Miran's Magnificient Monster Manual

[Togetak]

Foreword

 From the first time I saw one of the great beasts of the world, a youth of barely ten watching with awe as a simple Babline crawled into a forest clearing, I knew this was what my life was to be dedicated to. Outwardly simple, it was the complexity just under the surface that capitvated me—every movement in defiance of how a 'normal' creature would move, every noise sublime, and even when my childish movements spooked it into a frenzy, it threw around mana with the ease that you and I draw breath. It- and all those beasts like it- embody the spirit of mystery, of a something fantastical and wonderful. Today, as I write this foreword to my attempts at solving such mysteries, I share words that I always hoped—and in many ways knew—I would have the chance to write.


On 'Magimals'


While long have we categorized creatures in our world through their loose relations- Daemons are Daemons, Animals are Animals, Demons are Demons, and... well, I suppose we have no name for the creatures that fall between. That is where the term "magimals" comes in. A fusion of two words Magi Animals, Magimals, is a word I beleive is most useful for the aspiring naturalist to fuse into their lexicon- an overarching word through which we can describe all manner of creatures, those that are adept with mana in some fashion. Whether it be the Daemons and their innate spellcasting abilities, or other stranger creatures, animals with the ability to utilize the mana around them.

Few are likely to have seen such creatures, particularly those that rarely venture from the city, but I assure you dear reader they are some of the rarer quarry hunted by those with the will and power to do so. Glub-worms, one of the more common examples, will be catalogued later in this very work. I would always advise caution observing such creatures, for they are likely the most dangerous beasts that wander this world of ours.

Preamble

As many readers will know, Daemons are a perpetual part of Esshar's ecosystem. Magical in nature, they are creatures of mischeif and mystery with few truly attempting to study their intricacies. You have, of course, already heard my bias towards such creatures and their innate mastery of elemental magic so I will keep this preamble light.

Daemons are fascinating creatures- they dwell in only a few places within this world of ours, and carry themselves with a fascinating dignity where they do so. While temperment varies by species, as does magical aptitude and specific abilities, there are a few general rules they adhere to on the whole, which I have compiled below .

1: They are not innately aggressive creatures.
They will allow your approach should you wander close to them and they see you coming, but you must always be sure to do so slowly and with the utmost care. Should they detect you as a threat, or become spooked by your quick movement, they will immediately move on you to defend themselves.

2: They are born potent magi, but cannot develop their skills further
To the best of my knowledge, a Daemon is born knowing all the spells it will ever know, and all those of the same species will share the same spells. Their access to these abilities, then, must be innate quirks of their nature, rather than concious understanding of mana and how to shape it.

3: They live in small packs.
While this may come as a suprise to those who have seen lone Babline wandering the forests, these creatures are actually an extreme rarity amonst their kind. Generally, Daemons will live in small groups of three to five individuals, rarely leaving their chosen territory. If you see a lone Daemon it is likely either the survivor of it's pack, cleared by an intrepid group of hunters that have recently passed through, or (more likely) there are others in the area you simply cannot see from your position. It is this latter situation in which Daemons are their most dangerous, so you must always ensure you cannot be percieved as a threat to avoid being ambushed.

4: All Daemon are host to a core of pure, crystalized mana within their bodies.

Likely the most widely known fact about Daemons, each of their bodies contains a single hunk of crystalized mana, tinted with the element the owner channels. Whether this is the beating magical "heart" of a daemon, or simply a result of their potent abilities manifesting within their bodies, is unknown to me- but what is clear, is that these are highly valuable items, due to the amount of energy stored within them.

Daemon Catalogue
(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)

I. Swuisarme


While these creatures may look like simple, oversized fish upon first glance, their strange disdain for actual submersion should quickly clear up any assumptions. These floating Daemons are most often sighted upon the seashores (never within the sea itself- I don't believe they can even swim) of the south, generally only in areas with sparse inhabitation. These Daemons "school" together in groups larger than most other species I have encountered, with around five individuals roaming in close proxmity to one another.

While you may expect these Daemons to be masters of water magic, from their appearence, the Swuisarme once again show themselves to be prime examples of not judging a book by it's cover. While they do have the magical aptitiude to cast weak bubble-projectiles against foes that attempt to run, their main method of attacking is the use of their blade-like fins, getting in close and charging directly towards their quarry with much more speed and force than you would assume them capable of (which is, trust me, a rather painful mistake) it is these strikes that they appear to prefer above all else when possible, foregoing any kind of magical assistance to simple gore their enemies. Not a particularly graceful method of violence, but one that seems rather effective for them.

I would advise avoiding any shores these Daemons have claimed for their own. While they are no more aggressive than most of their kin, their numbers mean that you will likely find yourself outnumbered should you accidentally anger them, and I would definitely not enjoy being within the center of a school that's out for blood.

Mountainous Cave Swuisarme- A possible subspecies?

Unlike most Swuisarme, the cave-inhabiting groups live far from water, swarming in the sprawling tunnels of the northern mountains. These creatures are much more powerful than their beach-dwelling kin and have made quick work of the prospective miners in the area, becoming something of a local boogeyman.


They are also slightly more aggressive, seeing attempts to mine within their home as aggressive acts, and becoming enraged at closer quarters movement. I would advise being far, far more careful with these creatures than normal, as they too live in large groups and you are likely to force their kin into a panic through the scrabbled to escape just one of them. Either way, the only true method to escape them is to exit the cave they call home, as they curiously refuse to exit into the open air. Perhaps the light of the sun burns their eyes, left sensitive from generations of dwelling in the dark? 

[Further pages appear scribbled, unfinished, and generally barely readable.]

[Togetak]

Magimals Catalogue

(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)

I. Granite Crellus


The Granite Crellus is, in a word, unpleasant. I would not blame any who have not heard of it, at least by it's proper name, for these creatures trend towards the dankest, darkest places that right thinking people very rarely set foot in. To locate the pair I was able to observe, I descended deep into the earth in one of the northern mines, well past all the active operations and into the beast infested depths- and even then I could only find two of them!

While this sample size is tiny, I was able to gleam much about the species just from the pair of them. My observations of the differences between the to led me to the belief that these two, depicted above, are a mated pair of male and female (or, at the very least, whatever analogous system their reproduction works under). It must then be assumed, my dear reader, that this is their natural state- a single breeding pair per territory, living their water logged, subterranian lives alone.

While which individual belonged to which gender alluded me, it is abundandtly clear there is a difference. One of the two, the least aggressive and most immobile of them, had a significantly more rust-like skin tone and softer features, with a stubbier tail than it's mate. The other, in direct contrast, was highly mobile, sharp in feature, and aggressive in nature (I suppose it is easy to tell which of the two I found more appealing). While the darker one was content to allow me a level of closeness, bar standing directly next to it, it's mate was far more unhappy with my presence and made every attempt to claw at me when I came near (and, unfortuntately for me, was particularly good at succeeding).

When lured into combat, an unfortunate requirement of research, both individuals fought with the exact same means and intensity regardless of their prior states- striking out with their claws and summoning waves of arcane spores at anyone who attempts to flee. Their hides are incredibly thick, and yet also frustratingly slime-covered, giving double layered defenses against assault as blows slip off of them and their skins easily take the force of duller strikes. While I did not have the opportunity to test the power of a trained magi against one (nor would I particularly enjoy putting this pair of rare creatures in peril were I to have that opportunity) I would wager that most would would struggle to face them. Subsequently, I have no true advice when facing these creatures, one should simply pray that they do not ever come face to face with these rare creatures.

There is, however, one myth I would like to question before the end of this chapter- many would, and indeed,have, seen such imposing creatures- with giant claws as well as maws full of razor sharp teeth, and come to the conclusion that they must be predatory in nature. I, however, have seen no evidence of it. While the den of the two individuals I found did indeed have the bones of unawary travellers within it, one should note that these bones were clearly not picked clean of flesh by the Crellus pair, and simply left in place to rot. Instead, the place they had taken as a home was positively brimming with mushrooms, far more than anywhere else in that cave system. It leaves one to wonder- are they simply misunderstood beasts, only sustained by the delicious taste of mushroom? 

[Togetak]

Magimals Catalogue

(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)

II. Grubworms

Pictured: A rather adorable grubling named Gilbert

Strangely named given their sole resemblance to grubs and not worms, Grubworms are perhaps the easiest Magimal I have ever had the pleasure of studying. Not only because of their relatively docile nature, significant numbers, and immobile disposition- but also because their full life cycle is so immediately visible to the observer.

The nest I was able to locate for my observations was in the very same mine as the paired Crellus, yet their influence on the area was quite clearer than that of the mushroom den. These creatures seem to have burrowed into the mine, disrupting it's industrial functions and generally made a mess of things, tearing apart minecart tracks and burrowing through the tunnels in an attempt to make it more homely for themselves. I would wager most of those who mine by profession will have seen this  colony dozens of times in their trips into it's bowels, and yet I very much doubt any have ever stopped to wonder exactly how they live.

The Grubworm life cycle is a very visible one, particularly so as they take such a laissez-faire approach to their child rearing, allowing them to wander in the open under adult supervision, and caring little if foreign entites wade amongst them. They defend their young ferociously if attacked or threatened, of course, but otherwise are rather laid back for giant, monsterous insects. In the interest of brevity, I will outline each stage in the Grubworm life cycle indivually below.

Stage I: Grublings

All Grubworm begin their lives in this miniscule (and, frankly, rather cute) form, each standing roughly half the height of a man. Grublings wander the nest of their colony, rarely far from the adult Grubworms acting as their guardians. At this stage of life, these creatures are rather curious- often chasing or becoming transfixed by new creatures and objects that pass by them- but this childlike wonder should not be mistaken for the kind of intelligence you or I share, they are foolish creatures by nature. Fast movements and bright lights will spook them as they would any common animal, and their mandibles are quite painful to bitten by even at this early stage of development. Still, they are interesting creatures, and I have grown quite fond of them.

In my travels, I came across a lost Grubling deep within the mines, evidentally having fallen down a shaft and been unable to return to its caretakes above. While the infant (which I have chosen to call "Gilbert" due to his very Gilbert-like disposition) was otherwise a perfect specimen of his kind, it is notable that he was remarkably docile- refusing to attack even when I physically handled him (although, of course, I could never imagine harming such a creature). I believe this to be because, seperated from the parental influence of the adult Grubworms, he was never in a position to develop their wariness to those outside their species. 

I find this interesting for twofold reasons- firstly, that their territorial nature is taught implies a good deal of their life skills may indeed be passed through mentoring rather than innate, as in most animals, and more importantly that it may be possible to domesticate these magimals as we have with other, more simple animals. The possibilites of this are rather fascinating to theorise about, is it not? The feasibility of collecting a young Grubling before it learns suspicion from it's fellows is, of course, not exactly useful for mass domestication, but it does beg the question of what someone could achieve, were they patient and intrepid enough to attempt it.

Stage II: Adult Grubworms

Standing around a head taller than a man, adult Grubworms lose much of the wonder of their youth. Still rather adorable, just on a larger scale, the adult Grubworm is a much hardier and more powerful magimals than their infants.

Within the colony, the adult Grubworm fulfills the vast majority of the workforce, taking care of the Grublings while gathering food and drilling out new tunnels to grow the colony. Adult Grubworms also fulfill the role of defenders of the colony, and are more active in engaging with intruders should they wander too close to the Queen or Grublings. Their mandibles, while more developed, are fortunately scarcely more dangerous than those of the Grubling due to the specialization that occurs as they mature, becoming better in shape for grasping and digging, but unwieldly for biting.

In all, I find them interesting creatures, but far less enaging than their young.

Stage III: The Grubworm Queen

With a single one per colony, the Grubworm Queen is a colossal creature- and the mother of all those around it. A giant beast, constantly writhing and birthing more Grublings for the colony, the Queen is the highest rung on the Grubworm totem pole. Waited on hand and foot by its Grubworms spawn, the role it fulfills in the colony is an incredibly vital one, ensuring perpetual expansion. 

While you would not be foolish to asume such a massive creature specialized into such a tender role would be weaker than its kin, you would be mistaken, for the Grubworm Queen's size is its most powerful weapon. Few strikes can easily penetrate the overgrown hide, thick and stretchy to accomidate constant birthing, and its mandibles are just as powerful as any other Grubworm- and this is not to mention the constant entourage of rabidly protective Grubworms, desperate to protect their mother.

That is not to say that the death of a Queen means the death of a colony, however. Should their mother die in combat, or of natural cause, it seems another will quickly take her place through a process unknown to me. Perhaps the mere presence of a living Queen supresses the ability of the other Grubworms to grow so large, and so fertile? Or maybe there is some alchemical compound, some magic energies, within the body of a Queen that the Grubworms will feast on upon her death, to claim her position? Whatever this unseen succession takes, it is a mystery I would love to solve.

[Togetak]

Magimals Catalogue

(Note: This section is subject to change, as I encounter more of these creatures in the wild, to observe them)

III. Fireflies

While it may not be immediately apparent that the common, unassuming firefly has any magical properties at all, let alone enough to be considered a Magimal, any alchemist worth thier craft will happily tell you otherwise. Not concerned with displays of defensive spells, or growing to large sizes, the firefly's magic is actually rather more interesting- it's a mating display.

The swarms of fireflies that adorn the countryside each night may seem as though they're simply set pieces, creatures that wander the world bringing beauty to it- and perhaps they do regardless- but their woderful displays are actually peacocking for romantic attention. They achieve this through a strange fluid produced in their abdomen that, when infused with the barest hint of mana, lights up and allows their flickering midnight courtship to continue.

 

Conventional knowledge would assume that only the males glow, expending mana and energy in service of attracting females with thier flashy displays, but the situation is rather more complicated. For the fireflies that glow yellow, like tiny embers tin the night sky, his is generally the case- the males float across the landscape, flashing their colours to attract the decidedly more plain females, who approach and (should they appreciate the display) choose to mate with one of the swarm.

However- those that glow blue, as tiny stars in the woods, are a rather different type of performer. These float across the landscape in swarms, similar to their yellow cousins, but do not find interested females throwing themselves at the group. Instead, the flightless females sit nestled within trees, bushes and general hidden foliage- and they flash back, indicating not only their interest in the males, but their locations as well. It is for this reason that you will often find the flashes of blue fireflies shining out from within the boughs of trees, as a swarm of males approaches in on females responding in kind, a kind of worldess communication through magical light. I personally find it to be one of the more beatiful sights in the world- love, lust, magic and the raw animalistic appeal of nature, all melding together into a wonderful display.

Unforuntately for the firefly, such an expression of magic and beauty is rarely sustainable for their frail, tiny bodies. Once a male starts their display, channeling what little mana they have within themselves, their life is already forefeit. The strain will slowly mount over the night until (generally right after finishing the throes of passion) they simply expend themselves, their lifeless corpses littering the grass. Their offspring will of course live on, the only remaining evidence of their dance through the night.

These corpses however do serve yet another purpose- the aforementioned alchemy. A dead firefly that has not had its abdomen ruptured will still contain the magically-imbuned chemicals used for their displays, and when in the hands of a skilled alchemist it can be put towards a multitude of purposes, the innate mana left over within being catalysed into a number of facsinating forms.

 

While this is not an alchemical textbook, and my own knowledge is severly limited in the subject, the most common and simple use of dead fireflies in alchemical arts seems to be the creation of magically imbuned "Torchlight Potions", vials of alchemical liquid that, when shaken, picks up on the mana within the envionment and glows brightly for a short period of time, far brighter than any flame-based torch could hope to achieve. While this is a very minor application of the mana within fireflies, it is commendable as the man-made emulation of a natural Magimal process- something I believe we could all better our lives from striving towards.

[Togetak]

Daemon Catalogue

II. Babline

 

Likely the most commonly seen Daemon on the entire continent, Babline are what most would call unassuming. Slow, rather immobile slime creatures that slide around inside the egg shells they were born into (and, my research suggests, perhaps are even physically attached to?) they are most commonly seen sitting in forest clearings, chittering and playing in small groups.

 

As any lumberjack or intrepid explorer could tell you, however, this meekness of stature ensures a very... interesting defense mechanism, in that they are inredibly easy to spook, and rely on being terrifically obnoxious in order to ward off predators and travellers alike. Unlike most Daemon which, while easy to startle, are not particularly fearful creatures, the humble Babline appears to be genuinely terrified by sharp movements and loud noises.

 

Babline packs will quickly turn-and violently- on anything that scares them, be it a genuine threat, or simply the crack of lighting, or a loud falling acorn. While barely a threat even to non-magi, their strategy seems to simply rely on scaring their attackers in turn, lashing out with earth and nature magic- specifically vine whips that can cause a nasty concussion should they hit their mark, and tossing boulders of not insignificant size. With a pack all working together, it can be difficult to engage with them with so much mana flying through the air, particularly from range.

 

This is not to say they're hardy warriors in any capacity. Babline are easily dispatched when their squishy bodies are targeted, scarcely being able to take two or three hits from an experienced warrior. While I rarely encourge direct attacks on Daemons and Magimals, as often running is far better for both parties, Babline are a special case- with how fragile they are, simply attacking back can often be enough to scatter the pack and force them away. This is particularly useful as spooked Babline will pelt you with boulders until you leave their sight, sometimes even chasing to ensure they can give you what for.

 

Cave Babeline - A subspecies?

 

 

Like the Swuisarme mentioned in an earlier passage, Babline appear to have their own cave-dwelling subspecies, living within the dank, fertile caves inhabited by the likes of the Granite Crellus. Much like the Swuisarme subspecies, the Babline too are of a far fiercer and more active breed than their surface dwelling cousins. Larger than their kin, gone is the muted fearfulness and sociable behavior, with a strange form of lone agrressiveness in its place- they will actively persue anyone within their territory, and violently so.

 

These creatures, too, have more violent abilities at their disposal, and are far more dangerous than usual. Summoning scattershot clouds of spores, much like the Granite Crellus, and even healing itself with the energies of the lifestream- abilities generally only native to masters of the natural arts. Although retaining the same weakness in their soft bodies, these creatures a more frightening breed, and I recommend staying far from their nests.

 

Bablory- an induced mutation.

 

 

Few are likely to have heard of this creature, let alone seen an example of one, for they are not of natural make. When exposed to large quantities of raw mana, the inherently magical nature of Daemon appears to allow them to, under certain circumstances, survive what would otherwise be a deadly irradiation of magic, and mutate their bodies to accomidate this quantity of raw power. It appears the success rate of this process is... not particulaly high, given how few of these creatures exist.

For the Babline, I have found only one place where such energies meet with a Babline population, deep within the caverns of the northern mines, where the Demons roam and spread their arcane corruption. The Bablory here are, obviously, not prime examples of their kind (if such a thing can even exist for such unnatural creatures?) due to the immense occult corruption of the area, and their bodies. These are a peverse creatures at the best of times, the result of wounds on the lifestream itself, and the occultic population I encountered is far worse.

 

These bloated, almost snail-like creatures- with their Babline egg shells overgrown, and overtaking the rest of their body- are relegated to a life of immobility, mutated form preventing them from movement on their own, leaving them stuck underneath the waterfalls of their underdark homes- perpetually doused in occult energies flowing through the tainted water. Whether their bodies can even naturally sustain this constant influx of mana for any particularly long period of time is something I doubt, but cannot particuarly observe.

 

You see, reader, the influx of mana makes these creatures terrifying examples of a beast innate to the magic it wields. They are masters of the earthen and natural arts, likely beyond most magi who would self profess themselves to be the same. When anything not another Bablory enters their visual range, they simply go rabid, casting an endless stream of impossibly powerful spells- Enough spores to cloud one's vision are unleashed into the area and the very earth shakes against you with their arcane might. Should you manage to land a hit on the monsters, no easy feat given their powers, they can simple rip energy from the lifestream and restore themselves as if nothing occured. 

 

Should some larger swath of damage hit them, such as the strike of multiple trained magi, they are capable of engaging in what is the most perverse action I have ever born witness to: Summoning the raw energies of the lifestream into a Yggdrasil spell, a tree of purifying energy, and twist it so far into the occult that it knits together their own wounds. In the hands of a powerful magi, such an ability may be used to heal the corruption that spawned them, but here.. their taint is so powerful they can corrupt it in turn.

 

Dear reader, in my life I have never encountered a creature- Magimal or Daemon alike- that I believe should be struck from the face of Eternia, and destroyed wherever they take root. Bablory are... well. Daemons twisted this way should not exist, the lifestream should be healed wherever they appear and, should they be corrupted in the way these Bablory were, they should not be permitted to suffer, or cause suffering, through their continued existence.

 

I advise that, should a Bablory corrupted such as those I had the displeasure to discover, you must convince your nearest capable group of Magi to root out the corruption that spawned them, and lay these once-noble creatures to rest.

[Togetak]

Daemon Catalogue

 

III. Lupin

 

 

Perhaps the most outwardly docile of all Daemon, even allowing careful Magi to come close enough to pet them (although, I would not advise actually doing so, they appear to have strict limits around physical contact), the Lupin is a uniquely interesting creature. Looking like a common rabbit, just stretched out into a pyramid, it's rather comedic shape holds a signficant hidden purpose- it makes the Lupin surprisingly aerodynamic. 

  

They are far faster than you would assume from their stubby legs and oversized bodies, propelled along with a unique combination of the sheer force of mass from their thick, pyramidal skulls, powerful leg muscles built up from carrying around their weight, and a hefty dose of elemental Air magic. Indeed, this is their first line of defence against attackers, literally hurling themselves against their opponent and hoping to trample them. They are incredibly difficult to dodge once engaged with, as their ears act as rudders, allowing their trajectory to be altered at a moments notice, an unsually nibmle trait amongst Daemon who prefer to charge against foes.

 

What is arguably most notable about the Lupin is their elemental core- the normally hidden magical center of a Daemon- being entierly exposed, jangling around atop the creature's pyramidal head. When pressed in combat, either by a ranged opponent or by one who seeks to escape and regroup, Lupin utilize this elemental core to dirrectly summon whirlwinds, although they're rather prone to misfire due to the floppy nature of the core's connection to their skull. Strangely for this unqiue feature, they appear to be no more or less magically adept than other Daemon, and I have seen no evidence that this external positioning of such a vital organ makes it more likely to come to harm (Even with their rather aggressive, close quarters form of preferred combat)- whether this is because Lupin who damage their core die too quickly to be observed, or because they possess some means to protect it, is something I have not managed to discover.

 

Rumors of mutation.

  

I have refrained from discussing this foreign rumour in prior parts of the Daemon catalogue, particularly because of how outlandish it is, but given the previous entry on Bablory I believe it relevant to discuss here- although, dear reader, you must remember that this is a far fetched idea and should be treated suspciously.

 

As some more intrepid readers may have heard before, rumours abound from foreign traders of "Daemon Taming" as a profession in certain subsets of the world, places where magic abounds and runesmiths create objects capable of binding Daemons into submission under mortal masters. While I condemn such a barbaric practice, should it even exist, most rumors speak of Lupin as the most commonly enslaved Daemon species for beginning "tamers" due to their commonality and docile nature (which, I believe, is all the more insidious?).

 

 If these rumors are to believed, through the mutual connection of mana between "tamer" and enslaved Daemon, the nature of the environment ensures both slowly grow in power over time, leading to spontaneous mutation of certain weaker species of Daemon unable to naturally endure this sharing of mana. While I assume this process must have lower mortality rates than the mutations I have born witness to here in Esshar, it is still inhumane at best.

 

Still, obviously, these two above facts are related- as it is said that the mutation of a Lupin into whatever grotesque form they become in order to shift the excess mana away from lethal doses is a rite of passage for a newcomer to the "taming" profession- which implies that Lupin would be capable of such a thing here, should any fount of mana intersect with their habitat. I say this as a warning more than a simple inconsequential fact- should one of these creatures be seen in Esshar, due to their surface dwelling nature, it would mean something terrible has afflicted the wilderness. While the rumor is vague and suspicious enough that I would not advise readers to keep constant vigilence out for this supposed mutation, I still advise you keep this passage in mind, should you ever encounter a creature that fits this description. To ignore it might be to ignore a sign of great peril upon the nation.

[Togetak]

Daemon Catalogue

IV. Magpawn

 

 

Magpawn are perhaps the strangest Daemon wandering this world of ours. Creatures with metallic, magnetic bodies that tend to congregate wherever ores are found (and, perhaps, not yet found) in notable quantities, they are common sights for those of mining dispositions, and often welcome ones for prospectors.

 

These Daemons are, to the best of my knowledge, born with innate powers of Lightning magic, however one of their strangest qualities has prevented me from confirming this- their incredibly durable bodies mean they are rarely faced with any kind of real threat, and are as passive as you would assume a creature such as that to be. Everything short of genuine violence (which I would never utilize against them for the sake of experimentation) simply resulted in the Magpawn encircling me curiously, apparently genuinely interested in my presence and enjoying the 'play' as they twirled and followed me whever I walked.
  
This strange, lovable behavior continued to the extremes in one case, as while the rest of the pack left as I began to descend the mountain, a single Magpawn followed me the entire way down, and even into the city itself! The entire way it simply floated along behind me, occassionally circling me with a gleam of joy in it's eye. While the townsfolk were, obviously, rather concerned, they were thankfully able to see the joy in the little creature's eye as it wandered along, enamoured by the new sights and sounds and left it alone.
 

Unfortunately, before I was able to think of a name for the creature and consider long term homing of it, I was accosted by a Knight of the Order. Acknowledging my explaination of the creature's passive nature, this Knight- a genuine, ranked member of the Order who claims himself to be a defender of the people, brutally executed the poor Daemon in the middle of town square, against my pleas and the wishes of the assembled parties. To the end, the Magpawn refused to strike back, simply trying to return to circle me (in what I assume was a plea for help) until the Knight's blade shattered it in half.

  
While I have strived to keep this journal non-political, concerned only with nature, such brutal violence against such a peaceful creature is.. shocking, to me. Nature is often violent, brutal, and dangerous- but none expect a supposed defender of the people to be so craven, so brutal, so consumed with blood-rage that they execute a harmless creature in the middle of town?
 
I weep not only for the death of such an innocent, curious creature that had placed it's faith in me, but also for the prospects lost through this action. Had the Magpawn lived, who knows what possibilities could've awaited? Perhaps we could have figured out how these Daemon could be domesticated, brought into the city to help our lives? Assisting blacksmiths in ensuring metallic purity, lightning mages in learning their abilities better, or even assisting in anti-counterfitting operations, by seperating fake coins from the real by their metallic properties.

Occult Corruption

   

 

These Magpawn are innundated with Occult energy, empowering them and driving them into a violent madness. Identifiably through their sickly purple glow, these creatures are already one step in the grave.

 

.Not a specific subspecies, as is the case with the cave dwelling Babline, these are simply normal Magpawn that have had the misfortune as to wander too close to an area corrupted by Occult energy. There is little unqiue about them, unlike their peaceful 'pure' counterparts they appear to be in a constant frenzy, striking out at anything not as seething with dark power as they are. They do not appear to breed, reproduce, or have any means of replenishing themselves beyond other hapless Magpawn meeting the same fate.
 
I advise any reader with the power and will to end their pain to do so, it is the only humane way to interact with them. Should they live, and wander closer to the corruption that has twisted them, a far worse fate awaits them.

 

Magpool- a most terrible mutation.

  

   

As is becoming a terrible, terrible trend as of late, the Magpawn too has a mutated form, created from mass exposure to raw mana- although, in the case of the Magpawn this is... far more terrifying than any other I have witnessed.

 

While the Bablory is simple a Babline forced to mutate, it's body contorted and bloated to accomidate all the occultic energy infused into it, the Magpool is a truly horrifying creature. Multiple Magpawn are so innundated with energy that their electric abilities to go haywire, shocking anything their bodies come into contact with and, far more seriously, cause themselves to become far more magnetic than a normal Magpawn, to the point they cannot resist their own magetic force, attaching to anything metallic around them without any control over their actions.

 

Should enough of these overloaded Magpawn be unfortunate to wander close to one another, rather than simply perishing to their overloaded state, they may become magnetized to one another, welding their (malleable, due to the sheer amount of mana rippling through them) bodies together into a single creature. These Magpool are monstrosities, an amalgum of multiple Magpawn minds that move together in a form of discordent harmony that is unnerving to watch. That is not to state that these monsters are not every bit as powerful as their imposing looks imply- they are perhaps the most powerful users of Lightning magic that I have ever witnessed, as their entire bodies become conduits and multipliers for the spells they cast, the force of multiple Daemon behind each strike.

  

Much like the Bablory, however, these creature's own malformed bodies are often their biggest enemy. The Magpool I encountered, in the most corrupt part of the northern mines, was so powerfully magnetic that it's own body was stuck to the ground, pulled towards some metals hidden deep within the earth with such force that it could not move. It is my utmost hope that the poor creature was newly formed and perished shortly after I left, as to live such a life for any extended period of time sounds akin to a torture of the highest order.

 

I have little advice for any reader that acounters such a creature, their magnetic body will strip you of any metallic weaponry or armor you hold and the thick layer of accumulated metals makes them nigh on impossible to strike down conventionally or otherwise. While I wish I could be of more assistance, these unnatural creatures are simply terrors beyond beleif, and there is little assistance I can give to strike them down, no matter how much the poor souls within it must yearn for such a release.

[Togetak]

Interlude: Exotic Creatures

In previous chapters I have spoken of Daemons and Magimals native to Esshar, creatures the layman is likely to encounter in some fashion, due to their habitats crossing over with that of our world. These creatures, I feel, are those most useful to know about, as their direct interaction with us means knowledge of their habits, how to avoid their ire and- perhaps- how to love them.

This, however, obviously means I have focused less on the more exotic beasts of the world. Those rare and illusive creatures that dwell far from society, deep within the earth, under the sea, or high above the mountains. Creatures few are likely to see and, perhaps, none have ever lived to see and write about before. These creatures, I believe, have their own magesty to them- beasts so rare as to be mythical, and likely never spoken of in most circles. 

In this interlude, and others like it, I will attempt to catalogue these strange and rare creatures as I personally encounter them, and relay them to my you, my dear reader, as best I can.

Oremadillo

(Image missing, due to the nature of my encounter)

A creature I have witnessed once, evidentally far out of the native habititat of their kin. Appearing rather similar to the mundane Armadillo, a rather exotic creature in it's own right, these beasts are around the height of a man, and wider than three. Most strikingly, beyond the impressive size of teeth, are the ores that adorn the creature's back- seemingly grown there, perhaps from their tunneling lifestyle? I could not tell if the creature had grown them by some organic means, the buildup from accumulated metals from digging, simply exuded through their skin, or perhaps it had intentionally grown them from an innate control of metal magic? I can give no conclusive answers, unfortunately.

Aggressive and predatory by nature, the creature I and my companions encountered was a violent beast, feasting upon human remains when we encountered it, deep into a hidden path under the earth. It appeared to use the ores upon its back as a means of a "trap", luring unwary miners right to the waiting maw. These Magimals are masters of earthen magic, shifting their tunnels through a combination of their earthshattering spells, and their giant tunneling claws. I sustained a very nasty wound from this creature, streams of sand slashing into my flesh so deeply as to keep the arcane particulartes circling in my blood for days afterwards (to a very significant amount of pain on my part).

I can do little but warn you, dear reader, should you ever find yourself far from the beaten path, deep in the earth, be suspicious of any bountiful ore outcrops you see, for you may end up with a fate far worse than mine.

Silverwall Basilisk

This creature is by far the most powerful Magimal I have ever encountered- likely even more powerful than the mutated Daemon could ever hope to be. As with the Oremadillo, I and my companions encountered only a single one- but this creature was almost the death of us. An innate master of ice and water magic, far beyond any Magi I have ever encountered (Indeed, I myself was travelling with one such Ice magi, who found himself nearly ineffective against the creature's sheer control of the element) these creatures are colossal lizards, scales coated with thick and wicked deadly spikes of ice.

The lair of this creature, an underground spring deep enough beneath the ground for heat to be thick in the air, showed it's true power over ice. It was enough not only to freeze the entire cavern- but to freeze all tunnels attached to it, through the half hour walk back to the surface.

In combat, it was far more ferocious than anything i'd ever encountered, outstripping not only my own admittantly lacking Nature Magic, but the other two acomplished Magi that accompanied me on the expedition. It required the three of us working in tandem to slay the beast using it's own environment against it- and even then, only just. Upon death the creature's flesh was entierly turned to ice, instantly melting as the temperature in the area returned to the natural order. Only a skull was left behind, kept frozen by arcane permafrost.

While I can give little information on the beast, having seen only one and only through the lense of combat, it's clear these creatures dwell deep under the earth, loners that drill out massive tunnels and feast upon the other creatures of the earth that come to dwell in them. This beast, too, I can offer little advice about, beyond a warning: Should you encounter ice in the depths, remember this beast, and turn back. You will not survive, should you attempt to fight it, and it is far too dangerous to simply observe from a distance.

We should think ourselves lucky these creatures are content to burrow down in the lowest recesses of the earth, or we'd all be living much more dangerous, and much colder, lives.

[Togetak]

The Osrona Imperial Quarry: An ecological study.

 

 

Dear reader, while prior chapters have focused on individual Daemons and Magimals, or grouped the esoteric together, this is a circumstance of particular note. The Osrona Imperial Quarry, as most in Esshar will know, is a long abandoned stone quarry located within the forests a fair walk out of Osrona proper- what most will not know, however, is that the imperial abandonment has left it within far stranger- and far less human- hands.

 

Perhaps even more interestingly, the new inhabitants of the mine have terraformed it into a far more diverse and delightfully unique shard of isolated ecology than you may assume from the drab exterior, one that webs together in a fascinating microcosm of the wider world.

 

Grodon- Natural Excavators.

 

 

To begin, we start with the most deceptively humble creature in the entire quarry ecosystem- the Grodon. Outwardly they, like the mine itself, seem rather unassuming- simply quadrapedial reptilian Daemon, covered in a thick stoney hide- but in reality, these creatures are rather the powerhouse of the ecosystem.

 

While I can find no real literature from time of operation referencing the Grodon's origin within the Quarry- strange, as this is the only place in Esshar I have seen the creatures- it is clear they were present for as long as the miners were, acting as pests and nuisences, greedily devouring the quarried stones and ores left unwatched. Whether they were simply always present in the area (unlikely, given their diet and seeming subterranian adaptations), accidentally transplanted through some means, or even accidentally unearthed along with the stone from the quarry- their role now is far different.

 

Such exposed stone and ore left behind by the open cut nature of the quarry ensures their population has ballooned since the abandoment of the quarry, becoming one of the most numerous creatures within the area. Traditionally dwelling within the crater itself, content to gnaw stone and ore from the sheer walls, they are rather more violent than their appearence suggests- incredibly territorial, and more than willing to unleash their mastery of earth magic against tresspassers- I would wager this alone has kept many intrepid explorers, or enterprising buisnessmen from reclaiming the mines, they hold a similarly important secondary purpose of exvacation.

 

While the miners have long gone, and the few magi that dare brave it in the modern era care little for anything but surface level excavations, the large number of Grodon have been responsible for much of the cavern expansion that has occured in recent years. Furthermore their digging, unlike the more mechanical excavations of the crown, does not simply etch stone from the earth- they upturn the soil, crumble rock to gravel and sand, tear up human paving, as well as providing an environment within the caverns far more conductive to the life that has reclaimed them. Truly, the Grodon are the backbone of the ecosystem and despite their drab, grumpy exterior- they do deserve a hearty bout of respect.

 

Leafat- Ecological Purifiers

 

 

A far cry from the rough exterior of the Grodon, Leafat are quite the opposite creature- less aggressive, far rounder, and quite a bit cuter. These tubby little Daemon hold a more niche, but similarly important role within the ecosystem.

 

The Leafat are life-attuned creatures, cheerful little bipeds that live in small right-knit groups, and use their abilities to tend towards the gardens they call home. Within the quarry-dwelling population, their nest is located around the single source of water in the area- an underground aquifer that the miners appear to have struck long ago. While you would assume this would have been a welcome respite for them, a surprise that alleviates the cost of transferring refreshments from the city, the severe cases of heavy metal poisining it caused in those who drank it would disagree. The high metal load within the earth, while normally a blessing, is a curse here as it leeches into the soil, and thus the water. While perfectly fine for a Grodon, very little else can survive on this.

 

As any intrepid reader may have assumed- this is why the Leafat is such an important part of the ecosystem. As the water flows from the stone, their plant gardens abosrb the metals from the water, diluting it to safe levels within their makeshift lagoon. From there, all other creatures within the quarry gain their hydration- sipping from the waters under the watchful eyes of the Leafat guardians. While the Grodon is the backbone of the ecosystem, I would call the Leafat the beating heart- spreading the sustaining life throughout.

 

Ghost Swuisame- Unique Pedators

 

 

I have written before in this bookk about the strange cave-dwelling Swuisame that are native to many corners of Esshar, and indeed the discovery of this Daemon have given me much to wonder about. Perhaps they are in a transitionary period, slowly adapting to become a creature such as this? Or perhaps this is a unique adaptation, to this environment? Regardless, the Ghost Swuisame is a fascinating case.

 

Similar in basic bodyplan to the traditional coastal Swuisame, the most striking detail about this subspecies (or, perhaps, related species?) is their completely clear outer layer of skin. Appearing as a writhing tube of muscle and bone until one looks closer, they are a particularly eerie beast to look upon- fitting, given their apex predator status within the ecosystem.

 

This brings us to their most unique detail which is, fascinatingly, their ability to completely dissapear from view. I have little idea of how this is achieved due to the (rather obvious) difficulty in observing the process. Perhaps they naturally produce a compound similar to the invisibility potion skilled alchemists can produce, or perhaps it is the same process through which their skin becomes transluscent.

 

Regardless of how they do so, they utilize this towards deadly ends. Inhabiting the one place in the entire quarry the non-Grodon inhabitants may feed- a cavern of mushrooms growing dully from the tilled soil- it is here they hide, cloaked by both their natural abilities and the eerie lights of the mushrooms, preparing to swarm and devour any creature who dares enter their domain unawary. Their importance, much like those of the other creatures, are twofold: Firstly, the bodies (or, in the case of daemon, leftover mana) of their prey decay into the soil, feeding the next generation of mushrooms. Secondly, it is their predation that keeps the ecosystem in balance, ensuring the mushrooms cannot be overharvested by the creatures of the quarry, allowing the creatures to continue living sustainably.

 

While I would not recommend getting too close, dear reader, I would advise any ecologist or naturalist in training to seek out these unique beasts- they are far too fascinating to hear about second hand.

 

Blazard- A notable exception.

 

 

While most creatures within the quarry I can easily understand the role of, the Blazard is unqiuely obtuse. These highly territorial creatures appear to dwell deeper in the earth, wandering out of the magma-filled tunnels to assume the throne, should a powerful magi (the only creatury truly capable of engaging with these beasts and their extremely powerful fire magic) strike them down.

 

These creatures seems to subsist entierly upon the flames that make up their body, planting themselves in the magma to raise their heat for sustainence. Their massive power means they happily slay any Grodon that attempts to tunnel deeper into the earth, as through their tunnel is the only way to do so, and acting as a deterrent to all but the most powerful magi invading the quarry.Beyond this, I saw little ecological purpose for them.

 

That is, until I noticed something peculiar about the magma- hunks of unmelted material, which sometimes integrated themselves into the body of the creature itself. Blue Mercury.

 

As a short aside on this metal- it is by far one of the rarest in Esshar, famed for magical malleability. While never particularly common at mineable quantity within the quarry itself, at least not as far as any records I could find indicated, it is visible in minute qualities across the entire area, tiny flecks of blue within the grey rocks and white sand.

 

You may, dear reader, see this as a strange tangent- of course, what does a rare metal have to do with Daemon ecology? I had thought the same myself, right until I witnessed a most peculiar sight: A small mob of Grodon collecting together, and venturing into the depths of the quarry. While not solitary creatures, such behavior was fascinatingly unique enough that I had to follow the beasts (from a safe distance, of course) and what I saw was quite a shock.

 

The Grodon mob, a collection of them ten-strong, began assaulting the Blazard within its own chamber, braying up a storm. While such a powerful creature was obviously undeterred by the assault of individual Grodon, their collective action was, after a number of their own casualties, enough to fell the beast.

They then began swarming the corpse.

 

While at the time I found this behavior shocking- carnivorous behavior wasn't particularly something I pinned in their nature- it was after they finished that I realized what had occured. They had been devouring the Blue Mercury from the flesh of the creature, leaving the rest to return to the earth as mana.

 

The remaining Grodon then, yet again, did something rather shocking to me: They began laying eggs. Small hunks of metal, clearly an alloy of a variety of those found in the mine, and a hefty chunk of Blue Mercury, buried in shallow pits at the very bottom of the mine. Each Grodon plopped half a dozen or so of the strange little capsules down, buried the lot, and then... just returned to their normal activities.

 

It seems as though the Blazards inadvertantly regulate the breeding of the quarry's Grodon, accumulating the metal they require to construct new young right up until the Grodon deem it fat enough with the Mercury to begin their violent, asexual reproductive practices. An absolutely wonderful sight! Truly there is much the Imperial Quarry can teach us, not only about the creatures living there, but how the world at large balances itself, and the complicated balance of beast and nature within.

 

[Togetak]

Interlude: Occultic Monstrosities

In all previous chapters I have endeavoured to give you, my dear reader, the most comprehensive look into the wilds of Esshar ever committed to paper. To this end I have scrambled everywhere from the wild jungles, the blaring deserts- from the highest mountain peaks, to the lowest depths of the earth. Throughout all this time, I have spoken from the purest love within my heart for each of these strange and wonderful beasts, I have followed and admired them with joy welling up deep within me.

 

With this passage, I cannot do the same.

 

Within the natural order, there is a certain cycle to things- the hare eats the grass, the wolf eats the hare, and (should another beast not eat the wolf in turn) it eventually returns to the soil and nourishes the hare’s meal. This applies not just to the most basal of mundane creature, but every creature- magimal, plant and even man (or woman! And those beyond).

 

The prefix of “natural” before order, as the keen eyes readers may have already gathered, does imply this is not universal. 

I have spoken before of the Daemon cruelly mutated by exposure to Occultic energies, but they are not the only beasts intertwined with such dark powers. Sentient practitioners of the Occult arts leech from the cycle I have just described, they devour the mana from others to prolong their lives and empower themselves, they hoard it and drain their surroundings dry.

 

While anyone with half a functioning mind knows such indulgences are inherently self destructive, both upon a personal level (You cannot exist as a creature of destruction to yourself and those around you and expect to maintain healthy relationships with others) and upon a physical level (as your own abilities are liable to tear yourself apart, let alone the nature in your surroundings)- there are still damnable fools who follow the dark calls, and endeavour to destroy themselves in such a way that will bring the most collateral damage possible.

 

To this end, we finally come to the beasts they burden our world with.

 

Banshees, Spirits, and creatures of Voodoo.

 

 

As one with the common sense not bring upon myself a guillotine of my own making, my knowledge of these creatures is particularly limited. These are creatures of undeath, souls (if, really, they can be called as such) torn from a place between worlds and given form by the sacrifice of others.

 

Sentient, in as much as a living force of nature can be, these beasts are born from Occultists striking a bargain with the creatures, before tearing them from their prisons and into the world of the living.

 

I have borne witness to only one of these creatures, although I have seen the destruction a number more have enacted upon the world. WIthin the town of Moonfall- a once thriving home of the Druidic arts, those with an appreciation of nature rivalling my own, fallen to an occultic rot from their own inaction- I witnessed a powerful occultist bring the creature into our world.

 

A ripple in reality itself proceeded the beast’s birth. First was a whirlpool of life ripped from human sacrifices, that grew in strength until it began to pull on the surroundings with the force of gale-wind, tearing plants and woodland creatures from their hiding spots and devouring what little essence they stored. When the beast drew close, scratching at the hole that had been ripped for it, it began to tear at the mana within the bodies of those around- non-magi were killed as their mana circuits were drained completely, while magi could do little but grip themselves and attempt to hold on.

 

When the monster had claimed itself enough power, the corpses of man and beast alike that littered the area knitted themselves together into sinew and flesh. The mana-rich bones of Moonfall’s ancestors were torn from the ground, integrated into the colossal beast, before it was finally complete.

 

In my life, I have never witnessed such evil as to summon this beast, nor the raw dark powers it possessed.

 

I have seen little more of the beast summoned before me that night. Like the weaker kin summoned before it, it tore through the countryside and killed all those who sat within its path, devoured like those present at its summoning. I hope, within the deepest parts of my being, that it has somehow died. That it has killed and eaten until- as is the fate of those who created it- it could withstand no more and tore itself apart.

 

Should you, dear reader, ever hear of such a creature being summoned… I can offer no true advice beyond cowardice. Abominations, they are creatures that should not be, and yet are empowered such that there are none who can stop them.

 

They are by nature temporary beasts, sustained only by the bloodshed and dark hearts that birthed them. They will tear apart anything before them, even turning on their own creators should the fancy strike them, before falling to pieces.

 

Still, there is hope. While occultic energy is inherently self destructive and temporary…even it cannot permanently destroy the nature order. While much of the energy torn away by these beasts, or the occultic wielders that create them, is lost forever- once removed, they can do no more harm, and the scars they leave will heal.

 

This is true for all Occult- whether it be a hulking beast, a wicked user, or even the energies within someone truly capable of healthy repentance, turning away from the dark powers.

 

Once peace is reached, natural beauty will always shine through.