Creature of the Week

Creature of the Week - Yeti

Artwork by: Noemi Konkoly

Ecology

Introduction - The Yeti reside mostly in the frozen caves of the high mountain ranges. However, they are also seen on the frozen tundras when food is most plentiful. Their actual origins are a mystery, leading to much speculation. Theories range from a sub-branch of evolution to experiments by mages to create a hearty warrior well suited for winter combat. Local villages celebrate the Yeti as a divine being, the spirit of the mountain given tangible form.

Physical Observations - Yeti are massive bipedal humanoids that stand between 7'6”-9” feet tall, and can live to be 20 years old. They weigh in at 200-400 pounds of dense muscle, with a protective fat deposit over their necks and vital organs. They are omnivorous, though they favor a diet of meat. They have short curving claws and long canines designed to grab and hold frozen flesh. They also use these natural weapons to cut through the thick fur and blubber of their prey. Their feet are larger than a man's, but they are much broader to distribute their weight over loose snow. Yeti have long white hair to protect them from the elements. Their blue skin has only been observed by survivors. They communicate with a series of whistles and growls. Locals claim that the sound of a shrill winter wind is actually a Yeti's scream.

Social Observations - Yeti typically live in tribes of 3-5 members and their young. Tribes work together in all aspects of life from hunting to rearing young. Extremely violent or cruel yeti are cast out. These loners are the ones most likely to attack settlements or camps unprovoked.

Behavioral Observations – Nocturnal and with excellent night vision, they have a rudimentary skill with tools. They sometimes use large stones as weapons and to smash bones for the marrow. Favoring stealth in hunting, they use their white hair to blend in with their surroundings.

Inter Species Observations - Yeti typically avoid human contact, unless desperate or provoked. On very rare occasion they are seen hunting together with large wolves. Most creatures are seen as a food source. Attempts to tame and domesticate the Yeti have met with disastrous results, including death and massive collateral damage. In attempts to breed them as battle-stock they were as likely to turn on their trainers as their targets. Owning a Yeti is largely outlawed in civilized regions, though they are occasionally used in illegal gladiator rings in the frozen regions.

Creature of the Week - Arunai

Artwork by: Loneanimator

Ecology

Introduction - Many who pass onto the next life leave the material plane behind never to

return again. The greatest heroes are rarely given a choice upon the time of their death to pass on to the next life or to act as guardians of the cosmos. Those who choose the path of the protector become the Arunai. Arunai often wander the world in forms common to the area fulfilling the desires of the forces of good. Arunai are very judgmental and irritated by evil beings and behavior such as greed, undead, etc.

Physical Observations - The Arunai have no defined appearance, although according to mythology, they are most likely to look like humans in their original forms, but in larger height. The Arunai are a shape-shifting race and can mold themselves into many shapes and sizes. It is commonly believed that their favored appearance is either a Tall Bipedal Eagle-like Avian, a bipedal Crocodile-looking Reptile or most commonly a Tall Humanoid.

Social Observations – It is believed that the first arunai, who were wholly celestial in nature, were sent to the earth to teach man and as such the oldest language in the world is derived from the arunai's own common tongue.

Behavioral Observations - Arunai are protectors and teachers who have watched man grow throughout all the ages of this world and continue to do so while they fend off extra dimensional evils.

Inter Species Observations -Arunai cannot be tamed, they serve their deities and work to protect the material realm from the unseen threats that hide on the outer reaches of the ethereal dimensions.

Creature of the Week - Adlet

Adlet
Art by Darius Molotokas

Ecology
Introduction
The adlet, also known as humanis lupus, is a part canid native to the wilderness and remote areas of the dynastic region surrounding Corolempierre. These creatures are believed to be the result of an ancestors botched curse that was cast upon a werewolf in mid transformation.

Physical Observations
Adlets appear as having the head and torso of humans with the legs and waste of a canine. They range in height with adult males growing in excess of six to eight feet tall and weighing in excess of 200 to 380 pounds. The Adlet has a howl similar to a wolf and communicate with others through a guttural growling language. Their average life span is about 15 to 25 years.

Social Observations
Adlets are a social creature the basic social unit consists of a mated pair accompanied by the pairs adult offspring the average pack consists of a family of 5-11 adlets; 1-2 adults, 3-6 juveniles, and 2-3 younglings or sometimes 2 or 3 such families with exceptionally large packs consisting of 42 adlets have been known to occur.

Behavioral Observations
Adlets are highly territorial and generally establish territories far larger than they require to survive in order to assure a steady supply of prey. Territory size depends on the amount of prey available and the age of the packs members. Adlets defend territories from others through a combination of scent marking, direct attacks, and howling. Adlets are monogamous with mated pairs usually remaining together for life. An alpha will usually wait alongside the pact to protect them and send out an Omega to test the power of any who cross into their territory. If the Omega is defeated then the Alpha along with various other members of the pack will attack together in a collective effort to defend their territory.

Inter Species Observations
Adlets cannot be tamed though some have been recorded to learn the common tongue and even communicate and interact with certain other species on very rare occasions. They're exceptionally crude, very ill mannered, and reflect their wild nature even in the most civilized societies which often leads to trouble.