Beast Master's Guide to Taming and Slaying "Beastiary"
This manual was created to document the features and habits of the various creatures found within the world. Most often used by beast masters, hunters, and gladiators.
Beast Master's Guide to Taming and Slaying "Beastiary"
Creatures of the Vahltain Mountains.
Rokitoki: These hairless rodents are about 3 steps long. Their hind legs have feet with long Y shaped toes. Which allow them to scale mountain sides with ease as they can grip jagged edges. Their front feet have each have two long thumb like appendages. These are used for grabbing large stones which they throw at their prey. In addition to stoning prey to death they've also been recorded to roll large boulders off of cliff side to crush larger prey. They usually travel in group of 6-12. It seems they all answer to an alpha Rokitoki. Often the pack member with the widest "hands" and largest body build.
If captured at a young age these creatures can be trained as exotic pets.
Vahltain Ibex: These remarkable goats have dark red fur which resembles the red stones of the mountains they inhabit. They are typically the size of a small pony but can grow to be larger than some horses. Most notably aside from their elaborate horn structures is their sharp teeth. They resemble that of rodent's, but they can tear through flesh like a blade of steel. These carnivorous goats will ram into their prey with incredible speed. Using their horns to either gore or ram their prey to death. If the prey is not incapacitated from the initial charge. The ibex will attempt to mount the prey as it lies on the ground. Once held down by the goats powerful hoofs it will begin to shred it's prey apart with it's teeth. Instinctively aiming for vital veins and arteries.
It has been observed that the female ibex will have sharper branch like horns. While the males will have wider horned helmet like horns. The fur of these goats is considered a fine luxury as it's not only difficult find these goats but also a challenge to slay. It has also been reported that mountain side savages can tame these goats and reliable mounts.
Drahks: These orange scaled reptiles span a length of 4-5 steps. They have several spines protruding from the side of their heads and backside. Most observers only see these creatures sun bathing atop high mountain boulders and peaks. Never seen hunting. it was a mystery what they consumed until eventually they were observed eating stones Their mouths are toothless but have hard rigid plates on the top and bottom. These are apparently used to grind stone into a powder which is then digested inside the belly of these creatures. Their mouths shift horizontally while grinding. If one hears this sound echo in the mountain. They can likely assume a drahk is nearby.
Seemingly there is an alchemical element within their guts which allows for the digestion of stone. This is more interesting as hunters attempting to capture the beasts learned that the drahks can regurgitate this stone meal as a magmatic spray. Earning them the nickname of forge-bellies. The alchemical properties these lizards have been harnessed on occasion to create a highly acidic substance.
Their feces also harden into a type of crystal than can be chiseled for jewelry or fine tipped blade. Often shatters after excessive use.
Spear-Beak Hawks: These large birds can have a wing span of 8 steps. Their feathers are often reddish brown. Most distinguishable is their long, narrow, and sharp beak. They will stay perched upon cliff ends and peaks until they see their prey. They will then swan dive down unto their prey and pierce them with their spear like beaks. If the initial attack isn't enough for the kill. Their long talons are used to finish the job.
The eggs of these birds make a fine meal. Their beaks can also be used to make primitive weaponry.
Raging Gulo: Possibly the most erratic creature found within the mountain range. This large wolverine is about 4 steps long, and constantly in a state of rage. It's black fur with bright crimson stripes is a warning for all other creatures not to mess with it. Those that do not head the warning are quickly shredded to pieces by it's claws. It's fur seems to have a unique property as not even magmatic spray seems to bother it much. It's pelt is worn as a sign of expert hunting skills.
Rust Slug: These slimy slugs have been observed within ore mines. They have an acidic slime about them which can corrode and break down metal ores for digestion. They are typically no larger than the human hand but in deep mines they've been observed to be larger than an adult human. If one is not careful these pests can creep their way into one's tool bag or onto their armor. They will then proceed to rust the metal and digest it.
This corrosive slime can be useful if properly contained. A glass vial is recommended. Since it is not recommended to attack these creatures with metal weapons. bags of salt appear to be the most damaging weapon one can use against these creatures.
Mountain Savages (Minotes): These people have lived in the mountains isolated from the civilization of vahlta. Very few of them have ever been able to comprehend Vahltain language and laws. So, they are mostly deemed sub-human by Vahltains. Omnivorous and even notably cannabalistic they seem human like, though. They grow a noticable amount larger than an average human. With noticeable muscle mass. They often adorn the crimson furs of the Vahltain Ibex, as well as their skulls. They use these skull helms to charge their prey. They fashion clubs from hard stones and sharp spears from stalagmites. They also utilize a unique form of hand to hand combat whenever they are caught disarmed.
A berserk state of mind. They are willing to take on all that challenge them. This makes them excellent candidates for the colosseum. Or even a guide indentured serf if one can be trained in the ways of Vahltain law,
Tortostodon:Greater Mountain-Yak:Garhaghun (Mountain Devil): These large four armed creatures with large horns resemble humanoids. Though, they are about twice the size of the average man. They red skin and protruding spines makes people believe they are demons from deep within the mountain. First spotted by Vahltain miners. These monsters would not simply kill, but intentionally maim it's victims for it's own amusement. Dragging survivors back to it's underground lair for unknown horrors. Only a few of these monsters have been captured for the colosseum. They provided a great spectacle as they seemed to enjoy killing with a crowd.
Smaller versions of this creature have also been seen within some lairs. Whether these are offspring or another species all together is still unknown.
Stone-Mill Worm: These 20 step long worms crawl through the crevices of the mountains. They are coated in a mucus and they burrow through stone as they mill it down with countless sphincter like mouths lined with teeth designed to grind stone. They can feel the vibration of prey above them and they will carefully dig hollow pockets for prey to fall into which they then begin to consume with ease.
Bohl Swamp Creatures:
Boil-Back Frog: 3 1/2 steps long and 3 steps long. These frog are not aggressive but will defend their territorial breeding grounds. These frogs are masters of ambush as they will rest motionless within the mud or atop tree limbs until their unfortunate prey provides them with a chance to strike. They quickly leap forward and engulf their prey within their gapping mouths and they can create a vacuum seal with their mouths. Nearly impossible to escape. They typically attempt to swallow the human head first and suffocate them. If they fail and grab a limb with their maw. The only likely escape it to amputate the captured limb. Highly necrotic bacteria lives within this creatures gut/mouth. Which begins to dissolve whatever is within it's mouth.
Aggrogator: This large reptilians beast appears as a raptor with larger arms and a alligator like head. They are incredibly aggressive and will not hesitate to fight anything. Even other Aggrogators. Male can often be found alone. Though, an alpha female may be spotted with a small pack of male submissive males competing over her approval. It's not uncommon for packs to engage in a full on melee with each other over breeding grounds and resources.
Some of the local swamp people's have utilizes a fungus to make these reptiles docile enough to be tamed into battle mounts.
Filangipede: It is not known how these terrible abominations came to be. Rumored to be a foul experiment created by a biomancer. They are here to stay. A long and giant sized centipede body, though instead of typical insect legs each leg appears to be a large finger. In stead of a head is a giant humanoid hand with a mouth in the palm. These things grapple and crush prey with the head hand and then consume what's left.
Pyrith: Another alleged abomination. This giant turtle has the mouth of a crocodile and a tail that resembles an iron mace
Guillotine Snapper: This large turtle can bite a human being in half with incredible ease. They have been known to quickly emerge from murky waters and claim fishermen from their vessels or even the shores. Their hard shell is lined with razor like spines.
Bone-Biter Piranha: These terrible little fish travel the swampy waters in swarms. Anything unfortunate enough to fall into their waters can be completely consumed within a minute. Even the bones are chewed to dust.
Void Mouthed Gulper: These large fish dwell at the bottoms of lakes and rivers. They have whiskers that can apply a paralyzing shock to their prey. They then unhinge their massive boneless mouth and begin swallowing their prey whole. The prey is often alive for several hours within the gut of these fish, are completely helpless
Murk Water Fowl: The large birds can often be found atop water where they float. They have a large wing span and can fly quickly. They appear as a cross between a vulture and a duck
Crop Guard Bat: These large bats have a symbiotic relationship with the natives of Bohl. It will live on the outskirts of farms and eat large pest that attempt to consume the crops. It has goat like horn on its head and powerful claws on the end of it's wings.
Lobotomist's Crane: This long legged bird sneakily mounts upon the back of it's prey and pecks into it's skull.
Spined Anaconda: A large snake with white scales and boney spines about it's body.
Acidic Salamander: This salamander can charge it's prey and spit acidic saliva.
Monitor Hydra: Much like a monitor lizard aside from it's multiple heads which begin to multiply when severed.
Gallow's Vine: A vine that creates a noose around it's prey and strangles them. It is capable of growing into corpses and animating them
Necrotic Recluse: This spider is incredibly stealthy and it's bite causes necrosis of flesh.
Pack-Stride Tarantulas: These wolf sized spider hunt in packs and move incredibly fast. They utilize pack tactics to ambush their prey.
Bonnet o' Bohl: A purple headed fungus with orange fuzzies.
Winged Phlebotomist: large sized mosquitoes with praying mantis claws and the tail of scorpion
Tentacled Tooter: This blob is found in the deepest swamps. When pulled to the surface its many tentacles release are that sound like a large horn.
Boofkins: Similar to pumpkins but capable of releasing a nauseous gas.
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