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Monster Hunting

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Content Warning
Classism • Animal Hunting • Death
And that's three down. How many are you on?
 
Two. Can't believe the assholes in the city are making us do this. At least give us some better weapons, and not this crap. This gun barely knocks the scales off a baby arrow worm.
 
I know, right. At least when we come back with our kills we'll get rewards, and we'll finally move out of our crappy little flat that we can't even afford.
 
Has anyone ever thought of... killing the rich? We outnumber them ten to one, they treat us like a turd on their shoe, and when they destroy the planet, melting the ice literally below our feet, we have to clean up their mess and kill all of the abyssal monsters that are trying to kill us off.
It's a nice thought. But they are so much stronger than us. Pretty sure some of them have gadgets that can boil us from the inside out from a hundred feet away. No chance we'd ever get close to overthrowing the rich.

On the frozen planet of Daglaci, a deep blue sphere of frozen ocean is cocooned by thick sheets of ice. From metres to miles in thickness, this ice protects the naive daglacians from horrific monsters lurking beneath. Creatures so devastatingly large they could wipe out towns with a single breach, intelligent enough to avoid larger cities with defensive weaponry, powerful enough to slice the native daglacians in half.

The rich live an isolated life of pleasure and power, sat high on their thrones above the poorest of the cities. As their megacities, megayachts, megacoptors and assortment of gadgets become more advanced, they pollute the planet. Global warming is a rising epidemic on Daglaci, with unimaginable consequences. Abyssal creatures that live in the oceans of Daglaci have sensed the rise in temperatures and the melting of the ice above that protects them from radiation, and have begun rising to the surface to wipe out those responsible.

Poor Propaganda

Propaganda Poster by Mochi

As expected, the rich did not want to fight these monsters. As they put it, "the poor were lounging around doing nothing, so we made them fight,". The highest class advertised monster hunting as something to strive for, something to work towards for a great part of their lives.

Propaganda posters hung up around the poorest districts of major cities presented monster hunting as a time for bonding, a chance to show yourself as someone with some amount of worth, and unfortunately, due to how desperate some people were, they joined in on the risky operation.

Sabotage

The rich have some interesting strategies with monster hunting. The most unusual strategy is to give the hunters inadequate weapons. Why you ask? Because they don't want the poor to rise against the rich. Yes, they are more concerned about their own welfare than the welfare of the planet they live on.

These weapons might be inadequate but they could easily kill a daglacian. Each licensed weapon used to fight monsters can be remotely accessed by officers in charge of distributing hunters, in case they decide to rebel. It happens quite often, and rebels are quickly eradicated. The poor can't leave certain cities once they enter either. They are forced into signing documents that forbids them from seeking residence elsewhere, and forces them to get jobs within a certain wage bracket, essentially keeping them poor.

To maximise their chances of survival in the terrible conditions that are the slums of cities, most poorer people have more children. From as early as infancy, subtle propaganda is fed to them to turn the monster hunting lifestyle into a fantasy they strive for. The poor feed this operation, keeping the monsters at bay while the rich live their lives of luxury.

I couldn't save her. I froze. When that thing dove for me, she jumped in the way. And it dragged her down through the ice.

Monster of the Abyss

The biggest creatures of the planet live below the ice, in untouched, vibrant ecosystems. The wildlife of the Abyss hasn't been documented aside from the few animals that breach through the ice, in a desperate attempt to wipe out daglacians and protect their planet.

Arrow Worm

One of the largest annelids on the entire planet, arrow worms are one to fear. Their angular skulls make breaking through thick sheets of ice a breeze, capable of ripping through up to a kilometre of thick ice without a second thought.

Arrow worms are one of few animals to successfully destroy entire settlements, having destroyed parts of Hyphaxia twice before, and completely devastating several neighbouring cities. A single arrow worm features on the Daglaci Space Legion's logo.

Goliath Squid

Truly one of the largest tentacled beings in the Yonderverse, goliath squids are equipped with poison-tipped, razor-sharp arms. Their eight arms (and two tentacles) are used to stab at the ice where cities lie, in an attempt to fracture the ground and submerge entire cities.

I'd never seen anything like it. All you could hear was the ground crumbling beneath, buildings plunging into the ocean, people's screams as their loved ones perished in the frozen water.
— Survivor of a previous arrow worm attack

Titan Isopod

Much less of a threat than other Abyssal creatures, titan isopods are a giant nuisance in warmer months. When the thinnest ice sheets melt, these creepy crawlies migrate on to land, infesting the streets of cities, even breaking into unguarded houses and trying to eat people.

Monsters of the Frozen

The Frozen is equally as dangerous as the Abyss. It is just as unknown and mysterious to daglacians, and what lies deep into the wilds remains unidentified. Most life in the Frozen are calm and gentle, but attack when provoked. This is why so many daglacians die in battle - they assume all life is out to get them.

Daglacian Yeti

Masking themselves behind thick ice storms are daglacian yetis. Not quite sophontic, these particularly intelligent animals are known to be ruthless. They're the sole reason that daglacians don't trespass into the true Wilds of the Frozen, sticking to their territories quite firmly. Encounters with daglacian yetis are messy and violent, because people unfairly presume them to be dangerous and bloodthirsty.

Grumpy Siren Orca Baby by Mochi

Siren Orca

Adult siren orcas are one to fear. These titanic semi-aquatic mammals can grow to over six metres tall, capable of swallowing a daglacian in one bite. They are also fiercely protective of their babies. Kill the parents while the babies are young enough and they can be trained to follow every order given.

Some richer folk will cybernetically enhance their pet orcas, equipping them with weapons and defensive gadgets, forcing them to fight others for entertainment.

Primary Related Location
Related Species
Daglacian
Daglacian Yeti
Siren Orca

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Cover image: Monster Hunting by Mochi

Comments

Author's Notes

After reading this... are you sure the giant terrifying creatures are the real monsters of Daglaci?


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Dec 1, 2023 20:46

Of course the rich are using the poor for their own gains

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Dec 1, 2023 20:51 by Mochi

Typical >:(

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Dec 1, 2023 20:59 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

Nope nope nope nope nope nope. Monsters under the ice, nope nope.   Well, at least the rich people will be eaten when the ice melts, I suppose. XD

Emy x   Etrea | Vazdimet
Dec 1, 2023 21:19 by Mochi

My fingers are crossed that those rich dicks get swallowed up by some giant whale or something xD

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Dec 1, 2023 21:52

Misleading title. A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.

Dec 1, 2023 21:54 by Mochi

hehehe, I did intentionally gear this article more towards the rich being monsters, but I do want to go and add more information about the actual monsters :D

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Dec 2, 2023 12:47 by Annie Stein

monstrous indeed

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Dec 2, 2023 13:14 by Mochi

indeed indeed

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Dec 3, 2023 18:25 by Dani

Ah, a most excellently dystopian addition to the Yonderverse! I feel like the daglacians who managed to make their way to space, even in service to a wealthy owner tooling around in their megaspaceyacht are most assuredly the lucky ones. I very much enjoy a plot where the people are too dumb to realize breaking their planet will awaken kaiju from the deep, and with my best evil laugh hope the poor "monster" hunters realize disabling spaceships will strand the rich on the planet so they can't escape when nature's vengeance arrives. :D


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Dec 3, 2023 18:39 by Mochi

Thaaaank youuuu!! <33 I'm so glad you enjoyed this article, it took a much darker tone than I originally planned but honestly I'm glad for it, I feel that little bit more comfortable writing mature content which is something you do a ***ing fantastic thing at, and something I wanted to get better at. You're a huge inspiration for me and my writing <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Dec 3, 2023 20:27 by Amélie I. S. Debruyne

This is very cool. I love this planet <3   Question! Your monsters seem sentient and clever; would they be able to communicate with the people on the surface if they stop trying to eat them for long enough? Would the poor be able to form an alliance with them?

Dec 3, 2023 20:32 by Mochi

oi, spoiling future WE articles! xD yes, some are intelligent enough to communicate with daglacians, but they quickly realised the rich daglacians just do not care and are way too selfish to ever form an alliance. so, nom nom nom

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Dec 8, 2023 19:25 by Rin Garnett
Dec 8, 2023 20:30 by Mochi

HAHA thank you! <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Dec 10, 2023 16:21 by Aster Blackwell

I've never read an article about monster hunting that was this much of a bummer! darn capitalism...

Dec 10, 2023 16:58 by Mochi

I'm honoured to be the biggest bummer <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Dec 17, 2023 12:05 by Annie Stein

i love the new banner!

Creator of Solaris -— Come Explore!
Dec 17, 2023 12:12 by Mochi

Thank youu! :D

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Dec 24, 2023 21:58 by Barron

Man this is a messed up article but in the way that it's like I want to engage in it? I wanna blow some of it sky-high. Let the giant subnautical whales breech over their golden thrones.   Is there anyone who is organizing a silent rebellion? I mean if the hunters refuse to hunt in mass, then the monsters would break through yeah? Might be a fun plot hook!


Dec 25, 2023 16:00 by Mochi

Ooooh, that's a good thought that of course I didn't have. Will definitely give that a think, if I don't get to a rebellion article before the end of WE then I definitely will afterwards!

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Jan 3, 2024 23:12 by Mardrena Lockehart

The popup on the side is nice to jump to specific areas. I'd never checked out your stuff before I like it! Nice and tidy.

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Jan 3, 2024 23:21 by Mochi

Thank you so much! Very glad you enjoyed it <3

I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
Jan 8, 2024 13:42

Great Article, not only the natural monsters (Creatures) but also the social Monsters (the rich) are nicely portraited.

I still stand by my former comment on Daglaci:
Those poor Daglaci only have one thought passed down the Generations:

Nope! We need to get out of here! As fast as we can!

Have a look at my entrys for:
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  • Jan 8, 2024 15:16 by Mochi

    Thank you so much! Yep, daglaci is awful, if i were them i'd have left the planet years ago xD

    I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
    Jan 8, 2024 16:28

    Absolutly!
    P.S. I will mention this article in my NYR article ^^

    Have a look at my entrys for:
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  • DaniAdventures Romance-Ception! Challenge Ballade von der Silberelfe
  • my Adventure April short story Einer dieser Tage
  • Jan 8, 2024 16:56 by Mochi

    aaaa thank youu! <3

    I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
    Jan 12, 2024 04:08 by Owen Davies

    An AMAZING article! Its got such richness for an activity for the poor!   Cannot wait to read more!

    "The world is only as big as one makes it. So make it bigger by expanding your mind."   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards
    Jan 12, 2024 10:34 by Mochi

    Thank youuu! <3

    I hope you have a great day!   Explore the endless planets brimming with life of the Yonderverse! Go after creatures, discover new places, and learn about the people you find along the way.   Consider voting for me in the Worldbuilding Awards!
    Jan 26, 2024 05:24

    When hunting monsters, one should always be prepared to die as the hunter will often become the hunted, so one should at least take it down with them if one can. Or feed the rich to them instead.;)

    May you forever find your way on the journey you set out on and make yourself greater.
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