Legendary Creatures of Urth: Difference between revisions

''Ghosts'' in Aivintian folklore are the spirits of the restless dead, when proper burial rights are not observed. In the north they appear as either barely visible wispy shapes or completely invisible presences, howling in the dark winter nights and roaming their home towns, or else returning to a place they loved in life to try and grasp what they had in life. In the south, they are much more malicious, punishing those who wronged them in life and haunting old houses and buildings. Here, they are more often the spirits of the murdered, and appear more tangible, sometimes even appearing almost indistinguishable from the living. In the south they are depicted as having some limited form of telekinesis and telepathy, which they use to terrorize their victims, and in very rare cases limited pyrokinesis. Throughout Aivintis, legend says ghosts can be kept at bay by lighting candles in front of one's house, usually on the porch.

''Griffins'' are majestic hybrids that reside in the Spine mountain range, with the body, tail, and back legs of a lion; the head and wings of an eagle; eagle talons as their front feet. They are animalistic, but smarter than most animals. They are carnivores, hunters, in every old legend, and are sometimes said to be the guardian spirits of the mountains. Some tales speak of heroes befriending griffins as their mounts on epic quests, others speak of foolish mortals hunting them, and ending up as food. They are not as common as other legendary creatures, due to their secluded position, but aren't unknown by most Aivintians knowledgeable in folklore.

''Little Spirits'' are creatures found in the north of Aivintis, no taller than a human child, with the heads of foxes, hares, and owls, and the bodies of normal humans, with long fingernails and keen eyes. Small and nimble, the Little Spirits move through the forest quickly and quietly, living with the animals. They are usually depicted wearing assorted rags and furs, and flee upon being sighted. Aivintian legend paints the Little Spirits as omens of good luck and fortune, favoring kind travelers and lost children, which they bring home in some tales. The feeling of being watched is said to indicate good favor from the Little Spirits. Although they don't often appear directly in most stories, they sometimes leave offerings of berries and flowers at campsites.

''Werewolves'' are said to stalk the forests and mountains of Aivintis and Serdemia, hunting deer and swallowing rabbits in one bite. They transform under the full moon, but maintain heightened reflexes and senses even in their human form.

''Zzor Vampires'' appearing as pale humans, the Zzor appear much more feral and animalistic under candlelight. They have a weakness to wooden stakes and sunlight, but at night are known to have heightened speed, reflexes, senses, and regeneration. Unless killed by a wooden stake, sunlight, or a consecrated weapon, they are said to be immortal.