The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage

[Holloween Interlude] Þe Eldritch Ymbok of Monstrous Kyndes

Þe Eldritch Ymbok of Monstrous Kyndes,
as Wryten by Aldwyn the Starwise

The Eldritch Book of Monstrous Kinds
as Written by Aldwyn the Starwise

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Preface to the Fifteenth Edition

To you who hold this tome, I bid fair fortune in your hunt. Þe Eldritch Ymbok of Monstrous Kyndes has been my life's work, a collection of knowledge acquired across seasons and scars, for the enlightenment of those who brave Alderdeorn’s darkest depths. I have walked many of those depths myself, charting realms where only shadows thrive, yet none darker than the beast I have come to know through study: fear itself.

Our continent, Alderdeorn, is richly threaded with ancient bloodlines, not just of men but of creatures as old as bone and iron. Monsters that were first born of night and legend live still, hidden or stalking, shaping our histories and haunting our lands. In Musha, my homeland, and across these many territories, we share in a bond with such beasts—a bond often sewn in blood. Hence, I have labored these many decades to gather lore for those who would protect hearth and kin.

Herein is found not only the flesh and bone of our monstrous foes but also their unseen spirits, their cunning, and their curses. My accounts detail the monstrous as much as the monstrous hunts those who dare confront it. Take heed: the creatures within these pages are not mere wild beasts, but kin to nightmares—many of them clever, some human-like in their wickedness. Each entry contains hard-earned truths, as much a shield to your mind as a blade for your hand.

I have reworked this fifteenth edition for monster hunters specifically, adding updated observations and methods of defense. Expect no embellishments nor poetic detours; where it is possible, I have cut directly to what you need to know.

Where you find ink, remember there was once blood.

Disclaimer on the Nature of This Work

To the reader, let it be clear: Þe Eldritch Ymbok of Monstrous Kyndes concerns itself only with monsters, those corrupted beings born of malignant mana, and not with magical beasts. There are creatures upon this earth, born naturally, that carry magic within their blood and bone. Unlike monsters, these beasts are true living beings, with natural habits, life cycles, and roles within their ecosystems. Such creatures are wondrous and diverse, creatures of both magic and nature, whose magic is a gift, not a curse.

If your interest lies in understanding magical beasts rather than monsters, I direct you to my other work, titled Þe Wyrd Bestiarie of Beastis and Kyndes with Naturall Magick. This text covers those animals that live among us and carry native magics of various kinds, whether for defense, sustenance, or subtlety. They are creatures worthy of respect and study, distinct from the vile constructions contained within these pages. Seek their knowledge there, and leave this tome to the monstrous.

May the stars guide you,

—Aldwyn the Starwise

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On the Nature of Monsters

To speak plainly: monsters are not creatures; they are curses given shape. They wear forms that mimic the living, bearing semblances of flesh, sinew, and bone, yet none of it is true. Monsters are nothing more than hollow vessels, hateful constructs forged by corrupted mana—raw energy steeped in malevolence and waste, coalesced into a warped parody of life.

Monsters appear where mana itself has soured and gathered in sickening density. By forces still poorly understood, this corrupted mana gathers and births what many call “monsters.” I have seen beasts shaped like men and fiends that crawl as if from nightmare, yet all share the same vile heart. The worst lie, however, is in how they appear alive. They do not breathe as we do, nor do they age, sicken, or die in any natural sense. They are constructs with no life cycle, no offspring, and no place in the world beyond ruin.

It is a fatal error to think of them as part of the earth’s design, or as wild beasts with which one might strike a truce. Nature herself rejects them, and monsters care for no kin or cycle—only hunger. As long as they linger in places ripe with corrupted mana, they persist unchanged, as if trapped in stasis. Should they stray into lands where mana is purer, they become ravenous, drawn like starved wolves to any glimmer of untainted energy.

Never be swayed by those foolish few who insist monsters may be “tamed.” They cannot be controlled, only temporarily sated. The ambitious fool who dabbles in such arts will find himself as mere fodder, another lost soul in their relentless hunger. Monsters know no loyalty, no bond, and, above all, no restraint.

It is said that after consuming enough purified mana, a monster may evolve, growing ever more cunning and fierce. With this evolution, corrupted creatures become vile factories, able to refine pure mana and turning their very nature into something more insatiable, their forms twisted anew, and their cunning sharpened to lethal levels.

Trust not the face they wear, whether it seems noble or docile. I have seen too many good folk fooled by masks of innocence, only to meet a wicked end. Know this, then, and keep it close: every monster, whatever its shape, is a predator, a bane upon this world. They are unfeeling, unnatural, and without exception, evil to the core.

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The Crawling Stalker

Height: Approximately 4 feet
Category: Stalker (Weakest Evolution)
Threat Level: Low, yet dangerous in groups
Known Abilities: Silent Aura, Vibration Sensing

The Crawling Stalker, first and weakest of its lineage, is a loathsome yet frail monster found lurking in lowlands, damp caves, and shadowed forests where corrupted mana thrives. These creatures are humanoid in shape but pale and gaunt, standing a meager four feet in height. Instead of a proper head, a nightmarish, gaping mouth extends from a stalk-like neck. While completely blind, the Crawling Stalker detects prey through subtle vibrations on the ground, navigating as well as any sighted predator despite its eyeless state.

The Crawling Stalker is rarely alone. It is known to hunt in packs, an advantage it uses ruthlessly. Though there is no clear understanding of how these creatures differentiate between prey and one another, they work with uncanny precision to encircle and overwhelm their targets. A lone Stalker is weak, vulnerable even to a pitchfork or crude blade. But a pack? That is another matter.

The Stalker has a unique, insidious magical ability known as the Silent Aura. This aura casts a shroud of absolute silence in a radius around the creature, making it impossible for any sound to be made or heard within this range. Neither the cracking of branches nor the cries of the wounded will break through, rendering communication and coordination among defenders nearly impossible. Magic users should be wary, for the Stalker can sense casters whose magic is sufficiently potent. This means that those requiring spoken incantations will be unable to cast once inside the aura, caught as surely as if they were bound.

Strategies for Defense:
While individually weak, Crawling Stalkers become a significant threat in numbers, swarming and overwhelming even experienced hunters if not approached with caution. It is highly recommended to eliminate them from a safe distance whenever possible, with careful accounting of their numbers before engaging. Should one find oneself forced to fight them up close, elevation is a potent ally; Crawling Stalkers are poor climbers and will struggle to reach targets on higher ground.

Though these creatures pose little threat to trained hunters, villagers have been known to best them with enthusiasm and a hoe or two. However, as with all monsters, heed this: Do not underestimate them. Many a tale ends with the ill-prepared assuming victory too soon. Safety lies not in the slaying, but in returning home unscathed.

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The Dreamweaver

Height: Approximately 7 feet
Category: Stalker (Final Evolution)
Threat Level: High, requiring experienced hunters
Known Abilities: Paralytic Saliva, Bleeding Curse, Silencing and Blinding Aura, Exceptional Speed

The Dreamweaver represents the final, grotesque evolution of the Crawling Stalker, transforming it from a mere pack hunter to a formidable abomination of corrupted mana. When a Crawling Stalker consumes sufficient mana, it turns on its own pack, devouring its companions in a brutal act of self-empowerment. This cannibalistic feast fuels the Dreamweaver’s emergence, as the creature grows from four to seven feet in height and takes on a monstrous new form. Its maw splits nearly halfway down its body in a vertical rift—a feature only possible in such a foul creature of magical corruption.

The Dreamweaver retains a humanoid structure, though with added, serpentine arms: one for every packmate it has devoured. Each of these long, twisted limbs ends in a sharp, sword-like bone protrusion capable of tearing through flesh with ease. As dangerous as these bone blades are, the creature’s abilities make it a nightmare for the unprepared. Few stalkers evolve to this stage, but those that do become deadly engines of death and silence.

Abilities and Dangers:

1. Paralytic Saliva: The Dreamweaver’s saliva is a thick, black fluid with potent paralytic effects. Even contact with skin can lead to numbing, while a bite can halt the heart. Never engage without a proper antidote, as a single bite may be fatal.
2. Bleeding Curse: Any wound inflicted by the Dreamweaver’s bone arms will bleed endlessly, a result of its unique bleeding curse. Only the death of the Dreamweaver itself or retreating beyond its aura can stop the bleeding. Hunters should ensure they carry equipment to counteract this effect, as wounds inflicted by the creature will otherwise prove lethal.
3. Aura of Silence and Blindness: Much like the Crawling Stalker, the Dreamweaver possesses an aura of silence, but with an added effect: blindness. Any who enter its range are struck blind and mute, unable to see or hear, trapped in a maddeningly still darkness. Hunters without specialized protection risk immediate disorientation, leaving them vulnerable to the creature’s attacks.
4. Speed: The Dreamweaver is exceptionally fast for its size, moving with a fluid, predatory grace that can catch even seasoned hunters off guard. Its swift, unpredictable movements make it difficult to pin down and extremely dangerous up close.

Recommended Equipment:

• Bleeding Ward: This specialized ward mitigates the effects of the Dreamweaver’s bleeding curse, ensuring that wounds inflicted by the creature can be staunched, even temporarily.
• Paralytic Poison Cure: A high-quality paralytic antidote is essential. This is no place to skimp; having a potent cure on hand may be the difference between life and death.
• Raionic Talisman: This talisman provides protection from a monster’s aura effects. Note, however, that against creatures as powerful as the Dreamweaver, the talisman may not always hold. Inspect its durability before any hunt involving this creature.

Best Tactics for Engagement:
Given the creature’s blindness, the Dreamweaver relies heavily on vibrations to locate prey. Hunters should set spiked pitfalls or traps to limit its movements and immobilize it as much as possible. Once restrained, focus on severing its arms, rendering it less capable of attack and reducing its endurance. Distance is your ally; minimize close contact and exploit its sensitivity to vibration to lead it into traps rather than direct confrontation.

Let it be said that Dreamweavers are monsters in every sense of the word, a nightmare born from the darkest sources of mana. Ensure a minimum of three trained hunters on every subjugation, for facing this creature alone is as close to a death wish as one can find. Remember: caution saves lives, and returning home intact is worth far more than reckless glory.

Safe hunts to you,

Aldwyn the Starwise

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The Quill Striker

Height: Approximately 5 feet (body)
Category: Avian Monster (Final Evolution)
Threat Level: Moderate, caution advised
Known Abilities: Feather Projectiles, Retaliatory Barrage

The Quill Striker represents the second and final evolution of the avian quill strikers, a peculiar species commonly found in the Mesha Highlands. Resembling a stork in body construction and size, the Quill Striker is further marked by its unsettling features, including the grotesque head of a spider perched atop a long, spindly neck. Its shimmering feathers gleam like gold in the sunlight, an alluring yet treacherous sight for the unwary.

The Quill Striker possesses a unique offensive capability: it can shoot its golden feathers with the precision and force of a warbow. This makes the creature a dangerous foe despite its relatively weak physical form. An attack from a Quill Striker is not merely a singular threat; if struck, the feathers will shoot out from the point of impact, creating a retaliatory barrage that can incapacitate anyone foolish enough to draw too close.

Abilities and Dangers:

1. Feather Projectiles: The Quill Striker’s feathers can be launched like arrows, piercing flesh and armor alike. The strength behind each feather makes them formidable weapons, and an unwitting target may find themselves on the receiving end of a devastating attack.
2. Retaliatory Barrage: When a feather embeds itself in a target, the Quill Striker will respond with a vicious barrage of feathers, turning its prey into a pincushion. This counterattack can overwhelm even seasoned hunters if they are not prepared.

Recommended Equipment:

• Durability-Enchanted Shield: A sturdy shield imbued with durability magic can absorb the impact of feather projectiles and provide vital protection to hunters during engagement.
• Bow or Crossbow with Piercing Enchantment: Utilize ranged weaponry enchanted for piercing capability. The feathers of the Quill Striker act as a natural armor, so a weapon that can penetrate this barrier is essential.
• Snare Traps or Netting: Equip snares or magical nets to ground this avian menace. Setting these traps around feeding areas can prevent the Quill Striker from taking flight, making it easier to deal with.

Best Tactics for Engagement:

1. Strike When Feeding: The Quill Striker is less vigilant while it is preoccupied with a meal. Use this opportunity to engage from a distance and aim for its wings first to limit its mobility.
2. Protect Ranged Personnel: Ensure that archers or crossbow users are shielded and supported during the attack, as the Quill Striker tends to target the closest threats first. Deploy distractions to draw its attention away from ranged hunters.
3. Loud Sounds and Flashes: Utilize noise and bright lights to disorient the creature, making it easier for hunters to land successful hits without immediate retaliation.
4. Use Lightning Magic: If the creature takes to the air, lightning magic can be effective in bringing it down. However, exercise caution; the Quill Striker is sensitive to mana signatures and will focus on casters as targets.
5. Maintain Distance: Direct melee combat with the Quill Striker is inadvisable. Keep your distance, utilize ranged attacks, and ensure that all hunters are prepared for the creature’s swift movements and counterattacks.

The Quill Striker is a fascinating, if perilous, creature that demonstrates the unpredictable nature of corrupted mana. Remain vigilant, employ smart tactics, and remember that safety in numbers—and distance—is your greatest ally in any hunt.

Safe hunts to you,
Aldwyn the Starwise

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The Thornmire

Height: Varies (can reach several feet)
Category: Ambush Monster
Threat Level: High when outside Chaos Lands
Known Abilities: Flexible Whip-Like Appendages, Camouflage

The Thornmire is a treacherous monster, varying greatly in size and often mistaken for ordinary brambles, bushes, or vines. While it may appear as an unassuming mass of plant life, it is an ambush predator capable of inflicting severe harm upon unwary hunters. Within the Chaos Lands, where corrupted mana saturates the environment, the Thornmire remains generally docile, moving at an exceedingly slow pace. However, the real danger emerges when this creature leaves its chaotic habitat in search of prey, where the thinning mana compels it to hunt.

Little is known about the Thornmire's life cycle or evolutions, as this monster appears to remain in a constant state of being. It possesses the frightening ability to create long whip-like appendages that mimic the appearance of branches or vines. Do not be deceived; despite their deceptive form, these appendages are not part of a living plant but rather a manifestation of monstrous magic.

The whips of the Thornmire are incredibly dangerous, capable of extending and flexing like a serpent. What may appear to be solid wood can move with surprising agility, while seemingly flimsy sections can be as hard as iron. The creature has been known to lash out with deadly accuracy, and those who have encountered its blue-steel-like strikes have met with fatal consequences.

Equipment:

• Iron Net: Thornmires display a distinct aversion to wrought iron. While their whip-like appendages can cut through most nets, they tend to avoid entangling themselves in iron traps. Deploying iron nets can restrict their movement and provide a tactical advantage.
• Fire Magic: Although the Thornmire is a monster and not a plant, it retains a vulnerability to fire. Fire magic can be particularly effective in damaging this creature and forcing it to reveal its true form.

Best Tactics for Engagement: While I have not personally engaged a Thornmire, I have gathered intelligence from reliable sources within the Jackrabbits Monster Hunter company. Here are the recommended tactics for subduing this deceptive foe:

1. Ensnare with Iron Nets: Begin by encircling the Thornmire with iron nets to restrict its movement. This tactic helps keep the creature from escaping and allows you to maintain control of the situation.
2. Use Fire to Burn: Once contained, employ fire magic to burn the Thornmire. The flames will elicit a furious response from the creature, forcing it into a state of rage. Be prepared for a fierce fight as the Thornmire reacts violently to the flames.
3. Sever Whip-Like Appendages: As the Thornmire becomes enraged, focus on continuously severing its whip-like appendages. This strategy will gradually weaken the creature and limit its capacity to lash out at hunters.
4. Repeat as Necessary: Depending on the Thornmire's size and vitality, it may take multiple nets and a sustained fire assault to bring it down. Do not underestimate its resilience, as this creature has proven capable of enduring considerable damage.

The Thornmire stands as a testament to the unpredictable nature of corrupted mana, merging the allure of nature with the inherent danger of monstrosity. Always remember that safety lies in vigilance and preparation.

Safe hunts to you,
Aldwyn the Starwise

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Section IV: Calamities of the Continent

Attention, brave hunters and defenders of the realm:

Beyond this point lies a compendium of the most dangerous and insidious monsters known to the continent of Alderdeorn. These creatures, referred to as Calamities, pose an existential threat to both individuals and entire settlements. Their mere presence is a herald of devastation, and they require the utmost vigilance and expertise to confront.

What Constitutes a Calamity?

Calamities are monsters of unprecedented power, born from concentrations of corrupted mana that warp their very essence into something monstrous and vile. Unlike lesser monsters, these beings exhibit unpredictable behaviors and formidable abilities that render them near-impossible to slay without a coordinated effort from skilled hunters.

Key Characteristics of Calamities:

• Unmatched Power: Calamities possess strength and magical prowess that far exceed that of ordinary monsters. Engaging them recklessly may lead to catastrophic consequences.
• Unknown Tactics: The methods necessary to combat these creatures may not be documented or even discovered. It is imperative that hunters proceed with caution and prepare for the unexpected.
• National Priority: The emergence of a Calamity in any region necessitates an immediate and organized response. The safety of communities rests on the swift action of capable monster hunting groups.

When a Calamity is spotted, the order to engage and eliminate the threat becomes a national priority. Failure to act promptly may result in the obliteration of entire villages and the loss of countless lives.

Guidance for Engaging Calamities:

1. Gather a Strong Team: Only the most experienced and powerful hunters should attempt to confront a Calamity. Ensure that your team is equipped with enchanted weapons and protective gear to withstand the creature's assaults.
2. Strategize: While exact tactics may remain unknown, collective knowledge from past encounters may provide insights. Be prepared to adapt quickly to the Calamity’s tactics as they unfold.
3. Assess the Environment: Understand the terrain and potential hazards surrounding the encounter. The environment can be both an ally and an adversary.
4. Communicate: Coordination is paramount. Establish clear lines of communication within your group to share observations and tactics in real-time.
5. Prioritize Survival: Always remember that the preservation of life takes precedence. If escape becomes necessary, prioritize retreat over confrontation.

With this understanding, you now delve into the grim realities of Calamities that plague our lands. Remain steadfast, courageous, and ever-watchful as you navigate the treacherous path ahead. The fate of our world may depend on your resolve.

Safe hunts to you,
Aldwyn the Starwise

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Jeweled Winged Monarch

Height: 20 feet
Category: Calamity
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Known Abilities: Summon Minions, Mesmerizing Gaze

Appearance:
The Jeweled Winged Monarch is a grotesque and imposing creature, towering at nearly 20 feet tall, with a wingspan that doubles its height. Its most striking feature is its massive wings, resembling intricate stained glass windows that shimmer with vibrant colors in the light. These wings, though breathtaking, are a deceptive beauty that lures those who gaze upon them into a false sense of awe. In stark contrast, the Monarch's body is a nightmarish fusion of insectoid and monstrous traits that invoke pure terror.

Its body is encased in a thick, hard exoskeleton, segmented and armored like a grotesque beetle, boasting a dark, metallic sheen. The surface of this exoskeleton is studded with clusters of bulbous eyes, each blinking independently, granting the creature an almost 360-degree field of vision. These eyes pulse with a malevolent glow that can mesmerize lesser beings, bending them to the Monarch's will.

Sprouting from its torso are numerous spindly arms, each ending in clawed, talon-like appendages capable of rending flesh and bone with ease. However, the most terrifying aspect of the Monarch is its multiple lamprey-like mouths, lined with concentric rings of razor-sharp teeth that constantly gnash and churn, ready to latch onto anything that ventures too close and drain it of life.

Abilities:
The Jeweled Winged Monarch possesses a unique and horrifying ability: it can attract other monsters to hunt for it. Through masterful manipulation of its mana, the Monarch enchants weaker creatures, drawing them in and compelling them to follow its will. These unwitting hunters act as protectors, allowing the Monarch to remain safely in the sky while they capture prey for it to consume with its voracious mouths.

Upon first emerging from its armored chrysalis form, the Monarch is grounded temporarily as its wings are not yet strong enough for flight. This period marks its most vulnerable state, necessitating an even greater reliance on its ability to control other monsters for protection. Once its wings fully develop, the Monarch becomes a terrifying aerial predator, gliding silently above the forest canopy while casting an eerie, colored light over the ground below.

The creature's capacity to attract hundreds, if not thousands, of monsters poses a dire threat, as it can summon massive hordes capable of decimating towns and cities. For this reason, it is imperative that the Jeweled Winged Monarch be killed as soon as it is located. If it successfully completes its metamorphosis and takes to the sky, conventional monster hunters alone will no longer suffice to bring it down. Evacuating the area is strongly recommended until military forces can be mobilized to confront this aerial nightmare.

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A Final Farewell

To the brave souls who continue the hunt,

As I sit here, with these final pages spread before me, I find myself in the quiet company of old memories, faces now gone, battles long fought, and victories that still warm this fading heart. I write to you, young hunters, with a purpose as steadfast as any sword or spell I've wielded against the dark. For these words, I hope, will arm you just as keenly as steel, to fend off the monsters that roam within and beyond.

Age has made me many things—a scholar, a storyteller, a man full of scars—and now, at the edge of the inevitable, I can say it has made me humble. For the terrors that I once believed I knew so well have taught me their final lesson: that courage is not found in facing them alone, but in doing so with others. As you take up arms, remember this: trust the hunter beside you, the one who watches your back. There is no magic more powerful, no spell more unbreakable, than the loyalty shared between companions bound by purpose.

To those of you carrying forth, remember that the monsters you face are reflections of the chaos and courage within us all. You may walk into darkness, but you do not walk alone. My journey here is ending, but your path stretches wide and promising. My last hope is that my words, my mistakes, and my small wisdom can guide you, keeping you from harm and helping you to endure.

May the stars light your way and strength fill your hearts, now and forever. This old hunter lays down his pen, but his spirit, his fight, will always walk with you.

Safe hunts to you all,
Aldwyn the Starwise

Page End