| Here are a collection of notes on some of the most common creatures in the campaign area. |
| Here are a collection of notes on some of the most common creatures in the campaign area. |
AarakocraAarakocra are avian humanoids who live in the Serpentcoil mountains. They do not interact with humans often - usually the only time they are seen is when they carry off an Upper Valley farmer's cow or sheep.AnkhegA huge, burrowing, insectoid monster with a taste for fresh meat. Usually only found in low, flat lands.BasiliskA large, lizard-like creature that can petrify with a gaze. Not common in this area. Picture here.BeholderAlso known as an "eye tyrant", a beholder is a flying orb with a large central eye and dozens of smaller eyes on waving tentacles. These small eyes can shoot magical beams that cause great harm. Thankfully very rare in these lands. Picture here.BugbearBugbears are the largest (7' tall) and the strongest of the goblinkind. They live under the Serpentcoil mountains, emerging to raid periodically. Very violent and greedy, they prey on anything weaker than themselves. Picture here.CentaurWoodland beings with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse that shun the company of outsiders. There have been centaur sightings in the Northwoods in the Upper Valley. Picture here.DemonThe title demon describes a race of Outsiders from another plane. They come in many forms, all of which are twisted and misshapen by their perversity and wickedness. Picture here.DevilDevils are another race of Outsiders from another plane. They also come in many different shapes, though all have a gothic gargoyle look to them. Devils and demons hate each other and will seek to destroy each other above all else. Picture here.Dire AnimalsDire animals are larger, tougher, meaner versions of normal animals. They tend to have a feral, prehistoric look. Most of these animals live in wilderness areas such as the Fallen Lands or the Serpentcoil mountains.Displacer BeastThese creatures were once thought to be a type of great cat, but now it is realized they are unrelated magical beasts. Moving quickly on six legs, they use a pair of barbed tentacles sprouting from their back as weapons. They possess a powerful magical ability that causes them to appear a few feet away from their actual location. Picture here.DragonThere are many types of dragons.Black Dragons are found in swamps or jungles. Since there are few swamps near the Serpentcoil mountains, they are rarely seen in this region. Picture here. Blue Dragons are found to the south, in the Fallen Lands. They are said to rain lightning storms down upon their foes. Brass Dragons have been seen in the Westing Reach and seem to be aquatic. While they do not interact with humans often, they do seem to be friendly. Picture here. Gold Dragons are the mightiest of the dragons and are extremely rare. Legends usually refer to them as allies of the dwarves and friendly to humans and elves. Picture here. Green Dragons can be found in remote areas of the Silver Valley. They are greedy and evil creatures and their breath is poisonous. Picture here. Red Dragons lair in the Serpentcoil mountains and are the archenemies of the gold dragons. Vain, greedy, and destructive, they like to prey upon humans and elves. They can be powerful mages and especially enjoy fire magic. The huge red dragon Ashardalon once terrorized the Upper Valley long ago. Picture here. Silver Dragons are capable of changing their form into that of a human or elf. They are the most likely of all dragonkind to interact with humans and there are many tales of lone travelers being helped by a mysterious person who later turns out to have been a silver dragon in disguise. They have been seen in the northern Serpentcoil mountains. Picture here. White Dragons are the smallest of the true dragons. Usually found in very cold places, the snow-capped peaks in the Serpentcoil mountains are said to be home to a few. They are rumored to have magical powers over ice and wind. Picture here. Tales of other types of dragons exist - desert dragons, dragons that live deep under the earth, dragons with colors like gemstones, even dragons made of shadowstuff. Dragon TurtleThese creatures are huge turtle-like beasts that occasionally overturn sailing ships by surfacing underneath them.DrowThe drow are a race of subterranean elves whose skin is almost as black as their evil hearts. Legends tell of a great war between the elves long ago when they were driven underground for their evil ways. Picture here.DryadBeautiful nature spirits found deep in secluded woodlands. Stories tell of young men vanishing, taken captive by one of these creature's charms.DuergarSometimes called grey dwarves, these evil beings live deep underground. Most are bald and wear drab clothing. They have powerful magical abilities, able to become invisible and change their size at will. Picture here.ElementalAn elemental is the name given to any one of a class of creatures from another plane. Four types exist: fire, earth, air, and water. They come in all different sizes, but are usually encountered when summoned by a magic spell. Related to the elementals are the mephits. These small, impish creatures are sometimes summoned by spells as well.EttinEttins are two-headed giants from the Serpentcoil mountains. Some say they are related to orcs, but no one has gotten close enough to one to find out. Picture here.GargoyleSimilar in appearance to the winged stone variety, these vicious flying predators are sometimes used as guardians. Picture here.GenieSeveral types of genies exist.The efreet (singular efreeti) are genies from the fabled City of Brass on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Usually they are encountered after being summoned and bound to some purpose. The djinn (singular djinni) are genies from the Elemental Plane of Air. Usually much more friendly than the efreet. GhoulGhouls are undead creatures that haunt places of carnage, eating carrion and attacking the living. Their touch can paralyze victims.GhostThough some ghosts ignore the living, many are malevolent creatures that loathe and seek to destroy all life. Some ghosts can possess living bodies, while others can blast living beings with their gaze or touch. Somewhat related, though less powerful, are spectres.GiantSeveral races of giants exist in the Westing Reach area.Hill Giants resemble gigantic neanderthals. Their great strength makes them very good at bullying others around. They are the most common type of giants found in the Serpentcoil mountains, raiding the surrounding lands often. Picture here. Stone Giants are grey-skinned, bald, and even stronger than hill giants. Though they can be found in the Serpentcoil mountains, they do not interact with humans often. Fire Giants are huge brutes with an evil bent. These giants are rarely seen in the Serpentcoil mountains. They usually have sport bushy beards, have black or red skin and are heavily armored and armed. Frost Giants are brutal, destructive creatures with white or ivory skin and light blue or dirty blond hair. Typically found only far to the north, they once lived among the highest peaks of the Serpentcoil mountains. Picture here. Mountain Giants are one of the largest giants. Fortunately they are rarely seen in civilized lands, staying in the deep mountains for the most part. Picture here. Giant SpiderGiant spiders are often found in caves, ruins, or sometimes in deep, dark woods. They come in a variety of sizes, but most are poisonous. Giant specimens of a variety of creatures have been seen before - beetles, scorpions, snakes, lizards, even frogs.GnollGnolls are large, hyena-headed humanoids that prefer intelligent creatures for food, because they scream more. They travel in loose packs, wandering and raiding. A larger, more fierce variant with ice-blue fur can be found in the Serpentcoil mountains. Picture here.GoblinSmall humanoids that many consider little more than a nuisance. However, their large numbers and rapid reproduction make them a real threat to poorly defended towns in the area. They swarm in great numbers in the Serpentcoil mountains. Picture here.GolemGolems are magically created automatons of great power. Several varieties exist: stone, clay, iron, and the terrible flesh golem are the most common. Pictures here.GriffonA griffon is a majestic creature with the body of a lion but the head, wings, and front legs of an eagle. They lair in the Serpentcoil mountains and prey upon any horse they might see. Picture here.HarpyThese wretched creatures look like an old woman with the lower body, legs, and wings of a birdlike dinosuar. They have the ability to charm men with their song.HippogriffHippogriffs are aggressive flying creatures that combine features of horses and giant eagles. They hunt almost anything that moves.HobgoblinThese goblinkind are a larger, more agressive version of goblins and hold a special hatred for elves. They are much more disciplined than their cousins and sometimes serve as mercenaries to human armies. They are found in large numbers in the Serpentcoil mountains. Picture here.KoboldThese small, reptilian humanoids have cowardly and sadistic tendencies. Commonly found in mountains and woodlands, their great reproductive rate keeps the race alive. Picture here.Kuo-ToaAn ancient race of diabolical, fish-headed humanoids that live in deep subterranean seas.LichA lich is a powerful undead spellcaster. Tales tell of a lich in the Fallen Lands to the south. They often command large armies of undead servitors.LizardfolkLizardfolk are primitive reptilian humanoids not often seen in these lands. It is said that a tribe lives along a river down in the Fallen Lands.LycanthropeLycanthropes are humanoids that can transform themselves into animals or hybrid monsters. Several varieties of lycanthropes exist:Wererats are often found in urban areas, hiding among the normal citizens. Werewolves emerge at night to spread terror and bloodshed, especially on nights of the full moon. Picture here. ManticoreManticores are monsters in every sense of the word. They have heads of a vaguely humanoid beast, the body of a lion, and the wings of a dragon. The creature's back is set with curved barbs, and its long tail ends in a cluster of deadly spikes. They are cunning and evil, with keen, logical minds. Fortunately, they hide in wilderness areas and rarely venture into civilized lands. Picture here.Mind FlayerAlso known as the illithid, mind flayers are insidious humanoids with several long tentacles where a mouth normally is. Very uncommon in these lands, they are said to live deep below the earth. They are known to have strong mental powers. Picture here.MummyMummies are withered and dessicated corpses with features hidden beneath centuries-old funeral wrappings. They move with a slow, shambling gait and groan with the weight of the ages. They are often marked with the symbols of the dire gods they serve, and they give off a sharp, pungent odor. Picture here.NagaNagas are highly intelligent creatures with a variety of magical powers. Several types exist, but all have long, snakelike bodies covered with glistening scales and more or less human faces. Their eyes are bright and intelligent, burning with an almost hypnotic inner light. Picture here.OgreOgres are large, ugly, greedy humanoids (actually they are the smallest of the giants) that live by raiding and scavenging. Often found with mountain orcs, they are lazy and bad tempered. One type of ogre, the ogre mage, is capable of casting powerful spells and is much more intelligent than the normal mountain ogre. Picture here.OozeThe name ooze covers a variety of formless creatures that thrive in the sunless underdark and slimy ruins. One of the most fearsome examples is the gelatinous cube, a huge block of protoplasm that sweeps up debris and living matter as it moves about a dungeon. Picture here.OrcOrcs are aggressive humanoids that raid and pillage any creatures weaker than they. They inhabit the Fallen Lands to the south, where it is said their king lives in a citadel populated by thousands of orcs, an orcish city. Their hordes are kept at bay by solely the military might of Karlon Keep. Several varieties of orcs exist - while the orcs of the Fallen Lands dislike sunlight and try to avoid it, mountain orcs (from the Serpentcoil mountains) have no such weakness. The sea orcs are a hardy, seafaring race of orcs based along the shores of the Fallen Lands. Picture here.OwlbearOwlbears are vicious magically created crossbreeds. They combine the fierce nature and keen senses of an owl with the powerful body and claws of a black bear. Picture here.PerytonStories tell of hideous, winged creatures with the heads of stags that live deep within the Serpentcoil mountains. These creatures, perytons, feast upon the hearts of their still-living victims.RocOccasionally seen flying high above the Westing Reach, these birds of prey are almost too big to be believed. They have been known to carry off cattle and horses when hungry, one in each claw.SahuaginSahuagin, also known as sea devils, are vicious marine predators. They are green, scaly humanoids with large eyes and webbed feet and hands. They sometimes venture ashore on dark, moonless nights to raid villages, slaughtering the inhabitants and livestock and carrying them off. Sahuagin also attack ships that navigate too closely to their waters. Picture here.SalamanderSerpentine beings that glow with supernatural heat, these creatures dwell in metal cities on the Elemental Plane of Fire. Selfish and cruel, they love to torment others. Their ability to work metal while it's still in the fire makes them some of the best metalsmiths anywhere. A much rarer creature is the frost salamander, a six-legged reptilian creature found in extremely cold places.ShadowShadows are creatures of living darkness, natural enemies of all that live. No one knows from where they came, but they are often found near other undead, or in dark, haunted places.SphinxSeveral types of sphinx exist, but the most famous type is the gnyosphinx. They lair in remote, often desolate places and seek conversation with travelers. Unfortunately for the travelers, they often become the sphinx's next meal if their conversation is not witty and interesting. Picture here.SpriteThere are several types of sprites in the area, the most common of which are the nixies and pixies. Nixies are reclusive water faeries, dwelling in pristine ponds and streams. Pixies are merry pranksters who love to lead travelers astray, play tricks on misers, and tease anyone they come across. Though normally they hide very well, they look like miniature elves with gossamer wings. Picture here.StirgeStirges look like a cross between a bat and a giant mosquito. It has membranous bat wings, a short furry body, eight jointed legs that end in sharp pincers, and a needle-like proboscis that it uses to drink blood. They are weak individually, but in large numbers they can be very dangerous. Picture here.TroglodyteThese evil lizard-like humanoids are found only in the Serpentcoil mountains. They exude a strong stench that can weaken even the strongest heroes, and are very warlike and violent. Picture here.TrollTrolls are horrid carnivores that are thankfully rare in the area. Large, strong, and always hungry, these creatures have the ability to regenerate wounds at an amazing rate. Picture here.Umber HulkUmber hulks are massive, insectoid creatures that dwell deep beneath the earth. Ripping through rock as though it were light underbrush, they rampage continuously - leaving a wake of destruction. Looking something like a cross between a great ape and a beetle, they are covered by the plates of an armored carapace and have massive mandibles. Perhaps worst of all is their gaze, which has the ability to Picture here.VampireNocturnal predators that are evil in the extreme, these creatures out of legend are quite clever and intelligent. Not only do they feed on blood, but their mere touch can sap a living creature of its vitality. Its gaze can dominate a person's will, and they have powers over creatures of the night. Picture here.WightA powerful form of undead that can often be found in barrow mounds or catacombs. Their twisted bodies are quite powerful in undeath and their touch can drain vitality.Winter WolfThese creatures resemble huge, white wolves with icy blue eyes. They are found only in the deep Serpentcoil mountains, but sometimes come out of the mountains to hunt during a deep winter storm. They are rumored to be able to breath ice storms upon their foes.A smaller relative, the worg, is much more common. They resemble dire wolves, but they have the spark of intelligence, and are thoroughly evil. Picture here. WraithWraiths are incorporeal creatures similar to shadows, only more powerful. Fortunately, they are also rare in the area. Picture here.WyvernA distant cousin to the dragon, the wyvern is a huge flying lizard with a poisonous stinger in its tail. They are known to roost in the Serpentcoil mountains. Unlike dragons, they are not intelligent enough to speak. Picture here.Yuan-tiThe yuan-ti are terrible snake-people rumored to live to the south. Some appear almost human, though most are disgusting snake-human hybrids. Picture here. |
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