Legendary Creatures of Urth: Difference between revisions
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=== Banteay ===
''Banteayan Dragons'' are large serpentine creatures appearing in the folklore and written myths of Banteay. According to the creation myth, dragons were created by Anak Bangkeut in the beginning of the world to plant the first seeds of the Banteayan Jungle. They made their homes in this jungle, aiding the growth of plants and fashioning thrones for themselves as the Kings of the Jungle. After elves were created, Anak Bangkeut is said to have come to the dragons, explaining their reliance on the growth of plants to survive, tasked the dragons with flying in the clouds to bring rain for the elves. Dragons are depicted as having scales of all different shades of green. They have long, graceful wings, rounded at the end with veins in the semitransparent webbing, which gives them the appearance of leaves in sunlight. They have very long tails, which taper to a thin point and can be easily mistaken for a snake. Their eyes are a deep forest green, and show all their kindness and wisdom. They have short spines along their back, and their snouts are slightly curved downwards. Their curved horns are long and relatively thin. Qualitative measurements within the myths imply they are a little over twelve meters long and almost seven meters tall, with eleven meter wingspans. Some old stories suggest that, along with their power to bring rain, dragons have the power to command plants and make them grow. There are only five named dragons, all named after trees - Banyan, Durian, Kapok, Mangrove, and Tualang.
''Bonsamu Vampires'' are old mythical creatures described as hideous, terrifying beasts, bat-like monsters twice as large as a tiger, with large wings and a thirst for blood. They are said to reside in the mountains, drinking the blood from travelers and hunters who attempt to enter their territory. Like normal vampires, they are immortal, and burned by sunlight, but unlike normal vampires, they can shift forms at will when exposed to moonlight, allowing them to look exactly like a normal elf or show their true monstrous form. Some Bonsamu are said to have been exiled from their mountain tribe, which has very strict rules on when they are allowed to shift, and now roam the streets of large cities, feeding on whomever they please, usually in their sleep, and bringing terrible nightmares to the households they pass at night.
''Naga'' are legendary elfin serpents appearing in Banteayan hero myths. Naga are described as having a torso twice the size of a normal elf, covered in snake scales. Their ears are pointed like elves, but their eyes are a deep red. Below the torso, the rest of their body is a huge, coiled snake, sometimes as large as a jungle tree trunk. They have scaled arms, which they sometimes use to grip spears or strangle their victims. Naga are unique in that they are neither wholly good nor bad, and can appear as antagonists or helpful spirits depending on the myth. Most are said to dwell in oceans and rivers, but some appear in the jungle as well. Naga have a very strong venom which can paralyze ten tigers with one bite, and kill their enemies. There is a degree of sexual dimorphism, as males are depicted with cobra neck flaps that females do not have. The most famous Naga is a helpful spirit called Watches-From-Jungle-Trees, who appears as a jungle guide to many heroes.
== Gondwana ==
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=== Aivintis ===
''
The spirits of the unhonored, restless dead are fabled to roam the darkest nights of winter, kept at bay by the lighting of a candle on your front porch.▼
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.▼
''
The Griffins nest in the mountains of Aivintis, majestic lion-eagle hybrids that hunt are 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.▼
Werewolves and, in some cases, werebears, 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. ▼
''Little Spirits''
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Mostly in the north of Aivintis and the south of Serdemia, folklore speaks of little spirits in the forest, no taller than a human child, with the faces of foxes and hares, wearing assorted rags and gathering berries. The Little Spirits are said to be good omens, and sometimes leave offerings of berries and flowers to campsites.
''
▲Werewolves and, in some cases, werebears, 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.
▲The Griffins nest in the mountains of Aivintis, majestic lion-eagle hybrids that hunt are 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.
''
▲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.
▲The spirits of the unhonored, restless dead are fabled to roam the darkest nights of winter, kept at bay by the lighting of a candle on your front porch.
=== Oilean ===
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