Bestiary

A record of many creatures commonly encountered in Eramere can be found here. Note that this list includes only those that the humans of Atalan know about; other races may have more information on various creatures.

Acentian Bear

Those brown-furred, slightly smaller relatives of the Black Bears encountered in Halmoria, are also known for their comparatively short temper. Their stature is more plump and their pelt thicker to hold off the cold winds. Although they usually prefer small small rodents over bigger prey, a hungry bear may also attack a traveler when it encounters one. An Acentian Bear lives alone, and normally leaves it's cave only during the dawn or night to hunt, while dozing the rest of the day. When engaged, it is wise to pay attention to their huge clawed paws, as a single blow may very well seal your fate. Despite it's size, a bear can run terrifyingly fast.

Acentian Boar

The Acentian Boar are the most common animal encountered in the Hills, usually in huge numbers. By nature they are a peaceful sort as long as one doesn't anger them or gets too close to a breeding sow. They may nearly match the size of a small cow with horns like upper arms and pack quite some muscles, so any traveler that is chased by one would better take his heels. Unfortunately for the boars, they are quite stupid, a fact which is exploited by the local kobold tribe. First they would roll themselves in one of their lairs in order to adopt the smell of the mother sow. Any boar would recognize the smell and let itself be taken away to the kobold's lair willingly, not doubting for a second that the kobolds belong to their family.

Ailorordi

The Ailorordi also known as the Valiotir or vicious cat, is a large feline found throughout Eramere. There are 2 sub species, the forest and the mountainous Ailorordi.These felines have been noted in many of the native cultures of Eramere, and are said to possess incredible stealth.

Alseeree

The Alseree are a race of aquatic lizards who live in the waters of Snowmyst Lake. They often sport blue or teal scales, red and yellow eyes, a mouth full of razor sharp teeth and also a hand that's partly claw. The Alseree are also known to be great swimmers, and very capable predators.

It's unknown why the sea monsters are never seen attacking the Alseree to most people, as otherwise the sea monsters are a terrifying encounter for anyone entering the lake. Its terrifying howl causing the very waters to shake, and the ground to quake beneath anyone's feet.

Giant Beetles

Bombardier Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in forests and swamp, even sewers, and commonly live off fungus and small plants. in size they normally grow up to a couple of inches, and are found in light and dark green colors. their name are given off their way of self defense, if attacked, they spray a small ray of poison at the attacker. the poison causes small pain and discomfort. they also have a strong bite, but their normal size hinder it from doing much damage to a full grown human.

Stag Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in forest, and are a pest in the household. they live off tree sap or fruit juices. in size they are commonly found in sizes, depending on how well fed, up to 4 inches, though those sizes are rare. these beetle are equipped with very strong jaws and large mandibles as their only weapon, a bite from one of these beetles only causes a slight pain.

Fire Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in areas with volcanic activity, but have been seen in more common places as well, as long as it's warm enough. these beetles can grow up to several feet in length, and have a clear red and orange colored shell. while these beetles aren't normally hostile towards others, they do have a strong defensive capabilities. When threatened, they spew a mix of extremely hot pebbles and embers. they also have a set of very strong jaws, which have been reported to be able to crush stone.

Black-Tusk Boar

These ferocious beasts get their name from their black tusks, which match their black snout and hoofs. The Black-Tusk Boar shares the same ferocious attitudes as their Halmorian counterparts, and all that differs from these are their colours. They are known for being capable of tearing a man’s leg off, so hunters avoid confrontations with these beasts at all cost. If confronted, they usually let out a loud squeaky sound as a warning before charging They commonly live around densely forested areas, and are not easily startled. Occasionally they can be spotted in the woods near Atalan. Whenever that happens a messenger is sent to the city, and within 24 hours the woods are alive with nobles and their hounds, hunting for this ferocious beast.

Chestnut Deer

This small Deer is named for their chestnut coloured fur, and populate all of northern Eramere's woods and plains. Like any other deer they are easily startled and are known to flee when encountered. They are migratory pack animals, constantly searching for suitable vegetation all year round. The Chestnut Deer is known to be able to run at great speed, making them difficult to catch, but for an experienced archer it should not pose a problem. They are hunted for their soft and beautiful fur as well as for meat and leather.

Dagger Snapper

Drifting in the inner waters of Daggershard Island there hunts a silent predator that is capable of blending into the surroundings so completely they are often not seen until their jaws are collapsing around their prey. Dagger Snappers are long bodied carnivore that have adapted to the hostile environment of the island. Able to drift motionless for long period of time, the Dagger Snappers do not draw the ire or attention of either of the various Daggershard plant types as they battle for the island and are able to sustain themselves on one or two meals a season.

The Dagger Snappers also have an overdeveloped sense of touch that allows them to "feel" the movement of creatures both through air and water. This ability allows them to track their prey without needing to see or hear them and grants them an innate ability to always be prepared for a battle, or avoid wandering groups that are too strong. The hostile environment of the island keeps the numbers of the Dagger Snappers to a minimum, as they wander the interconnected waterways in search of meals and safety from the Shreen and Phronds.

Daiobi Ogres

Giant hulking humanoids, the Chorav have reported encountering these large creatures within the desert. They are said to have a long standing feud with them, sometimes even eating them. The Chorav's knowledge of these creatures is extensive.

Dire Creatures

The easiest way to describe a dire creature is to say it is a bigger, tougher and meaner version of its regular counterpart.
Many Eramerians find them unnatural due to their larger size, and wilder nature, while some find them fascinating, viewing them as avatars of the land itself, displaying what it is capable of.
These beasts might be simply genetically blessed, or there could be other reasons for their extreme growth and vile temper.
Chorav rumours say that the Overseers are responsible for these twisted beasts, but rumours are and will be rumours.

Elementals

Creatures of the elements, these beings are said to come from the Realm of the Overseers. Often serving their Overseer, or the clerics and shamans that call to them for aid, some of these elementals seem to have strayed from their divine tasks to cause mischief amongst mortals... or have they? Spirit Shamans often seek these out to return them from whence they came.

Frost Titans

Frost Titans, commonly referred to as Frost Giants have been considered a myth by the newcomers to Eramere until relatively recently. Even the native races of Eramere thought Frost Titans were extinct, however events in the past few decades are beginning to lead people to believe otherwise. High in the Frostbeard mountains Frost Titans were a common sight once upon a time, however due to the collapse of their previous home, their numbers dwindled and they were unseen for several hundred years. Frost Titans take their name from the fact that their living environment always tends to be cold. Icicles hang from their beards and eyebrows, and their skin has even taken on a blue tinge to match the environment they live in.

Beginning to reappear now, Frost Titans are often described as 'huge dwarves'. Standing eighteen to twenty-two feet tall, and weighing anywhere from seven-hundred to a thousand pounds or more a fully grown Frost Titan is a horrifying thing to cross paths with for most experienced adventurers.

Fungal Ooze

When the settlers first arrived in Atalan and began to establish districts and exploring the seemingly empty city those workers that were sent into the sewers to establish their viability, not only ran into rats but the various mucks and oozes that cling to the walls of such places had come to life and were quite protective of their damp and dark homes. First dismissed as overreactions of the workers to being in a strange place, the soldiers of the Legion that were finally called into the Sewers to put the minds of the workers at ease discovered not only were the mucks and oozes alive and violent but that the rats within were also quite a bit larger than normal.

The reason behind these strange transformations are currently unknown, however, the towering elephant in the city is largely held as the accepted reason for these strange occurrences within the sewers regardless of the lack of proof or experimentation into the matter.

Giant Spiders and Insects

Explorers have reported encountering, or hearing tales of many different giant arachnids, beetles, and even worms of all kinds during their travels. A few of the more common varieties (besides the usual giant spiders and giant beetles) are below - there are many other kinds reported in recent years.

Bombardier Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in forests and swamp, even sewers, and commonly live off fungus and small plants. in size they normally grow up to a couple of inches, and are found in light and dark green colors. their name are given off their way of self defense, if attacked, they spray a small ray of poison at the attacker. the poison causes small pain and discomfort. they also have a strong bite, but their normal size hinder it from doing much damage to a full grown human.

Fire Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in areas with volcanic activity, but have been seen in more common places as well, as long as it's warm enough. these beetles can grow up to several feet in length, and have a clear red and orange colored shell. while these beetles aren't normally hostile towards others, they do have a strong defensive capabilities. When threatened, they spew a mix of extremely hot pebbles and embers. they also have a set of very strong jaws, which have been reported to be able to crush stone.

Stag Beetle

These beetles are commonly found in forest, and are a pest in the household. they live off tree sap or fruit juices. in size they are commonly found in sizes, depending on how well fed, up to 4 inches, though those sizes are rare. these beetle are equipped with very strong jaws and large mandibles as their only weapon, a bite from one of these beetles only causes a slight pain.

The Karr

The Karr are a savage, yet intelligence race.
These, carnivorous beasts are found in the great open plains of Eramere, where they have established small villages made of stone, wood and straw.
With their height of up to 11 feet, these wolf like beasts are indeed a frightening sight. Even more frightening is the fact that they walk on their hind legs, wear armor and wield swords.
They are extremely territorial, and possess a pack mentality. Anything smaller or slower moving than them is seen as prey. If a stranger is found on their territory, a well established hunt begins. Considering these beasts can keep the pace of a galloping horse, and rip up a human throat with their razor sharp teeth easily, it is not advised to cross them.

Kobolds

Kobolds are an intelligent, but unwise race, with a tendency to botch first impressions; this is due to cultural disagreements over dangerous traps as practical jokes.
These short, scaly creatures have been spotted all around Atalan, and are known to reside in the coastal cliffs surrounding the city. Seemingly happy with their new human neighbours, it seems that they have made a sport out of terrorizing and taunting them, and see it fit to steal anything they can from them.
Kobolds prefer luring travellers into a trap, or setting ambushes over an open fight. They are masters of sneaking and adapt at combat, but not particularly bloodthirsty.
A traveler who wishes to save his hide may just do so, by abandoning everything eatable and glittering before running like the wind.
For every Kobold killed, it seems like two more have been hatched, and one of the most frequently used sentences when the settlers arrived at the shores of Eramere was, “Damn Kobolds.”

Kryllsar:

Savage creatures that seem to exist in small groups throughout the Mystwood, these creatures are about as large as a small Orc. Their skin is covered in a thin layer of dark hair, and appears wet. Their eyes are small and black, often narrowed as if in a fit of anger, and they have a nose akin to a pig snout, with small, thick ears set on the sides of their heads. The garb of these creatures vary depending on their role in their society, some being covered in light, tattered furs, while others use the bark of the trees as armor plating, fastened on by thick vines. They often lean forward on their fists when waiting for prey, leaping forward with surprising speed to pummel and slash their victims with short, thick claws.

Leapers

Among some of the strangest creatures that the humans have encountered in their short time on Eramere is the Leaper. Called so because of their amazing ability to jump incredibly high and far, the Leapers are perhaps one of the most mobile creatures on the continent. They sport powerful back legs, dexterous human-like hands, a thick-shelled carapace, and long mandibles. There are rumoured to be six known species of Leapers, each with it's own specialization and preferred environment. All species of Leaper are either carnivorous or omnivorous and range from the size of a house cat to the size of a full grown Orc.

Coastal Leaper

As the name implies this species of Leaper is found only on the sandy beaches that line the Amalthean Coast. It hides underneath the sands of the beach in wait for the right circumstances to hunt. Its shell is a light brown in order to blend into the sands. Despite being the smallest and "weakest" of the Leaper species the mandibles of a Coastal Leaper are still incredibly tough, and can sell for a good profit. Coastal Leapers are not very aggressive, and it is said that they might flee unless their egg nest is threatened.

Sand Leaper

The Sand Leapers are spoken of by the Chorav, making their home in the Daiobi Desert where they wait underneath the sand to pop up on unsuspecting prey. The biggest species of Leaper amongst them all, the Sand Leaper is as tall as a fully grown Orc and just as deadly.

Manifestations

These strange, bizarre entities are known to come from the Beyond - but little else is known about them, given how much they differ from one to the next.

Mucklings

Standing no more than a foot in height these tiny creatures inhabit the sever system of the city of Atalan, garnering their name from the muck they live in. Physically they appear to be an upright walking lizard whose main features are almost guaranteed to be obscured with stuff that one would not even with to guess at. It should be noted that despite feeding primarily on diet of debris that finds its way into the sewer system they are not above feasting upon the corpse of an unlucky adventurer. While the more well trained consider these creatures no more than an annoying pest, the least experience can find these creatures to be a handful as they will attack any creature that disturbs them. It has been joked that due to their height that one is more likely to smell them before seeing them. A common misconception of course as they reek of the same muck that can be found all over the sewer.

Primordials

After arriving on Eramere, the humans of Halmoria found themselves confronted with all manner of creatures never seen before. Bizarre, shamanistic, mysterious, alien, seductive and powerful, the Primordials are not creatures that can be taken lightly. Non-human travelers will often inform others that the Primordials will need to be respected, unless you choose to earn their wrath.

Scorpions

The Scorpions that reside within the Daiobi Desert are not unlike a scorpion you would encounter anywhere else in the world, except for one important trait. They are massive. Their thick black exoskeleton offers the giant insect protection, and their stinger is large enough to pierce through most armors. Standing approximately three feet tall, not including their massive segmented tail and stinger, which is usually standing at attention, a scorpion could easily make a meal out of a young Chorav.

Scorpion's have eight legs and a large pair of grasping claws, and while they are ground dwelling creatures, they can climb straight up trees and walls as well. Scorpions come in two sizes. The most common scorpions found usually stand around three feet tall and three feet long. A dire scorpion however can be approximately four and a half feet tall, and just as wide.

Sea Monster

As long as there has been sea travel there have been rumors and myths about monsters at sea, and so it was with quite a shock when the first adventurers that delved below the Snowmyst Lake encountered gigantic snake looking creatures that attempted to swallow them whole. It was quite natural, after the shock wore off, to name these beasts the Sea Monsters from the myths and legends of the seafarers on the Thalassian Sea.

Little else is known about these fearsome monsters as they spend all of their time deep below the surface of the water and no adventurer has seen fit to attempt conversation with these creatures, though one could hardly blame them as the Sea Monsters seem to view anything smaller than themselves as a meal.

Fire Snake

Fire Snakes are common snakes which can be found all over Eramere. their red skin making them easily spot-able, but also signals for people not to come close. Fire snakes normally pray on small animals such as mice, but have been seen eating things such as cats and rabbits as well. their venom, while not deadly to humans, can cause serious pain and paralyze to even adult humans.

Frost Snake

Frost snakes are commonly found during winter, or in cold areas. They normally dont grow large enough to feed on anything larger than a mouse, and due to this, dont require a lot of food. therefore nature have made it possible for them to sleep most of a summer without any food or water. Their venom however is highly dangerous, even a small dose, can stop an adult humans heart if not treated in time.

Snowmaw

The Snowmaw Goblins are a group of tribes living at the eastern-most point of the Silentfire Mountains and the Snowmyst Lake. These creatures enjoy a cold climate and usually keep to the eternal snow peaks of the mountains during spring and summer. With the coming of the coldest days of autumn and winter, Snowmaw bands will often be found roaming the rest of Eramere, making traveling even more dangerous than usual. Snowmaw goblins possess a powerful body, and fighting skills well above the average adventurers, and are a deadly threat to any encountering them. Shamans of the tribes appear to worship both Fraeyal and Leeya.

In the year 983IY, a group of explorers discovered the half-destroyed ruins of an ancient city, frozen in eternal snow, at the eastern-most point of the Snowmyst lake. These ruins appeared to be populated by a high amount of Snowmaw goblins, who named the ruins Hoars Bastion. Snowmaw tribes appear to be fighting constantly among themselves for dominance over the various regions of the ruins, which have been turned into a near-constant war zone. Each tribes appear to be led by a chieftain that names itself "The Overlord". It is unknown if a greater power controls the various Snowmaw tribes, although rumors claims that the tribes will sometimes unite under a "Makh're'shol". The meaning of this word or what exactly is a Makh're'shol is unknown.

Ssiardi

The relatively unknown Ssiardi Kingdom has existed in the shadows of time for longer than any other native of Eramere. A Kingdom forged and tempered by the heat of the plutonic intrusions and magma pipes, their extreme environment has forced the Ssiardi to become masters of eugenics.

Now loose upon the surface of Eramere, the Ssiardi have been confronted with a plethora of species that not only defy natural selection, they go so far as to defend the old, sick and weak. These snake-like beings have made it abundantly clear that they have no wish to deal peacefully with other humanoids, for whatever reason they have yet to disclose.

Summoned Divine Spirits

These entities come in many forms and sizes, and are summoned by priests from the Realm of the Overseers to aid them in their tasks.

Taurocs

Taurocs are brown to black furred creatures smaller than a human. Their faces are flat and compressed, with two big horns sitting on their foreheads. They live in nomadic tribes all across the Acentian Hills and use huge clubs and maces made of stone for hunting or fighting. Anyone who came close to them so far as been attacked mercilessly and without warning. Their horns are extremely valuable and not only highly demanded for arcane studies in the newborn field of alchemy, but also as trophies and mere decoration.

Undead

Undead are creatures of which few know about and fewer understand. Within Atalan, the reactions run the full gambit from disbelief, dismissive laughter, awe, curiosity and naked fear, among many others. Outside of Atalan, the non-human races are said to have a more detailed understanding of what the undead are, with some continuously fighting the dead that walk. Rumors include skeletal remains, zombies, wraiths and spirits, and hundreds of other variations being reported, each more inventive than the last.
Undead are now no longer seen within the Tir'Ehtele, though their presence continues within the swamps of Omgi Ztehh.

Worgs

Wolves are often portrayed and viewed as honorable, regal, the epitome of a nobility among the animal kingdom but live by a strict code and hardness brought upon them by the law of nature: Eat or be eaten. Often times even this seeming cruelty of their lot in life is overlooked because of the majesty that wolves radiate. None of these things can be applied to the creatures that have come to be known as Worgs.

Similar in shape and gait, such physical similarities is where the comparison ends between wolf and worg. Once of the same family a long brutal and violent upbringing of generations of once proud wolves has shifted them into fierce killers that no longer follow the law of nature, but rather relish in killing for the sake of killing. Twisted by hatred and fear these beasts' physical shape has even twisted to reflect their dark interior. Hauntingly red eyes that glow even in the pitch black of a new moon. Their very howl is laced with their internal madness and those of weaker wills are forced for a brief period to taste the vileness that has permeated the very being of the worg.

The only quality that has managed to survive amid the Maelstrom of insanity is a fierce and rabid loyalty to those that engender similar qualities of the worg and allow them to hunt and kill without restraint. For the time being worgs have found their place among the Karr and have flourished as uneasy companions and guards of the various ravine strongholds, however, such twisted loyalty may not always remain true.