Beast of the Bloodpeaks

"Wanna know the truth? The truth is the caravans are annoying and we all secretly hate each other. But none've us are stupid enough to go alone."
— Rivegonian merchant

The Bloodpeaks are already famous for their treacherous reputation. Their icy cliffs, restless earthquakes, and freezing nights take no prisoners. Yet it is none of those things that experienced travellers fear the most about the mountains.

No, the real threat is much more elusive than a raging avalanche. It stalks somewhere unseen, waiting for a chance to strike.

Date of First Recording

Unknown

Date of Setting

Unknown - Present Day

Related Locations

Summary

The Beast of the Bloodpeaks is a rumored creature or species of creature that lives and hunts high in the mountains of the Bloodpeaks: the frigid mountain chain at the northern edge of Sanoris. It has no confirmed description, as those who see it rarely return to tell the tale.

Fear of the Beast permeates the culture of those that frequently travel across the mountains--usually merchants and their guards. It is for this reason that most merchants refuse to travel without a substantial caravan, even if it hinders the speed of their progress.

"It's all fine until somebody mentions it. Then we all start getting the jitters."
— Rivegonian merchant

Appearance

Descriptions vary wildly. Since it is impossible to verify their authenticity, no one can be sure who saw what. In addition, the Beast's mythical status has lead to many folk tales and campfire stories that further cloud the truth.

Some stories claim it to be over 10 feet tall. Others insist that it crouches low to the ground, like a stalking wolf. It could be white, gray, black, or red. It could have anywhere from one to three pairs of eyes. Sometimes it has horns, sometimes it has antlers, sometimes it has spikes all over. Always it has sharp teeth, claws, and a taste for blood.

It is unclear if the Beast is one entity or several entities attributed to the same source. Skeptics believe it to be a tall tale used to explain unexplainable disappearances. Superstitious folk believe it to be an otherworldly demon.

Evidence

There's a limited amount of physical evidence that may be used to prove the Beast's existence or an encounter with it. Unfamiliar tracks in the snow are often attributed to the Beast. Sharp teeth are sometimes presented as evidence, though they are often exposed to be bear or wolf teeth taken from somewhere else. Those with very close encounters cite their own scars as proof of the Beast.

Ravaged campsites or remnants of missing persons are the most unsettling pieces of evidence. The Bloodpeaks lack any large predatory mammals, such as bears or wolves, so these attacks cannot easily be attributed to something else. More concerning is the carnage left behind. Clothing is left shredded to ribbons. Weapons are snapped or twisted at odd angles. Sometimes bits of bone or skin are left in the blood-soaked snow. It is scenes like these that make it impossible to completely refute the existence of the Beast.