with these folks, 
  it seems more likely that the griffins are the 
  ones in charge, but they both benefit from the 
  relationship.
  73.
    
  
  Snow griffin
  The snow griffin has the hindquarters of a 
  snow leopard and the head and forelimbs of a 
  lammergeier, or bearded vulture. As its name 
  suggests, this species resides in cold, snowy 
  regions, including mountaintops and glaciers. 
  Although it occasionally supplements its diet 
  with rodents and hares, it subsists primarily on 
  the bones of carrion. Its beak is so sharp that 
  it can crack all but the largest bones, allowing 
  the snow griffin to consume the edible marrow 
  inside. Adults do not regurgitate their food like 
  other griffin species, and instead give smaller 
  bones to their offspring. Experts believe that 
  this practice strengthens the jaw muscles and 
  toughens the beaks of the chicks. Properly 
  cracking bones to access the marrow is a 
  challenging task, and it may take the young as 
  much as two years to master. 
  Snow griffins are notable for the deep bonds 
  they form with their mates. This species does 
  not have a traditional mating display, and 
  instead has something more like an extended 
  courtship that lasts for a period of months. 
  Potential mates bring each other gifts of food 
  or small ice sculptures, carved with their beaks 
  and talons. Mates signal their lasting bond 
  by making a carving in a large block of ice 
  together. The pair will return to the ice block 
  repeatedly throughout their lives, carving an 
  increasingly elaborate sculpture together. The 
  sculptures are quite abstract, and some experts 
  suggest that they depict places and things that 
  are important to them, such as eggs, nests, or 
  the surrounding landscape.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Legends speak of a snow griffin whose partner 
  died shortly after their first carving together. It 
  is said that this griffin returned to the carving at 
  the top of the mountain every day, screeching in 
  mourning at her lost mate. Now known as the 
  Mountain of Lost Love, widows and widowers 
  make pilgrimage to this place, and leave tokens 
  of the ones they have lost.
  • 
  At the peak of a long-inactive volcano, Kane the 
  Wanderer reports seeing a highly realistic griffin-
  carved ice sculpture of the volcano erupting, 
  with lava flows spilling into valleys currently 
  occupied by villages. Sages cannot agree on 
  what this means. Some insist that it is a hoax, 
  some say that it has no real meaning, and some 
  insist that it foretells a massive natural disaster, 
  perhaps even to occur within the next few years.
  74.
    
  
  The tiger griffin is the 
  largest griffin species, 
  reaching approximately 800 
  pounds (363 kilograms) at 
  maturity, with the head and 
  forelimbs of a harpy eagle, and 
  the hindquarters of a tiger. When 
  grounded, their orange and black 
  hindquarters strike a contrast 
  to the solid black of their folded 
  wings. But viewed in the air from 
  below, the tiger stripes blend seamlessly 
  into the striped underside of the feathers.
  Tiger griffins’ broad wings are adapted to 
  slow gliding rather than speed, and during the 
  day, they ride thermal air currents in order to 
  flap their wings as little as possible. They are 
  commonly found in warm regions with large 
  cliffs and other rocky outcroppings, such as 
  jungles and badlands. The tiger griffin will climb 
  the rocks for height before leaping into the 
  sky. The sight of a tiger griffin soaring above 
  the mesas and buttes is both majestic and 
  terrifying.
  Tiger griffins have powerful claws and 
  talons, and can hunt a variety of prey. Their 
  bulky, muscular frames afford them power 
  rather than speed. When hunting on the 
  ground, they use their bulk to knock down 
  prey in a single powerful leap, but do not give 
  extended chase to prey who manage to avoid 
  the initial attack. They are particularly well-
  adapted to hunting armored and shelled prey, 
  including turtles, armadillos, heavily armored 
  adventurers, and bulettes. To crack the prey’s 
  armor, a tiger griffin takes to the sky with the 
  prey in its talons or beak, and, once it reaches 
  soaring height, drops it onto rocky terrain, 
  allowing the force of impact to break it open for 
  consumption. Adventurers who wear plate mail 
  should be aware that the glint of metal armor 
  will attract the tiger griffin’s eye, and may act as 
  a lure rather than protection from this species.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Tiger griffins are said to guard the ruins of 
  ancient cities. Adventurers who have come 
  across abandoned structures or statues in the 
  jungle will often tell how they were quickly 
  chased away from their discovery by a pair of 
  tiger griffins. Reports consistently state that 
  the griffins will attack any who come too close 
  to the ruins, but immediately disengage once 
  the intruders back away.
  • 
  Tiger griffins seem to lay their eggs in the most 
  precarious locations: usually in pockets along 
  the face of a cliff, or balanced on the tip of a 
  butte. They never lay more than one egg in any 
  given location, and always place a nugget of 
  gold next to the egg, even though the nugget 
  does not seem to be necessary for the egg to 
  incubate or hatch. Sharma the Daredevil travels 
  on expeditions to climb to the nests and collect 
  these gold nuggets, and is looking for fellow 
  adventurers to help explore a particularly 
  promising region.
  75.
  Tiger Griffin
    
  
  The harpy was long thought to be one of the 
  most understood magical creatures in the 
  material plane. Recent observations by myself 
  and other scholars in the last several decades 
  have revealed more accurate information, 
  discrediting long-held beliefs preached by 
  travelers and villagers alike. It should be noted, 
  however, that no discredited rumors have 
  made the harpy less dangerous than before, 
  and the fearless adventurer is still advised to 
  take extreme caution when encountering these 
  melodic — but deadly — creatures.
  Biology
  Though their appearance most resembles that 
  of a bird, anatomically the harpy shares little 
  with common avians. Their bones are solid, like 
  a human’s, requiring strong musculature in the 
  upper torso — in particular the shoulder and 
  back area  — to carry them in flight. Though 
  harpies are capable of landing and walking 
  on their talons, they are more comfortable in 
  flight and perching. Harpies’ talons are longer 
  and sharper than those of other birds of prey; 
  even the claws of a child are capable of slicing 
  the pelt or skin of prey.
  The most widely known characteristic of the 
  harpy is her voice. The harpy weaves calls and 
  songs via anatomy almost identical to that of 
  the common avian. Like some birds, a single 
  harpy can lateralize her calls and create either 
  harmonious or discordant melodies. Scholars 
  have found that the harpy’s vocal organ is 
  surrounded by additional musculature to 
  increase the power, and thus the range, of their 
  cries. Their music functions similarly to bardic 
  magic, the effect of which depends on how 
  they synchronize their notes. Though harpies 
  typically sing alone for their personal needs, 
  they have been known to flock together and 
  increase the strength of their magic through 
  concordant performance.
   Behavior
  Harpies are solitary creatures, with few 
  ties even between themselves. They will nest 
  near each other if food is plentiful, but are 
  more apt to spread themselves across a wide 
  territory in order to avoid treading on each 
  other’s sustenance and mating resources. Self-
  awareness of their thin numbers may make 
  them reticent to attack one another. Powerful 
  harpies called ‘matrons’ maintain order by 
  exerting dominance over lesser harpies, who 
  gift the matron trinkets and help protect her 
  nest.
  Harpies use varying screeches for 
  communication, and the sound is often 
  described as a human scream mixed with a 
  bird call. These eerie cries are heard on the rare 
  occasions harpies hold a meet. A gathering 
  of harpies is a notable sight indeed, for it can 
  mean the approach of some power worthy 
  of concern. Dragons, elemental attacks, and 
  natural disasters are often preceded by the 
  assembly and mass exodus of a harpy flock 
  from their territory.
  Diet
  Most harpies are predators, feasting on 
  the flesh of creatures slightly smaller than 
  themselves, and will kill only for herself and 
  and any daughters she may have. The lack 
  of strength in numbers forces harpies into 
  opportunistic hunting, sometimes spending 
  an entire day scouting potential prey before 
  determining if it is worth the risk of attacking 
  or not. Larger harpies have been known to 
  attack humans and orcs, while smaller variants 
  prefer rodents and large insects. Despite 
  rumors to the contrary, harpies prefer to eat 
  fresh kills when at all possible, only scavenging 
  carcasses when food is scarce.
  76.
    
  
  77.
  Mating
  Scholars believe the harpies were once part 
  of a larger avian race that was separated from 
  their home plane. As harpies are unable to 
  reproduce among themselves, they are forced 
  to single out human males to reproduce and 
  sustain their flocks. A harpy will only mate 
  every five years or so, with young harpies 
  reaching sexual maturity at about ten years old. 
  Most harpies seek out a different male each 
  time she wishes to procreate, but some have 
  been known to seduce and capture men with 
  their songs for extended periods of time, to the 
  detrimental health — and eventual death — of 
  the man.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  As harpies lack language outside of their 
  own kind, little to no accounts of peaceful 
  or positive communication between harpies 
  and other cultures exist. They are a predatory 
  creature wary of others, particularly those 
  they deem more powerful than themselves. 
  Harpy activity was higher when villages 
  and cities first infringed on their territories 
  centuries ago, as they had no qualms attacking 
  burgeoning settlements. In response, many 
  mercenary groups specialized in harpy hunting 
  and defense to protect village crops and 
  merchant caravans, leading to a major decrease 
  in the harpies’ numbers. Harpies have, since 
  then, largely avoided direct encounters with 
  settlements outside of calculated hunting 
  and mating, indicating 
  a fierce awareness of 
  their own mortality 
  and the importance of 
  maintaining what remains 
  of their numbers.
  77.
    
  
  Egyptian Harpy
   Egyptian harpies have lived along rocky 
  coastlines for centuries, long before modern 
  port cities and fishing towns were founded. 
  They are less apt to rely on their magical nature 
  than their cousins, instead making clever use 
  of their natural surroundings for hunting and 
  survival. 
  Although Egyptian harpies use their 
  musical vocalizations to raise their young 
  in the breeding season, their cries are more 
  commonly for communication. They are adept 
  at mimicking the cries of other animals, and 
  are able to cast their voices for long distances. 
  Travelers or creatures lost in harpy territory in 
  the mountains should not trust their hearing, 
  as Egyptian harpies will mimic the sounds of 
  people or the lost creature to further confound 
  their prey and make them susceptible to attack.
  Egyptian harpies are opportunistic hunters 
  that rarely attack large or well-armed groups, 
  and even against more vulnerable prey find 
  means of giving themselves advantage in 
  combat. Travelers along coastal mountain 
  paths must beware of seemingly accidental 
  rockslides often caused by Egyptian harpies 
  seeking to lower the caravans’ defense 
  before initiating their ambush. Attacks tend 
  to increase in the late winter, when food is 
  scarcer along the coastlines, and are all but 
  nonexistent in early summer through autumn. 
  The pillaging of livestock was more common 
  in the early founding years of coastal towns, 
  before regular guard posts were established to 
  keep the harpies at bay.
  Locals have learned to read weather patterns 
  by harpy activity in their area. Adults scouting 
  cliffsides often indicate an 
  incoming fogbank, as the fog 
  provides ideal cover for the 
  acquiring of the Egyptian 
  harpy’s preferred meal — the 
  eggs of large birds and griffins 
  nested along the cliffs. When they 
  grow silent and hidden in their 
  nests, a storm is often not far away.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Egyptian harpies are notable for their visible 
  hunting strategies that involve long periods of 
  flying in grid and circle patterns around an area. 
  Ancient texts often cited the circling of harpies 
  as an ill omen, a warning of death approaching. 
  Modern scholarship discredits these texts as 
  merely a misunderstanding of the harpies’ 
  hunting tactics, but common travelers, and even 
  some adventurers, still find the sight of a flock of 
  harpies circling high above an ill portent.
  • 
  It is said harpies were once immortal creatures; 
  when the veil between the realms of their gods 
  and the material realm was thinner. As these 
  veils strengthened, and the gods became more 
  removed from our realm, the lifespan and power 
  of the harpies decreased.
  78.
    
  
  Because elysium harpies are barely tolerant 
  of each other, they do not flock together except 
  when another force threatens their home. They 
  are proud creatures that prize baubles and 
  trinkets, adorning their nests and themselves 
  with items plucked from lured travelers. The 
  more jewelery and ornaments an elysium 
  harpy adorns herself with, the more powerful 
  and dangerous she is likely to be.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Although females are not entranced by the 
  elysium harpy’s song, they can be persuaded 
  to do a harpy’s bidding while under her spell. 
  In mild cases, travelers in harpy territory may 
  find themselves suddenly miles down their 
  path and missing a treasured trinket and with 
  no recollection of having walked that far. More 
  concerning accounts have women disappearing 
  into the jungle, where they are rumored to be 
  kept as the harpies’ servants. Most of the local 
  tribes believe these women are as good as dead, 
  as none have returned.
  • 
  The hostility between the elysium harpies and 
  glass couatls goes back time immemorial, with 
  various legends as to its beginning. 
   Dwelling high in 
  jungle canopies, the 
  elysium harpies attract 
  adventurers who seek 
  to fill their books 
  with observations of 
  beauty; scholars even 
  describe them as “the 
  adventurer’s bird of 
  paradise” due to their 
  colorful plumage. Local 
  tribes are not fooled 
  by beauty, however, 
  and speak fervently of the 
  distinct enmity between the 
  harpies and the glass couatl with 
  whom they share territory. These tribes 
  make charms from elysium harpy feathers as 
  protection against their alluring melodies, but 
  many a traveler refuses to heed their warnings 
  and is lost to the harpy’s song.
  The elysium harpy’s most powerful weapon 
  is its voice. Unlike other harpies, the elysium 
  variant does not seduce men outside their 
  territory to kidnap children borne of their 
  union later. Instead, they lure males to their 
  nest with their captivating songs and enrapture 
  him for years until the magic wears him too 
  weak for the harpy’s use. Elysium harpies are 
  fiercely territorial of their mates, as some 
  females have been known to snatch prize men 
  from their sisters. For this reason, only the 
  strongest of their kind mate.
  Scholars once believed that females and other 
  animals lured by the elysium harpy’s song were 
  captured for food, but more recent findings 
  have shown these harpies prefer to feast upon 
  fruit, preferably overripe to almost rotting. 
  While women report the usual “out of body” 
  sensation when seduced by a harpy’s song, they 
  are not enchanted like men.
  Elysium Harpy
  79.
    
  
  Pixie Harpy
   Though the existence of pixie harpies has 
  been known almost as long as their Egyptian 
  cousins, the species’ shyness keeps 
  them well out of the public eye. Their 
  knoll homes are hidden amongst the 
  underbrush of hilly grasslands and the 
  root knots of trees along the forest 
  border. Unlike other harpies, pixie 
  harpies are communal dwellers, with a 
  queen overseeing their nests. Should 
  you ever spot a tiny harpy with a 
  magnificent head plume and 
  colorful bands dangling 
  from her neck, ears, 
  and ankles, you have 
  likely been graced by a rare 
  appearance of a queen.
  Pixie harpy flocks likely exist due to their 
  relatively minute size, small enough to sit in 
  the palm of a human man’s hand. Though their 
  songs carry the same magics as their larger 
  cousins, the lessened volume renders lone 
  harpies powerless against larger creatures. 
  When a flock’s songs are combined, however, 
  they form a symphonic trill capable of 
  knocking even half-giants into a daze. Indeed, 
  the pixie harpy is more apt to avoid conflict 
  than incite it. A creature suspected of wishing 
  harm — or simply wandering too close to their 
  settlements — is treated to their harmonies 
  and charmed into meandering away from the 
  harpies knoll, with no recollection of their 
  original intent.
  As pixie harpies are too small to breed 
  with larger males, scholars have been unable 
  to ascertain how they reproduce. Local 
  superstition states they are born from meadow 
  flowers, but most scholarly writing concerning 
  the matter agrees they likely mate with male 
  sprites much like larger harpies breed with 
  men.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The nectar from flowers enriched by a pixie 
  harpy’s song is imbued with magical properties. 
  Healers use the nectar to create potent healing 
  potions, while village hedge witches brew 
  poultices to soothe sore throats and infections. 
  Pollen of a pixie harpy’s flower, however, is 
  illegal for harvesting, as it has been known 
  to produce drugs that can temporarily hinder 
  a person’s mental facilities. In large doses, 
  permanently so.
  • 
  The pixie harpies ferment a potent honey 
  mead from their flowers which, in addition 
  to its intoxicating flavor, is also prized for its 
  medicinal and alchemical properties. The mead 
  stores are often jealously guarded by their faerie 
  folk, allies, and fey watch-beasts.
  80.
    
  
  Phoenix Harpy
  During my research, I stumbled upon 
  the first volume of a travelogue by 
  gnome scholar Ayva Quickens, which 
  touched upon a creature she called 
  a ‘phoenix harpy.’ Unable to 
  locate the second volume 
  or any mention of such 
  harpies in other tomes, I 
  sought out the retired 
  adventurer at her 
  home along the coast.
  While tracking the 
  nests of Egyptian 
  harpies across 
  multiple continents, Ayva 
  discovered a cluster of inhabited 
  islands that the harpies had passed over 
  during a long-ago migration. Expecting to find 
  more Egyptian harpy flocks along the island 
  peaks, she instead discovered an inactive 
  volcanic site where the veil between the fire 
  plane and the material plane is thin. There, 
  a small contingent of Egyptian harpies had 
  rested, and their magic was twisted by the 
  fire plane’s influence, transforming them into 
  phoenix harpies. Ayva spent a decade living 
  amongst the island peoples to record the 
  fascinating creatures’ life cycle. 
  Her crowning achievement was discerning 
  their means of reproduction. As a phoenix 
  harpy ages, her fiery wings and tail feathers 
  dull, and she resembles a common harpy, 
  excepting eyes that yet burn like with fire. 
  During this time, she secretly courts her 
  chosen mate: typically a sailor docked on the 
  isles or a local villager. She lulls him to sleep 
  with songs interwoven with the magic of 
  primal fires. The next child borne of the man’s 
  lover is marked with the symbol of the Lord 
  of Flames on her forehead, and is swept away 
  in fire to her mother harpy. Over the course 
  of a decade, the mother weakens as the child 
  grows strong, feeding on her mother’s fire-
  soul. Eventually the harpy’s spirit is given over 
  completely, and her body turns to ash, allowing 
  her daughter to fully take wing in a burst of 
  power and flame.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Though the volcano the phoenix harpies call 
  home is considered inactive, locals tell of twenty 
  years ago when the ground rumbled, and the 
  volcano spewed steam. Those who remember the 
  event swear that melodious yet primal screams 
  cut through the rumbling, as if dozens of voices 
  beseeched the volcano. Soon the terrifying 
  event passed, and the air grew silent. Some say 
  the phoenix harpies calmed the volcano back 
  to its restful watch, while others fear they were 
  performing a ritual to encourage its eruption.
  • 
  If a phoenix harpy grows ill, it is said the ashes 
  of their mother can be used to help nurture 
  them back to quick health. It is unknown 
  whether it is this or the emotional attachment 
  that will lead a phoenix harpy to tirelessly hunt 
  those who may take those ashes.
  81.
    
  
  Once the villains of children’s nightmares, the 
  hippocampus now features in bardic tales of 
  heroic ocean quests. Fishermen of the southern 
  seas popularized the name “hippocampus” 
  centuries ago, combining the words for “sea 
  monster” and “horse.” An understandable 
  mistake, given the creature’s eerily similar yet 
  dissimilar appearance to the horse. My own 
  research and observations, compiled after a 
  year amongst the sea-elf fishing tribes south 
  of the Pocaenan wildlands and the Tide-dancer 
  merfolk, however, revealed attributes more 
  reminiscent of whales and dolphins.
  Biology
  The hippocampus is a warm-blooded creature 
  that breathes through lungs rather than gills. 
  Some hippocampus species hold their breath 
  for days while in states of hibernation, though 
  even non-hibernating variations can remain 
  underwater for impressive stretches of time.
  During my sojourn with the Tide-dancer 
  clan, I observed a lethargy in the hippocampi 
  in late fall through early spring. The onset 
  of icy surface waters makes oxygen less 
  easily obtainable, and hippocampi are 
  obliged to conserve their oxygen stores 
  for the oncoming winter hibernation. As 
  much of the hippocampus’ power comes 
  from its chest musculature, which provides 
  power to the creature’s legs and leg-fins, the 
  oxygen shortage in turn slows the creature’s 
  movement. Once the ice thaws and oxygen 
  is readily available above the surface, the 
  hippocampus slowly returns to its usual energy 
  levels. 
  Regular intake of oxygen is necessary for 
  the hippocampus to maintain its fast-moving 
  lifestyle, particularly for strong movements of 
  the appendages that sport fins. Its movement 
  relies heavily on the design of its front legs, 
  which initially resembles a horse before ending 
  in one of several fin varieties. It should be 
  noted that their spine is stiffer than a fish’s, 
  emphasizing stability and control during 
  swimming.
  Behavior
  Rarely is the hippocampus seen alone, as its 
  alert and anxious temperament encourages 
  communal living in hierarchal “pods” 
  ranging in size from half a dozen to over 
  fifty individuals. Pods with long-established 
  hierarchies display little inter-pod aggression, 
  as hippocampi are protective of their own and 
  suspicious of strangers.
  Wild hippocampi rely on “fight-or-flight” 
  instinct, but those bred in captivity display 
  more adaptive intelligence. The protective 
  nature of the hippocampus makes it an 
  invaluable companion in the hands of a master 
  handler, who can focus its hypersensitive 
  alertness.
  Diet
  Spring and summer are the most active 
  seasons for hippocampi, as their preferred 
  food, typically kelp or small fish, is most 
  plentiful. One similarity in all hippocampi is 
  a love for bitter flavors. Their slow digestive 
  system breaks down poisonous plants and fish 
  with little issue; indeed, they seem to prefer 
  poisonous food for its bitter flavors. Thus it is 
  safe to assume that anything a hippocampus 
  eats is not safe for your average adventurer to 
  partake in.
  Mating
  Hippocampi reach mating maturity between 
  the ages of three and four, and have different 
  mates from breeding season to breeding 
  season. During the spring thaw, mares perform 
  82.
    
  
  83.
  intricate dances underwater, utilizing both 
  wing and leg fins to create patterns of waves. 
  Stallions observe the dances and join the mare 
  that most impresses him.
  Foals are considered an investment of the 
  entire pod, and they are fiercely protected. 
  The southern sea-elf fishing tribes recounted 
  witnessing a mare’s ferocity driving away 
  even dragon turtles. Their breeders believe 
  hippocampi view their handlers as members of 
  their pod, as otherwise they would be similarly 
  attacked before ever approaching a newborn 
  foal.
  Foals are considered mature at the age of 
  two; stallions are permitted to remain with 
  a pod until they reach full maturity, when 
  they are cast out and must join another 
  pod, while mares are typically integrated 
  into their existing pod. In the instance of an 
  overpopulated group, a beta male and several 
  females will break off into their own pod.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  None but the merfolk have mastered the 
  art of taming wild hippocampi, indispensable 
  partners that enable survival in actively 
  treacherous waters. Breeders are highly 
  respected, and their intimate knowledge 
  of hippocampus behavior is a well-guarded 
  tradition that I was honored to witness during 
  my sabbatical.
   
  Enchanters claim charms infused 
  with hippocampus hair will imbue 
  their users with bravery. Such 
  charms, worth a pretty gold bit 
  given the difficulty of obtaining 
  the ingredients, are good for 
  young adventurers setting out 
  on their first quest, as well as 
  grizzled knights defending 
  their realms from invaders. 
  Interestingly, alchemists 
  claim that fins or 
  hair stolen from a 
  poached hippocampus 
  lose their magical 
  properties entirely. 
  When I mentioned such 
  superstitions to the Tide-dancer 
  riders, they showed me their own charms 
  carved from the bones of steeds stretching 
  back generations. “The hippocampus’ freedom 
  is his power; his bond with his tribe, his 
  courage,” a powerfully-built young woman 
  named Ba’hyo intoned. “Deprived of both, they 
  are merely husks. As we have learned, so the 
  earth-walkers must learn.”
  83.
    
  
   The kelpie hippocampus dwells in 
  a limbo area between the mid- and 
  southern-seas, where the waters are 
  cool enough in winter to ice over 
  without freezing entirely and many 
  merfolk make their homes, including 
  the Tide-dancer clan.
  The spring thaw is the best time of 
  year to catch glimpses of the kelpie 
  hippocampus. Sea ice melting into the 
  warming southern waters triggers the 
  blooming of the oceans’ rich ecosystems, 
  enticing hippocampi out of their winter 
  hibernation for the mating season. During this 
  time, entire pods of hippocampi will graze the 
  fresh kelp growth.
  This variety is the most easily tameable. 
  Their lower dorsal fin makes them ideal for 
  riding, and domesticated kelpie are bred with 
  stronger backs than their wild cousins in order 
  to support a rider. Hippocampus handlers 
  are often adventurers themselves, leading 
  expeditions, fighting monsters and enemy 
  merfolk, and participating in festival games 
  and races. Their risky lifestyles appeal to the 
  hippocampus’ quick-minded and energetic 
  nature.
  To work around the kelpie’s nature to 
  hibernate, merfolk migrate into northern 
  waters that remain unfrozen and adapt their 
  hippocampi to a variant diet during the 
  winter. Of particular note is the phantom 
  fungus that thrives along the hydrothermal 
  vents throughout mid-ocean ridges. Before 
  they domesticated the hippocampus, merfolk 
  avoided the vents and the monsters which 
  thrived in its nutrient-rich waters. The kelpie 
  hippocampi have a particular love for phantom 
  fungus, however, making quick work of the 
  grasping plant with their sharp fins and strong 
  jaws.
  Winter migration is a 
  treacherous time for merfolk, 
  as the mid-seas are plagued with 
  monsters. Bands of grindylows 
  are known to ambush migrating 
  mer-clans, but the hippocampus’ 
  hypersensitive fins, particularly the dorsal, 
  are superb at detecting the grindylows’ erratic 
  swimming patterns in nearby water. Their 
  attunement to oceanic movement allows them 
  to sense oncoming disaster, be it natural, 
  magical, or monstrous.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Merfolk legend speaks of an undead kelpie 
  hippocampus that haunts the mid-ocean ridges, 
  looking for its lost rider who was torn to pieces 
  by phantom fungus. Ba’hyo scoffed that this was 
  a just a story used to warn young merfolk to stay 
  away from the hydrothermal vents.
  • 
  While the hair or fin of a hippocampus is said 
  to imbue a charm with strength and courage, 
  anything taken from a hippocampus foal — even 
  without harming the child  —  is said to curse 
  the wearer to stormy waters. 
  Kelpie Hippocampus
  84.
    
  
   The angler hippocampus 
  remained unseen by ocean- 
  and land-dwellers for so 
  long that scholars thought 
  it was pure legend, but 
  sailors have told stories 
  about the creatures 
  for centuries. 
  The angler 
  hippocampus 
  lives primarily 
  in underwater 
  caverns along rocky 
  coastlines. Born in the 
  darkness, these creatures 
  are completely blind, and shun 
  daylight entirely. While kelpie hippocampi use 
  their fins to sense nearby danger, the angler’s 
  smaller and more sensitive leg-fins sense 
  changes in water currents in order to navigate 
  cavern tunnels. 
  During my studies, I stumbled upon the 
  ancient tome “Néðan ahn Díegol” by the gnome 
  druid Andefan. Considered an eccentric by 
  her peers, Andefan would purposefully follow 
  rumors of beasts without any enticement for 
  reward or treasure. Her ventures have been 
  called into question by scholars since her 
  death, but she was the first to illustrate and 
  comment on the angler hippocampus in its 
  deep-sea cavern environment.
  Andefan noted that, unlike other 
  hippocampi, the angler variant is a lonely 
  creature from birth. The mare hides her egg 
  in the deepest rock cover along the cavern 
  floor. The egg emits an eerie glow after several 
  weeks, and once entirely lit, the immature 
  hippocampus emerges. The baby’s lure entices 
  miniscule organisms until it is capable of 
  hunting, and grows until the angler reaches full 
  maturity, around 3 - 4 feet (1 - 1.2 meters) in 
  length in a span of six months.
  Once the angler reaches maturity, it must 
  venture outside its cave at night to attract 
  larger fish. As the creature is not built to 
  expend high amounts of energy in chase, it 
  uses the light of its lure to entice curious prey. 
  Some anglers will hover unmoving for hours 
  before nature rewards them with a meal.
  Despite their incredible endurance, I doubt 
  philosophers will write adages extolling the 
  angler hippocampus’ patience any time soon.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Alchemists prize the glowing lure of the 
  anglerfish hippocampus as highly as any jewel. 
  Un’wyr, a sea-elf alchemist who worked closely 
  with Andefan, described the creature’s lure as 
  “Seduction incarnate in crystalline form; a light 
  which dooms the mind to blind acquiescence.” 
  Though it could just be a charlatan’s ploy.
  • 
  The creature’s light is visible by land-dwellers 
  when it comes briefly to the surface for oxygen 
  during its nightly hunts. Sailors with smaller 
  vessels have been known to mistake the angler’s 
  glow for a lighthouse and crash along the 
  shallow rocks in foggy weather.
  Angler Hippocampus
  85.
    
  
  On the island of Mars-Caylin off the 
  eastern coast, the Rising Dawn druidic 
  circle welcomes travelers with open 
  arms, in particular scholars who display 
  genuine fascination with oceanic flora 
  and fauna. For my personal research, 
  the warm coastal reefs surrounding 
  Mars-Caylin are home to the lionfish 
  hippocampus, called the “sunrise 
  seahorse” by the island druids. They 
  offer the same advice to visitors and 
  travelers: Give any steady lines of 
  bubbles you spy emerging from the reef 
  beds a wide berth. The bubbles indicate a 
  nearby lionfish nest or hunting ground, both 
  of which are fiercely protected by its occupants.
  Peaking at only two feet long from nose 
  to fin, this variant is not built for quick 
  movement, but rather for drifting with the 
  ocean currents. The creature undulates its 
  smaller fins for balance, while its large tail is 
  capable of maneuvering outside the stream if it 
  wishes to switch directions. 
  The lionfish hippocampus is the most 
  territorial and ill-tempered of its kind. Each 
  of its spines are sheathed with a dagger-like 
  stinger that injects venom into its prey. Though 
  lethal to small beasts, minor amounts of the 
  venom will cause only temporary paralysis in 
  medium-sized creatures (and a great amount 
  of pain, as I learned only too intimately during 
  my first week with the Rising Dawn clan). 
  Despite its painful sting, the lionfish 
  hippocampus is prized for its beauty. When 
  the dawn skies are clear, dozens of lionfish 
  hippocampi rise to breathe in the crisp 
  morning air. The red and orange stripes of their 
  hide and fins dance with the glistening water’s 
  surface, mirroring the fiery sunrise on the 
  horizon. Only too soon the illusion dissipates, 
  and the sunrise seahorses disappear amongst 
  the reefs.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Due to the prolific numbers of the lionfish 
  hippocampus, Mars-Caylin, as well as other 
  nearby islands and fishing villages, hunt and 
  sell freshly-caught hippocampi freely. Inns and 
  restaurants in port cities often purchase large 
  quantities, but less savory customers buy them 
  to harvest the dangerous spine-spears. 
  • 
  The story goes that Eldra lived in a village, near 
  starving from years of waning fish populations 
  in their hunting grounds. One day, she spotted 
  a single lionfish hippocampus, red as an apple, 
  stranded in the shallows. She approached to 
  give the creature aid and it stung her, but in her 
  compassion, Eldra did not kill the creature. The 
  next day, after casting the creature back into 
  the open water, schools of fish returned to the 
  region. Estmere fishers say the careful hunting 
  practices they observe today are inspired by 
  Eldra’s repaid kindness.
  Lionfish Hippocampus
  86.
    
  
  Easily the largest of its cousins, the sailfish 
  hippocampus is noted for its sail-like dorsal 
  fin and tail reminiscent of a rudder. When I 
  first discovered an illustration of the creature, 
  I connected the creature’s name with its 
  anatomy. The Mars-Caylin druids, however, 
  instructed me that the name has a dual-
  meaning, referring not only to the animal’s 
  appearance, but also to its common use 
  throughout the islands.
  As the eastern isles lacked sufficient wood 
  supplies for building ships, the druids 
  domesticated pods of sailfish to pull narrow 
  vessels across the water, much as a horse 
  pulls a cart. The idea was no doubt inspired 
  by the sailfish hippocampi themselves, as 
  they are active hunters noted for their agility 
  in the open water. While ships are ideal for 
  long ocean journeys, island peoples find 
  sailing an inefficient means of traveling 
  between the islands. Self-sufficient boats are 
  unlikely to replace domesticated hippocampi, 
  despite increased timber imports in recent 
  generations.
  The sailfish hippocampus is by nature a 
  performer, and can be trained to perform 
  acrobatic feats. Much like the kelpie 
  hippocampus mare performs an underwater 
  dance to attract a mate, so the sailfish 
  stallions compete in underwater 
  races. Once a stallion has a mare’s 
  attention, he will then further impress her by 
  leaping out of the water upwards of three to six 
  feet in the air. Should the mare find his display 
  adequate, the two will bond as a permanent 
  couple, unlike other hippocampi species which 
  change their mates from one mating season to 
  the next.
  Healthy sailfish hippocampi range in color 
  from royal to sky blue, sometimes accompanied 
  by a striking accent of orange or tan, though 
  these colors can temporarily dull when the 
  hippocampus tires, or during the cooler 
  months when food is not abundantly available.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The Salei islanders pride themselves on the their 
  domesticated hippocampi, and competitions 
  displaying their skill feature heavily in their 
  annual summer festival. Breeders who 
  pride themselves on the brilliant, healthy 
  colors of their charges display their most 
  handsome stallions and mares, while handlers 
  demonstrate masterful acrobatic feats with 
  their hippocampus partners. Winning any of 
  the sailfish hippocampus competitions at the 
  summer festival is considered a great honor.
  Sailfish Hippocampus
  87.
    
  
  Said to be the offspring of a horse mare and 
  a griffin, two natural enemies, hippogriffs are 
  supposedly proof that love matters above all 
  other things. Whether this is true or not, it is 
  certain that hippogriffs have one of the most 
  gentle and caring natures of most fabulous 
  monsters.
  Initially one of the most plentiful and 
  fascinating creatures in the sky, the hippogriff 
  has been domesticated so long that many 
  do not know its origin or that there are still 
  some left in the wild. Originally, several of the 
  eastern kingdoms  used hippogriffs for royal 
  mounts. These hippogriffs had been stolen, 
  as eggs, from nests and raised by an official 
  trainer. Training, then, was grossly abusive 
  and most hippogriffs became sullen, plucking 
  their feathers out before eventually dying. 
  Nowadays, the hippogriff is a common enough 
  mount that most have forgotten their wild 
  ancestry. 
  Biology
  The hippogriff stands striking and 
  substantial, much larger than most horses. It’s 
  claws and beak are razor sharp to rip into flesh. 
  It is unclear whether the first hippogriffs were 
  born from the mating of a mare and a griffin or 
  eagle, or if they were in fact magically created. 
  They share obvious biological and physiological 
  traits from both, however, and it is a commonly 
  held belief that specific breeding practices have 
  led to the creatures we know today.
  Each griffin subspecies is made up of its own 
  unique mix of horse and bird-creature. If we 
  examine these parts, more evidence suggest 
  that they are, in fact, part bird rather than 
  part griffin. The feathers in the tail help with 
  aerodynamics and let the hippogriff increase 
  or decrease their speed as necessary. The fine 
  horse hairs throughout the feathers on the 
  front half of the creature increase warmth 
  when flying in high altitudes for long periods 
  of time. Due to their size, hippogriff need a 
  running start to achieve flight. 
  Behavior
  Hippogriffs are playful, loving, and oddly 
  empathic creatures. Many trainers have noted 
  their astute intuition when it comes to the 
  emotions of their riders. They seem to listen 
  intently and give affection when it is needed 
  most. In the wild, their wily playfulness is 
  easily observed. Domesticated hippogriffs, 
  especially those bred over generations, seem to 
  have lost some of this playfulness and instead 
  seem demure. This could be due to training and 
  also due to generational abuse of the animals 
  to tame them.
  In the wild, they travel in herds of seven 
  to thirty female adults. They live by a social 
  hierarchy determined by age, wisdom, and 
  social connections. The matriarch guides the 
  herd from watering space to resting space, the 
  herd trusting her decisions. Males are solitary 
  and roam the territories of females, sometimes 
  joining them while they rest, play, or drink, 
  only to be sent away again when the females 
  return to travel. Young, fit females guard the 
  herd, while older mares tend the foals.
  Diet
  These beasts hunt largely from the air. They 
  circle high above and use their keen vision to 
  find prey on the ground below. Due to their 
  immense size, prey animals are often deer, 
  boar, antelope, or other herbivores. Because 
  hunting takes such a great amount of energy, 
  hippogriffs will rarely attack anything too 
  small. Herds of females have several young 
  mares who handle hunting with the guidance 
  of one of the older mares. Skill is often more 
  important than strength.
  88.
    
  
  89.
  All kills are shared by the herd and they 
  feed at the same time. Youngsters are allowed 
  to feed first to ensure they get enough to 
  eat, but otherwise, the females eat together. 
  Afterwards, they preen and clean each other in 
  a bonding experience which strengthens the 
  herd’s social community.
  Mating
  When the mating season begins, mares find 
  a nearby wooded area with a clear lake or pond 
  near cliffs. The males begin to build their nests 
  into the cliffsides, then display their wings and 
  fight with the other males to show prowess 
  and ability. After selection, they return to the 
  male’s nest and mate. The female lays eggs with 
  her partner and rests atop them. Once mated, 
  the pair is bonded for life and will return to 
  this spot year after year to raise their young.
  The young remain in the nest with the 
  parents until they are able to fly. At first this 
  is done by flitting from one part of the cliff to 
  another, until finally they take to the air fully. 
  The foals will remain with the female once 
  the rest of the herd departs. The father will 
  return to solitary wandering, although will 
  often follow the herd for a time to offer 
  further protection. Foals become 
  adolescents at about a year 
  of age and will be separated 
  from their mothers at the 
  next mating season. 
  Interactions with 
  Humanoids
  The hippogriff has been 
  domesticated for many generations.
  They have developed a series of 
  vocalizations that wild hippogriffs 
  lack, stemming from the need to 
  communicate with their owners. 
  Because domestication has taken 
  generations, hippogriffs captured in 
  the wild are used almost exclusively 
  as breeding stock, as to truly tame 
  such a beast is prohibitively expensive and time 
  consuming.
  For true hippogriff riders, their mounts 
  are a part of them. They may spend both of 
  their adult lives together and become thick as 
  thieves. Hippogriffs have a keen intuition that 
  makes them ideal companions and excellent 
  mounts. They are protective of their owners 
  and will guard them on a battlefield or in the 
  wild. They require a lot of care and affection, 
  including grooming and bonding from an 
  owner. They say hippogriffs come to see their 
  owners as their mates, in as much as they love 
  their riders. 
  89.
    
  
  Common Hippogriff
  The common hippogriff has the dark, 
  mahogany feathers of its eagle ancestor and 
  the soft chestnut coat of it’s equine family. The 
  browns of both blend beautifully together as 
  the feathers shorten and end abruptly where 
  horse hair takes over. These common hippogriff 
  are by far the most domesticated breed and 
  have been so for many, many generations. 
  Their keen hunting instincts make them ideal 
  for aerial attacks and as war mounts.
  These beautiful creatures congregate around 
  the great mountains of the world, always in 
  valleys near cliffsides. Where hippogriffs live 
  feels different. There’s an air of joy to the 
  mountains and valleys they call home. Their 
  playful natures mean that most humanoids 
  feel safe entering their territories. There are 
  very few reports of them attacking humans, 
  despite the amount of times humans have and 
  continue to capture them from their natural 
  homes. Although parents will be aggressive 
  when protecting young, they never attempt 
  to kill so much as drive off those who would 
  interfere with, harm, or steal their children.
  Said to be the symbol of the divine 
  and the mundane, hippogriffs 
  are often the first to notice a 
  shift in magic or reality around 
  them. They are especially 
  adept at feeling when 
  magic is influencing 
  the world around 
  them. Often, they are sought out as mounts 
  for those attempting to fight dark wizards 
  and necromancers because of their inherent 
  immunity to magic cast against them. This 
  unique ability makes them a very large and 
  dangerous version of an alarm canary. For 
  several kingdoms being terrorized by magic, 
  hippogriffs have become their personal, very 
  effective alarm systems.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A group traveling together happen upon an 
  abandoned hippogriff, tied to a tree and tangled 
  amongst vines attempting to strangle the life 
  out of it, its owner lost within the woods.
  • 
  Large congregations of hippogriffs have been 
  appearing outside of an abandoned ancient 
  kingdom, and local wizards have studied the 
  ruins believing the hippogriffs to herald a return 
  from beyond.
  • 
  When a massive war leaves one kingdom 
  conquered, their hippogriff mounts are released 
  in an act of sabotage to prevent their enemies 
  from killing their beloved pets, leaving a 
  domesticated herd to roam, lost and in need of 
  guidance.
  90.
    
  
  domesticate them, hoatizin hippogriffs are 
  largely left alone to eat the leaves and strip the 
  swamps bare of foliage. Their eggs are laid in 
  large trees and often fall, learning to swim at a 
  young age to safety.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Hoatizin hippogriff have been flooded out of 
  their home from the destruction of an upstream 
  dam, resulting in several dying and even more 
  running into the local villages to find shelter 
  from the ever-rising water.
  • 
  In desperation, a group of refugees have taken 
  shelter within the jungle and have dared to kill 
  and consume one of the swamp hippogriffs, 
  leaving the refugees sick and the hippogriffs 
  aggressive whenever humanoids come near.
  • 
  Deep within the western swamp, mass amounts 
  of hoatizin hippogriffs live, breeding rapidly, and 
  becoming aggressive and deadly as a local wizard 
  attempts to use magic to command them.
  91.
  Hoatizin Hippogriff
  Deep within swamps, fumbling from 
  vegetation to vegetation, is the hippogriff that 
  has yet to be truly domesticated. Although 
  the odd collector may claim one or two, these 
  strange hoatizin hippogriff are known mostly 
  for their laziness and their awful smell. 
  Commonly referred to as the swamp hippogriff, 
  it is known to have an odor not unlike cow 
  manure or wet, moldy hay. When one walks 
  through the swamplands, it is always easy to 
  tell when you approach a hoatizin hippogriff. 
  This smell is a result of their unique diet. 
  Hoatizin hippogriff are herbivores. This 
  mostly comes in the form of eating leaves from 
  the trees on the banks of the swamps. They 
  travel in packs of ten to fifteen beasts. Hoatizin 
  hippogriffs have unique wings featuring special 
  claws that allow them to pull themselves up 
  branches of trees in order to reach better leaves 
  that grow higher up. Despite their wings, they 
  rarely fly.  They are easily the least graceful of 
  their kind, preferring to lumber around land, 
  easily falling out of the trees they explore. 
  Fortunately, they are excellent swimmers.
  Their oafishly large bodies make 
  these unusual hippogriffs unafraid of 
  anything. Their size means they lack 
  many natural predators. Local 
  humanoids generally leave them 
  alone because of the potent 
  smell that emanates from 
  them. These hippogriffs 
  lack the cunning and grace 
  of their cousins. Despite 
  some best intentions to 
    
  
  Living in the highest places in the 
  world is the peregrine hippogriff. 
  These delicate and cunning 
  creatures live in castle towers, 
  high mountaintops, and giant 
  trees if they can find them. Unlike 
  their common cousins, peregrine 
  hippogriffs live in mated pairs, 
  building their nests together 
  high above anything else. 
  Young peregrine hippogriffs 
  learn to fly quickly, as a sudden 
  fall could easily lead to their 
  death. Several castles with 
  high-enough towers boast a 
  peregrine hippogriff pair. It has 
  become popular enough that 
  some nobles build high towers 
  with these hippogriffs in mind.
  Slender and built for speed, 
  the peregrine hippogriff hunts 
  primarily from the skies, killing 
  other birds and bringing them back to 
  their nest. Both adults hunt and incubate the 
  eggs. The pair work tirelessly to find enough 
  prey to feed themselves and their youngsters, 
  eventually travelling farther and farther to find 
  food. Because of their lithe form and slender 
  bodies, peregrine hippogriff can take fast 
  turns, dive bomb trespassers, and fly faster 
  than any other hippogriff. Their traditionally 
  playful nature is replaced with a more serious 
  one, focused intently on hunting for survival. 
  They are far too small to be a mount, but can 
  make fine pets.
  Considered to be a creature sensitive to 
  celestial magic, the peregrine hippogriff is 
  often sought out for its feathers which can 
  be used to summon from the celestial realm 
  or to open gates to that plane. It is not clear 
  whether or not the hippogriffs know they bear 
  this innate talent, but it may explain why their 
  prey can be rather odd from time to time. It is 
  theorized that the hippogriffs can exist in both 
  planes, taking food and prey from both. For 
  this reason, some call this hippogriff guardian 
  of the celestials, or possibly killer of the 
  celestials. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  There are recent accounts of several hippogriffs 
  losing their feathers at an extreme rate, leaving 
  many unable to fly. 
  • 
  Aa tyrannical king once captured dozens 
  of hippogriffs, but when his kingdom was 
  overthrown, the animals stayed and have 
  overtaken the ancient, treasure-filled castle as a 
  permanent aerie for their flock. 
  • 
  A young woman is raising a pair of fledgling 
  hippogriffs after their parents were killed in a 
  recent war, but their strange celestial powers 
  are starting to manifest in the woman and she’s 
  uncertain how to control them.
  Peregrine Hippogriff
  92.
    
  
  Loud, precocious, and sometimes called 
  ridiculous, the cockatoo hippogriff lives in 
  jungles amongst the canopies of the trees. 
  They can be heard for miles around as they 
  make loud, almost laughter-like sounds. Their 
  black feathers with yellow and red stripes and 
  dots make them one of the most stunning of 
  the hippogriff to look at. They are the only 
  hippogriff who has learned to mimic humanoid 
  speech and will “talk” to those who visit their 
  homes. Of course, the more isolated their 
  communities, the less likely they are to know 
  any humanoid words at all.
  Living in the treetops, cockatoo hippogriff 
  hunt for small mammals such as monkeys 
  and share them amongst each other. They 
  play with their food, throwing it wildly 
  about, before finally eating it. They will also 
  eat nuts and fruit gathered from the various 
  trees. As a hunt begins, the hippogriffs try 
  to catch as many passing monkeys as they 
  can by loudly screeching as they fly into the 
  air. It’s a cacophony of noise as the small 
  furred creatures are snatched from the 
  branches. Many escape, but not so 
  many that the hippogriff starve. It’s 
  a cacophony of noise as the small 
  furred creatures flee. Many escape, 
  but not so many that the hippogriff 
  starve. 
  Long believed to be guides of the 
  dead, cockatoo hippogriff are often 
  seen flying randomly and solitarily 
  through the skies. Some say this is 
  because they are escorting a dead 
  soul to its next destination. Others 
  say these creatures simply are 
  easily frightened and confused. 
  Many of the indigenous 
  local population revere the 
  hippogriff as guardians of their deceased, 
  and will shame any wanderer who comes to 
  try to capture or kill them. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A flock of cockatoo hippogriffs have chosen to 
  settle in the palace garden. The king is unsure 
  what to make of the entire situation.
  • 
  The pearled feathers of a cockatoo (the ones with 
  spots on them) are extremely valuable to clerics 
  who wish to inquire upon the dead or resurrect 
  someone.
  • 
  One sorcerer has managed to domesticate 
  and tame a wild cockatoo hippogriff to create 
  his own war mount, which raises the souls of 
  the dead wherever they fall on the battlefield, 
  making her and her hippogriff almost 
  unstoppable.
  Cockatoo Hippogriff
  93.
    
  
  Hydra (plural: hydrae) are large serpentine 
  creatures with several heads and a caustic 
  breath. They are often used as guard animals 
  for treasures, tombs, or other places no living 
  thing is meant to tread. Many assume hydra 
  are evil, or have evil intent in mind, however, 
  one of my sole purposes of this entry is to 
  dispel the myth.
   Like many other creatures in this world, 
  hydrae have no form of sentience. They are 
  predators yes, but their hunting style and 
  natural abilities have nothing to do with malice 
  and everything to do with survival. Like how 
  basilisk hunt their prey, the hydra hunt those 
  that succumb to its poisonous breath.
   The exact origins of the first hydrae are 
  unknown, but many ascribe 
  their creation to a god 
  who wished a creature 
  powerful enough to 
  guard an entrance 
  to the domain of a 
  death god. Because 
  only the dead 
  were meant 
  to enter, she gave the hydra a breath that 
  causes any living creature around it to die. So 
  the gates to the Planes of Death were never 
  breached, that is, until the hydra spawned a 
  child who explored the world.
  Biology
  All hydrae are female and have roughly seven 
  heads. Because a hydra is able to regenerate 
  and the creatures are known to bite off their 
  own heads if one is sick or injured, the exact 
  number of heads a hydra should have is 
  unknown. 
  Each head of the hydrae possesses a brain, 
  which is linked to each other brain. Each brain 
  works in tandem, sending identical signals to 
  the hydra’s body and performing the 
  same tasks. This way, it matters very 
  little to her if one head is cut off 
  because she has several backup brains 
  performing the same function as the 
  one she just lost.
  As written by Rutherford B. Smallstone, kobold researcher
  94.
    
  
  95.
  Hydrae also have a caustic breath that 
  spreads and lingers around them like a 
  poisonous fog. This breath is a natural ability 
  she has and is not something she can ‘turn 
  off’ or control. It is toxic to all warm-blooded 
  creatures and most cold-blooded creatures 
  except dragons. Hydra are obviously immune 
  to the breath and so are most types of plant 
  life.
  Behavior
  Hydrae have a basic intelligence and rely 
  mostly on instinct in order to direct them in 
  day-to-day business. The rumors of hydrae 
  being used as guards is not a myth, but in fact 
  a reality (though I can’t speak to the veracity 
  of the species being created by a god to guard 
  the Plane of Death). No known predator exists 
  for hydrae and their caustic breath means 
  prey often pose very little threat. If led to a 
  location where they are met with prey who will 
  fight back and pose a challenge, for example a 
  treasure horde that needs guarding, they are 
  more than likely to stay there. It’s not that 
  hydrae are blood thirsty, but hunting provides 
  mental stimulation that they enjoy.
  Diet
  Hydra feed off any creatures who are trapped 
  in the aura of caustic breath surrounding them. 
  They prefer living creatures rather than dead 
  ones and are able to be picky about their food 
  as they only need to feed roughly once a week.
  Mating
  Hydrae do not need to mate, producing 
  fertile eggs on their own. When a hydra wishes 
  to reproduce she lays an eggs, covers it in her 
  own poisonous blood, and leaves it behind. 
  If a baby hydra is born, she is left to fend for 
  herself; something which suits the newly born 
  creature just fine. Hydrae enjoy living alone 
  and many choose not to reproduce, spending 
  their entire lives enjoying the swamps and 
  bogs they call home. Because of this, there is 
  a very small population of hydra in the world 
  today. If I were to take an educated guess, I 
  would estimate the population to be below 50 
  creatures, I would estimate the population of 
  any given hydrae to be below 50 individuals, 
  with storm hydrae being the rarest of them all.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Humanoids rarely survive an encounter with 
  hydrae, if not because of the creature’s caustic 
  breath, then because of her enjoyment of a 
  living snack. My personal recommendation 
  would be to stay as far away from these 
  creatures as possible. Not only for your own 
  well being, but because there is no evidence 
  to suggest the species as a whole wishes for 
  humanoid contact. They are solitary creatures 
  and it is best to leave them that way.
  95.
    
  
  Hooded Hydra
  Of all the hydra you are likely to encounter in 
  the world, it is most likely you will encounter 
  the hooded hydra. These are the most 
  numerous of their kind, and also the most 
  likely to produce an egg. Hooded hydra have 
  the unique ability, besides their caustic breath, 
  to spit acidic poison far distances to hit a target 
  they wish to consume.
  When a hydra’s poison hits a victim, their 
  flesh instantly beings to melt and tenderizes 
  them. The only way to halt the acidic poison 
  is to thoroughly wipe it off and even then, 
  victims who are lucky enough to survive this 
  attack must wrestle with weeks of illness 
  as their body fights against the poison that 
  seeped into their skin. During this time the 
  person is in excruciating pain, as until the 
  poison is out of their system, it still feels as if 
  their skin is sloughing off.
  Luckily, hydra poison sacs 
  are slow to fill up and they 
  are only able to spit at a 
  victim once or twice 
  per day.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The barbarian Lux, who slew the seven-headed 
  hydra in the Plane of Bones, was aided by a flos 
  mortis (flower of death), which she was known 
  to weave into her hair before a battle. When 
  one of the hydra’s heads swept down to remove 
  Lux’s head from her body, she dodged out of the 
  way and it only managed to bite off one of her 
  braids. The beast swallowed her braid and, much 
  to Lux’s surprise, the flos mortis nullified the 
  hydra’s caustic breath. This allowed her to cleave 
  the beast’s heart from its chest.
  • 
  Hooded hydrae aren’t known to purposefully 
  keep treasure from the snacks who happen to 
  pass their way. However, one hydra known as 
  Pentdarin wears a brilliant golden necklace 
  around her central neck. A skull hangs on the 
  necklace and has the ability to talk and taunt 
  Pentdarin’s enemies.
  96.
    
  
  Jungle hydrae are tree-
  dwelling creatures who live 
  in ancient forests with tropical 
  trees strong enough to bear their 
  impressive weight. Each jungle 
  hydra has a long, prehensile 
  tail they use for grabbing 
  onto trees and victims 
  who mistakenly walk 
  below where they are 
  perched. These creatures 
  are fantastic climbers 
  and are faster moving 
  through the trees than 
  on the ground.
  Jungle hydrae do not 
  have the same caustic 
  breath as their hooded 
  counterparts, but are able 
  to spit poison. Despite 
  this ability, the jungle 
  hydra’s favored hunting 
  method is a whistling 
  song they use to draw prey 
  towards them. The song sounds 
  much like the soft mournful crying 
  of an infant and the hydra is able to change 
  the pitch and tone of their song based on the 
  prey they are hunting. Jungle hydra emit this 
  sound by taking in large gusts of breath and 
  reverberating them through emptied poison 
  sacs in their throats.
   Along with being able to regenerate 
  its heads, the jungle hydra is also able to 
  regenerate its tail, though that regrows at a 
  slower rate than the beast’s head does.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A cult of kobolds called the Followers of 
  Shall’tress are known to worship a jungle hydra 
  who they believe is a reincarnation of the 
  deceased dragon they failed to care for. While I 
  can tell you assuredly hydras and dragons have 
  little to nothing in common, the kobolds seem 
  to think otherwise. 
  • 
  A hydra was thought to first have been placed in 
  the jungle to guard a lost elven treasure stolen 
  by the dread orcish pirate, Brand. 
  Jungle Hydra
  97.
    
  
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The merfolk of Atlantis kept an eel hydra as a 
  pet. They kept it sated deep below their kingdom 
  with sharks and other prey they would lure into 
  its coral home. When anyone would wish to do 
  Atlantis harm the merfolk released their hydra 
  on the foolhardy aggressors and watched her 
  make short work of them.
  • 
  There is a thriving black market for eel hydra ink 
  because of its deadly toxicity and difficulty to 
  harvest. One eel can hold upwards of 16 gallons 
  (60 liters) of ink, which is worth a tidy sum on 
  the mainland.
  • 
  Once a year, all eel hydrae meet in one location 
  in the middle of the ocean. They swim in 
  concentric circles until they form a giant 
  whirlpool powerful enough to pull even the 
  largest ship underwater. After one full moon 
  of performing this strange ritual the eel 
  hydra go their separate ways until the same 
  time the following year. This phenomena 
  baffles researchers who love speculating what 
  this strange occurrence could be – a way of 
  communication, or a show of affection? Only the 
  eel hydra truly know.
  98.
  Eel Hydra
  The aquatic eel hydra lives deep in the ocean. 
  Nesting between large fissures in the earth 
  or making their home in the murkiest part 
  of a coral reef where no fish dare to swim, 
  these lurking creatures bide their time until 
  unlucky prey cross their paths. Rather than 
  breathing a poison cloud, the eel hydra has a 
  reservoir of poisonous ink it can excrete at a 
  moment’s notice. Naturally blending in with its 
  surroundings, the eel hydra lays in wait until 
  its prey is within range and quickly spews forth 
  an inky cloud of deadly darkness. Then, the 
  hydra feeds happily on its hard-won feast.
   An often overlooked fact about the eel hydra 
  is how they take down singular ships all by 
  themselves. No one ever survives an eel hydra 
  attack, but subsequent beastmaster studies on 
  wreckage showed telltale eel hydra bite marks 
  and ink stains. Slowly, as we build up our 
  knowledge of these deep-sea dwelling creatures 
  it becomes more apparent that many attacks 
  on ships attributed to merfolk, krakens, and 
  the like were most likely carried out by eel 
  hydra.
    
  
  Storm hydrae are 
  the rarest breed of 
  their kind and only 
  two unique individuals 
  have ever been identified. 
  Rather than exuding a 
  caustic breath, they are 
  shrouded in giant storms. 
  These violent tempests are 
  carried great distances by the 
  winds, taking their storm hydrae 
  with them. When the storm nears a 
  populated area, the hydra breathes 
  out lightning bolts showering the 
  ground in electricity. Any creature 
  fried by the beast’s breath is swept 
  up in the storm and consumed in 
  a whirling terror of dark clouds, 
  lightning, and rain.
  Fortunately for us, storm hydrae 
  primarily roost atop high cloudy 
  mountains, typically for centuries at a time. 
  During this period the tempest around it 
  quiets to a low rumble. However, when she 
  awakes, the storm picks up to its normal 
  violent heights and she resumes her hunt.
  When a storm hydra lays an egg she does so 
  in the middle of her own tempest. Rather than 
  leaving the egg as her other sisters would, she 
  cares for the egg until it is time for it to hatch. 
  When the egg is ready, she breathes a blast of 
  lightning over the egg, cracking it open and 
  allowing her child to free-fall downwards. If the 
  child uses her wings to fly, her mother sweeps 
  the hatchling up and rears her for a time before 
  releasing her into the world. If the hatchling 
  is unable to fly, the mother allows her to fall 
  to her death, the creature proving too weak to 
  survive.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Kentirl’netzin is the storm hydra of the northern 
  hemisphere. Her storm carries her all places 
  cold and dark. Her coming is heralded by three 
  days of storms: first rain, then sleet, then hail. 
  When she finally arrives, she cover the land with 
  thunder and lightning.
  • 
  Lasnou’netzin is the storm hydra of the 
  southern hemisphere. She loves any place warm 
  and bright. Before she arrives in an area, the 
  days are dry, drought spreading across the land... 
  and then a light rain. The folk below welcome her 
  storm cloud only to realize too late it has come 
  to consume them.
  • 
  Kentirl’netzin and Lasnou’netzin were born 
  from the same egg. When they hatched, they 
  worked together to consume their mother and 
  after, turned their hungry eyes upon each other. 
  Unable to best one another they split the world 
  in two, each keeping to their respective half and 
  out of her sister’s way. If the two were to ever 
  meet again the result would be catastrophic for 
  any poor souls caught beneath their fight.
  Storm Hydra
  99.
    
  
  The lizardfolk are some of the most insular 
  creatures I have observed, which only 
  encourages the many misunderstandings 
  surrounding their tribes. It is said the 
  lizardfolk were once ancient monsters more 
  akin to serpents than lizards, but received 
  the gifts of legs and intelligence from long-
  forgotten gods. Eventually their tribes spread 
  and evolved with their environments, leading 
  to the four major variations of lizardfolk 
  encountered throughout the material realm 
  today.
  Biology
  All lizardfolk have similar stature, usually 
  standing between 6 -7 feet (1.8 - 2.1 meters) 
  tall, with a tail of 3 - 4  feet (0.9 - 1.2 meters) 
  long. Their specific musculature varies, but 
  all lizardfolk are strong-bodied. Their tails 
  are particularly powerful and more akin to a 
  fifth limb than a normal tail, servicing in both 
  movement and combat. The tail is also a key 
  component in their bipedalism, as lizardfolk 
  with stunted tails have trouble walking and 
  often do not live past young adulthood.
  All lizardfolk, even those dwelling in more 
  arid environments, require higher amounts of 
  water for survival. Their skin and scales thus 
  adapt to soak in or store water, depending on 
  its accessibility.
   Behavior
  Lizardfolk tribes are guided by generations 
  of tradition, and they care little for outside 
  influence. For the lizardfolk, life is a clear and 
  straight path determined by their specific clan’s 
  focus. Thus, anyone from outside their clan is 
  met with suspicion, as they were not raised 
  with the innate knowledge and way of life to 
  which most lizardfolk hold.
  As there is little difference in thinking within 
  tribes, most infighting is put down swiftly 
  and with little repercussion. Their cut-and-dry 
  tribal hierarchies encourage little charity for 
  the weak or sickly, who are left to their own 
  devices and thus rarely live long. The physically 
  strongest lizardfolk always hold the highest 
  places of power, deferring only to the few 
  clans-folk revered as shamans. These religious 
  or spiritual leaders are often set apart by some 
  physical characteristic, and are raised from 
  birth for their designated role.
  Diet
  The lizardfolks’ highly inclusive diet 
  has helped them adapt to many different 
  environments. They enjoy a wide range of 
  sustenance, including meat, fish, and even 
  large bugs, according to what is most plentiful 
  in their immediate area. They take great 
  sport in hunting for their food, and will often 
  celebrate when a hunter presents a particularly 
  dangerous kill. As hunted food is distributed 
  in a hierarchical fashion, lower clan members 
  often fend for themselves to eat, and can on 
  occasion suffer crueler, stronger members of 
  their clan stealing their scraps.
  Mating
  Lizardfolk will mate year-round, though 
  most often in the spring. In more patriarchal 
  tribes, males will impress females through 
  feats of strength that range from deadly hunts 
  to brawling with other males interested in 
  the same female. Tribes that live in harsher 
  environments and focus strictly on survival 
  above all else expect their females to mate 
  with the most physically powerful male who 
  approaches them, and are often ostracized if 
  they do not.
  100.
    
  
  101.
  Shamans are not expected to mate unless 
  they wish, which is considered a high honor for 
  the chosen individual. It should be noted that 
  lizardfolk clans in more benign environments 
  are not as strict concerning their mating 
  rituals, and clans-folk are more free to choose 
  when and how they should mate.
  Interactions with 
  Humanoids
  For many years lizardfolk were thought 
  no better than bandits, but with 
  the research I have compiled and 
  observed, I have concluded that 
  the lizardfolk are highly insular, 
  and dangerous only to those who 
  threaten that seclusion. Their 
  chosen separation is not due 
  to fear, but pride. Most clans, 
  even those with more amicable 
  dealings with other peoples, 
  view themselves as smarter, 
  stronger, and wiser than non-
  lizardfolk.
  The ill reputation of lizardfolk is 
  largely due to the handful of groups 
  that raid towns and ambush caravans 
  for supplies. As lizardfolk generally 
  view themselves above others, they have little 
  qualms taking what they deem necessary for 
  survival. These groups are hunted by local 
  guards and sometimes mercenaries, sadly 
  gaining a bad reputation for all lizardfolk clans, 
  most of whom simply desire isolation.
  While some clans have tenuous trading 
  agreements with nearby settlements, 
  these treaties have been known to end in 
  bloodshed when a tricky wording or loophole 
  betrays a clan’s trust. Lizardfolk desire 
  straightforwardness almost as much as 
  survival, and feel justified in their distrust of 
  city-dwellers and townspeople who often have 
  hidden intentions.
  101.
    
  
   Wetland lizardfolk are the most easily 
  recognized of their kind, with scales of dark 
  earthy tones. Their only physical vanity are 
  their head crests, ranging from bright green to 
  golden hues, which often mark their standing 
  in a tribe. Their bodies and tails are thick 
  and powerful, likely due to their harsh living 
  conditions. 
  Their tribes are scattered throughout the 
  realm’s marshes and swamplands, and while 
  some are cautiously willing to parley with 
  other cultures, most consider outsiders weak 
  and therefore of little import. Thus, relations 
  can vary anywhere from tenuous trading 
  agreements to raiding nearby villages and 
  caravans.
  These interactions lead most towns to label 
  lizardfolk as “brutes,” and most scholarly 
  circles disregard the creatures’ innate 
  cleverness. I spoke with one lizardfolk 
  named Ussairs who had been 
  separated from his home as a young whelp 
  when city guards attacked his tribe. A passing 
  traveler rescued the young Ussairs and raised 
  him on the road, showing him all the ruins 
  and treasure a freelancing adventurer might 
  encounter in their lifetime.
  Ussairs is now a bright-eyed young man in 
  Summer’s Reach, earning his living tinkering 
  with any odd contraptions and gizmos 
  adventurers bring him. His house lies at the 
  end of a damp alley that left me shivering, 
  though he seemed to like the seclusion. We sat 
  down to barley water, bread, and dried fish, 
  and he recounted what he remembered of his 
  origins.
  He explained that lizardfolk find “the 
  complications” of other cultures distrustful. 
  A treaty of double-speak, the unspoken rules 
  of combat, social expectation, all without 
  clear purpose. “To the lizardfolk, life is a clear 
  straight path. It is simple.” Within minutes he 
  repaired my compass, recently broken during 
  my travels, to better than new, and 
  grinned toothily. “Battle, simple. Food, 
  hearth, the earth itself: simple. That 
  is survival. That is lizardfolk.”
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Lizardfolk keep their religious 
  practices mostly hidden from 
  outsiders, though from what 
  is known, they tend to create 
  monuments near places of great 
  danger: sinkholes, quicksand, 
  and alligator nests. Courage 
  and bravery being core pieces 
  of lizardfolk life and survival.
  • 
  It is rare for lizardfolk 
  to develop innate magical 
  abilities. This could be 
  due to their natural 
  resistance to magical 
  effects and influences.
  Wetland Lizardfolk
  102.
    
  
  The chameleon lizardfolk are the most elusive 
  of their kind, as they dwell high in the trees of 
  deep forests, hidden by the camouflage of their 
  scales and their homes. They actively avoid 
  contact with outsiders, and are more apt to hide 
  than confront travelers. 
  Due to the lack of encouraging contact with 
  these tribes, I commissioned scrying spell 
  scrolls from the Summer’s Reach mage guild to 
  view the chameleon lizardfolk on my own. With 
  my sight hovering above the trees, I observed 
  that their homes are constructed from slabs of 
  bark, vines, and leaf mixtures. Thicker branches 
  provide space for larger platforms where they 
  hold community events and ceremonies, but 
  generally their rough homes are spread widely 
  throughout the forest canopies.
  The most athletic of their kind, they appear 
  to have feet, hands, and a long tail ideal for 
  gripping onto the bark and branches of trees. 
  The chameleon lizardfolk body is surprisingly 
  muscular, perhaps to accommodate the strength 
  needed to maneuver expertly through the trees. 
  Their bodies are built for deliberate rather than 
  quick movement, ideal for disappearing from 
  sight among the brush and bark when the need 
  arises. I also observed that their skin — covered 
  in small, rough bumps rather than scales — 
  could take on the subtle coloring of the flora in 
  which they hid, further supporting the illusion 
  of sudden disappearance.
  I count my blessings that the chameleon 
  lizardfolk are more apt to hide than fight, as 
  their skill with their roughly hewn longbows 
  could easily challenge that of a wood elf ranger. 
  By using their camouflage and steady movement 
  to avoid detection, I watched them approach 
  prey as large as bloody boars and pierce their 
  hearts with a single thick arrow. To imagine 
  that skill turned on an unaware adventurer is 
  enough to make this scholar shudder.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In my studies, I stumbled upon a brief article by 
  Terrun Wyldson speculating that the lizardfolk 
  were once ostracized from the wetland lizardfolk  
  who made their way from their swamplands into 
  the drier woods. 
  • 
  There are many wives’ tales in the towns on the 
  outskirts of chameleon lizardfolk woods that 
  warn children away from the forest at night, for 
  fear they may be “snatched” by the tree-dwellers. 
  More benign rumors suggest the lizardfolk 
  may rescue lost travelers in the woods, though 
  what the fate awaits these travelers is anyone’s 
  speculation.
  Chameleon Lizardfolk
  103.
    
  
  Compared to their aloof brethren, the 
  axolotlean lizardfolk are hospitable enough to 
  be almost unnerving. I sought out a clan that, 
  like most of their kind, makes their home on 
  the shoreline of a large freshwater lake. The 
  axolotlean tribes practice caution with visitors, 
  and I was accompanied at all times by a young 
  warrior named Vresslyn, who watched me with 
  such sharp black eyes that I had no doubt she 
  could kill me without qualm.
  Though much of their village is constructed 
  in the sandy brushland just offshore, the tribe 
  leader — a female called Ahlss ess Blansch — 
  assured me much of their community lies deep 
  in the lakebed, as they are capable of breathing 
  both above and underwater. They have long, 
  smooth, darkly-colored bodies flecked with a 
  mosaic of coppers and golds, and long frilled 
  gills matching their complementary colors. ess 
  Blansch was among a minority who are golden 
  albino in coloring, and I noted that these few 
  folk were adorned with necklaces of shell and 
  fang, implying some importance, possibly 
  religious, within the clan.
  Axolotlean lizardfolk have little need for 
  common coin, so their wares are obtained 
  exclusively through trade; during my stay, 
  I saw iron and glassware, books, rare magic 
  components, and finely-crafted weapons, far 
  unlike any possessed by other lizardfolk clans. 
  The axolotlean tribes offer their exceptional 
  healing items in exchange, and I was allowed to 
  browse their enchanted river rocks and various 
  healing potions for everything from a sore 
  throat to limb regeneration. 
  Rumors abound of the incredible healing 
  power the axolotlean lizardfolk harness, but 
  I would never have imagined holding a vial of 
  their most powerful elixir in my hands and 
  realizing such legends were true. Ahlss ess 
  Blansch emphasized that their potions are 
  not traded lightly, and travelers can pay a high 
  price for such powerful healing magics.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Though the surface of the axolotlean lizardfolk 
  community is welcoming for the respectful 
  visitor, the deeper details of their way of life and 
  beliefs are held tightly shut. I inquired further 
  about the community beneath the lake, but was 
  told only that it is a holy site for meditation and 
  magic. As each lizardfolk clan I have studied 
  often adorn their holy sites with monoliths, I 
  suspect there are similarly impressive structures 
  in what might be called the “soul” of their 
  community.
  Axolotlean Lizardfolk
  104.
    
  
  Komodo Lizardfolk
  In the desert regions of the world roam the 
  komodo lizardfolk, the most aloof of their 
  kind. Most speculation concerning the komodo 
  lizardfolk comes from distant observation and 
  inspection of their migration paths. Known to 
  drive people away on sight, they prefer to avoid 
  conflict when possible and no known treaties 
  with their kind exist.
  In battle, the komodo lizardfolk use arrows 
  and spears, which are coated in the creature’s 
  own venom, stored internally and secreted 
  through their fangs. Their distrust of strangers 
  largely stems from hunters who seek to 
  harvest this venom, which can be sold to 
  unsavory folk for a pretty gold bit or used for 
  one’s own dubious purpose. Such trade is, of 
  course, banned in most nations, but there is 
  no accounting for the dark underbelly of the 
  world.
  When left alone, the komodo lizardfolk 
  make their peaceful living mostly through 
  the raising of herds of peccaries, goats, 
  camels, and horses specially bred to endure 
  the unforgiving desert clime. They lead their 
  animals across the desert during the cooler 
  rainy season, resting at oases tucked among 
  the dunes and hidden underground caverns. 
  I discovered one of their caves during my 
  own trek along a section of their desert path. 
  Hieroglyphic art decorated the cave walls, 
  further down than even I dared to venture. 
  Though I am illiterate in lizardfolk glyphs, my 
  research in similarly intelligent creatures leads 
  me to conclude that they are creatures with a 
  vast mythology and history.
  As the rainy season departs and the weather 
  turns hot and dry, the komodo lizardfolk 
  retreat to greener cultivated land. The flora 
  thrives on these floodplains, making them 
  ideal land during the dry season for the tribes 
  to raise their herds, always preparing for their 
  nomadic trek across the desert.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Between the desert oases and caverns, the 
  komodo lizardfolk mark their path with fantastic 
  megaliths, their stones carved with symbols 
  and images. From what I could conjecture from 
  the glyphs carved into the rock slabs, I believe 
  the tribes bury their most revered clans-folk 
  — spiritual leaders, patriarchs and matriarchs, 
  celebrated warriors, and the like — in these 
  great standing stones whose complex carvings 
  are beyond my limited understanding of their 
  culture.
  • 
  From distant observation and study of their 
  glyphs, I have concluded that the komodo 
  lizardfolk are a proud group, unafraid to boast 
  their skills through feats of cleverness and 
  strength. It is believed that, once in the heart 
  of the desert, they hold a days-long festival in 
  which members of the clan show off their skills 
  in battle, hunting, and animal handling.  Such 
  festivals are often rites of passage, but some 
  adventurers speculate an outsider who proves 
  their skill here might also begin to earn the 
  komodo lizardfolks’ trust.
  105.
    
  
  Some say they are the result of horrible 
  magical and alchemical experiments that 
  escaped the laboratory to hunt. Some say 
  all of the evil, violent thoughts in the world 
  coalesced one day to form them. Whatever the 
  origin, the manticore is a monstrous beast. It 
  has the body of a large cat and the wings of a 
  bat, with spines down its back which ends in 
  the tail of a scorpion. Its face is monstrous yet 
  also vaguely human, and rests in a contorted 
  expression of rage.
  Manticores seem to have a deep-seated 
  hatred of humans and humanoids. They seek 
  the taste of human flesh, and seem to enjoy 
  the suffering of their victims. One should be 
  very wary when seeking to slay a manticore, 
  for even victory may be pyrrhic when you walk 
  away with their poison in your veins.
  Biology
  A unique feature of the manticore’s 
  physiology are the spear-like spikes at the end 
  of its tail, found directly next to the scorpion 
  stinger. It attacks by firing spikes one at a 
  time, with enough force to pierce through 
  leather and mail. These spikes are poisonous, 
  and sometimes tinged with paralytic or 
  weakening compounds. A manticore’s tail 
  may contain between 10-20 spikes at one 
  time, but they regrow remarkably quickly. A 
  healthy specimen’s tail spike will be completely 
  replenished over the course of a single day.
  Behavior
  The manticore typically lives a solitary life in 
  a lair, either a cave or an abandoned dungeon. 
  Manticores do not clear out their lairs, and so 
  they are often dank places smelling of rotting 
  106.
    
  
  107.
  meat and littered with crushed bones. They are 
  known to accent their lairs by carving pockets 
  in the walls, and filling them with trophies of 
  the creatures and humanoids they have slain. 
  The beasts clearly take care with the display of 
  these items, carving out individuals spaces for 
  each weapon, jewel, or skull on display. From 
  the lairs I have studied, manticores seem to 
  display not the most valuable item the person 
  possessed, but the most meaningful to that 
  person. I have found inherited pocket-watches 
  displayed alongside magical weapons of great 
  power. No one knows how the manticore 
  selects these items, or even how it arranges 
  them with its large paws, but it is said that the 
  beasts obsess over their collections, stalking 
  from item to item, and glowering at each in 
  turn.
  Diet
  Manticores prefer eating humans, although 
  they will hunt other game if none are available. 
  Because of the valuable trophies collected in 
  their lairs, they often have no shortage of 
  adventurers to hunt. When it has taken down 
  its prey, the manticore gorges itself, then sleeps 
  for up to two days, depending on the size of 
  the meal.
  If adventurers or other prey do not readily 
  present themselves, manticores will eventually 
  emerge from their lairs to hunt. With giant 
  flaps of their wings, they fly above the treeline 
  to survey the territory, following human-
  made hunting and trade paths, and descend to 
  attack their prey. If a person is traveling alone, 
  a manticore will happily grab its prey and fly 
  back to its lair. If there is a group of people, a 
  manticore can rarely resist the chance to hunt 
  them all, and will shoot tail spikes from the air, 
  resorting to aerial strikes with its stinger and 
  claws if its spikes are depleted. After gorging, 
  most manticores will not bother to bring any 
  spare meat back to their lairs, preferring to 
  bring back trophies of those they have slain.
  Mating
  Mating behaviors vary by species, but 
  there are a few common characteristics. All 
  manticores live solitary lives, and adults only 
  interact during the mating process. At one 
  year, the age of maturity, manticores will visit 
  other territories to seek out mates. The male 
  will perform some kind of display, or make 
  some kind of offering to the female, and after 
  the completion of mating, most species will 
  simply depart for their original territories, and 
  have no further contact. Females have sole care 
  of the young, which they raise in their territory 
  until the young reach sexual maturity.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Unsurprisingly, civilized cultures despise 
  manticores as much as the beasts despise 
  them. Knowing that manticores keep trophies 
  of those they have killed, people will attack 
  lairs in bands, either for wealth, or to retrieve 
  tokens of their ancestors and friends. It is a 
  prestigious feat to retrieve a fallen friend’s 
  token, and though some have succeeded, many 
  more have lost lives and tokens of their own in 
  the attempt.
  Although it is not widely known, manticores 
  are quite intelligent, and can speak human 
  language. They use this talent sparingly, 
  speaking only to taunt and insult their foes. 
  They may engage in some nasty verbal sparring 
  before attacking, but will shut down any 
  attempt at negotiation or empathy with a 
  flurry of tail spikes. 
  107.
    
  
  Lion-headed manticores are those most often 
  described in stories to scare small children: a 
  humanoid face with a lion’s body, bat’s wings, 
  and dark red scorpion’s tail. The species is 
  highly sexually dimorphic. The male has a great 
  lion’s mane, with many small spikes in its tail, 
  and plain reddish wings. The female lacks the 
  mane, but has black striping along its wing 
  bones, and possesses fewer, though larger and 
  more poisonous, tail spikes than the male.
  The sexes differ in behavior as well as 
  appearance. The males typically inhabit single 
  territories their whole lives, while females 
  roam from place to place, stopping only when 
  they have chosen a mate. After mating, the 
  female shoots a paralyzing spike into the 
  male’s neck, then devours him and claims 
  his territory. She lives in the lair only during 
  gestation and rearing of her young, but she 
  clears it of all remnants of its previous owner, 
  rotting carcasses and tokens of conquest alike. 
  During gestation, she does not seek out human 
  prey, preferring safer game such as wild boar.  
  Once she has given birth, however, she 
  aggressively seeks out human flesh for herself 
  and her cubs, giving them discarded armor, 
  weapons, and items to play with. Few have 
  dared to perform any studies of wild manticore 
  matrons and their cubs, so little is known 
  about this stage in the beast’s development. 
  Naturalists speculate that the matron must 
  teach them to speak the common language, 
  although it is possible that they possess this 
  talent innately, through some unknown magic.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The vain and eccentric Duke of Mansfield keeps 
  a manticore at his estate. The beast is a horrible 
  sight, shackled with gold-plated chains and 
  draped in jewels and bangles. Those who cannot 
  pay the Duke’s heavy taxes are fed to his pet. His 
  taxes continue to increase to fund his exorbitant 
  lifestyle, and the manticore has become fat on 
  his subjects.
  • 
  One breeder claims to have raised a manticore 
  that is of no danger to humans. The beast does 
  seem to prefer mutton and cattle to the taste of 
  its owner. Though I suspect powerful magic is 
  being used to keep the beast subdued.
  Lion-Headed Manticore
  108.
    
  
  Desert Manticore
  The desert manticore may appear small, and 
  even cute, but do not be fooled by its size. This 
  species is vicious and extremely dangerous, 
  all the more so because it can so easily hide 
  from view. The desert manticore lives in 
  sandy desert burrows, and will often kill foxes 
  to take over their homes. Its large ears and 
  delicate albino wings allow it to wick away the 
  oppressive heat of the desert sun, while its 
  fur allows it to tolerate cold desert nights. The 
  spikes in its tail contain a highly concentrated 
  poison, and a single spike is enough to kill the 
  average person within an hour.
  Weighing in at 20 pounds (9 kilograms), 
  desert manticores are unable to gorge 
  themselves on entire adventuring parties like 
  the larger species, but they still prefer to eat 
  human flesh. When they make a kill, they 
  will eat to satiation, then bury the rest under 
  the sand, and consume the carcasses over the 
  course of days. Some manticore burrows have 
  been found with large pits 
  already dug in the earth, likely 
  in preparation for burying 
  leftover kills. Because 
  relatively few cultures 
  travel the desert, desert 
  manticores frequently 
  hunt for other game. Its 
  other prey are usually 
  its size or smaller, such 
  as rats, snakes, and 
  desert foxes. It hunts 
  by night, swooping 
  down on prey and 
  stunning them with 
  sharp strikes of their 
  claws.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The desert manticore’s large ears allow it to pick 
  up any sound of travelers. Experienced travelers 
  recommend bringing a supply of rats for any 
  travel through the desert. By keeping quiet 
  and releasing an occasional rat as a distraction, 
  travelers may hope to to avoid the manticore’s 
  notice.
  • 
  I have heard several tales of a manticore that 
  lives in the very middle of a desert. The details 
  vary, but all agree that the manticore has lived 
  for over two hundred years and that it spends 
  its days sitting atop a pile of bleached bones 
  and weapons of the many adventurers who 
  have tried and failed to slay it. Though small, 
  it is lightning fast and will shoot its deadly 
  spikes into adventurers even before they realize 
  they are approaching its territory. Anywho 
  successfully slays it would be rewarded with as 
  many riches as they can carry home.
  • 
  Some say that the desert manticore’s blue tail 
  contains a poison that, brewed with a unicorn’s 
  tear, may make a body invulnerable to any 
  attacks for a full day. Some alchemists would pay 
  handsomely for even a small vial.
  109.
    
  
  Some have speculated that the feathered 
  manticore is related to the griffin, 
  with its feathered wings and 
  mammalian tail. I once even 
  met a sage who suggested 
  that the feathered 
  manticore was created 
  by a powerful lich, in 
  a twisted mockery of 
  the majestic griffin. I 
  have found no concrete 
  evidence to back up 
  these claims, and 
  suspect that it is more 
  closely related to other 
  manticore species. For 
  instance, all griffins have 
  a cat-like tail, and though 
  the feathered manticore 
  has the body of a cheetah, 
  its tail is rat-like and coated 
  in poison. This species has 
  been seen to apply this coating 
  itself, chewing on toxic barks and 
  herbs, then licking the mixture 
  onto its tail fur, which wicks up the 
  poison.
  Like other manticores, it seeks out human 
  prey, but hunts mostly from the air. Its broad, 
  feathered wings are well-suited to low-air 
  gliding, and it is capable of keeping altitude by 
  beating its wings only once every 10 seconds 
  or so. The feathered manticore has a distinctive 
  flight pattern, which involves rocking back 
  and forth as it rides air currents. When it finds 
  humanoids to attack, it circles around them, 
  spitting taunting words in an attempt to lure 
  them into wasting their resources while it is 
  out of reach. When it tires of this game, it flies 
  to the ground, sprinting toward the weakest in 
  the group and tackling them. If it is successful, 
  it carries off its prey, deterring any others from 
  following by flicking poison at them.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  I once happened upon an apothecary that sold 
  feathered manticore spit for a steep price. When 
  I inquired further, the wizened shopkeeper 
  informed me that the manticore’s saliva contains 
  a substance that dissolves anything it eats, and 
  that this substance works remarkably well to 
  prepare food for those who are short a few teeth, 
  and also as an all-purpose cleaning solution. I 
  cannot confirm the veracity of this claim, but the 
  solution certainly smelled unpleasant enough to 
  come from a manticore.
  • 
  In studying the connection between griffins 
  and feathered manticores, I have shown 
  friendly griffins etchings of the manticore 
  species. Without fail, the griffin has shrieked 
  and destroyed my etching. Perhaps griffins are 
  simply offended by the sight of the evil beast, 
  but perhaps the connection runs deeper. In 
  any case, I suspect that a griffin would make a 
  staunch ally when fighting one of these beasts.
  Feathered Manticore
  110.
    
  
  Dark Manticore
  With the body of a panther, dark bat 
  wings, and the porcupine quills all down 
  its spine and tail, the dark manticore 
  appears deadly and fierce. But unlike 
  other manticore species, the dark 
  manticore is neither aggressive 
  nor outwardly evil. Individuals 
  typically live alone in cave 
  complexes, feeding on fish, 
  bats, and other cave-dwelling 
  animals. They behave more 
  like bats than cats, hanging 
  upside down to sleep, and 
  emitting high-pitched shrieks 
  as they fly, which is believed to 
  allow them to somehow “see” their 
  surroundings in the darkness.
  The dark manticore hunts by pouncing 
  or swooping down on its prey, and only uses 
  its quills for self-defense. If threatened, the 
  manticore will open its wings, raise its tail, and 
  hunch its back in a threatening display. It can 
  fire quills from its tail, but may instead whip 
  its tail at its foe, leaving several spikes behind. 
  Unlike other manticores, its quills and stinger 
  are not poisonous, although they are still sharp 
  and painful. I suspect that the beast’s relatively 
  unvaried and benign diet prevents it from 
  producing poisons found in other manticores.
  Most dark manticores have a brooding 
  temperament, and can even be heard singing 
  dirges to themselves as they hang from the 
  ceiling. No two beasts have been heard singing 
  the same melody, and it is believed that each 
  manticore composes a unique dirge over its 
  lifetime. A male dark manticore’s mating 
  display consists of hanging from the ceiling, 
  spreading its wings, and singing its dirge, 
  punctuated with displays of its quilled tail. If 
  the female is interested, she responds with her 
  own song, and they interweave the tunes as 
  they mate.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Ardyn the Bard famously earned the trust of a 
  dark manticore by bringing it fish and playing 
  it sad songs from his homeland. He learned the 
  manticore’s own songs, and can imitate its low 
  melodic snarls with terrifying accuracy. The 
  songs cause all who listen to collapse into tears, 
  and Ardyn himself must play with earmuffs 
  on, lest he break down in the middle of his own 
  performance.
  • 
  Dark manticore quills are apparently sturdy 
  enough to be used after being fired. Once, I 
  spoke with a rogue who had outfitted a crossbow 
  to fire the quills. They are difficult to acquire, so 
  they would not do as standard ammunition, she 
  explained. But because the quills are hollow, she 
  was able to fill them with potions and stopper 
  them with wax. By piercing a hole in the tip of 
  the quill, she could administer a large dose of 
  any tincture she wished, from simple poisons 
  to truth serums. When I asked her how she 
  planned to use them, she only chuckled.
  111.
    
  
  An entry by Bertram le Forge, beastmaster Botanist
  There has never been a more important time 
  to speak about myconid preservation than 
  today. As more species become aware of one 
  another, it becomes increasingly difficult to 
  understand each other. This can be doubly said 
  for the mighty species of myconids who are not 
  animal life, but plant life.
  What makes conservation, or better put, 
  preservation, so difficult with the myconids 
  is the common misconception that because 
  one can sprout from the ground centuries old 
  they are ancient and wise. While these two 
  descriptors may be totally true in reference 
  to their own ways and their own kind, newly 
  sprouted myconids are naive to the ways of our 
  world. We should set realistic expectations for 
  these alien creatures and perhaps learn better 
  how to communicate with them, rather than 
  expecting them to adapt to us.
  Biology
  Myconid biology echoes that of their non-
  sentient fungal relative: the mushroom. 
  However, myconids are sentient, self-aware, 
  and from what we can understand, highly 
  intelligent. Myconid are genderless creatures 
  and, while above ground they do have heads, 
  arms, and legs, that is where their humanistic 
  features end. Some myconids have what 
  dwarves have dubbed ‘beards’ or humans call 
  ‘hair’, but neither of these are outward markers 
  of gender. Instead, the hair that grows on the 
  creatures is a signal of age; older myconids 
  often have soft fungal fur which hangs from 
  their heads like hair.
  Likewise, myconid do not have names or 
  pronouns. Above ground the creatures accept 
  names from their animal traveling companions, 
  but need no name among themselves. Because 
  myconids spend much of their life connected 
  with the others of their kind, they are able to 
  sense who another myconid is when they meet 
  them and when they speak about another of 
  their kind. Each of them is unique in how they 
  act and who they are, and therefore no names 
  are needed.
  These fungal creatures do not feel pain and 
  are able to grow back limbs by resting and 
  nourishing themselves. Many myconids are 
  also able to emit different auras, which can 
  help, harm, or hinder others around them.  
  Behavior
  It is difficult to speak about myconid behavior 
  without anthropomorphizing their actions, 
  which would be incorrect as their culture is 
  totally alien compared to the more populous 
  species like dwarves, humans, elves, etc. 
  However, it is also difficult to understand 
  a subject if one is unable to relate to them. 
  Therefore, I humbly request you take the below 
  description with a rather large grain of salt.
  Below ground myconid do not live as a 
  singular entity, but one small part of a large 
  colony of myconid. Their thoughts, feelings, 
  and emotions are shared via fibrous tendrils, 
  which link every member of the colony with 
  one another. While a myconid possesses their 
  own identity, within the earth, their ‘self’ is 
  spread over thousands of others of their kind. 
  Above ground, many people like to ascribe 
  the words ‘altruistic’ to myconid behavior, 
  which, from my personal human perspective, 
  may indeed seem so. However, I must also 
  temper my observations and those of my 
  peers with the scientific method. Suffice to say, 
  myconid rarely act selfishly and always act in 
  the way they view is best for their community. 
  If you find a myconid hoarding treasure, they 
  112.
    
  
  113.
  are most likely hoarding it to get a party 
  member out of jail rather than because they 
  like how pretty it is.
  Diet
  Myconid need very little to survive and do 
  not ‘eat’ as animals do. What myconids need to 
  survive is water and once in a while to consume 
  non-living organic matter. The species prefers 
  to consume vegetation, but will make do with 
  an animal carcass if necessary.
  Mating
  Myconid only leave their 
  underground colonies and come to 
  the surface when they are ready to 
  find a mate. This need to procreate 
  isn’t based on the age of the myconid, 
  but a more abstract need to find a mate, 
  much like what some humans experience 
  when wanting to find a partner. Above 
  ground, the myconid wanders the earth 
  until they find their perfect partner (or 
  partners). This could take only a year, or it 
  could take centuries. 
  When a myconid finds their mate or 
  mates, they bond (in a private ritual 
  not totally understood by anyone out 
  of their kind), and then die. Their 
  genetic material falls to the ground and 
  fertilizes it for their offspring, which 
  grow from their decomposing bodies.
  Interactions with  
     Humanoids 
  Myconid often warn one another 
  to stay away from humanoids. To 
  them, we are strange, selfish creatures 
  who take years to understand. 
  Sadly, myconid are also very curious 
  creatures and this means that more 
  often than not, many of their kind 
  encounter us. When they do, they 
  often meet swift ends at the point of 
  an adventurer’s sword who does not realize 
  the creature reaching for him is only trying to 
  understand him. The lucky few myconids who 
  survive these first encounters are able to learn 
  the common tongue and other more complex 
  languages, so these misunderstandings do not 
  happen too often to them.  
  113.
    
  
  The amanita muscaria myconid is identified 
  by the red cap atop their head, which is dotted 
  with with flecks of fungus. The bright red 
  color serves as a warning to any creature who 
  would try to eat the myconid’s cap, as they are 
  extremely poisonous if ingested. They have 
  long, white, willowy bodies and often pop from 
  the ground without any limbs, growing them as 
  they start to explore the world. 
  Capable of conveying information and 
  meaning, when two myconids meet they reach 
  out to one another with tough, intertwining 
  filaments and instantly begin to know and 
  understand each other. This is known by many 
  as ‘the bond’. Myconids may also extend the 
  bond to humanoids, but many creatures cannot 
  handle the instant influx of information the 
  myconid transfers to them. It takes myconid 
  many years to perfect transferring information 
  to humanoids and an unskilled practitioner 
  could end up putting the individual they are 
  trying to connect with in a coma.
  There may also be a person who 
  wishes to hide a part of herself from 
  the myconid, which isn’t possible if 
  she bonds with them. A myconid 
  would never bond with someone 
  who didn’t wish it, but they 
  are often perplexed by those 
  who refuse the bond. To 
  bond is to understand one 
  another totally, who and 
  what they are and give 
  utter context. There is no 
  better way to understand 
  someone. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Some say the tiniest piece of an amanita 
  muscaria myconid’s cap can cause psychic 
  hallucinations in a person. Consuming the cap 
  allows a person to see into other people’s minds 
  so much so that it appears as if their psyche 
  plays out before the person.
  • 
  Many say myconid colonies are all 
  interconnected, stretching from one end of the 
  world to another. Therefore, if someone wrongs 
  a colony of myconids it is impossible to escape 
  their justice, because as soon as the crime is 
  committed it is felt by every other colony all over 
  the globe.
  • 
  Goblins have a strong taste for brewing with the 
  amanita muscaria myconid’s cap. This has led to 
  the two cultures being bitter enemies, as goblins 
  aren’t exactly ones to ask nicely.
  Amanita Muscaria Myconid
  114.
    
  
  Unlike many myconids who will 
  eventually pop out of the ground 
  to find a mate, mossy myconids 
  are very happy to spend their 
  years below ground without ever 
  feeling the need to procreate. I 
  once spoke to a mossy myconid 
  who explained to me that mossy 
  myconid colonies are extremely 
  tightly knit, both literally and 
  figuratively. The bond they 
  have with one another makes it 
  extremely difficult for them to 
  leave home.
  When mossy myconids do leave 
  home, they struggle with an intense 
  feeling of loneliness as they wander 
  the world. These feelings can 
  become so overwhelming they stop 
  their search for a mate, sinking into 
  the ground to slumber. Far from the 
  colony, and with no mate in sight, 
  these creatures sleep for the rest of 
  their life alone in the dark.
  Naturally, the prospect of falling 
  into a slumber is quite terrifying to them, and 
  so many decide not to leave home. The mossy 
  myconid who do decide to travel away from the 
  colony often quickly meet up with a surrogate 
  family they can travel with; sometimes with an 
  adventuring party or traveling merchants. One 
  would expect mossy myconids to be clingy or 
  awkward, because of their fear of being alone, 
  but that could not be farther from the truth. In 
  fact above ground they act the most ‘human’ of 
  all myconids. Many are charismatic creatures 
  who can speak hundreds of languages, and 
  always have a clever story when times get 
  rough. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Treants supposedly have the ability to find 
  slumbering mossy myconids. By carrying the 
  myconids on their bark for a time, the mossy 
  myconid is able to awaken and find their way 
  back to their colony. 
  • 
  Mossy myconids are known to craft small 
  trinkets from their flesh to gift to those they 
  would consider trustworthy and a friend. 
  Despite the macabre-sounding nature of the 
  gift, these are extremely useful for scrying 
  the myconid and making sure they have not 
  succumbed to the slumber. Bearers of these 
  trinkets are also able to find favor easily within 
  druidic circles and mossy myconid communities.
  Mossy Myconid
  115.
    
  
  Bearded tooth myconid often pop out of the 
  ground in small clusters, rather than traveling 
  the world alone. Protecting others of their 
  kind, rather than just themselves, makes them 
  more hostile than other myconids. Bearded 
  tooth myconids are wary of others who are not 
  members of their cluster or former colony.
  Rather than being bipedal like most 
  myconids, bearded tooth myconids walk on 
  all fours. They have a singular tentacle-like 
  vine growing from their back that they use 
  for joining with a mate. The vine is also used 
  when the myconid wishes to convey complex 
  emotions to another of its kind that cannot be 
  expressed through words. 
  Their mistrustful nature means they stay far 
  away from other species when they can, and 
  if other species get too close they use their 
  aura of sickening to keep them at bay. The aura 
  they exude makes most who enter it violently 
  ill and allows the bearded tooth myconids the 
  chance to run away. If you have an extremely 
  high constitution — and manage to hold in 
  your dinner long enough, — the bearded tooth 
  myconid cluster may speak to you, but more 
  often than not they will attack. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Most botanist beastmasters such as myself 
  assume that bearded tooth myconids in fact 
  mate with the members of their cluster rather 
  than trying to find a mate elsewhere. They pop 
  from the ground, because they are curious to 
  experience all the beautiful flora the world has 
  to offer; and when they are sated, they die in one 
  another’s arms to create new life. 
  • 
  In less reputable circles there is a rumor that 
  bearded tooth myconids are extremely delicious. 
  So much so that entire clusters are being trapped 
  and murdered for their delicious flesh. Perish the 
  thought.
  Bearded Tooth Myconid 
  116.
    
  
  Morrell Myconid
  Morrell myconids grow larger than the others 
  of their species. Growing to roughly 6.5 feet (2 
  meters) in height, these gentle creatures exude 
  an aura of peace wherever they go. If they 
  choose to learn to speak, many morrell act as 
  mediators between aggrieved parties, because 
  of their natural ability to calm moods. Even the 
  most vicious barbarians note feeling calm in a 
  morrell’s aura, and that is rare indeed.
  Because of these friendly creatures’ nature, 
  they are often followed by animal companions. 
  These animal companions make their home 
  in the honeycomb structure of their 
  caps. The animal companion 
  who spends an extended time 
  with the morrell slowly begins 
  to bond with the myconid. 
  After only a short amount of 
  time, the myconid is able to 
  telepathically speak to the 
  animal and vice-versa.
  While bonding with 
  small animals is a handy 
  way of having a horde of 
  messengers and spies, it 
  also comes at a great cost 
  to the morrell. Everything 
  that the myconid’s animal 
  companions feel, the 
  myconid does too. This can 
  be shockingly difficult for 
  the morrell at times when 
  their animal companion is 
  in pain or feels sadness. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Morrell myconids are said to be able to restore 
  function to any damaged or lost part of the 
  body, but this is typically accomplished through 
  hybridization, where they fuse other living 
  tissue (animal, plant, or fungal) with the affected 
  area, often with unusual side effects. 
  • 
  While most morrell myconids choose small 
  animal traveling companions, one by the name 
  of Septentrionalis bonded with a baby dragon 
  it found abandoned deep within the earth. 
  Septentrionalis is known as the myconid  with 
  a wreath of golden honeycomb fungus atop his 
  head.
  117.
    
  
  Putrid mounds of walking refuse is often the 
  first thought a person has when thinking of 
  the noble otyugh. What most fail to see in 
  these olfactory-sense-assaulting monsters is 
  that they are not monsters at all, but creatures 
  perfectly designed to live as one in their 
  natural environment: garbage.
  A great many creatures in the realms were 
  created by wizards, but the otyugh species 
  is one of the only ones ‘enhanced’ by an 
  alchemist. Many years ago, an alchemist whose 
  name was lost to time needed something to 
  help clean up her experiments. If left alone, 
  they tended to grow claws, teeth, and feet 
  — running off to terrify 
  pesky villagers who would 
  oft speak of raising 
  arms against the 
  alchemist.
  The alchemist discovered the otyugh and set 
  about collecting a few to live in her manse. 
  With her ability to smell being burned away by 
  chemicals many years past, she had no problem 
  with the putrid scent of the otyughs. Her only 
  problem with the beasts was they were unable 
  to discern the difference between her active 
  experiments and her trash. While this may say 
  more about the alchemist’s experiments and 
  less about the species, she decided to change 
  what she believed was inherent stupidity in the 
  otyugh.
  Through many trials and alchemical formulas 
  she bred a type of otyugh which was capable of 
  more complex thought, even speech, and today 
  these are considered the ‘common’ otyugh. 
  Through the years these complex creatures 
  began expanding their appetites, eating 
  different sorts of refuse and fundamentally 
  changing what they were, resulting in the many 
  different types of otyugh known today.
  Biology
  The most startling thing about an 
  otyugh is the way it smells. An 
  adult otyugh’s scent is so 
  overwhelming it fills an entire 
  well-insulated house with all 
  the doors closed. It is difficult 
  to adequately describe the scent 
  of an otyugh, but beastmasters 
  agree it is something akin to dead 
  toad and sick with the after-notes of 
  baby diapers and musk.
  Aside from their scent, otyughs have 
  giant maws filled with diamond-sharp 
  teeth, which are perfectly suited for gnawing 
  anything they wish to eat into a fine paste. 
  They have long winding tentacles protruding 
  from their back; two tentacles contain any 
  Analysed by the esteemed gnollish beastkeeper, Nubkub.
  118.
    
  
  119.
  number of eyes the otyugh develops while 
  growing up, and the others are covered in 
  gentle pads to carefully feel what the creature 
  is about to eat to make sure it doesn’t digest 
  anything living.
  Behavior
  Otyughs are instinctively non-violent 
  scavengers. They root out disgusting refuse 
  and consume it; happily sharing with any other 
  otyugh in the vicinity. The few humans who 
  can stomach close proximity to the creatures 
  liken their general temperament to a dog’s: 
  happy, loyal, playful.
  When two otyughs meet they turn their eye 
  tentacles away from one another as a show 
  of respect and trust. Extending their feeler 
  tentacles out, they embrace one another and, 
  as long as no ill intent is sensed, the two 
  become fast friends. If you want get to know 
  these creatures, close your eyes, hold out your 
  hands, and wait for the slimiest, most putrid, 
  genuine hug you are likely to experience in 
  your life.
  A surprising facet of otyugh behavior is their 
  ability to speak the common tongue. While the 
  creatures do not speak to each other in such a 
  manner, they will often call out in the common 
  tongue to humanoids if they are scared, 
  worried, or even happy. Humanoids who have 
  spoken to an otyugh surmise their intelligence 
  to be roughly equal to a human child of six 
  years old.
  Diet
  Otyugh can sustain themselves on almost 
  anything, but they love anything others would 
  traditionally think of as disgusting: trash, 
  mold, and feces. They don’t eat living matter 
  and are able to eat magical refuse without a 
  problem, making them a popular sewer pet for 
  many wizards. Strangely, otyugh have a sixth 
  sense about trash and, at times, rather than 
  indiscriminately eating what is set in front 
  of them they will choose something different 
  or more difficult to consume. If you see this 
  happen make sure to watch closely! After 
  consuming this bit of ‘trash’ the otyugh will 
  transform in some way, grow a new eye, sprout 
  a new feeler, or even learn a new language.
  Mating
  Otyugh reach sexual maturity around roughly 
  two years of age. They are born with the ability 
  to both lay and fertilize an egg, but have no 
  gender and each parent picks a role when they 
  are ready to have a child. Eggs are laid in wet, 
  warm, places and don’t need much care aside 
  from protection from scavengers, which rarely 
  happens.
  The creatures aren’t monogamous and after 
  a few months of the scrap (baby) being born, 
  parents leave one another and their child. 
  Scraps become self-sufficient a few weeks after 
  birth, but packs of otyugh are known to be 
  protective over scraps as old as one year.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Otyugh generally keep a wary distance 
  from humanoids when they can. They are 
  peaceful creatures and prefer not to engage 
  with humanoid species who often have 
  violent tendencies. That said, if an otyugh is 
  approached carefully by a person (or small 
  group of people) it will likely be more curious 
  than anything else. If a humanoid is lucky, an 
  otyugh might even speak with them, asking 
  where they are from and the types of treasure 
  (garbage) they have seen.
  If you wish to keep an otyugh as a 
  companion, you will have to get around its 
  smell. It is possible to minimize the creature’s 
  scent by bathing it three times a day and 
  keeping it dry, but this causes the creature a 
  small amount of discomfort. To minimize its 
  discomfort, make sure to rub the otyugh with 
  salves to keep its skin moist and provide it with 
  lots of snacks to keep it happy.
  119.
    
  
  Undercity Otyugh
  The common undercity otyugh lives in dark 
  swampy places where it can find an abundance 
  of what it loves: trash! Cities with large enough 
  sewer systems are known to employ packs of 
  otyugh to keep their sewers clean. Otyugh 
  desire nothing but good company and good 
  food, so they are an attractive creature for 
  many city planners.
  When not eating or sleeping, otyugh love to 
  play with others of their kind. Packs of otyugh 
  will often participate in a hide-and-seek type 
  game. Each otyugh takes a piece of trash and 
  hides it somewhere in the sewers (for example) 
  where they live. It is then up to the other 
  otyugh to run about and find as many pieces 
  of their compatriots’ garbage as possible. The 
  winner with the most pieces of hidden trash 
  is allowed to eat everything that was hidden 
  — though otyugh often share with their pack 
  members who lost.
  Other species would find the otyugh’s game 
  impossible to play, as finding one specific piece 
  of trash in an entire mountain of trash gives 
  new meaning to the saying ‘finding a needle in 
  a haystack’. However, this game is a testament 
  to how keen the common otyugh’s senses and 
  memory is. Otyugh are sticklers for details, 
  are able to see in low light, and have a sense of 
  smell which far surpasses many species in the 
  planes.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Some criminal organizations employ otyugh 
  for body disposal and being intelligent enough 
  to know what they are being ordered to do: this 
  job drives the otyugh mad. The sad creatures are 
  unable to marry the idea of being loyal to their 
  compatriots, while also participating in unsavory 
  activities. Some become so twisted they are 
  unable to discern living from dead and go on a 
  bloody rampage through cities and villages until 
  they are put down.
  • 
  Otyugh have no concept of religion, but they 
  tend to hold wild growing mushrooms in high 
  regard. They refuse to eat any mushrooms and 
  will actively avoid stepping on the fungus. Why 
  otyugh hold such a reverence for mushrooms 
  is unknown, but while using the common 
  tongue otyugh refer to them as ‘god’s 
  tears’.
  120.
    
  
  Sludge Swimmers 
  Sludge swimmers are otyugh who live in 
  swampy areas. They have a subtler scent than 
  their ‘common’ brethren, smelling of dirt and 
  rotting leaves rather than dead flesh. Sludge 
  swimmers have giant mouths they use to suck 
  in swamp water, filter out any impurities to 
  feed upon, and exhale clean water back into the 
  swamp. They spend hours a day filtering water 
  in this way to gain enough nutrients to survive, 
  often consuming food equal to their own body 
  weight in one sitting.
  It takes so much energy to find food that 
  sludge swimmers are slow, plodding creatures. 
  They never go anywhere in a hurry, and if 
  they speak, it is in a drawn, tired tone. Sludge 
  swimmers are still otyugh though, so they do 
  love a good game. However, their exercise is 
  mental rather than physical. Sludge swimmers 
  love to tell riddles and some of the greatest 
  riddles told today come directly from the 
  greasy lips of a sludge swimmer.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Many years ago a sludge swimmer rescued a 
  genie’s bottle from its filter, its keen sense of 
  taste knowing the difference between dead 
  plant matter and a precious bottle. To thank 
  the sludge swimmer, the genie gave the creature 
  one wish and the otyugh wished to become the 
  largest and most impressive of its kind. When 
  the genie immediately left, the otyugh assumed 
  it had been duped, but the next day it discovered 
  it was a little bit larger, and the day after that, 
  and so on. The only way to find this otyugh is 
  to look for a perfectly clear pool of water in the 
  middle of a dark, muddy swamp. That is where 
  the otyugh stays, happily filtering the swamp 
  around it.
  • 
  To strike down a sludge swimmer will quickly 
  bring the ire of any intelligent creatures that live 
  nearby, as they loathe to lose their source of pure 
  water (and good riddles)!
  121.
    
  
  Benthic Otyugh
  Benthic otyugh smell of rotting fish and dead 
  kelp. They are able to hold their breath for over 
  half-an-hour under water and prefer to lazily 
  float on the surface of lakes, rivers, and even 
  oceans. These amazing creatures transition 
  easily from fresh to salt water and covet 
  any stagnant pools of water they can find to 
  submerge themselves in. To protect the delicate 
  skin on their backs from sunlight they collect 
  kelp, driftwood, and other natural waste to pile 
  high on their backs. This provides the creatures 
  with much-needed protection and also handy 
  snacks throughout the day.
  Underwater, benthic otyugh are graceful 
  swimmers. When swimming, their long 
  tentacles trail behind them in the water and 
  on the ocean’s floor help to drag the creature’s 
  body along as it explores. Their heady scent 
  carries many miles underwater and keeps 
  natural predators away as no one wants to eat 
  what they think is a rotten meal.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Aquatic otyugh are very tidy creatures and tend 
  to think very differently about what is treasure 
  and what isn’t. To them, anything rotting and 
  dead is treasure, while gold, silver, and the like 
  is terrible trash polluting their home. To this 
  effect, aquatic otyugh horde any ‘traditional’ 
  treasure they find in large underground caverns 
  to keep the ocean tidy. Anyone who was to find 
  one of their dumping grounds would be wealthy 
  beyond their wildest dreams.
  • 
  Benthic otyugh have been known to attack small 
  vessels, overturning wooden boats to spill the 
  passengers and goods into the water, and even 
  biting straight through rafts and hide-covered 
  canoes.
  • 
  Usually solitary, groups of benthic otyugh may 
  be found around a large carcass, such as that of a 
  whale or leviathan, where they will also prey on 
  others who come to scavenge the remains.
  122.
    
  
  Vine Trapper
  Unlike other otyugh, vine trappers are 
  incapable of speech and are extremely 
  ferocious. Vine trappers will eat refuse if they 
  must, but they’d much rather eat fresh food. 
  When the trapper is feeling a bit peckish, it 
  finds a small clearing in the jungle (its natural 
  habitat) and it lays there perfectly still with its 
  mouth wide open. The putrid scent the vine 
  trapper releases of rotting corpses and other 
  dead things draws scavengers towards the 
  otyugh and when the curious creature is right 
  within its maw, the trapper springs its jaws 
  closed, slowly munching its victim down to a 
  sludgy paste before swallowing it whole.
  Many assume, based on the limited 
  intelligence these creatures possess, that they 
  are the origin species for all others of their 
  kind. The vine trapper may indeed be the 
  ‘proto’ otyugh. If it is, then based 
  on the often poor decisions the 
  trapper tends to make, the 
  species was truly lucky to have 
  an alchemist tinkering 
  with it. Despite their 
  danger, vine trappers are 
  easy to fool and can often 
  be tricked into swallowing 
  their prey whole, especially 
  if the prey puts up a fight. 
  If this happen it is often 
  deadly for the vine trapper 
  as their delicate intestinal 
  system cannot handle large 
  chunks of food, hence the 
  creature’s large maw 
  of serrated teeth.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Deep within the jungle, there is one bearded vine 
  trapper; it is the only one that can speak and 
  only after it is fed. When fed, the bearded vine 
  trapper will tell the story of its kind and other 
  otyugh.
  • 
  Vine trapper musk is a wanted commodity 
  in many black markets. It must be harvested 
  through an otyugh’s feeler tentacles when two 
  trappers are together, as they prepare to mate, 
  as this is when their scent is at its most pungent. 
  One small dose of this musk placed on someone 
  can make them violently ill for days. One drop 
  can also be distilled a thousandfold in alcohol 
  and water to form the base of many expensive 
  perfumes.
   
  123.
    
  
  Owlbears are often perceived as a simple 
  species; violent beasts who originated as a 
  botched experiment by a foolhardy wizard. 
  And while I cannot deny the creatures’ violent 
  natures, owlbears are far more complex 
  creatures whose various forms of nonverbal 
  communication allow them to convey a wealth 
  of knowledge between one another. Many 
  incorrectly assume owlbears are birds because 
  As told by Hilli Underbrook, Longfeather beastmaster
  of their avian features. However, like the 
  platypus, owlbears are considered mammals, 
  if not with the caveat that they came into 
  creation by way of magical means.
  Biology
  Giant, hulking creatures of impressive 
  stature, owlbears are roughly 8 - 13 feet (2.5 - 
  4 meters) tall with the body of a bear. Rather 
  than forelegs, the creatures have giant wings 
  tipped with razor-sharp claws, and rather 
  than a bear’s face they possess that of an owl. 
  While owlbears do have wings, they are unable 
  to fly or even hover in the air. However, the 
  creature’s powerful wings are a great boon as 
  they use them to help them jump fantastically 
  long distances, summoning a gust of wind to 
  carrying them farther as they flap their wings 
  downwards and propel themselves forward 
  with their powerful legs. The creature’s wings 
  also come in handy during a fight, where they 
  use them to shield themselves, the thick layer 
  of feathers acting as a barrier for shallow cuts 
  and bites.  
  Behavior
  Owlbears have an intelligence akin to 
  their bear counterparts. They are ferociously 
  territorial and protective of their own kind. I 
  can say confidently from personal experience, 
  training an owlbear is nearly impossible, 
  but if successful, the creature may learn 
  basic commands. Well, not so much 
  able, but willing, as owlbears are 
  intelligent enough to know 
  when they are intentionally 
  defiant, and seem to take no small 
  amount of mischievous joy in it.
  Most owlbear communication occurs through 
  scent and body cues. Owlbears are able to 
  124.
    
  
  125.
  secrete various scents, rubbing them on the 
  trees of their territory to convey messages to 
  others of their kind. These messages can be 
  anything from general warnings to stay away, 
  to a signal that the owlbear is ready to mate.
  One of the most inexplicable owlbear 
  behaviors I’ve experienced was when one of 
  these great creatures neared death. In the 
  days leading up to his death, he rubbed his 
  scent against all, the trees in his domain. 
  Owlbears from far away lands smelled this 
  scent and traveled to the dying owlbear’s 
  territory. Rather than the normal hostilities 
  occurring when these creatures meet, they 
  were all passive and nonviolent. On the day 
  of the owlbear’s death, the other of his kind, 
  who were drawn to the area, gathered around 
  and watched the owlbear’s passing, as if their 
  peaceful gaze carried him into the next life.
  Diet
  Owlbears will try to eat anything smaller and 
  weaker than them. Luckily, they are also lazy 
  and prefer an easily won meal over a tough 
  fight. If provoked, the creatures will try to eat 
  anything that attacks and fails to kill them. If 
  left to their own devices, owlbears subsist on 
  a diet of rodents, berries, and the occasional 
  deer.
  Mating
  Owlbears reach sexual maturity around the 
  age of five, and these furry, feathery creatures 
  mate for life. Mating rituals are simple and, in 
  my opinion, rather romantic. Male and female 
  owlbears spread their scent in different areas 
  of unclaimed (owlbear) territory. If an owlbear 
  likes the scent they smell on a tree, they rub 
  against it too. Then, the owlbear searches far 
  and wide to find their mate—the one smelling 
  like them; the one that smells like home. 
  When the two owlbears finally meet they stay 
  together for the rest of their days.
  When an owlbear finds their mate they take 
  over a large swath of land, which normally 
  borders other owlbear territories. Truly 
  powerful owlbear couples, known as alphas, 
  often take a few smaller owlbear territories for 
  themselves, allowing weaker couples to live 
  on their land and patrolling the borders for 
  intruders.
  Owlbears carry their eggs for varying 
  amounts of time based on weather conditions, 
  and female owlbears are able to lay their eggs 
  exactly when weather conditions are optimum 
  for her offspring’s survival. Once the eggs are 
  laid, baby owlbears hatch within a week. 
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Owlbear interactions with humanoids are 
  spotty at best. The creatures are violently 
  territorial and recent poaching of owlbear 
  cubs because of their ‘cuddly’ appearance 
  has done nothing to improve the creatures’ 
  reactions to humans. Likewise, many human 
  lords have taken to hunting owlbears as a form 
  of sport, which has severely hurt the owlbear 
  population.
  Because of the hunting of this species, the 
  Longfeather Rangers, a group I am personally 
  affiliated with, have begun conservation efforts 
  of these great creatures. Armed with the ability 
  to speak to animals, we’ve made great strides 
  towards a deeper understanding of owlbears, 
  discovering what is known as ‘dens’. Dens seem 
  to be territory neutral caves which owlbears 
  frequent, leaving bits of prey, wood, and even 
  their own feathers. Each item in the den has 
  a scent, which conveys a story, or feat, the 
  owlbear is particularly proud of.
  125.
    
  
  The great horned owlbear is the most 
  common owlbear, which most people think of 
  when they hear stories of these remarkable 
  creatures. They have rough brown fur and 
  grey/brown feathers. Normally, great horned 
  owlbears are found in moderate climates with 
  frigid winters. During most winters, owlbears 
  go into hibernation unless the winter is warm 
  enough for them to find ample, easy prey.
  It is said when the wizard crossed a bear 
  and an owl many years ago, the great horned 
  owlbear was the result. As the creatures 
  learned to adapt to various environments 
  and diets, they bred 
  with other creatures to create the other 
  variants known today. Strangely, this theory is 
  supported by documented interactions great 
  horned owlbears had with others of their 
  species. While most owlbears are violent when 
  meeting one another, other owlbear species 
  react submissively to great horned owlbears; 
  either cowed by the great beasts or fleeing at 
  the sight of them. 
  I once spied the most peculiar scene in 
  relation to this phenomena: If I were to 
  give the creature halfling attributes, which 
  is perhaps a faulty principle to start with, I 
  would say a sun owlbear somehow realized it 
  was in the presence of its progenitor species. 
  Immediately, the sun owlbear  bowed its head 
  to the great horned owlbear and lay 
  down. I feared for what I would see 
  next, but rather than attacking, 
  the great horned owlbear let out a 
  ferocious roar over the sun owlbear, 
  stood over it for a moment, and 
  simply walked away. It was much like 
  a queen, albeit a beastly one, greeting a 
  subject.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  One of the greatest great horned owlbear dens 
  was plundered. I and the other Longfeather 
  Beastmasters are looking for someone to find 
  out by who and why. The only problem is, since 
  the den was plundered, the owlbears visiting 
  the area have been notably more violent than 
  normal.
  • 
  Elf lore says somewhere deep in the earth is a 
  giant sleeping owlbear so large it once tried to 
  eat the moon so it could sleep in total darkness.
  • 
  Many years ago, it is said, an orc village 
  developed magical bridles to control owlbears. 
  In honor of their new companions, the tribe 
  renamed themselves the Wingriders. The 
  fearsome Wingriders fought atop owlbears, 
  carrying out many vicious raids over the plains, 
  and rumors of the Wingriders are still whispered 
  today.
  Great Horned Owlbear
  126.
    
  
  Sun Owlbear
  Sun owlbears are smaller than their great 
  horned cousins. They have dark black/brown 
  fur and long tongues that extend roughly half a 
  meter out of their mouths. These giant tongues 
  are used by the creatures to eat insects and get 
  to their most favored treat: honey.
  Unlike the great horned owlbears, sun 
  owlbears subsist mostly on a diet of insects, 
  fruit, and honey. They are unique in the 
  owlbear family in that they often live solitary 
  lives. However, within large territories, sun 
  owlbears live in groups known as ‘hugs’.
  Hugs are loyal to one another and viciously 
  protect their territory. Rather than living 
  a monogamous life, sun owlbears 
  mate with various members of 
  their hug and children are raised 
  by their mothers. When the 
  children come of age, they 
  leave their birth hug to 
  find one of their own.
  The most 
  important 
  function of a hug 
  is taking down a 
  beehive. This is 
  one of the only 
  times sun owlbears 
  are seen together in 
  large numbers, working 
  to draw away bees, knock 
  down a hive, and enjoy 
  the delectable treat within. 
  After their hunt, bellies full of 
  delicious honey, the sun owlbears 
  pass out, cuddling with one another 
  in a food-fueled slumber, which is how 
  the Longfeathers’ decided on the name 
  ‘hug’ for their grouping.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  In some human circles, sun owlbear flesh is a 
  delicacy—namely that of a sun owlbear which 
  regularly feed off beehives. ‘Honey Hunters’ are 
  employed to find hugs who have recently feasted 
  upon the sweet honey, as they claim they taste 
  best when they’ve recently fed.
  • 
  A tribe of my kind (halflings), who do not wish 
  to interact with the outside world, have learned 
  to carefully cultivate beehives on the borders 
  of their lands. The beehives draw a ring of hugs 
  around the halflings’ homes and keep intruders 
  out. Because the halflings are an accustomed 
  sight to the sun owlbears and leave them alone, 
  they are able to pass through the hug’s territory 
  without being mauled.
  • Halfling legend says there is a hug 
  of albino sun owlbears. These 
  are celestial creatures who turn 
  any liquid they drink into 
  mead  (honey wine) and I’ve 
  undertaken many an unfruitful 
  quest to find the fabled 
  ‘Honeywine River’ to prove 
  the legend true.
  127.
    
  
  Pandawl
  Pandawls, like the sun owlbears, are also 
  smaller than the great horned variety and 
  have black and white fur and feathers. These 
  creatures are found anywhere there is an 
  abundance of bamboo and temperate climates. 
  Like the great horned owlbears, pandawls are 
  monogamous and live with one mate for their 
  entire life in a territory of their choosing.
  What makes pandawls unique is the fact 
  that they are completely non-violent. While 
  pandawls do have their own territory, and do 
  not encroach on others of their species, this 
  is more out of practicality and laziness than 
  anything else. However, pandawls also don’t 
  seem to mind anything else going through 
  their territory either.
  Part of a pandawl’s pacifism comes from the 
  copious amount of bamboo they consume on a 
  daily basis. While the creatures need bamboo 
  in order to survive they are particularly fond of 
  the moss found growing around the base of the 
  plant, which elicits the same high in pandawls 
  as pipe-weed does in halflings. Pandawls eat 
  the moss early in the day and ride the high 
  they get from it through their daily activities of 
  eating, sleeping, and cuddling with their mate.
  Unlike other owlbears who are able to 
  survive if they lose their mate, pandawls have 
  a startlingly deep connection with their life 
  partner. Perhaps, I would argue, deeper than 
  the connection felt by halflings, elves, or the 
  like. If a pandawl’s partner dies, the other 
  follows quickly after. This is even known to 
  happen to pandawl parents who lose a cub too 
  soon. Pandawls are quick to form bonds with 
  anyone who is nice to them, so adventurers 
  are warned not to spend too much time with 
  pandawls lest they wish to adopt a constantly 
  stoned traveling companion (or companions in 
  the case of pandawls who are already mated). 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Deep within a bamboo forest to the north is a 
  monastery dedicated to the pandawl. The monks 
  care for the local pandawl population and revere 
  them as teachers of life. 
  • 
  I am unsure whether they are related, but there 
  have been sightings of smaller pandawls that 
  sport a reddish fur with a foxy appearance.
  128.
    
  
  The powlbear, 
  known to many 
  scholars as the 
  arctic owlbear, 
  gets its colloquial name 
  from arctic locals who believe 
  that by naming something you 
  fear comically, you take away its 
  power. Sadly, this tradition has not made 
  the creatures any less deadly. For many 
  years, powlbears have been the bane of many 
  arctic communities, using remote villages as 
  their personal hunting grounds. Powlbear 
  populations have caused entire villages to 
  become nomadic, out of fear of attack from 
  these ferocious creatures.
  Just as large as their great horned cousins, 
  powlbears are five times more vicious. They 
  live in the coldest parts of the world and can 
  go months without feeding. When a powlbear 
  does find prey, they hunt it relentlessly over 
  snow, through sleet, and across ice.  
  Once they’ve cornered their prey, it uses its 
  huge claws, startling agility, and terrifying 
  strength to make short work of it. To people 
  unfamiliar with an arctic environment, these 
  creatures are essentially invisible to the 
  naked eye, their snowy white coats perfectly 
  camouflaged in the snow. Even in more rocky 
  areas these cunning creatures manage to 
  camouflage themselves, rubbing into itself a 
  thick coat of mud and dirt in order to gain the 
  upper hand when hunting their prey.
   Powlbears use their powerful wings for 
  jumping, but also for swimming. Their wings 
  allow them a superior agility in the water and 
  help them to swim and hunt prey under water. 
  Powlbears are able to hold their breath under 
  water upwards of five minutes through sheer 
  force of will and brutal determination.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  After creating the Orb of Seeing, the Lich 
  Hr’naxss retired to the far north reaches of the 
  world. Using the orb, she could spy on any lost 
  arcane knowledge she wanted and had no need 
  of mortal nuisances to interrupt her study. 
  Her home is said to be guarded by a legion of 
  undead powlbears. She chose members of her 
  army from only the most bloodthirsty of the 
  species, creatures with a need to cause pain and 
  suffering.
  • 
   If a person hears the cry of a powlbear’s victim, 
  many believe that person will be the next 
  victim of the creature. The only way to stop 
  the powlbear from hunting you is to find their 
  victim and give them a proper burial in the 
  tradition of their kind.
  • 
  The people who gave the powlbear its comical 
  name, believe that if a person is able to hunt, 
  kill, and wear the skin of an arctic owlbear, they 
  will be invisible to others of its kind.
  Powlbear
  129.
    
  
  Created by magic and inspiring the 
  imagination of all, the pegasus remains one 
  of the most well-known and beloved of the 
  mythical beasts. Were it not for the magic 
  infused in the beasts, their wings could not 
  truly hold them up. Known mostly as some of 
  the most notorious mounts for heroes, pegasi 
  are elusive and difficult to find in the wild. 
  Their impressive powers of wind control and 
  flight means they can live nearly anywhere, 
  making it hard for humanoids to reach them 
  when they do not want to be found.
  Many breeders now live scattered throughout 
  the kingdoms, selling their stock. These 
  pegasi are overbred and because of eugenics, 
  now have multiple health problems and 
  temperament concerns. While there may be 
  one or two decent breeders left, overall these 
  once fashionable beasts have fallen out of favor 
  for more exotic and less ill-behaved mounts.
  Biology
  Pegasus wings are large and impressive. They 
  manipulate the wind with every movement 
  and can easily knock a person back and to the 
  ground. This ability to summon and control 
  the wind around them means pegasi can drift 
  for days on the currents of air they create for 
  themselves. They are, by all means, a horse 
  with wings, and biologically have all the same 
  anatomy as any equine. Their wings are well-
  muscled and the pegasus can control them with 
  ease. 
  One of the most dazzling abilities these 
  beautiful creatures have is creating flowing 
  water. Wherever a pegasus paws at the ground 
  and wills it, a natural spring of water will 
  appear. There are many stories on how several 
  of the world’s most strangely located water 
  sources are due to a pegasus family calling that 
  place home. The spring will disappear once the 
  pegasus does, unless they live there for years, 
  making it a permanent fixture.
  Behavior
  Once regarded as a keenly intelligent and 
  majestic beast, the commonly domesticated 
  and bred pegasus has lost much of its grandeur. 
  Instead, domesticated breeds tend to be 
  simple-minded and more like overbred horses, 
  displaying behavioral issues and an inability to 
  be properly trained. Those in the wild still hold 
  that almost human-like awareness that makes 
  them easy communicators and challenging 
  mounts.
  In the wild, they roam in small herds of seven 
  to fifteen pairs of beasts and their offspring. 
  Each pair remains together while they raise 
  their foals with the herd. They maintain local 
  territories in high, removed places to avoid 
  predators and humanoids. These places hold 
  their own magic and all pegasus find peace 
  there. Naturally curious and contemplative, 
  pegasi are gentle and inquisitive by nature, but 
  have long ago learned to avoid humanoids after 
  too many of their kind were stolen for breeding 
  and domestication purposes.
  Diet
  Like most equines, pegasi forage and graze 
  regularly in fields open enough, they can see 
  danger approaching. These fields often have a 
  combination of different grass-like plants to 
  provide a wide nutrient base for them. They 
  eat nearly constantly in order to keep their 
  digestive tract working properly, meaning any 
  pegasus herd will have a large expanse of land 
  they wander in search of adequate nutrition. 
  Domesticated pegasi will eat hay, as any other 
  horse would, but require more of it due to the 
  energy required to fly.  
  130.
    
  
  131.
  Mating
  Pegasi wander large territories in bands. 
  Each territory may have several bands on it 
  that make up the entirety of the herd. A band 
  consists of a lead mare who guides the group, 
  and a lead stallion. During mating season, 
  the lead stallion will mate with the females 
  and the band will travel with their new foals 
  immediately. Foals travel with their band until 
  they reach adolescence, when they may leave 
  the band to join a different part of the herd. 
  If the colts and fillies refuse to leave the herd, 
  the lead stallion will drive them out. This helps 
  ensure inbreeding does not happen and allows 
  for growth of the herd. Foals are protected 
  fiercely by the herd. The lead mare ensures they 
  travel to safe locations, often choosing a more 
  isolated spot during the first few weeks of the 
  foaling season to prevent the foals from being 
  killed or stolen.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Domesticated for several centuries, the 
  modern pet pegasus is vacant, complacent, 
  and easily spooked. Gone is the majesty 
  and keen intellect that once defined these 
  creatures. There are a few select breeders who 
  have been found to have pegasi bearing a 
  slight resemblance to the wild ones, but this 
  deterioration of health and faculty has lead the 
  pegasus to fall out of favor as both a mount 
  and a pet.
  In the vast wild, pegasi have learned that 
  humanoids mean harm and now mostly live 
  in places out of reach for most of them. While 
  they don’t generally attack people, they have 
  been known to flee on sight. When their young 
  are threatened, however, a pegasus can make 
  a powerful foe and isn’t afraid to trample 
  anything in its young’s way to safety. 
  131.
    
  
  Tornado Pegasus
  With an inherent ability to summon the 
  wind with each wing stroke, the pegasus 
  learned quickly that the strongest amongst 
  them, usually the lead mare, could summon 
  great wind storms to protect their herds. The 
  magic of these lead mares (and sometimes lead 
  stallions) has yet to be seen in domesticated 
  breeds, although some feral pegasi have been 
  captured who seem to maintain the ability. 
  Pegasi bred in captivity do not seem to grey 
  out, as it is called, as their wild ancestors do. 
  Those few who have seen the mares in the 
  wild that can summon the wind to staggeringly 
  destructive speeds, swear they have lost their 
  once-white coat and have begun to go dapple 
  grey and even black in some areas. This stormy 
  appearance marks them as leaders of the 
  herds. Their herds ride the wind always with 
  the storm at their heels and are some of the 
  healthiest herds still remaining. As they age 
  and seem to grow more adept at harnessing the 
  wind, they earn respect amongst their herds.
  Although this unique ability has never 
  been reported to be weaponized, 
  it has been theorized that 
  tornadoes are not in fact a 
  natural phenomenon. 
  The wandering great 
  herds of pegasi may 
  be responsible for 
  the great storms 
  that sweep the 
  land, wiping 
  out settlements 
  as they go. Several 
  pegasus breeding stables have 
  been destroyed this way. Originally it was 
  thought the pegasi at the stables perished, 
  but now it may be assumed they joined their 
  rescuing herd. This may be the reason for the 
  sudden rise in pegasus populations around 
  specific parts of the kingdom.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A local revolutionary has found a way to calm 
  and summon the tornado pegasi, using their 
  unique powers to fight against the lord, who 
  wishes to have the pegasi killed to prevent 
  further damage by their storms.
  • 
  A breeder has caught a wild tornado pegasus 
  and is breaking it to make it a mount, except the 
  pegasus’ herd continues to hunt for their lost 
  friend, destroying villages as they go.
  • 
  Tornado pegasi are dying out rapidly in one of 
  their territories, causing the winds to no longer 
  blow and rendering the windmills still.
  132.
    
  
  Wildfire Pegasus
  Deep within the volcanic 
  lands of the West, the 
  wildfire pegasus finds a 
  home. Massive and 
  destructive, these 
  pegasi use the 
  power of flame 
  and heat to soar 
  the skies around 
  their toxic homes. The forest 
  and field fires that plague the 
  lands around their homes are 
  made by the pegasi themselves, 
  which has made them a local 
  pest. A sort of war has started 
  between the local kingdoms and 
  the fiery steeds.
  Flames lick off of their hooves, 
  mane, tail, and wings. The heat radiating off 
  of them is enough to help lift them up rapidly. 
  They soar the air off their own heat, lowering 
  and extinguishing the flames as they need 
  to descend to the ground. When grazing, the 
  equine creatures appear as any normal winged 
  horse, but when startled or threatened, the 
  flames emerge from the wispy hair that clings 
  to their bodies. Somehow, it appears they are 
  not flammable themselves, but that they can 
  control the flames within them.
  Their shy and skittish nature means they are 
  quite dangerous to approach. While they rarely 
  attack, their flames catch the ground easier 
  than any normal fire. These fires spread rapidly, 
  often burning those nearby alive in their 
  inferno. They are capable of immolating almost 
  anything, and only water from a pegasus spring 
  can quench their thirst. These rare creatures 
  have never been domesticated. It took very 
  few fires for humanoids to learn they were 
  indomitable, although they have been captured 
  and used as weapons against warring nations 
  by those who live near their territories. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A foal has become panicked after becoming 
  separated from its herd. A farming village’s fields 
  are in danger of being burned to the ground 
  by the scared pegasus. Everything the villagers 
  do to try to calm it only seems to make it more 
  frightened.
  • 
  Several of the wildfire pegasi have been taken 
  from the skies near their volcano home and 
  the volcano has begun to cool rapidly, which is 
  causing shifts in the earth and threatens the 
  surrounding kingdom.
  • 
  Two warring nations have unleashed wildfire 
  pegasi at each other in an attempt to burn the 
  other to the ground, but in their battles, the 
  pegasi have created great fire fields and seem to 
  be forming a new volcano where before there 
  was none.
  • 
  A young boy had domesticated a foal wildfire. 
  Now grown and adults, the two are being hunted 
  by a noble’s soldiers in an attempt to take the 
  domesticated pegasus from the young man and 
  claim it as their own.
  133.
    
  
  Pale, drawn, and 
  angular, the dust devil 
  pegasus lives within 
  the hissing wastelands. 
  Its harrowing, bone-like 
  appearance is often hidden 
  by the swirling sands around 
  it, whistling in anger. These 
  rarest of pegasi are, by far, the 
  most aggressive of their cousins 
  and live in small herds of no 
  more than five, with the lead 
  stallion claiming all the females as 
  his own. They are almost skeletal, 
  with dust storms whipping out 
  from their manes and tails. 
  This dust is impossible to see 
  through when they create vast storms of it. 
  It seeps into everything and the storms are 
  enormous and consuming. They can irritate 
  a humanoid to death rapidly, while inhaling 
  the dust will cause a lung sickness and kill 
  whomever breathes it in. The dust storms are 
  electrically charged from the arid land in which 
  the pegasi live, and can cancel out magic and 
  other elemental work with their static. These 
  dangerous storms were first discovered when 
  the dust devils were forced from their desert 
  homes by invading armies. They destroyed 
  the armies, leaving nothing but sandblasted 
  skeletons in their wake
  Since that first discovery, many have studied 
  these elusive beasts. It is clear they eat desert 
  plants and may be responsible for the creation 
  of oases because of their water drawing powers. 
  Within these havens are where the dust devils 
  mate and live during times when they are being 
  hunted. These places are often hidden behind 
  an ongoing dust storm with the oasis in the 
  eye of the storm. Very few have ever seen an 
  occupied oasis, but their remains have been 
  found throughout the desert wasteland. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A community who has lived in harmony with 
  the dust devils finds itself under attack by the 
  equines after outsiders appear but can’t figure 
  out why the dust devils have suddenly turned on 
  them.
  • 
  Within a desert oasis guarded by dust devils 
  lies a great treasure, although what remains 
  unknown. A local authority claims to need it for 
  their community.
  • 
  Local populations of dust devils are being 
  eradicated by humanoids, leaving the desert 
  suddenly without regular oases and watering 
  holes, which begins to impact those few who live 
  within its sands.
  • 
  Nomadic desert wanderers have taken to 
  befriending and communing with the dust 
  devils, going so far as to raise and herd them, 
  but fall under attack of a warlord wishing to 
  eradicate them and their dust devil steeds.
  Dust Devil Pegasus
  134.
    
  
  The coldest parts of the world have been 
  known to hold the snow squall pegasus, a 
  dangerous and brutal creature living within the 
  snowy landscape. They nest in cliffside caves, 
  killing any animal that lived there before them. 
  They are black like the mountains they live in, 
  with icy white and blue manes, tails and wings. 
  Snow drifts down from them gracefully and 
  silently, unless they are afraid or attempting to 
  attack in the dark of a storm.
  Unlike any other pegasus, these snow squall 
  equines are omnivores and specialize in eating 
  carrion, scavenging off of dead bodies found in 
  the white world around them. Their front teeth 
  are slightly sharper than other pegasi, and they 
  use these to shred the bodies of what they find. 
  Powerful back molars and jaws allow them 
  to crush bone. They roam in family units of a 
  breeding pair and their offspring, often having 
  two foals at one time. These foals remain with 
  them until a mate is found for them as adults. 
  Several breeding families exist in the same 
  territory.
  Immune to the cold, they claim large 
  territories and come down from their 
  homes only if prey is hard to find and 
  scavenging turns up nothing. These 
  excursions out result in villages 
  being hit hard by a blizzard, 
  and often, livestock, grain 
  reserves, and even some 
  pets or people go missing. 
  These unfortunate souls 
  become frozen in the 
  sudden shock of cold 
  that the snow squall 
  pegasi bring with 
  them, and are soon 
  prey to the equine 
  creatures. There are 
  almost no natural 
  predators of the snow 
  squall pegasus, resulting in an increased 
  population and making them one of the most 
  hunted pegasus of all their cousins. Despite 
  this, they are nearly impossible to find.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  An unnatural spring thaw comes early to the 
  mountains and begins to melt more of the snow 
  than it should, threatening the lives of the snow 
  squalls who begin to break into fights over 
  territory when pressed together.
  • 
  A recent avalanche has left a hunting party 
  stranded in the mountains and the snow 
  squalls are beginning to hunt and stalk them, 
  eliminating them one by one, as hunger and 
  desperation push the pegasi to extremes.
  • 
  A strange illness has spread through the snow 
  squalls, causing sudden snow storms and 
  unending winter in the kingdom, although 
  no cure has been found and the pegasi prove 
  impossible to subdue.
  Snow Squall  Pegasus
  135.
    
  
  Although superficially similar to other cat-like 
  beasts, phase cats originate from another plane 
  entirely. An old bardic tale tells of how a litter 
  of young phase cats appeared from nowhere, 
  and how the farmers watched in confusion 
  as the cats appeared to tussle and play, while 
  a nearby herd of sheep was devoured one by 
  one. There are several stories like this, and it 
  is possible that small populations have phased 
  into our plane over many generations. Little 
  is known about the plane from which they 
  originate, except that it was also the former 
  home of blink dogs. Phase cats and blink dogs 
  are natural enemies, and phase cats will roar 
  and whip their tendrilclaws wildly at the sight 
  of a blink dog.
  Biology
  Phase cats are lithe, muscular hunters, with 
  four forelimbs and two hindlimbs. In addition, 
  they have four tendrilclaws protruding from 
  their backs, with sharp, tooth-like spikes 
  jutting out of the flattened tips. As distinctive 
  as the appearance is, the most notable feature 
  of the phase cat is its ability to detach its body 
  from its own visible image, allowing it to move 
  invisibly while its image moves independently. 
  It is possible to tell if its body is attached to 
  its image by listening closely; the body makes 
  noise, but the image does not.
  136.
    
  
  137.
  Behavior
  Phase cats are generally solitary creatures, 
  maintaining large territories that they hunt in 
  and defend. These territories are much larger 
  than those of most other territorial beasts, 
  and indeed, phase cats seem to have unusually 
  quick metabolisms. It appears that maintaining 
  an image separate from its body requires 
  additional energy. A phase cat that is old, 
  sick, or injured may become unable to detach 
  its body from its image. A healthy individual 
  spends much of its time patrolling its territory 
  for rivals or prey, scouting invisibly with its 
  body, while its image lurks in the shadows, 
  flickering in and out of sight to keep intruders 
  away from its body.
  Diet
  Hunting strategies vary somewhat by species, 
  but all species use their images to frighten 
  and confuse their prey. A common technique 
  is to stalk ahead with its body and leap out at 
  prey with its image from behind, startling the 
  prey directly into its invisible jaws. Although 
  they primarily hunt large mammals, phase 
  cats are opportunists, and supplement their 
  diets with smaller rodents and reptiles. These 
  smaller game are easily dispatched with a slap 
  of a tendrilclaw, though phase cats often like to 
  play with their prey, lightly lashing and herding 
  it with its tendrilclaws until it grows bored and 
  snaps it up whole.
  Mating
  Though individuals live alone, large numbers 
  of phase cats congregate for a period of ten 
  days every couple of years to mate. During 
  these mating periods, males display by 
  moving the tendrilclaws of their images in 
  elaborate patterns, while their bodies stalk 
  around, searching for interested females. The 
  mating locations never stay the same, but are 
  easy to find by the cacophonous shrieks that 
  accompany the mating displays. No one knows 
  how the phase cats choose these locations, or 
  even how individual phase cats learn of them. 
  Experts believe that mating only occurs when 
  populations decline enough for territories to 
  become available.
  After mating, the individuals return to their 
  territories, with females providing the sole 
  care of their offspring. Gestation occurs over 
  a period of sixteen weeks, with the mothers 
  giving birth to litters of five or six kittens. For 
  the first several months, they are not entirely 
  in control of their images or tendrilclaws, 
  and the mother must often untangle the 
  knotted pile of kittens, as their images flail 
  and jump around erratically. Once the kittens 
  are old enough to hunt, the mother expands 
  her territory to match the needs of her litter, 
  until the cubs are fully grown and may defend 
  territories of their own.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Because of their ability to hunt almost 
  invisibly, people have long associated phase 
  cats with rogues and the art of stealth. Rare 
  materials traders will sometimes claim to sell 
  phase cat blood, promising that a draught will 
  make the drinker harder to detect. Whether 
  or not this claim is true, I must warn against 
  the purchase of phase cat blood since, like 
  the cats themselves, the blood may randomly 
  phase out of its vial, leaving only an image in 
  its place. Some superstitious thieves will keep 
  a domesticated phase cat as a companion. 
  Although no one has successfully trained these 
  animals to follow commands, it is hoped that 
  the presence of the phase cat will confer some 
  of its stealthiness onto its owner.
  137.
    
  
  Phase Panther
  The common phase 
  cat, usually known 
  as the phase panther, 
  is well-adapted to the 
  dense, dark jungles 
  in which it resides. Its 
  dark coloration makes its 
  image almost as invisible as 
  its body during its nighttime 
  hunts. It uses its especially large 
  claws to climb trees, lashing a tendrilclaw 
  into the bark of especially slippery trunks. Phase 
  panthers sometimes hunt by stalking their prey, 
  but also passively hunt while they sleep by 
  dangling their tendrilclaws among the hanging 
  vines, and flaying the unsuspecting prey that 
  brushes past them. They can even set traps 
  in two trees simultaneously by leaving their 
  image in one tree and their body in another, 
  then phasing to their image if they sense any 
  movement near it. Reaching up to 500 pounds 
  (227 kg) at maturity, they tend to favor large 
  old-growth trees from which to rest in and hunt.
  Phase panthers often seem to have an 
  unnatural ability to sense what is around them, 
  detecting even the stealthiest animals (and 
  adventurers). When prowling wooded locations, 
  a phase panther will phase in and out of its body 
  repeatedly to scout the area. To check what’s 
  behind it, it will fan out its tendrilclaws along 
  the length of its body, and skim them against the 
  trees like extended whiskers. This leaves small 
  nicks in the tree trunks that can be used to track 
  them, but be wary; the phase panther is likely to 
  attack you with its invisible body just as you’re 
  catching up to its image. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Many believe that sighting a phase panther is a 
  bad omen, fortelling an attack from the shadows. 
  Those who have seen such an omen may refuse to 
  leave their houses except in broad daylight. 
  • 
  Some assassin’s guilds require initiates to hunt 
  a phase cat and bring back its head as a final test 
  of tracking and stealth ability. Some wear a spike 
  from a tendrilclaw on a chain, as a mark of guild 
  membership.
  • 
  The bard, Sigrid Bitterlute, travels from tavern 
  to tavern, singing to all who will listen of three 
  enormous phase panthers who guard a cave 
  at the foothills of a mountain. She insists that 
  they are guarding a portal to the dimension they 
  came from, and that some few have entered in 
  search of knowledge or riches, but none have 
  returned.
  138.
    
  
  Tabby Phase Cat
  Tabby phase cats are domesticated, but 
  they are by no means unthreatening. Though 
  smaller than phase panthers, they can still 
  reach about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and 
  125 pounds (57 kilograms) in weight. They 
  retain a strong hunting instinct, and will 
  keep a farm free of mice, foxes, and coyotes. 
  Unfortunately, they will often also keep the 
  farm free from chickens and sheep. They may 
  refrain from attacking farm animals if trained 
  to do so as a kitten, but some owners like to 
  spray their flocks with bitter or spicy oils. Once 
  the phase cats associates the farm animals with 
  the unpleasant flavors, it will spend its efforts 
  hunting pests and burglars instead.
  Wealthy landowners have begun to take an 
  interest in the breeding of domestic phase cats 
  with particular features. If you visit a phase 
  tabby breeder, you may see cats with unspiked 
  tendrilclaws, others with long, luxurious 
  fur, and still others with striking patterns of 
  spots or stripes. Phase tabbies with unspiked 
  tendrilclaws are tame enough to be kept 
  indoors, and are among the rarest 
  and most sought-after breeds.
  They are particularly 
  rare because they 
  are incapable of 
  reproducing without 
  the assistance of a 
  breeder. Evidently, 
  the spikes perform 
  some unknown 
  purpose during the 
  mating process.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Phase tabbies sometimes form very strong 
  bonds with their owners, and will invisibly 
  follow them while appearing to nap several feet 
  away. It is unwise to get on the bad side of an 
  owner with a loyal phase cat, since it may strike 
  out, even against the owner’s wishes.
  • 
  If you are thinking of bringing a phase tabby 
  into your home, be sure to notify the local 
  butcher. I know of several cases where a phase 
  tabby was brought into a village, only for the 
  butcher to begin seeing steaks and sausages 
  dragged away and devoured by “invisible spirits.”
  • 
  The alchemist, Grimmarim, claims to have 
  concocted a powder that, breathed in by a phase 
  cat, will prevent it from detaching its image from 
  its body. If this is true, it would be of great value 
  to phase tabby breeders.
  139.
    
  
  Phase Cheetah
  Phase cheetahs are the fastest-running 
  creatures known in any plane. They use their 
  highly developed legs to take them up to 
  85 mph (137 km/hr). For an extra burst of 
  distance, they instantaneously “cast” their 
  bodies up to three cat-lengths forward from 
  their images. This allows them to take down 
  even the fastest prey. Their tendrilclaws are 
  thin and aerodynamic, and stream behind 
  the phase cheetahs as they run. The spines 
  are not just sharp, but slightly hooked. When 
  they are close enough to their prey, they whip 
  all of their tendrilclaws over their heads in 
  a powerful arc, bludgeoning their prey and 
  latching onto it with its hooked spines. This 
  species is adapted for sprinting, not endurance; 
  phase cheetahs expend all of their energy in a 
  single chase, rather than herding or confusing 
  their prey like other phase cats.
  Phase cheetahs are intelligent hunters, and 
  have learned to cast their bodies not just 
  forward, but up. If you are observing phase 
  cheetahs, watch for birds of prey to suddenly 
  plummet to the ground. I have once even seen 
  a phase cheetah take down a griffin. From the 
  movement of the griffin itself, I suspect the 
  enterprising creature cast itself into the sky, 
  tendrilclaws and claws up, then twisted in 
  the air so that it landed atop the griffin. This 
  species could make excellent hunting animals 
  if domesticated, but I would not assign the task 
  to anyone who cared overmuch for their own 
  life.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Many believe that the phase cheetah can travel 
  fast enough to become the wind itself. Those 
  who worship the nature gods revere the phase 
  cheetah as a messenger of the gods, and release a 
  horse every year into a phase cheetah’s hunting 
  grounds, as an offering to the gods.
  • 
  Phase cheetah fur seems to retain some of 
  the animal’s special abilities. A rider with a 
  cloak made from phase cheetah fur may be 
  able to cast her horse forward an extra couple 
  of horse lengths. However, these abilities are 
  unpredictable, and the rider may occasionally 
  cast herself and her mount in the wrong 
  direction, or at an inopportune moment. Some 
  say that it is easier to control the effects of a 
  cloak made from juvenile fur, but such an item 
  would be quite difficult to come by.
  140.
    
  
  The arctic phase cat is the most imposing 
  of the species. It is large and lumbering, 
  reaching up to 1200 pounds (544 kilograms) 
  at maturity. This is primarily due to the 
  heavy layer of fat surrounding its body and 
  tendrilclaws, which allow it to retain heat even 
  in the frozen mountains where it resides. Its 
  short tail and dense mane likewise serve to 
  trap as much body heat as possible. Unlike 
  other species, arctic phase cats hunt in small 
  packs of up to five. Using their images to herd 
  and bewilder their prey, packs can take down 
  large prey such as mammoths, yetis, and even 
  juvenile ice dragons. Their oversized fangs and 
  large tendrilclaw spikes allow them to puncture 
  through protective fat and into vulnerable 
  muscle. After a successful hunt, the pack will 
  gorge on its kill, then retreat to shelter to sleep 
  and digest for days at a time.
  Because of the harsh mountain climates, 
  Arctic phase cats live at low density and do 
  not maintain clear territories. Instead of 
  coalescing around mating locations, they 
  mate opportunistically with other packs. 
  Packmates are usually closely related, 
  and will not mate within the pack 
  unless presented with no other 
  options for a period of years. 
  Packmates work together to 
  provide for offspring, but at 
  5-6 months, the juveniles 
  venture off in a pack 
  of their own, to hunt 
  small game. Juveniles 
  commonly hunt for 
  fish, keeping their 
  images far from the 
  edge of the water, 
  lashing their prey 
  with invisible 
  tendrilclaws. They 
  learn to hunt as a 
  pack as they grow, 
  first hunting seals and walruses before taking 
  on more dangerous game. Adventurers should 
  be especially wary of juveniles at this stage 
  of growth. Although fully grown Arctic phase 
  cats prefer larger meals, adventuring parties 
  make juicy and appealing targets for packs of 
  juveniles.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The spikes on arctic phase cat tendrilclaws are 
  extraordinarily sturdy, with jagged edges that 
  pierce or crush most types of armor with ease. 
  The dark knight, Ser Karnack, is rumored to 
  wield a mace studded with these spikes, which 
  he uses to bludgeon any who dare challenge him.
  • 
  Although packs of arctic phase cats make a 
  formidable enemy, there can be great reward for 
  those who dare to track them. One adventurer 
  claims she was able to follow a pack for weeks, 
  always staying a day or two behind. When she 
  reached a small dragon’s lair, she found the pack 
  sleeping next to a half-eaten dragon carcass, and 
  made off with a knapsack full of riches before 
  they awoke.  
  Arctic Phase Cat
  141.
    
  
  They are known by many names -- metal 
  menaces, ore ogres, “by the gods, quickly, 
  hide all the broadswords!” -- but the most 
  common name for the voracious insectoid 
  creatures who love consuming metal is the rust 
  monster. There are other creatures that share 
  similar traits, to which we call this family of 
  creatures mineral devourers, but due to the 
  cultural popularity, they’re almost all known 
  as rust monsters. Most rust monsters are not 
  outwardly violent, but nonetheless are a plague 
  on any adventurer who crosses their path. If 
  an adventurer does not deal with a mineral 
  devourer properly, they could wake to find their 
  entire set of plate mail eaten right off their 
  chest or their prized family sword gobbled up.
  Mineral devourers are characterized by their 
  true loves: corrosion and minerals. They live 
  their entire lives searching for any metal to 
  chow down on and are particularly fond of 
  rust. Their exact origins are unknown, but 
  beastmasters agree the creatures have lived on 
  different planes for millennia. Some say these 
  creatures are as old as the mountains they 
  roam and that is ancient indeed.
  Biology
  Most mineral devourers have a chitinous 
  exoskeleton, which protects them from most 
  attacks, and large mandibles, which they use 
  to cut through rusted metal. They keep their 
  feathery antennae lightly coated in saliva, 
  which helps break down and rust metal, 
  making it easier to consume.
  Rust monsters vary in size from a large to 
  small dog, depending on the species you are 
  dealing with. They live off ferrous materials 
  and will consume anything with metal around 
  them. Regardess of environment, they live 
  solitary lives scraping metal from the rocks 
  deep within the mountain. Because it is 
  often a few months between meals, a mineral 
  devourer’s digestion is highly sophisticated 
  and flexible. You can tell how well a mineral 
  devourer is feeding by the size and shape of its 
  droppings: loose and gravelly means it hasn’t 
  fed in a while; perfectly round spherical metal 
  balls means it is feeding very well.
  Behavior
  WARNING: Rust monsters of any sort have an 
  infinite appetite and find it nearly impossible to 
  resist eating metals and rust. If all metals are not 
  kept at least 45 feet (15 meters) away from the 
  creatures, they will find it impossible to focus on 
  anything else until they consume it. Any behavior 
  mentioned later in this chapter assumes metal is 
  being kept at a safe distance from these creatures 
  so they are able to focus on other activities.
  Rust monsters live solitary lives and prefer 
  areas with an abundance of natural ore. While 
  they tend to remain in places where there is 
  no one around for miles, they may regrettably 
  venture into cities with large armories, called 
  by the overwhelming scent of iron. When 
  not searching for food, rust monsters exhibit 
  play-like behavior, such as rolling around 
  their metal droppings and bouncing them off 
  mountain walls to run and catch them.
  Diet
  Mineral devourers eat many types of mineral 
  material and very rarely drink. The type of 
  mineral the creature enjoys, or must eat, is 
  dependent on their species, but the most 
  common mineral in any mineral devourer’s 
  diet is iron. However, many an adventurer have 
  been dismayed to find that a mineral devourer 
  made no difference between their ultra-rare 
  mithril armor and the basic iron chainmail of 
  As told by Leanna de Troi first Mineral Keeper of the Dul’nurr Dwarven Mines.
  142.
    
  
  143.
  their compatriots. They garner their name from 
  the rust powder secreted through their pores 
  that falls through the chitinous plates.
  Mating
  During mating season, rust monsters give 
  up their solitary existence and migrate to a 
  common location to breed with others of their 
  kind. Once at the mating grounds, various 
  males will perform for a female they find 
  attractive by tapping their feet on the ground 
  in an entertaining dance. When a female finds 
  a dance that pleases her, she copies the male’s 
  dance to signify to her other suitors she has 
  found her mate.
  The male then gives his sperm to the female, 
  the female being able to choose when her 
  eggs are fertilized and where. Once the female 
  mineral devourer returns home, she creates 
  a rust ball the size of an ogre’s head and then 
  lays a dozen eggs inside. Once her eggs hatch, 
  she shoos her weevils from the nest to go find 
  mountains and metals of their own.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Rust monsters are often used by miners who 
  wish to process their ore. Keeping the creatures 
  extremely well-fed, and then additionally 
  feeding them unprocessed ore, causes the 
  creatures to defecate perfectly round balls of 
  purely refined ore. Specialized beastmasters, 
  known as Mineral Keepers, are often brought 
  along in mining operations to keep track of 
  the mineral devourer’s intake to make sure a 
  minimal amount of raw material is consumed. 
  The more metal a rust monsters consumes, 
  the more refined material they leave behind in 
  their droppings, as their body needs less overall 
  because it is well-fed.
  143.
    
  
  Rust monsters are the most common mineral 
  devourer and are found all over the globe. For 
  many years it was assumed that rust monsters 
  lived solitary lives, because they did not 
  actively seek out others of their kind. Later 
  studies proved this to be false. The common 
  rust monster prefers living alone, but they are 
  almost always in contact with at least one of 
  their kind. In fact, there is rarely a moment 
  when common rust monsters are not moving 
  to communicate with eachother, making them 
  more social than other solitary creatures.
  By tapping their feet on the ground they 
  relay a complex series of communications 
  meant for others devourers to hear. The soft 
  feathery antennae `that protrude from their 
  heads allows rust monsters kilometers away — 
  through mountains, forests, and even across 
  small bodies of water  — to perceive these 
  sounds and send messages back. Humanoid 
  species have yet to understand the meaning of 
  the tappings the rust monsters send  
  to one another, but it is clear  
  they are communicating.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Legends say if you mimic a rust monster’s 
  tapping exactly back to it, the creature will show 
  you to a it’s favorite deposite of ore.
  • 
  Some beastmasters believe the rust monster’s 
  rhythmic tapping shows a complex form of 
  communication. If this is true, rust monsters are 
  smarter than commonly assumed. 
  • 
  More often than not primitive dwarven clans 
  that forsake smithing have a few domesitcated 
  brown rust monsters.
  Common Rust Monster
  144.
    
  
  The mantis mineral devourer, also known as 
  the jewel mantis, has a beautiful, elongated 
  green body with a shiny, lime-colored outer 
  shell. Two long antennae hang next to their 
  mandibles like a long moustache, and they are 
  able to stand on two legs if they wish. Unlike 
  the others of its kind, the mantis does not feed 
  off of metal, but precious gemstones, making 
  it even more dangerous to cities than the 
  common mineral devourer.
  A single mantis is able to lay low a well-
  stocked treasury in a matter of days. It seems 
  that the more precious a gemstone is, the more 
  delectable a jewel mantis finds it. If need be, 
  jewel mantises are also able to consume metals, 
  but need the nutrients of at least one precious 
  stone a year to survive.
  The jewel mantis shares much in common 
  with the mating practices of other mineral 
  devourers, with one significant difference. 
  Once the male has inseminated the female, 
  she turns to her mating partner, rips off his 
  head, and pulls a single precious stone from his 
  corpse.
  This stone is anything from a diamond to 
  a sapphire and each is unique to the male 
  carrying it. The stones are created within 
  the male mantis as a byproduct of what they 
  consume. A female mantis carries this precious 
  stone home and once she lays her eggs and 
  they hatch, in the same way as other mineral 
  devourers, she feeds the precious stone to her 
  weevils as their first meal.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Mantis mineral devourer males never live past 
  the age of three due to mating. However, it is 
  said if one were able to live longer it is said the 
  precious stone inside them would grow to such 
  an amazing, he would begin to develop magical 
  abilities - based on the stone’s attunement.
  • 
  While it is illegal in most civilized societies, 
  mantis squads were once used by desperate 
  rulers seeking to cripple their opposition. They’d 
  send a highly trained pack of mantis mineral 
  devourers into a kingdom and allow them to 
  wreak havoc on the other kingdom’s finances. 
  Only when the kingdom was on its last legs, 
  its people starving, its larders impoverished, 
  would the rulers call back their mantis squads — 
  sweeping in to take over the kingdom.  
  Jewel Mantis
  145.
    
  
  Aquatic Rust Lice
  Aquatic rust lice are tiny compared to their 
  common counterparts, measuring roughly 6 
  inches (15 cm) in length when fully grown. 
  They live in saltwater environments, and are 
  often found close to shore in large schools, 
  preferring to live together rather than alone. 
  Finally, rather than feeding on metal, which 
  they are still able to do in times of need, the 
  favored meal of aquatic rust lice is wood, and 
  schools feed off driftwood that has fallen into 
  the oceans.
  The only thing aquatic rust lice love 
  more than driftwood is the wood on 
  the hull of a ship. While there is 
  empirically very little to suggest 
  this wood tastes better, most 
  beastmasters assume aquatic 
  rust lice are so voracious in 
  their pursuit of ships, 
  because of the sheer 
  amount of wood it takes 
  to build a vessel. One 
  two-mast ship is able to 
  sustain a school of aquatic 
  rust lice for weeks. If sailors 
  ignore the warning signs 
  of a school of aquatic rust 
  lice attached to their 
  ship, they may find out 
  too late, in the middle of the 
  ocean, when their ship starts to sprout leaks all 
  over.
  Most sailors who knowingly near aquatic rust 
  lice territory memorize a simple poem to keep 
  away from the lice:
  Beware ye’ the tide of rust,
  O’er the waves it swims,
  To the sun sail ye’ must,
  Lest in the waters yer life dims.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  When aquatic rust lice attach themselves to a 
  ship, it is said that the waters around the ship 
  turn a rusty color. During the day, the rust lice 
  hide under the ship, because of a sensitivity to 
  light.
  • 
  Merfolk often keep aquatic rust lice as pets 
  in order to keep ‘surface folk’ away from their 
  colonies. Because no ships survive aquatic rust 
  lice attacks, the rust-colored waters surrounding 
  the merfolk’s homes keep sailors at bay.
  146.
    
  
  Horned mineral devourers are the largest and 
  most dangerous of their kind. While common 
  rust monsters do attack creatures in their path 
  of a delectable meal, they much prefer dodging 
  and avoiding humanoids. This is not the case 
  for the horned mineral devourer. When these 
  rust monsters spy a mineral deposit, they head 
  straight for it becoming unusually aggressive. 
  Creatures that end up challenging its path tend 
  to get speared by its horn.
  While my general advice was to keep metals 
  at least 45 feet (15 meters) away from common 
  rust monsters, I advise keeping no metal visible 
  at all around a horned rust monster, because if 
  it sees even the hint of ore, it will head straight 
  for it. These creatures also have a mean streak 
  about them and even if you aren’t carrying any 
  metal on your person, they are likely to attack 
  if you come too close. With their chitinous hide 
  and large size, the best advice I can give you is 
  to give these creatures a wide berth.
  Unlike the common rust monster, horned 
  rust monsters are purists and only consume 
  iron or copper ore. Any other metal they 
  consume either gets excreted, or stored in their 
  horn, causing it to grow. Rust monster’s horns 
  can consist of gold, adamantine, silver, or any 
  other type of precious metal, all covered in an 
  unassuming thin layer of ivory, making them 
  attractive to poachers.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Five giant horned rust monsters are said to 
  guard the throne of the god of ore. The giant 
  throne is the largest known ore deposit in all 
  the realms and these creatures are loyal solely 
  to their god. Their outer shells are inscribed 
  with magic runes and if read aloud will light up 
  maps to the most precious materials on the god’s 
  throne.
  Horned Rust Monster
  147.
    
  
  Guarding the most ancient of spaces across 
  the world, the sphinx has become an almost 
  universal symbol of death, destruction, and 
  of course, riddles. These mysterious creatures 
  roam the most aged of places, preventing 
  would-be looters from entering their homes. 
  They say the gods bind them to these places, 
  trapping them until death. There’s no proof 
  there is a mystical binding to the sphinx, 
  except it has been reported that upon being 
  released from their duty, the animals die.
  As one of the most intelligent beasts, sphinx 
  are adept magic users and astute intellectuals. 
  Their riddles are crafted to test all who would 
  enter their homes. Between their ferocity and 
  their innate magical talent, most adventurers 
  choose to battle their wits rather than their 
  razor claws.
  Biology
  Sphinx are easily recognizable by their feline 
  bodies, great wings, and humanoid faces 
  and heads. Most are known to be female, 
  although this is because the males wander large 
  expansive territories and the females maintain 
  singular locations. They have human faces, 
  necks, shoulders, and upper chest, with the 
  feline legs and paws beginning at the end of the 
  deltoid muscle. The human torso ends mid-rib 
  cage and continues into the feline body. 
  Each sphinx subspecies differs based on their 
  local culture and wildlife. This results in some 
  minor variations in body. Overall, the sphinx 
  is powerful, both mentally and physically, with 
  terrifyingly long claws. Their large wings allow 
  for minimal flight, as they are heavy creatures, 
  but more serve to help with balance and 
  fighting. 
  Behavior
  Unlike most mythical creatures, the sphinx is 
  extremely intelligent. Their intellect is barely 
  matched by most humanoids, although the odd 
  genius may give them a run for their money. 
  They are highly intellectual and creative, 
  spending vast amounts of time exploring and 
  accumulating knowledge and studying the 
  universe. Once their thirst for knowledge is 
  quenched. They return home to digest their 
  discoveries.
  Though they are solitary due to their 
  bondage, sphinx do seek the company of their 
  own kind in mating season. Because they 
  are solitary, they are often willing to engage 
  travelers who do not threaten their homes. 
  They are sociable, clever, and always several 
  steps ahead of anyone interacting with them. 
  While they mean us no harm, they forbid 
  anyone from entering their sacred homes.
  Diet
  In line with their feline nature, sphinx hunger 
  for and devour meat. Because of their isolated 
  locations, sphinx mostly rely upon hunting and 
  foraging for food. They are well known to enjoy 
  and delight in fruit. When travelers wander 
  through their land, the sphinx rely upon trade 
  and games of intellect to get as many unique 
  and different foods they can. 
  Their tastes are diverse, though they avoid 
  many vegetables; such foods are indigestible, as 
  their feline stomaches cannot handle roughage. 
  The fruit, while delightful, is a rare treat that 
  sphinx enjoy selectively. They are obligate 
  carnivores and therefore primarily rely on their 
  hunting, eating raw meat as any wild feline 
  would. 
  148.
    
  
  149.
  Mating
  Mating occurs infrequently due to the rarity 
  of the creatures and the size of the territory 
  the males roam. Males wander vast areas, 
  becoming guardians of specific cultures instead 
  of holy sites or cities. When they happen upon 
  a female, a grand courtship begins. For months 
  the two explore each other’s strengths and 
  weaknesses, testing intellect, physical prowess, 
  and mental fortitude against one another. 
  These games become a regular part of each day, 
  concluding in a hunting excursion.
  When both parties are satisfied, they mate. 
  Six months later, the female gives birth to a 
  kitten. The two raise the kitten until about nine 
  months of age. From there, one of the parents 
  will take the kitten. The parent will educate and 
  teach the offspring magic, improve their mind, 
  and raise them to be the deadly killer they will 
  ultimately become. Once the kitten reaches 
  maturity, it will leave its parent, knowing 
  instinctively where it is needed.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  There has never been, and never will be, a 
  domesticated sphinx. They can be friends and 
  companions, but their astute intelligence and 
  powerful physique ensure that no sphinx 
  can be domesticated, though they can be 
  enslaved. Their advanced intelligence 
  means they suffer deeply when 
  captured and often become vengeful 
  or deeply depressed. It is not 
  uncommon for a palace to purchase 
  a stolen sphinx kitten and name her 
  protector of their home.
  These captured sphinx become reclusive 
  and aloof, ignoring those they supposedly 
  serve. More than one sphinx has given 
  the answer to her riddle to a hero and 
  then begged them to end their suffering. 
  Several rituals have been created by 
  mages to ensure the servitude of 
  a sphinx and to bind her to her 
  captor’s home. These rare wizards specialize in 
  bondage magic and often sell sphinx they have 
  procured through horrible means. 
  In some cultures, the sphinx is revered and 
  seen as a guardian as sacred as the places she 
  guards. They often will bring her food, albeit 
  cooked meat, and jewelry or decorative clothes. 
  To these cultures, the birth of a baby sphinx 
  is welcomed with a celebration, and often 
  the sphinx family will remain and raise their 
  youngster to join part of the city. This is rare, 
  but has been reported.  
  149.
    
  
  Desert Sphinx 
  Bearing the body of a lion, the head of a 
  human, and the wings of a great roc, the 
  desert sphinx is by far the most common 
  and well known. Within the deserts, ancient 
  civilizations have risen and fallen, and the 
  sphinx remembers them all. She wanders her 
  temples, still wearing the garb and jewellery 
  of a time long since past. In the sphinx is the 
  cultural memory of a people now gone. 
  Deep within the deserts are temples 
  and sacred sites to ancient gods no longer 
  remembered or named. The sphinx can 
  speak their language and read the names 
  on the wall, although few dare stop to ask 
  of her knowledge. The males wander vast 
  deserts, taking shelter in rocky homes they’ve 
  discovered from migrant people. They spend 
  their days with a mate, learning what she 
  knows and keeping the knowledge of their 
  ancient homes alive.
  These sphinx know riddles of the stars, the 
  cosmos, the ancient ways, and of the gods 
  themselves. Their questions are about lore so 
  long past that none have entered the temples 
  in an eternity. Their magic is of life and death, 
  revolving around the cycles of memory and 
  forgetting within the desert. Each riddle they 
  have bears its answers from within a culture 
  long since destroyed.
  Because of their ancient and immortal 
  nature, these sphinx are rarely ever killed 
  or defeated because of their death magics 
  and because their riddles have unknowable 
  answers. They are extremely proud, and they 
  are quite dismissive of ignorant travelers. Few 
  ever seek these sphinx out, although many 
  have happened upon them in the desert, 
  surprised to see them at those long-forgotten, 
  aged relics. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  An aged god, still alive and craving new 
  worshippers, has been summoning the last 
  remaining desert sphinx to it. The god is trying 
  to enslave them, sending them back out into the 
  world to bring more followers to its tomb in the 
  hopes that one will release it.
  • 
  A young sphinx offers to let the explorers enter 
  their temple in exchange for finding a mate for 
  her, or at least a companion. Being bound to a 
  temple so far removed from anything has left 
  them incredibly lonely.
  • 
  One sphinx offers the answer to her riddle to 
  any who pass her home in hopes that one will 
  want to enter. She believes she will be free to 
  live as she wants, not realizing that she will only 
  become bound to another vestige of the past.
  150.
    
  
  Quoll Sphinx 
  Teetering on the brink of extinction, the rare 
  quoll sphinx is one of the most elusive of its 
  kind. Rare and dying rapidly in the wild, the 
  quoll sphinx has a spotted body; long, thick 
  tail; and unlike other sphinxes, has hands. They 
  also have large, white, feathered wings. Their 
  versatile hands allow them to use weapons, 
  start fires, and live more akin to the local 
  humanoids than the desert sphinx.
  Unlike its desert cousin, the quoll sphinx 
  is not seen as a blessing when appearing in 
  a ruin or city. Rather, it is seen as a curse, a 
  source of evil. This is mostly because the quoll 
  sphinx makes it’s home at watering holes 
  found sparsely throughout the desert. Though 
  remaining populations of quoll sphinxes are 
  being slowly and painfully being erased by 
  other local humanoids.
  These watering holes have always been 
  the most important place to the indigenous 
  peoples. Their belief that the water is the 
  most sacred place and the land is made up of 
  the gods themselves. Once, the quoll sphinx 
  were protectors of the waters. Though with 
  the change in settlements and expansion of 
  civilization, there is less regard to the old 
  gods and prospective individuals have 
  begun to demonize and hunt quoll 
  sphinxes. 
  Still loyal to the old ways, their riddles are 
  old and focused on the land and its history. 
  Those they guard the water for, however, are 
  being forced out by settlement-driven cultures 
  and has overtaken their territory. Because of 
  this, the sphinxes are dwindling in numbers, 
  methodically and quickly, with only a few 
  remaining. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A sphinx has been captured by a beast collector 
  who is offering to sell the creature and its 
  ancient secrets to anyone with enough coin, but 
  has beaten the creature into submission and its 
  spirit is broken.
  • 
  When a war threatens the region, blood and 
  poison begin to taint the watering holes. A 
  small hunting group of quoll sphinx go after 
  the nobles conducting the war in an attempt 
  to protect the land and free it from the taint of 
  these destructive humanoids.
  151.
    
  
  River Sphinx
  Within jungles, living in its waters and 
  rivers, is the river sphinx. These sphinx are so 
  different from their land-loving cousins that 
  many have challenged the belief that they 
  are to be counted as sphinx. Their bodies are 
  that of an otter; large, velvety, and beautiful. 
  They have webbed paws and a general sense of 
  playfulness and gentleness. While they do have 
  wings like other sphinx, theirs are far too small 
  to be used for flight and instead are used only 
  for show.
  Unlike other sphinx, the river sphinx live 
  in communities of up to twenty adults and 
  multiple young. They have a central territory 
  they hunt and explore within. While they eat 
  some mammals, mostly the river sphinx hunt 
  fish and other aquatic life. They hunt in packs 
  and spend a great deal of time playing in the 
  water together. There is a dominant pair that 
  guides the group, but most decisions are made 
  communally. 
  They are just as protective as their land-
  bound cousins, spending vast amounts of 
  time antagonizing the local humanoids by 
  destroying fishing nets, removing fish from 
  traps, and stealing catches. When pressed, 
  they say this is because they 
  are spirits of the water 
  and are bound to protect it. This has caused 
  no small number of them to be killed by local 
  fisherman, and as a result, their population is 
  on the decline. 
  Once, they were playful and curious members 
  of the river wildlife. Now, they seem almost 
  afraid of the fisherman who hunt their waters. 
  More and more of their families have been 
  hunted and killed by local humanoids. While 
  they have limited control of most magic, they 
  do have astounding magical abilities with 
  water. Still, this magic is neither enough to 
  stop the hunters from poaching them for 
  their soft pelts, nor to stop the fishermen that 
  compete for food.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Several large fishing communities have started 
  coming together to hunt the remaining river 
  sphinx in their area, as they grow weary of their 
  nets being destroyed and their fish being set free 
  by the playful sphinx.
  • 
  A malevolent and angry river god has enlisted 
  the help of the river sphinx to remove the 
  humanoids from his water and to destroy 
  the homes that have been created by their 
  communities; enslaved, the sphinx have no 
  choice but to obey.
  152.
    
  
  The arctic sphinx dwells within 
  the coldest lands far to the north. 
  Their bodies are perfectly designed 
  for living within the cold. A thick, 
  heavy fur covers them, with large 
  padded paws for walking on the 
  snow. They move soundlessly, 
  disappearing into the trees and snow 
  around them. This is how they hunt, 
  and how they remain an unseen 
  guardian of their wintry world. 
  They say the arctic sphinx has eyes 
  that can see the truth beyond. They 
  are keepers of the unseen world 
  and guardians of secrets. While 
  they ask riddles, it is not to keep a 
  sacred place protected, but rather, 
  to withhold knowledge until the 
  traveler proves themselves worthy. 
  The keen eyes of the arctic sphinx 
  can see the truth in any question or 
  situation, and thus, they are sought out by 
  anyone who needs to find an answer that no 
  one else can provide.
  Once found amongst the many snowy 
  regions of the world, the influx of humanoids 
  into their territories has greatly damaged 
  their population. As a solution to the hunting 
  that was happening, several regents had the 
  animals captured and moved far to the north, 
  where the land was inhospitable but safer from 
  humanoids. The sphinx haven’t flourished, but 
  their population maintains. 
  These solitary sphinx are beautiful and wise. 
  They lack the ancient civilizations of their 
  cousins or the playfulness of the river sphinx, 
  but they have wisdom and grace like no other. 
  Several kingdoms have taken to capturing 
  them to use as advisors during fraught times. 
  These sphinx have said to grow depressed and 
  eventually, bring a kingdom to ruin so they 
  may be freed from their bonds.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A group of adventurers discovered an aged 
  sphinx held captive deep within the dungeon 
  of a dark kingdom. The beast is chained with 
  magical bindings only a well-guarded key can 
  unlock.
  • 
  Forseeing the destruction of the local 
  humanoids by a dominant and powerful 
  civilization, the arctic sphinx have begun helping 
  the locals to prepare for war and invasion by 
  advising them and recruiting heroes to join the 
  cause. 
  • 
  A young sphinx has disappeared after  giving up 
  her power to see the future of the world around 
  her. Several communities have set out to find her 
  and bring her home, but she continues to elude 
  them.
  Arctic Sphinx
  153.
    
  
  Treants came into existence through faerie 
  magic. Forest-dwelling fae needed trusted 
  guardians to protect their forest homes, and 
  each year they sang to the trees begging them 
  to wake up. Slowly but surely the trees awoke, 
  and so the first treants were born. The fae 
  asked nothing from the treants but to protect 
  the land, which pleased the treants greatly, and 
  so it was for many years.
  Part of the natural cycle of the world, the 
  treants knew they were part of all things. Being 
  part of all things carries with it a desire to 
  know all things. The treants created saplings 
  so part of them could experience as much of 
  the world as possible. Their saplings founded 
  new groves, protecting the life that grew within 
  their lands; so treants spread through the 
  realms and many different types sprouted into 
  existence.
  Biology
  Treants’ internal systems act much like that 
  of normal trees and most of their bodies’ 
  movements, their speech, etc. is a blessing 
  of faerie magic. As beastmasters, we refer to 
  treants as creatures, but is a misnomer, as they 
  are entirely plant in nature. They do, however, 
  have many humanoid characteristics, and so 
  for ease of explanation, this shorthand persists.
  The older a treant is, the more abilities it 
  develops, but fundamentally each is able to 
  re-grow branches and make other flora around 
  it grow. They also have the ability to speak 
  and understand any number of languages, 
  including being able to communicate with any 
  animals that live in their domain. Humanoid 
  communication is more difficult for a treant, 
  but given time, which they have an abundance 
  of, they are able to pick up any language they 
  put their mind to.
  Behavior
  It is difficult to describe treant behavior, 
  because they are not animals, but plants. An 
  animal myself, my view is colored by the other 
  creatures I have observed over the years and 
  therefore I must apologize for any undue 
  animalistic characteristics I attribute to this 
  great species. To understand treant behavior one 
  must understand their motivation: protection.
  It is said from the moment the first treant 
  woke, their sole goal in life was to protect the 
  forests and groves they inhabit. Morality for this 
  species is a moot point, because the concepts of 
  good and evil do not play into their central goal. 
  In a treant’s eyes, a villager who cuts down a tree 
  in their land is more guilty than a knight who 
  slays a peasant; so dealing with these strange 
  beings can sometimes bewilder humanoids who 
  can’t grasp how a treant thinks.
  This is not to say that treants do not have a 
  capacity for kindness, a distinct personality, or 
  even the ability to feel their own type of love. 
  However, it is too simplistic to water down their 
  behavior to our way of interacting with the 
  world. These plants view themselves as part of 
  the world, and the world as part of them. They 
  understand that all life must thrive and so they 
  are not only the guardians of their own grove, 
  but of all peaceful creatures who walk the realm.   
  Diet
  All treants need sunlight, water, and soil 
  to survive, though the length a treant can go 
  without these things is proportional to their 
  size. These creatures have been known to survive 
  for years living on water alone, but this is a 
  torturous existence for the creature and not 
  recommended.
  As told by Sylvia Te’len’thriel half-elf beastmaster.
  154.
    
  
  155.
  Reproduction
  Treants are rare and technically they don’t 
  mate, but they do reproduce. Instead, treant 
  reproduction happens in the same manner as a 
  normal tree reproduces. More often than not, 
  most of the seeds a treant drops will result in 
  normal trees sprouting up around them, rather 
  than an actual treant sapling. This is not to say 
  that the treant does not care for any sapling 
  it drops like its own child; speaking with it, 
  caring for it, and raising it. Rather, most 
  saplings will not have what we as beastmasters 
  consider sentience.
  Some types of treant are also known to 
  procreate in a more humanoid way. Perhaps 
  learning these techniques from years of 
  watching humanoid behavior, two treants 
  root next to one another and create a sapling 
  together. By intertwining either their branches 
  or roots for approximately a year two trees 
  become one for a time. The resulting seeds 
  from this bonding are more likely to yield a 
  treant sapling instead of a normal tree, though 
  either is truly a product of both of the paired 
  treants.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Treants are wary of humanoids, because they 
  have a tendency to enjoy using fresh wood in a 
  great many things: houses, bridges, carriages.
  Likewise, humanoids enjoy creating fires 
  to cook or to warm themselves, and this 
  terrifies the treants as their bark and leaves 
  are extremely flammable.
  If humanoids enter a treant grove with 
  respect and treat the animals within 
  it with kindness, the treant will likely 
  allow them to pass through unimpeded. 
  From time to time, treants have even 
  been known to assist a wandering 
  adventurer who is searching for a bit 
  of forgotten knowledge or hunting 
  a foe. They take kindly to people 
  with a high sense of what would be 
  considered traditional honor, and are 
  often annoyed by people who try to trick them 
  for selfish reasons.  
  155.
    
  
  Oak Treant
  Oak were the first treants to be woken by the 
  fae so many years ago. These ancient trees used 
  the magic they learned to awaken other species 
  of trees. They spread their roots deep in the 
  ground and sent out vibrations which circled 
  the whole grove, driving tree, flowers, and even 
  fungi to wake from their floral slumber.
  Oak treants spent so many years walking 
  the realm that they are most like other 
  humanoid creatures, especially elves. They 
  know elven songs and have even been known 
  to dance an elven jig or two. Many elven forest 
  communities have at least one resident oak 
  who regales their children with stories of 
  heroes past. These oaks are considered honored 
  parts of the community and in return they 
  keep elven cities vibrant and alive with flora.
  Some oak treants survive so long and are 
  cared for for so many years, they set down 
  roots in their old age and allow their bodies 
  to become the base for elven castles. The oak 
  grows more branches and allows the elves to 
  carefully mold them into rooms as needed. 
  These oak treant castles are near impregnable 
  and, when attacked, the treant folds in on itself 
  to protect the people within.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The Lost City of Oakheart is an 
  elven city, which was entirely made 
  up of treant buildings. Some say 
  this was the original site where the 
  first oaks awoke many years ago. 
  When orcs invaded Oakheart to try 
  to steal elven magic for themselves, 
  the oaks picked up their people 
  and fled. Oakheart was never heard 
  from again, but if it were ever to 
  be found, many believe one would 
  discover many ancient magicks 
  hidden there.
  • 
   Some say oak treants have the 
  ability to awaken smaller plants 
  for a time to do their bidding. 
  Some oaks mold themselves 
  into humanoid forms and use 
  these plants as spies, becoming 
  information brokers. This is hard to 
  believe as this does not conform to 
  what is traditionally known about 
  treant behavior, but perhaps it 
  could be true.
  156.
    
  
  Grafted Treant
  Grafted treants are created by other treants 
  who wish procreate. Rather than taking the 
  traditional method of seeding the ground, a 
  treant may cut off small pieces of itself and 
  graft them onto another, non-sentient, 
  tree. If the treant is lucky, the grafted 
  treant will awaken.
  These new creatures are not clones 
  of their makers, but individuals with 
  their own thoughts and desires. They 
  have characteristics of their parent 
  tree, but by way of the fae magic they 
  are their own creatures. Also, grafted 
  treants come into the world with more 
  knowledge than saplings who would 
  be what we consider ‘babies’. When a 
  treant grafts parts of themselves onto 
  another tree they also impart some 
  of their knowledge. While grafted 
  treants come into the world innocent 
  of experience they are wise in stories 
  and fables their ‘parent’ picked up 
  along the way.
  Grafting is normally a harmless 
  procedure, but sometimes, very 
  rarely, the process goes terribly 
  wrong. If the parent of the grafted treant 
  isn’t careful and doesn’t inspect the tree they 
  are grafting onto, there is a chance they graft 
  part of themselves onto a rotten tree. If this 
  happens and the grafted treant awakens, they 
  are a menace to their own kind. Rotting from 
  within and with only a few short years on this 
  realm, they seek to infect as many trees as they 
  can with their poison before they die. Unable to 
  believe that a treant could be so selfish; often 
  these callous murderers are not discovered by 
  their own kind before it is far too late.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Sour Fir is an ancient, rotten treant. When it 
  awoke, like others of its rotten kind, it set about 
  infecting as many trees as it could before it died. 
  Through warped experiments, Sour Fir realized 
  it could survive by hacking off pieces of other 
  treants and grafting them onto itself. Now, Sour 
  Fir is a hulking rotting monstrosity and it seeks 
  yet more power—the knowledge of how to graft 
  flesh to wood.
  • 
  Given the nature of the grafted treant, it is likely 
  that they harbor rare and potent herbs amidst 
  their branches. 
  157.
    
  
  Willow Treant
  Willow treants are more playful than their 
  oaken counterparts. They enjoy frolicking 
  with the creatures who inhabit their lands and 
  explore every inch of their domain with wide-
  eyed curiosity. Every day is a new excuse to 
  discover the ever-changing beauty of nature. 
  Willow treants are also the most likely to 
  venture away from their homes in search of 
  new experiences.
  Because willows don’t like 
  being alone, many of them will 
  band together when they go 
  exploring. There is safety in 
  numbers and they are much 
  less likely to get cut down with 
  friends by their side. When 
  willows explore, they search the 
  world for new plants and animals 
  they can bring to their domain to 
  make it more beautiful and unique.
  Willows’ dynamic personalities 
  have granted them the ability to 
  learn humanoid magic. Combining 
  humanoid magic with their 
  intrinsically magical natures, they’ve 
  developed new spells for transporting 
  flora and fauna safely over long distances. 
  Also, they’ve developed magical 
  techniques for protection of their 
  domain while they are away.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  One way willows protect their domains while 
  they are away is to turn any harmful interlopers 
  into trees themselves. The person who attempts 
  to hunt on their land, or perhaps cut down 
  a tree, springs a trap carried by flower seeds 
  floating in the air. When the trap springs, 
  the person is slowly turned into a tree. The 
  transformation itself is painless and the person 
  is still aware of their surroundings, but they 
  are caught immobile in their tree form. Only a 
  willow who cast this spell can lift it.
  158.
    
  
  Banyan Treant
  Banyan treants are dour creatures. They are 
  blessed (or cursed as they would say) with the 
  ability to feel the emotions of others, and this 
  burden sours their view of the world. With 
  each new treetop that sprouts from their 
  shoulders, their mood worsens.
  The older a banyan grows, the stronger 
  its empathic powers get, until one day it is 
  filtering through its branches thousands 
  of emotions from thousands of 
  creatures from all around. The 
  banyan have complex minds 
  strong enough to support 
  the influx of emotions they 
  receive on a daily basis, 
  but they are unable to 
  close themselves off from 
  these feelings. The eldest 
  banyan often go into long 
  slumbers, sleep being the 
  only thing that cuts off the 
  waves of emotions.
  The only thing that lifts 
  a banyan’s mood is feeling 
  the emotions of saplings and 
  other baby creatures. Infant 
  emotions are so strong and 
  pure that they overwhelm the 
  negativity the banyan feels and 
  allows them to focus solely on the 
  child. Banyan are often dubbed ‘the 
  babysitting tree’, because of their love 
  for children. Many treants with a sapling, 
  who know a banyan, will leave their saplings 
  in their care for a few short years to help 
  lighten their friend’s mood.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Lying against a banyan’s bark and telling it your 
  woes will help to alleviate the pain you feel in 
  your heart.
  • 
  Rumor is you can pick out strong individual 
  emotions held in a banyan’s leaves in the fall. 
  Red leaves, the passions (anger, love, desire). 
  Yellows, the anxieties. Grief crumbles and fall 
  before they change color. Brewing with these 
  leaves can evoke traces of the emotion.
   
  159.
    
  
  The well-loved legend of the unicorn is 
  shared by a variety of cultures. Their pure and 
  compassionate nature inspires even the darkest 
  of creatures to change their ways. Laying 
  eyes on a unicorn is considered a blessing, 
  and to befriend one an even greater honor, 
  while slaying one is believed to invite seven 
  generations of bad luck to one’s family.
  Unicorns possess an innate curiosity, 
  empathy, and gift for illusion that inspire their 
  position as muses in many cultures. People 
  revere them as symbol of righteousness, but 
  like many creatures, they possess a multitude 
  of natures. Some varieties have traveled and 
  adapted to new environments so that they 
  are almost unrecognizable next to the white-
  pelted, silver-maned creature of bards’ tales.
  Biology
  Unicorns greatly resemble other equines, save 
  for the distinct essence of magic in their blood 
  and the great horn spiraling outward from 
  their foreheads. They are fastidiously clean by 
  nature, frequently bathing in streams or lakes. 
  Those wishing to catch a peek at a unicorn 
  might be disappointed; their talent for illusory 
  magic allows them to fade from non-magical 
  sight and create mirages, shadowy creatures, 
  and misleading paths to disorient travelers. 
  Early scholarly conjecture claimed the unicorn’s 
  horn to be the source of its power, but more 
  recent research suggests that is no more 
  than myth, as the unicorn’s entire essence is 
  magical.
  Despite the unicorn’s dainty appearance, 
  they are dangerous foes when their illusions 
  fail to ward off unwanted visitors. Their legs 
  are stronger than those of a draft horse, and 
  their hooves are harder than adamantine. Their 
  horns are also viciously sharp and of the same 
  material as their hooves, capable of impaling 
  even enchanted armor.
  Behavior
  Solitary by nature, unicorns become 
  extremely territorial as they age. Most young 
  leave their parent’s side to seek out their own 
  forested areas to inhabit shortly after they’ve 
  grown into adulthood. Upon staking their 
  claim to an area, they will fight to keep it 
  from any invaders who might bring harm or 
  unwanted change to the wood or its natural 
  inhabitants. No one knows for sure what 
  biological drive causes these creatures to seek 
  out and protect one location for life, but it 
  is rare that they migrate to new areas once 
  they’ve claimed one for themselves.  
  Natural empaths, unicorns develop deep 
  connections with the other denizens of their 
  domains, often possessing an innate ability to 
  know where in the wood they are needed at any 
  given time. Other creatures learn to depend 
  on their protection, and even the forest itself 
  seems to grow healthier and develop an aura 
  of peace when under the protection of these 
  mythical beasts. It is rumored that bathing in 
  a lake residing in one of these forests can heal 
  the sick or mentally ill, leaving them feeling 
  refreshed and at peace with the world.
  Diet
  Like most equines, unicorns consume 
  several pounds of grass and other vegetation 
  throughout the day, grazing as they patrol 
  their lands. They have a specific fondness for 
  alfalfa and sweet clovers. They also require a 
  mineral component to their diet, and will lick 
  large rocks or areas of natural seepage. They 
  do take an interest in salt blocks should they 
  Translated from elven druidess Kalimar Sylvanthe’s journal Ar’rokko mor’Palurin,  
  or Noble Equines of the World, commissioned by the druid circle of Summer’s Reach.
  160.
    
  
  161.
  happen to come across 
  them, and local villagers 
  hoping to be blessed 
  by unicorns often leave 
  such offerings as gifts to 
  the mysterious guardian.
  Mating
  Unicorns rarely choose to 
  reproduce during their long 
  lifespan, focused instead 
  on protecting the existing 
  life within their realms. 
  Being sexless and unable 
  to reproduce like most 
  creatures, their rare 
  procreation occur through 
  parthenogenesis. When 
  a mature unicorn 
  develops the desire 
  to wander during the spring, it is eventually 
  drawn from its home to the mountains or 
  another area of high altitude, where they await 
  a spring storm. The unicorn’s horn attracts 
  lightning during the height of the storm’s 
  rage, and each strike is absorbed into a new 
  creation. Once the storm has passed, the 
  unicorn returns to its home and painstakingly 
  builds a nest out of various hays and grasses 
  for ten months until the foal is born. They are 
  fully mobile within a day, but remain with their 
  parent for two to three years until wanderlust 
  inspires them to seek out their own territory. 
  Unicorns are kind and doting parents during 
  these formative years, and even the lesser 
  creatures in their realm rally to protect the foal.
  Interactions with Humanoids
  Legends paint the unicorn as the valiant 
  rescuer or one who appears only to the pure 
  of heart, and that is quite often true, for they 
  are naturally attracted by good hearts and 
  repelled by dark ones. Their empathic nature 
  draws them to wanderers in need, and their 
  judgment of a person’s character is uncanny. 
  Once befriended, unicorns display childlike and 
  puckish senses of humor, often playing pranks 
  on their visitors. They delight in creating 
  distractions before sneaking away with an 
  adventurer’s lunch. They never play tricks to 
  harm, and should a prank go awry and cause 
  injury, they show great remorse and distress, 
  and require much reassurance from their friend 
  before calming.
  Highly charismatic people have been known 
  to mask their true nature upon first contact 
  with a unicorn, but their true intent is always 
  discovered. These people are often those who 
  seek to enslave the unicorn through magical 
  means, as the creatures are impervious to 
  mundane shackles. Their lies and efforts are 
  hardly worth the prize, however, as captive 
  unicorns wilt swiftly, losing their grandeur and 
  affecting the appearance of an abused, dejected 
  horse. Eventually, it will lose its horn, and its 
  magical aura will darken forever.
  161.
    
  
  Lunar Unicorn
  Lunar unicorns are found most often in 
  deep forests, and countless travelers have 
  related stories of catching glimpses of these 
  silver-maned creatures out of the corners of 
  their eyes. Their name is derived from their 
  appearance as well as their nature, for they 
  require little sleep and are most active during 
  the night. Their preferred illusions involve 
  terrain mirages and thick fog to hide their 
  glowing silver appearance and silence their 
  movement.
  Fey scholars believe the lunar unicorn was 
  created by the fey moon goddess, sent into the 
  material realm as a foothold of her presence. 
  Like their cousins, lunar unicorns are capable 
  of speaking Common, but are also fluent in 
  the faerie language. Popular theory states 
  that every unicorn variant is derived from the 
  first lunar unicorns. The sheer power of their 
  illusion magic alone, often associated with 
  the moon goddess, suggests the possibility of 
  strong truth to these conjectures. Such ideas 
  also explain the territorial alpha nature of 
  the lunar unicorn in their habitats, for a 
  gods-blessed animal would easily claim 
  dominance over any lesser mundane, 
  magical, and fey creatures in their 
  realm.
  The lunar unicorn has a lifespan 
  of nearly a thousand years, and 
  only shows its age in the brief 
  weeks before its death. Only one 
  eyewitness account exists of a 
  unicorn’s passing. According to 
  the anonymous adventurer, the 
  wood turned dark despite the 
  full moon. Glowing ley lines 
  spread across the ground, and he 
  followed them to an ancient tree 
  deep in the wood. There, orbs of 
  light danced around a circle of 
  perfectly round moonstones, and 
  within stood an equine figure so brilliantly 
  white he could not gaze upon it. When he came 
  to, he saw where the figure had stood, a pool 
  of water so clear it looked empty. Legend says 
  that on the longest night of the year, the moon 
  in its trajectory reflects over the pools of lunar 
  unicorns who have passed on, and the veil 
  between our realm and that of the fey is thin.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Many of the rumors of ghosts and specters in 
  old forests are attributable to the lunar unicorn. 
  The Grey Lady of Vesper’s Wood is one such 
  tale, dating back from the first decades when 
  halflings settled amongst the fertile hillsides just 
  outside the wood. Halflings are not adventurous 
  by nature, and sightings of the ‘Grey Lady’ 
  discouraged trade between their villages and 
  major cities on the other side of the forest. Their 
  subsequent insulation has allowed paranormal 
  superstition to tightly grip the community, 
  despite several renowned druids reassuring the 
  villagers what they fear is merely a lunar unicorn 
  guarding the forest. The Vesper’s Wood halflings, 
  however, are not so easily convinced.
  162.
    
  
  Nightmare Unicorn
  The nightmare is a twisted, dark creature that 
  is everything the unicorn is not. While still 
  basically equine in appearance, these creatures 
  have coats the color of midnight and twisted 
  ebony horns; their hooves are wreathed in fire 
  and their manes comprised of flame. Where 
  unicorns are innocent and childlike by nature, 
  the nightmare is a warped and corrupt version 
  of what it once was. Legend reads that these 
  darkened creatures are the result of kidnapped 
  foals being raised in captivity and absorbing 
  the demonic magics used to bind them as they 
  grow. Most foals in captivity don’t survive to 
  adulthood, lacking the strength to stand the 
  presence of such dark magics, but those who 
  do quickly grow in power, until they manage 
  to escape their captors, often destroying them 
  in the process. Unlike their counterparts, 
  their illusory magic is long-faded, and they 
  have no ability to fade from view or alter their 
  surroundings. Instead, their magic is fueled 
  by rage and a touch of insanity from years 
  of captivity. They develop a need to seek out 
  warmth and the ability to call fire to do their 
  bidding. Those few who make it to adulthood 
  crave and consume volcanic ash, most often 
  seeking out active mountain ranges to claim as 
  their own.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  While there is no proof that these creatures can 
  be saved, local myths claim that it’s possible that 
  aid can be given by their kinder counterparts, 
  who may be able to bring light back into the 
  twisted mind of a nightmare. There are a few 
  scattered tales of this occurring in the past, but 
  in recent times no one can recall any similar 
  stories; and it seems at odds with the unicorn’s 
  nature to even approach such a chaotic and 
  emotionally broken creature.
  • 
  At the base of one volcanic mountain range, 
  a small town has a local legend about their 
  summer fires. It is said that each year at the 
  summer’s warmest, the fields are cursed to catch 
  fire and those who have done evil throughout 
  the year will see their homes burn as well. Locals 
  have lived this legend for the last ten years and 
  are convinced their town is cursed. I believe a 
  nightmare lives in the volcanic caverns within 
  the mountains and during the warmest parts 
  of summer feels compelled to seek out the 
  world from long ago. The fields surrounding 
  this farming town are ripe with food this time 
  of year and it likely can’t resist trying to graze 
  on the foods it once loved. Unfortunately, its 
  presence alone causes wildfires to rage through 
  the crops, some years leaving barely enough for 
  the townspeople to survive and occasionally 
  spreading far enough to reach houses and 
  outbuildings.
  163.
    
  
  In the open plains of desert-like areas resides 
  an odd unicorn cousin the locals name okapi. 
  These zebra-like equines are considered good 
  luck to encounter and are often the ring leaders 
  of several large traditional zebra harems. 
  Okapi have warm brown coats, a smattering 
  of cream colored stripes, and a single curved 
  horn reaching toward the sky. Their eyes are a 
  captivating blend of lightning and sky and it’s 
  rumored that the weak of will can be lost in 
  their gaze for an eternity, adrift on the clouds 
  of the universe.
  Okapi are the rarest of all unicorn breeds and 
  their abilities lean less toward the traditional 
  unicorn illusions and more toward captivating 
  the mind. While they cannot render 
  themselves invisible, these highly intelligent, 
  shamanistic beasts can charm others into 
  doing their bidding. They live amid zebra 
  harems, protecting them against the dangers 
  of the wild, both from other beasts and from 
  humanoids who would cause 
  them harm. For example, a 
  lioness intent on making an 
  okapi-protected zebra prey 
  may simply discover mid-
  leap that she’s no longer 
  interested and wander back to her pride with 
  nothing to show for her time away. Hunters 
  might wander out to acquire zebra pelts only 
  to realize they really prefer to do something 
  else entirely or have an overwhelming drive 
  to return home to safety. Okapi can inspire 
  fear, confusion, calm, and a variety of other 
  emotions in the average mind, but are generally 
  good-natured and never attempt to cause 
  actual harm unless there is no other option 
  available. Their single desire is to protect those 
  they have taken under their care. While it is 
  incredibly rare for this to occur, the okapi can 
  even project their thoughts into the minds of 
  others, allowing them to communicate their 
  wisdom should they choose to. While they can 
  do this with words, they more often choose to 
  project a vision or scene of events.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The okapi is such a deep spiritual part of tribal 
  lore that those training to be shamans leave 
  on quests to search for these elusive beings as 
  the final part of their journey. It is considered a 
  blessing of high status if a young shaman finds 
  one of these creatures, and even more so should 
  the okapi choose to communicate a vision of 
  guidance. In times of upheaval or doubt within 
  in the tribes, a wise shaman will seek out the 
  harem leader and ask for advice, using the power 
  of tribal belief in this wise being to unite them 
  together.
  • 
  The oldest living shaman to date is rumored 
  to be close with the local okapi and often 
  disappears for days at a time to commune with 
  her wise friend. There is speculation that this 
  particular okapi not only leads the striped 
  equines of the plains, but also has a heavy hand 
  in the politics and inner-workings of the 
  natives’ lives. Using the shaman as their 
  mouthpiece, they maneuver lives into 
  patterns that suit some grander plan 
  known only to the okapi.
  Okapi Unicorn
  164.
    
  
  This massive stone-grey beast with a wide 
  spiral horn and a wizened beard is often said to 
  be the grandfather of all rhinoceroses. Loners 
  by nature, karkadann roam the plains and 
  are dangerous to all they encounter. They’re 
  notorious for their grumpy nature and perilous 
  temper. To anger a karkadann is likely to 
  guarantee your own death. Even other beasts 
  of the plains avoid this solitary creature, as 
  entering its vicinity causes it to charge angrily 
  and impale the unfortunate invader. Unlike the 
  unicorns of most areas, the karkadann is not 
  territorial to a specific place, only the expanse 
  in which it currently resides. It wanders the 
  plains consuming vegetation in its path and 
  has no attachment to a specific locale, often 
  wandering miles at a time in any direction.
   Oddly enough, while they do consume 
  grasses and similar vegetation, it is not the 
  grass these beasts prefer but poisonous plants 
  and mushrooms instead. The most maddening 
  thing about these unfriendly beings is the 
  miraculous abilities they possess, but which are 
  largely inaccessible due to their unfortunate 
  personalities. Karkadann are gifted healers; 
  the same wide horn they use to gore their 
  unfortunate neighbors with can also eliminate 
  poison, cure diseases, and purify large bodies 
  of water. Brave hunters form 
  groups to bait and slay 
  karkadann in the wild just to 
  obtain their horns for these 
  purposes. More creative 
  tribes might seek to lure 
  one into a local pool long 
  enough to purify their 
  drinking source. One 
  has to wonder if the 
  creatures have always 
  been so grumpy or 
  it’s the incessant 
  bands of humanoids 
  putting their lives in 
  danger that has caused their temperament. 
  Either way, it’s a war that doesn’t seem to be 
  ending any time soon.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  Local legend speaks of a hidden lake somewhere 
  in the vastness of the plains where the 
  karkadann go to die. It is rumored that, upon 
  nearing the end of their lives, they instinctively 
  begin the long journey to this hidden pool. 
  Shielded by great magics of illusion and mind-
  alteration that make unwelcome visitors redirect 
  their paths, this lake is partially surrounded by 
  ancient walls and features a massive fountain 
  statue at its center, depicting four karkadann 
  rearing on hind legs, water pouring from their 
  mouths.
  • 
  Legend says that each karkadann who arrives 
  here walks calmly into the pool and gives its life 
  over to the lake, its body dissolving into energy 
  to be reborn again later and its magical horn 
  drifting to the dark depths below. The water here 
  is the purest of any in the world and ancient 
  tales speak of not only healing properties but 
  claim that a single draught from this magical 
  pool can cure all ailments and restore youth. 
  Many an adventurer has wasted their life 
  searching futilely for this oasis, but few have 
  ever claimed to stumble upon it and none who 
  have can ever quite recall how to return. 
  Karkadann Unicorn
  165.
    
  
  First discovered in northern mountains 
  and forests, the wyvern has earned itself a 
  fearsome reputation. Due to their reptilian 
  nature and large size, they were initially 
  believed to be dragons. This has been proven 
  incorrect for a variety of reasons, although 
  many in the world still seem confused by 
  this. The wyvern is not as intelligent like it’s 
  draconic cousin, nor magically imbued with any 
  sense of humanoid intellect. They are deadly, 
  quick, and ravenous.
  Despite being encountered more and more as 
  humanoid territories grow, wyverns continue 
  to be mistaken for their larger cousins. 
  Multiple kingdoms have reported infestations 
  of the large beasts, yet few are eager to hunt 
  them because of their barbed, venomous 
  tails, and sometimes their ability to breathe 
  a poisonous gas. They are indeed noxious 
  creatures that are nearly impossible to hunt 
  and kill. 
  Biology
  Unlike common dragons, the wyvern 
  has only two legs. It uses its large wings to 
  counterbalance if moving about in a crawl, and 
  although it can move on two legs, although this 
  is rarer to behold. Large claws exist on the top 
  of its wings to help grip the ground and trees. 
  Along its long tail are thick, sharp barbs, which 
  are venomous enough to easily kill humanoids. 
  This poison has yet to be remedied and any 
  contact is likely fatal. 
  Some wyverns have been known to have a 
  poisonous bite or breath weapon. These are 
  very rare but have been confirmed in some 
  of the northernmost mountains. In these, 
  wyverns, which I have only observed once, 
  they use their noxious breath to fight other 
  large predators, such as giants, trolls, or 
  even dragons. It is not used for hunting 
  and is not found in wyverns who are 
  the top predators in their territories.  
  166.
    
  
  167.
  Behavior
  Wyvern are violent, bloody creatures 
  who occupy large swaths of territory. The 
  individual wyvern needs a large territory, just 
  enough to hunt and roam in, and their ranges 
  overlap with one another. This often results 
  in bloody fights. Solitary for the most part, 
  young wyverns will form packs as they leave 
  their nests to provide safety to one another. 
  Otherwise, wyverns only seek each other’s 
  company during mating season.
  They are not nearly as intelligent as their 
  draconic cousins, but have their own keen 
  wit. Natural-born hunters, the wyvern has 
  perfected the ability to hunt humanoids, even 
  when the humanoids travel in packs. They are 
  vicious and volatile, slaughtering numerous 
  humanoids simply to remove them from their 
  territory. 
  Diet
  All wyverns are carnivores, and eat any 
  meat they come across. Because of their large 
  size, wyvern generally rely on flight to travel 
  to where they can find meat once they’ve 
  stripped the local areas around them of 
  immediate resources. They almost always exist 
  in areas where deer and game are plentiful. 
  They will settle for hunting birds and other 
  small prey, for they are absolutely creatures of 
  opportunity. 
  Scavenging is not something a wyvern will 
  do. If they find a kill, they will not eat it; but 
  rather, they will begin to hunt and find the 
  thing that killed the carcass. This may be due 
  to a humanoid tendency to be bait traps with 
  dead animals in an attempt to capture the 
  wyvern. 
  Mating
  The mating rituals of the wyvern are macabre 
  at best. The female gorges herself for days 
  before she is fertile, so much so that her wings 
  and body become flush with red. They say 
  this is from the blood she consumes, but it is 
  obvious the extra consumption helps produce 
  eggs. Once crimson, the female launches into 
  the air and elicits a scream that can be heard 
  for miles. Males come to her and rip each other 
  to shreds until she has chosen one.
  The two dance in the sky and mate there. 
  They lay their eggs in large nests made of trees, 
  foliage, and the fur of kills. Elvers hatch and 
  remain with their mother until they can kill 
  their own food, and then leave their mother’s 
  territory after she abandons the nest. The pack 
  of them will wander and hunt together until 
  aggression separates them and they find their 
  own overlapping territories. 
  Interactions with Humanoids
  While many attempts have been made to 
  domesticate them, none have been successful. 
  Beastmasters have written on their experiences 
  stealing eggs, but few have had success in 
  maintaining a domesticated wyvern. Their 
  ferocity and feral nature destroys nearly all 
  attempts. With their naturally venomous 
  weapons, humanoids stand little chance 
  against such marvelous beasts. 
  Wyvern hunts were popular years ago, until 
  it became apparent that packs of wyvern were 
  working together to slaughter everyone coming 
  after them. This went on for several decades as 
  humanoids tried to eradicate the wyvern from 
  their lands. In the process, humanoids became 
  a natural part of the wyvern’s diet, and it was 
  the first time in recorded observation that they 
  worked together as opposed to being solitary.
  One or two will descend to a village, steal 
  or kill multiple livestock, and be sure to leave 
  a bloody trail into their mountain and forest 
  ranges. They will stalk and hunt the humanoids 
  who enter, leaving clues and rustling bushes 
  until their prey are well deep into their 
  territory where there is little hope for escape. 
  There they descend and feast.
  167.
    
  
  Forest Wyvern
  The most common of its kind, the forest 
  wyvern is by far the most brazen and 
  aggressive of its species. It was this species that 
  first started hunting humanoids, to the point 
  where entire generations of forest wyvern now 
  solely hunt them. They have become faster and 
  stronger than their other cousins, and have 
  become the most clever of hunters. A well-
  established pack, once something never seen, 
  can survive off a single village for years. These 
  villages live in fear, and many become expert 
  wyvern hunters if they survive being targeted 
  by the wyvern as prey.
  It is rumored that the forest wyvern 
  has learned how to call to humanoids 
  in the dark. Stalking the shadows 
  surrounding the village during the 
  day, at night, they will call to 
  the humanoids in the dark by 
  imitating babies crying, dogs 
  whimpering, or some even 
  say calling out names. 
  These rumors have never 
  been proven, but some 
  survivors of these 
  villages have spoken 
  about the haunting quality of these wyverns. 
  This keen sense of trickery and deception has 
  demonstrated the wyvern’s sharp intellect and 
  obvious relation to its draconic cousin.
  Evolving to hunt in packs instead of living 
  in solitary locations, these wyvern can take 
  on bigger and more powerful prey. The rarest 
  of stories includes the wyvern hunting and 
  successfully killing a dragon, feasting on its 
  body for days, and taking over the dragon’s 
  territory. If they remove themselves from 
  a humanoid village and live in the wild, the 
  pack tends to disperse and find themselves 
  wandering over a larger territory, but under 
  threat, they will reunite. Battles between 
  other packs or with humanoid hunters isn’t 
  uncommon. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  A local town has decided to host a grand festival 
  each year. Secretly, they kidnap attendees in 
  order to feed to a local wyvern. This has kept the 
  wyvern appeased and the town safe for years.
  • 
  When a large pack of wyvern move into a valley, 
  they slowly begin to encircle a town and people 
  begin to disappear, leaving the town living in 
  fear and reaching out to any hero who could help 
  them remove the threat. 
  168.
    
  
  Desert Wyvern
  Wearing the perfect disguise for its 
  environment, the desert wyvern is a long, flat 
  lizard with brownish sand-colored scales and 
  reddish bands upon its back. The large wings 
  are extremely thin and are used to stir up the 
  sand around them. Their flat bodies allow 
  them to hide almost perfectly within the sand. 
  Stretching out, they use their wings for kicking 
  up sand to cover them almost completely. 
  It takes great skill to spot the exposed eyes, 
  horns or barbed tail; the only clues to help 
  avoid stepping upon the beast. 
  Along their face are whiskers that sit in the 
  sand, feeling any movement within the area 
  around them. It’s through this that they hunt 
  their prey, holding perfectly still until their 
  prey is close enough that they have no way to 
  escape. Desert wyverns primarily eat small 
  desert prey, and are forced to spend most of 
  their time hunting. Unlike their forest cousins, 
  they do not hunt in packs; they prefer to hunt 
  alone unless large prey requires cooperation. 
  They are inherently skittish creatures, more 
  likely to run from anything humanoid size 
  than to stop and fight it, but have been known 
  to kill the odd humanoid here and there.
  Desert wyverns seem to have an intrinsic 
  hatred for magic, said to come from the 
  creation of a desperate desert god. They 
  can sense when something with magical 
  properties are nearby, and will work together 
  to track down and destroy whatever that 
  may be. Wizards, sorcerers and the like find 
  deserts inhabited by these wyverns especially 
  dangerous. Even a simple cantrip can trigger a 
  desert wyvern attack.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  It has been observed that when an especially 
  strong desert wyvern passes away, the sands at 
  the site of its death become disruptive to the use 
  of magic. Travelers can expect any attempt to 
  cast a spell in these areas to result in wild magic.
  169.
    
  
  Coastal Wyvern
  Nesting in the craggy cliffs and edges of 
  the world, the coastal wyvern watches the 
  world of waves beneath with sharp eyes and 
  keen hunger. The strangely shaped wings 
  are designed for sleekness in order to make 
  swimming faster and easier as opposed to 
  flying. The best it can do after it pushes off 
  from the cliff is glide down toward the water. 
  Long, deadly claws help it climb rock faces and 
  boat sides with relative ease. It is an absolutely 
  perfect hunter in the sea. 
  While fish is a normal food source for the 
  wyverns, they specialize in attacking ships 
  that moor too close to their homes. Because 
  of this, several brazen rulers have taken to 
  the breeding and relocation of these creatures 
  to prevent the attacks of pirates or rival 
  kingdoms. These so-called “domesticated 
  wyverns” are feral, at best, but make an 
  excellent guard system against would-be 
  invaders. Any ships who wander into 
  wild coastal wyvern territory are 
  easily overwhelmed and sunk, 
  providing a delightful food 
  source for the wyverns.
  Yet the wyverns exist peacefully with merfolk 
  or sirens, finding their presence calming and 
  alluring. If either ever dare threaten the nest 
  of a coastal wyvern, though, the peace breaks 
  and the wyvern will attack. Because of this, it 
  is considered in poor taste to steal or kill the 
  young of the wyvern by aquatic societies. Both 
  sirens and merfolk have been known to lure 
  unsuspecting ships into wyvern territory to 
  destroy the humanoids on board. 
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  The time for migration has begun, and the local 
  numbers of coastal wyverns have skyrocketed.
  • 
  Sightings and behaviors of coastal wyverns are 
  often interpreted by locals as signs of incoming 
  weather incidents.
  170.
    
  
  Cave Bruiser Wyvern
  Rarely seen and mostly heard of in stories 
  that have never been substantiated, cave 
  bruisers are the largest and most reclusive of 
  their kind. They dwell deep beneath the earth 
  in vast caverns, always with water, and always 
  know their homes intimately. Living in small 
  colonies, the cave bruiser can live for years 
  without contact from the outside, living on a 
  single meal for decades. Their caverns are filled 
  with the most aged and hidden of treasure, a 
  trap for mortals to lead them to their doom.
  Giant, armored, and blind, the cave bruiser 
  can be the size of some of the largest dragons 
  and appear to be made of the very rock it lives 
  in. Although it still has eyes, they see nothing, 
  and are a milky white that doesn’t reflect 
  light in the darkness. Their ears hear nearly 
  everything, and their sensitive feet and wings 
  can pick up the smallest vibrations in 
  the rock around them. Within their 
  colonies, multiple skeletons and 
  treasure can be found. They 
  leave it, letting it litter 
  the ground to lure more 
  explorers within. Their 
  traps are always set, for 
  once they have eaten, they 
  mate, and then return to 
  their roost.
  The cave bruiser is faster 
  than it looks, and those 
  who wander into their 
  territory are likely to 
  be bitten or stung with 
  their deadly tail before 
  they even realize they 
  are being stalked in 
  the dark. They move 
  soundlessly and are 
  likely to be mistaken 
  for a piece of rock 
  when travelers pass. 
  The young live in the deepest caves, protected 
  by the colony’s adults. Their strange sounds, 
  combined with the sound of them playing in 
  the bodies and gold that litter the caves, are the 
  perfect lure to draw adventurers further in.
  Rumors & Legends
  • 
  It is said there is a giant slumbering wyvern 
  around which a city of great faith has been built. 
  The citizens revere this magnificent creature, 
  often singing songs to soothe the great beast. 
  Little do they know, there is nothing but evil in 
  its heart.
  171.
    
  
    
  
  © 2018 Metal Weave Games
  ATLAS ANIMALIA and its logo are trademarks of Metal Weave Games in 
  the U.S.A. and other countries. Its logo, images, descriptions and distinctive 
  likenesses thereof, are trademarks of Metal Weave Games. All rights reserved.
  www.MetalWeaveGames.com 
  www.Facebook.com/MetalWeaveGame/
  MWG-AA-01
  MSRP $34.99 USD
  Explore Diversity
  In a world of myth and magic, great heroes travel across the land taming 
  and defeating various beasts and earning their place as legends.
  But as you adventure through the forests, swamps, and tundras, you 
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  If you are looking for something novel to spice up a roleplaying 
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  Atlas Animalia has all the monstrous variants you’ll need! Showcasing 
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  there is much to be discovered in this new landscape of possibilities!
  Funded by 798 aficionados of animal affection on Kickstarter in 2017, 
  this book joins ceremoniously with the Baby Bestiary and other works 
  by Metal Weave Games in an exciting line of inspirational goodness. 
  Atlas Animalia looks to add some diversity to your coffee-table and 
  some ‘awesome’ to your players’ spelunking through dark dungeons.
    
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Dungeons & Dragons [multi]/5th Edition (5e)/3rd Party/Metal Weave Games/Metal Weave Games - Atlas Animalia v2.2.pdf