Bestiary
beasts of the land, sea, & air
Alerion
coming soon
Boar
Alongside the deer, the wild boar is one of the most prominent animals in Vanaheim’s culture. It appears in art and writing from ages long ago as a symbol of courage, determination, and fertility, and it remains the subject of many folktales told in the present day. Though most of the people of Vanaheim have converted to INSERT-RELIGION, the boar is still regarded by many as a sacred animal because of its connection to the gods of antiquity.
Old legends tell of “spirit boars” dwelling deep in the White Forest – swine twice the size of their normal counterparts, which can grow to gargantuan proportions as it is. These spirits are the wise protectors of the forest, and they can speak in a tongue that all living things can understand.
Cloudeater
Though commonly referred to as “sky leviathans,” cloudeaters are not related to the leviathans of the sea. In fact, their kind isn’t related to fish at all. The cloudeater is a massive, whale-like beast with countless gossamer tendrils draping from its long body. In spite of its colossal size (The largest recorded specimen is 109 feet), it preys on the smallest of creatures: tiny, plankton-like organisms found drifting in the mana stream. In a sense, it’s like the whale of the open sky. The name “cloudeater” comes from the fact that the beast feeds by opening its great jaws and flies straight through clouds as if devouring them. In reality, it is gulping down mouthfuls of miniscule prey.
The cloudeater is the only living being that can ascend completely above the stream of mana that courses through the skies and into the aether. There the air is frigid; thus the cloud-eater is normally covered in a layer of ice. A white, frothy secretion protects its body from the cold and at the same time gives it a cloud-like appearance. However, when it descends into the mana stream and the lower regions of the sky, the ice melts and its coating of ooze dissipates, revealing a totally different creature: a magnificent, ethereal beast with shimmering hide and three iridescent eyes on either side of its great head.
With its long, diaphanous fins and graceful flight, the cloudeater may appear delicate, but it is in fact quite hardy. Though it is not known to be hostile towards people, it will defend itself if necessary. But for the most part it just drifts along, floating languidly through the clouds with its many wispy tendrils trailing behind.
Deer
coming soon
Devilfish
Often labeled as the scourge of the seas, devilfish include octopi, squid, and all other related cephalopods. Learned individuals will note that they are all different from one another in their own ways and that many are completely harmless, but most seamen regard them all tentacled terrors. Squid in particular are reviled, and stories of a monster squid called Kraken are spun by many a sailor on the coasts of Agenor. In Seikan, the devilfish are viewed in a much different light – mostly as an ingredient in fine cuisine.
Domovoi
coming soon
Dragon
coming soon
Drake
It might be tempting to call drakes miniature dragons, but nothing could be further from the truth. Cold-blooded and without the sentience of dragons, drakes are more closely related to common reptiles. They possess two strong hind legs and a pair of leathery wings that are better crafted for gliding than self-propelled flight. Some are able to breathe fire, but it is in such a small quantity that they’re regarded as pests rather than real menaces.
Elephant
coming soon
Gagana Bird
coming soon
Kirin
coming soon
Leviathan
coming soon
Lumi
coming soon
Moonfin
coming soon
Shi-Shi
coming soon
Wendigo
coming soon
Wyrm
coming soon
