Legendary Creatures of Urth: Difference between revisions
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=== Serdemia ===
''Dragons'' are as rare in Serdemic mythology as in Aivintian mythology. Tundris, a dragon with the features of a snowy owl, such as its feathers, beak, eyes, and face shape, appears as a sacred guardian spirit in the Children of the Spine mountains between Aivintis and Serdemia. Tundris serves as a wise mentor to various heroes, but is not as prevalent as in Aivintis. The Devouring Storm is a dragon myth localized around Nisava, and tells of a dragon made of storm clouds, who brings heavy rain and destructive lightning to the land, bringing life and death in equal measure. Karo Vadas, the black Aivintian dragon as large as a mountain, appears in Serdemic myth as well, notably in the myth in which he conquers Serdemia for Emperor Lerasi, laying waste to the Serdemic armies. Karo Vadas rarely appears in his human form in Serdemia, but in older myths he is depicted patrolling the skies of Serdemia on behalf of the Emperor. Karo Vadas myths become less and less common over the years as the influence of Lerasia fades.
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''Vedma'', or ''Witches'',
''Vukodlaks'', or ''Werewolves'' are humans cursed to transform into half-wolf monsters under the full moon, appearing in many legends and folk tales in southern Serdemia, close to the border of Aivintis, where they originate. They stalk the Children of the Spine mountain forests, hunting deer and other forest animals, never smaller than foxes, which they can devour in one bite. Some Werewolves, who cannot escape into the wild before they transform, end up hunting other humans. Even in their human form, they maintain heightened reflexes and senses, and sometimes unnatural strength. Some werewolves are different from others, and thus the degree of control one has over oneself in the werewolf form varies from story to story.
''Zzor Vampires'' are monsters that appear as pale humans, usually with a worn, haggard expression and unnaturally long teeth. However, when exposed to candlelight, they appear much more feral and animalistic, to a horrifying extreme. Zzor Vampires have a well documented weakness to wooden stakes and sunlight, but at night are known to have heightened strength, speed, reflexes, senses, and regeneration. Unless killed by a wooden stake, sunlight, or a consecrated weapon, they are said to be immortal, unaging and highly resistant to conventional weaponry. In one tale, it is suggested that being starved of blood can also kill a vampire. Poison and disease cannot touch them, but they are repelled by wild garlic, and injured when trying to cross a salt line. Most have the power to compel mortals to do as they say, but more powerful vampires have the ability to levitate and use telekinesis, and some even more obscure tales tell of Zzor Vampires who are completely undying, maintain their powers during the day, and can even turn into bats or a cloud of mist. Zzor are created through an unholy blood pact with an existing Zzor, making use of rare ingredients and a dozen sacrifices, and Zzor that are created during a blood moon have the ability to practice blood magic, which converts the blood they consume into magical energy which they can use to cast spells and strengthen their existing powers. Powerful blood magic can even temporarily protect vampires from sunlight.
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