Prologue: A Nod to the Pioneer
Aye, afore I get to filling these pages with the wonders and terrors of the realms, let me pay me respects to the trailblazer who came afore—Valdis Beastweaver. The man was a marvel, wasn’t he? An Urdunnir dwarf with a gift for taming and cataloging the wildest beasts of The Earth Realm. His magnum opus, known as "The Chronicle of Creatures (1st Edition)", gave a thick backbone of knowledge for any explorer who dared wander beyond their hearth.
I grew up hearing tales of him, crouched by the fire as me elders spoke of his work—the Xorn, the Gorgon Bull, and that elusive bloody dragon - Verdan. It was his wisdom that paved the way for dwarves like me, and it's with great respect that I now take the torch to expand upon his legacy. This second edition’s an expansion, aye, but it stands on the shoulders of his wisdom. Here’s to ye, Valdis, wherever yer wanderin’ soul might be.
Right, enough sentiment. Let’s crack on, shall we?
Contents
- The Faewyld
- The Y’azi Peninsula
- The Tani Mountains
- The Jungles of Tigre
- Closing Notes
The Faewyld
Ah, the Faewyld—a place that’s as enchanting as it is dangerous. If ye think ye understand it, ye don’t. It’s a realm alive with magic, where every tree hums with secrets and the air itself feels like it’s watching ye. The Faewyld doesn’t follow the rules of the Prime Plane; time bends, emotions ripple through the landscape, and what’s beautiful can turn deadly faster than ye can blink.
The forests here stretch endlessly, their colors shifting with the moods of the realm. The trees seem taller, older, their roots tangling like a labyrinth below yer feet. The rivers sparkle as though lit from within, and the very ground pulses with a life of its own. But don’t be fooled by the splendor—the Faewyld is a place of extremes. Joyful laughter can quickly turn to manic cackling, and the light of a glowing flower can lead ye straight into a predator’s den.
The creatures here reflect the realm’s duality: playful sprites that scatter hallucinogenic pollen, dragons loyal only to the pure of heart, and beasts so twisted by shadow they make the nightmares of the Prime Plane look tame. Ye’ve got yer Court of Verdance, trying to keep the balance, and then there’s the Court of Wither, looking to unravel it all in a tangle of decay and despair.
If yer stepping into the Faewyld, leave yer assumptions at the door. The only constant here is change, and ye’d best keep yer wits sharper than yer blade. It’s a realm where beauty and terror walk hand in hand, and trust me, it’s better to respect it than to underestimate it.
Frostmane Stags
Appearance: These majestic creatures sport sleek, frost-covered coats that glint like diamonds under moonlight. Their antlers? Bloody artful things, branching like frozen rivers.
Behavior: A right elusive bunch, these stags. They thrive in glacial forests, often appearing to travelers burdened by sorrow. A curious lot—ye can’t hunt them, but they’ll linger near grief, as if to lend comfort.
Unique Traits:
- Shed antlers, if gathered respectfully, are said to have potent healing properties. Grind them to powder and mix with snowmelt—it’ll cure ailments of the body and soul.
- Their hooves leave trails of icy crystals that linger for hours, marking paths in otherwise featureless snowscapes.
Notes (by Drozara): “I tried following one once. It stopped, looked back at me with those deep, knowing eyes, and disappeared into a bloody drift. Left me a shed antler though—kind soul, that one.”
Petal Sprites
Appearance: These wee creatures are like living flowers, their translucent wings shimmering with sunlight. Imagine a dainty pansy with legs and a knack for trouble.
Behavior: Mischief-makers through and through. They’ll lead ye astray with trails of glowing pollen, laughing their tiny heads off as ye wander in circles. Still, they mean no true harm—just fun for them, isn’t it?
Unique Traits:
- Their pollen can calm the fiercest temper or plunge ye into a hallucination ye won’t soon forget, depending on how ye take it. Inhaled, it’s calming. Consumed? Well, good luck.
Notes (by Drozara): “Caught one stealing me rations once. Quick little bugger, but not quicker than a hungry dwarf. Let it go, though—seemed like bad luck to harm something so delicate.”
Feathered Forowa Dragons
Appearance: Picture an eagle with scales instead of feathers, shimmering iridescent hues like oil on water. Their tails trail plumes that’d put a phoenix to shame.
Behavior: These are no ordinary dragons. Loyal to a fault, they’ll only bond with those who pass their silent tests. They’re fast—Ark Drake fast—and deadly in a scrap if ye earn their trust.
Unique Traits:
- They see right through ye. No lying, no cruelty, or ye won’t even get close.
- Magic users will find their spells amplified in the presence of a Forowa—something about their tie to the Faewyld enhances the arcane.
- A bonded Forowa will fight to the death to defend its companion. That’s no small thing in a world where loyalty’s hard to come by.
Notes (by Drozara): “I met a young white one—Kaigetsu—down in the valley. Lovely creature, full of potential, but ye can tell it’s wary. Don’t muck it up if ye try bonding. Show yer heart’s in the right place.”
The Y’azi Peninsula
Ah, the Y’azi Peninsula. If ever there were a land to lull ye into peace while keeping a knife behind its back, it’d be this one. Rolling green hills, dotted with sakura trees, stretch out toward the coastlines, where cliffs meet crashing waves. There’s an elegance to the place, aye, but don’t let it fool ye. The creatures here are as crafty as they come—be it the koi with their petal-like scales or the foxes that’ll lead ye astray for the fun of it.
The air’s sweet, heavy with the smell of blossoms and sea spray, and the ground hums faintly with magic. The Tengu Goblins make their homes here too, pesky little buggers, always quarreling with the local wildlife. Ye can feel the land’s pulse, though, as if it’s got secrets it’s daring ye to uncover.
Blossom Koi
Appearance: Enormous, vibrant koi fish with scales resembling cherry blossom petals. Their fins glow faintly, mirroring the soft pink light of sakura trees in bloom.
Behavior: These koi inhabit the tranquil rivers and lakes of Y’azi, swimming in schools that follow the blooming cycles of sakura trees. It’s said they can sense when the trees begin to flower and will gather beneath them in ritual-like patterns.
Unique Traits:
- Their scales are imbued with faint magical properties, often used in potions for clarity and calm.
- When threatened, they release a cloud of pink mist that confuses predators.
Notes (by Drozara): “Watched one leap clear out the water under a blooming sakura. Magic, pure and simple.”
Windshell Cranes
Appearance: Tall, elegant cranes with iridescent white feathers and shells embedded in their backs that look like polished jade. Their long beaks are razor-sharp.
Behavior: These cranes glide along the coastlines, riding the ocean winds. They are both predators and scavengers, known for their haunting cries that echo across the cliffs.
Unique Traits:
- The shells on their backs are said to amplify wind magic, often sought by enchanters.
- Their cries are said to ward off malicious spirits.
Notes (by Drozara): “They’re stunning, aye, but don’t get too close. One tried to peck me head clear off—nearly succeeded, too.”
Petalbound Kitsune
Appearance: Small fox-like creatures with silky white fur and multiple tails tipped with sakura blossoms. Their eyes shimmer like polished amber, and their movements leave trails of falling petals.
Behavior: Mischievous and curious, these kitsune are often seen darting through groves of cherry blossoms. They’re harmless unless provoked, and they delight in leading travelers astray with their illusions.
Unique Traits:
- Their tails are said to grant a single wish if one is willingly gifted, but no one’s ever proven it true.
- When threatened, they vanish in a swirl of blossoms, leaving behind an intoxicatingly sweet scent.
Notes (by Drozara): “Lovely little beasties. I caught one snoozin’ in a grove. It woke, blinked, and poof—gone in a whirlwind o’ pink petals.”
Onak Bull
Appearance: Great hulking beasts with hides covered in grass and plants that grow directly from their backs. Their coiling horns, thick and branching like tree limbs, frame their heads, while six glowing blue eyes—three on either side—give them an otherworldly presence.
Behavior: Onak Bulls are peaceful grazers by nature, often found wandering the grassy plains or beneath the sakura trees, bashing their horns into persimmon trees to knock down their favorite snacks. Despite their gentle nature, they don’t take kindly to intrusions and will charge anything that bothers them.
Unique Traits:
- The plants growing on their backs are said to have medicinal properties, though harvesting them without angering the bull is no small feat.
- Their horns are prized by enchanters for their magical conductivity.
Notes (by Drozara): “Saw one in a scrap with a gang of Tengu goblins. The goblins were screechin’ and throwin’ stones, trying to keep the bull away from their grove. The bull just shook its horns, knocked down a tree, and kept munchin’. Goblins scattered like leaves.”
The Tani Mountains
The Unknown are a landscape of towering karst spires, hidden ravines, and mists that cling like ghosts to the stone. It’s as beautiful as it is treacherous—every crack in the rock and shift in the mist could be hiding something deadly. The bones of ancient beasts litter the ground in some places, half-buried, as if the mountain itself is reluctant to let them go.
The creatures here are shaped by the harshness of the land. They’re sharp, resilient, and, often, deadly. It’s a place where ye keep yer wits about ye, or ye don’t keep yer wits at all.
Ironfang Bulette
Appearance: Armored beasts with iron-like scales and digging claws. Built like a battering ram with teeth.
Behavior: These burrowers are territorial as hell, attacking anything that crosses their paths.
Unique Traits:
- Their scales can be forged into weapons or armor, though harvesting them without losing a limb is a challenge.
Notes (by Drozara): “Rode one once. It didn’t much like it, but we came to an understanding. Big, stubborn thing. Reminded me of meself.”
Obsidian Basilisks
Appearance: Dark-scaled lizards with jagged spines that glint like obsidian. Their eyes glow faintly red, and their claws leave scorch marks on the stone.
Behavior: These creatures dwell in the caves of the Tani Mountains, emerging only to hunt. They are fiercely territorial and emit a petrifying screech when threatened.
Unique Traits:
- Their scales, when ground, create a powder that protects against scrying magic.
- The gaze of a mature basilisk can momentarily immobilize prey.
Notes (by Drozara): “Nearly lost me boots to one of these brutes. Stubborn thing chased me clean out of its cave!”
Mistclaw Harpies
Appearance: Winged humanoid predators with talons as sharp as blades. Their feathers are pale grey, blending seamlessly with the mist of the Tani Mountains.
Behavior: These harpies use the natural mists of the mountains to ambush their prey, often working in small groups to overwhelm travelers.
Unique Traits:
- Their feathers can be used in cloaks to enhance stealth.
- Their screeches cause disorientation and nausea in their victims.
Notes (by Drozara): “They’re wicked, no mistake, but their feathers make for fine gear if ye’re bold enough to pluck one.”
Cinderhorn Oxen
Appearance: Massive, charcoal-colored oxen with horns tipped in glowing embers. Their hooves leave faint scorch marks on the ground.
Behavior: Despite their intimidating appearance, these creatures are peaceful grazers unless provoked. They roam the lower slopes, thriving near volcanic vents.
Unique Traits:
- Their horns are prized by smiths for their heat-conducting properties.
- They emit faint heat, making them a curious sight in the cold mists of the mountains.
Notes (by Drozara): “Got close to one while it was grazin’. Big fella looked at me, snorted smoke, and went back to munchin’.”
The Jungles of Tigre
The Unknown are alive in ways that’ll make the hair on yer neck stand up. Thick, tangled canopies block out most of the sunlight, and the air is damp, clinging to yer skin like a second layer. Every sound—be it a rustle, a chirp, or the snap of a branch—feels like it’s watching ye.
The creatures here are as much shadow as substance, with camouflage, venom, and cunning that’d make the best hunters weep. It’s a jungle that doesn’t care if ye belong, and every step feels like yer trespassing.
Shadowfang Panthers
Appearance: Sleek black felines with faintly glowing red eyes and a shadowy aura that makes them hard to spot.
Behavior: Silent hunters. Ye won’t hear them till it’s too late. They’re territorial but prefer to stalk prey rather than attack outright.
Unique Traits:
- Their pelts shimmer like moving shadows, making them prized by hunters—but killing one’s a death sentence. The jungle itself protects them.
Notes (by Drozara): “Saw one take down a stag twice its size without making a sound. Respect the predator, or ye’ll be its dinner.”
Gloamwing Moths
Appearance: Massive moths with wings patterned like staring eyes. They shimmer faintly in moonlight, making them almost ghostly in appearance.
Behavior: These moths are nocturnal and gather around glowing flora. Their wings create a mesmerizing effect that lulls predators into a trance.
Unique Traits:
- Their wing dust can be used to create illusions.
- The “eyes” on their wings repel smaller predators.
Notes (by Drozara): “Caught one in me pack—accidentally, o’ course. Let it go quick after it dusted me face with that glitter.”
Ravager Apes
Appearance: Hulking, muscular apes with mottled fur and tusks that jut from their lower jaws. Their arms are disproportionately long, perfect for climbing and smashing.
Behavior: Territorial and aggressive, they’ll defend their groves with brutal efficiency. Ravager Apes are also intelligent, using crude tools to protect themselves.
Unique Traits:
- Their tusks are said to grant strength when fashioned into charms.
- They can mimic sounds to scare off intruders.
Notes (by Drozara): “One threw a bloody rock at me. I threw it back. We agreed to disagree after that.”
The Terror
Appearance: Unknown.
Behavior: Unknown, though the signs it leaves behind speak of an apex predator unmatched in the jungle.
Notes (by Drozara): “There’s something out there, somethin’ big. I don’t know what it is, but I felt it in me bones afore I even saw the tracks. It woke me in the dead of night, shaking the ground with a bellow that near knocked me flat. I didn’t stick around to meet it face to face, but I found its trail—a single footprint, the size of a dwarven home, pressed deep into the earth. Looked reptilian. The kind of beast that hunts not for survival but because it can. If ye ever make it into the Tigre, remember this: some shadows are best left unseen. For now, I’ll call it The Terror, until someone braver—or stupider—than me finds out more.”
Closing Notes
This tome’s far from finished. Every day I walk a new path, meet a new beast, and add a new story. This world’s teeming with life, from the grand to the grotesque. I reckon I’ll never stop learning, but that’s the beauty of it, aint it?
If ye’ve read this far, know this: respect the creatures around ye. They’ve as much right to this world as we do—maybe more. Take only what ye need, and always give back to the land.
"May Valdis guide me hands, and may yer journeys be just as wild as mine."