Thanatosphinx

“If you can’t die yourself, how in the hell you gonna kill somebody else?”

—Ruh Qalb, Sickening Thanatosphinx

When a lesser sphinx unveils a previously unknown secret of the cosmos, it undergoes an extraordinary transformation, ascending to a higher state of being in the form of a chronosphinx*. Better attuned to the flow of time than their peers, these sphinxes do not age in the conventional sense, and dedicate their endless lives to bettering their knowledge, growing wiser and more powerful in the process. Those that become consumed by arrogance and abandon their studies, however, are bound to ultimately forget the mystery they once uncovered, becoming a thanatosphinx in the process, a fate considered worse than death.

Cosmic Punishment. By losing its cosmic revelation, a chronosphinx forfeits its control over time. Temporal fields accelerate vertiginously around it, causing its flesh to rot and bones to crumble under the unrelenting passage of the ages. Then, as its soul is about to depart from its mortal coil, time rewinds itself, forcing it to relive the same excruciating process over and over again, never able to find peace in its demise.

Undying Seekers. Shunned by their peers, thanatosphinxes spend their undeath in exile, hiding away in the ruins of their former lairs. Many thanatosphinxes theorise that recovering their secret is the key to reclaiming their previous existence, and will go to great lengths to achieve this goal: working under liches, bargaining with necromancers, or even patronising warlocks whom they send in search of the lost knowledge. Those that accept their fate, on the other hand, grow bitter and spiteful, lashing out like caged animals at anything that comes too close.

*See Cradle of the Chronowyrm for more information on chronosphinxes!

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These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Thanatosphinx

“If you can’t die yourself, how in the hell you gonna kill somebody else?”

—Ruh Qalb, Sickening Thanatosphinx

When a lesser sphinx unveils a previously unknown secret of the cosmos, it undergoes an extraordinary transformation, ascending to a higher state of being in the form of a chronosphinx*. Better attuned to the flow of time than their peers, these sphinxes do not age in the conventional sense, and dedicate their endless lives to bettering their knowledge, growing wiser and more powerful in the process. Those that become consumed by arrogance and abandon their studies, however, are bound to ultimately forget the mystery they once uncovered, becoming a thanatosphinx in the process, a fate considered worse than death.

Cosmic Punishment. By losing its cosmic revelation, a chronosphinx forfeits its control over time. Temporal fields accelerate vertiginously around it, causing its flesh to rot and bones to crumble under the unrelenting passage of the ages. Then, as its soul is about to depart from its mortal coil, time rewinds itself, forcing it to relive the same excruciating process over and over again, never able to find peace in its demise.

Undying Seekers. Shunned by their peers, thanatosphinxes spend their undeath in exile, hiding away in the ruins of their former lairs. Many thanatosphinxes theorise that recovering their secret is the key to reclaiming their previous existence, and will go to great lengths to achieve this goal: working under liches, bargaining with necromancers, or even patronising warlocks whom they send in search of the lost knowledge. Those that accept their fate, on the other hand, grow bitter and spiteful, lashing out like caged animals at anything that comes too close.

*See Cradle of the Chronowyrm for more information on chronosphinxes!

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Thanatosphinx

“If you can’t die yourself, how in the hell you gonna kill somebody else?”

—Ruh Qalb, Sickening Thanatosphinx

When a lesser sphinx unveils a previously unknown secret of the cosmos, it undergoes an extraordinary transformation, ascending to a higher state of being in the form of a chronosphinx*. Better attuned to the flow of time than their peers, these sphinxes do not age in the conventional sense, and dedicate their endless lives to bettering their knowledge, growing wiser and more powerful in the process. Those that become consumed by arrogance and abandon their studies, however, are bound to ultimately forget the mystery they once uncovered, becoming a thanatosphinx in the process, a fate considered worse than death.

Cosmic Punishment. By losing its cosmic revelation, a chronosphinx forfeits its control over time. Temporal fields accelerate vertiginously around it, causing its flesh to rot and bones to crumble under the unrelenting passage of the ages. Then, as its soul is about to depart from its mortal coil, time rewinds itself, forcing it to relive the same excruciating process over and over again, never able to find peace in its demise.

Undying Seekers. Shunned by their peers, thanatosphinxes spend their undeath in exile, hiding away in the ruins of their former lairs. Many thanatosphinxes theorise that recovering their secret is the key to reclaiming their previous existence, and will go to great lengths to achieve this goal: working under liches, bargaining with necromancers, or even patronising warlocks whom they send in search of the lost knowledge. Those that accept their fate, on the other hand, grow bitter and spiteful, lashing out like caged animals at anything that comes too close.

*See Cradle of the Chronowyrm for more information on chronosphinxes!

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Osteolisk

“WHAT. IS SO CRAZY. ABOUT WANTING YOUR BONES?”

—Brendan Bleem Mulling, Bone Collector

When competition from xorn and other subterranean rock munchers becomes too much for the common basilisk, it may be driven from its lair and onto the surface, where it must choose between adapting… or starving. The most tenacious ones learn to supplement their mineral-based diets with carrion, eventually becoming exclusive carnivores. This triggers an arcanophysiological change that renders them larger, more agile, and able to fashion the bones of their meals into plated armour—a habit that has earned them the name of “osteolisks”, courtesy of the Borderless Union of Magizoological Sciences.

Hypnotic Sight. Favouring feasts of flesh over stone, osteolisks gradually cease to rely on their petrifying gaze, causing it to atrophy into a minor hypnotic glare. These bone-wearing predators employ this new ability to knock their prey unconscious at the earliest opportunity, thus avoiding a tiresome fight or chase. Once incapacitated, the victim is dragged back to the creature’s den, where it’s consumed, still alive, down to the bone. 

Bone Collectors. Just as a basilisk's domain is decorated with the petrified remains of previous exploits, an osteolisk's den is easily identifiable by the treasury of bones that adorn its walls, floors, and ceilings. This grisly trove is equal parts an armoury upon which the osteolisk relies whenever it needs to refresh its protection and a grand trophy display that it maintains with care and diligence. Superstitious travellers are known to carry the bones of exotic animals when travelling through osteolisk territory, hoping that these offerings will sate the creature’s powerful compulsion to expand its skeletal collection.

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Osteolisk

“WHAT. IS SO CRAZY. ABOUT WANTING YOUR BONES?”

—Brendan Bleem Mulling, Bone Collector  

When competition from xorn and other subterranean rock munchers becomes too much for the common basilisk, it may be driven from its lair and onto the surface, where it must choose between adapting… or starving. The most tenacious ones learn to supplement their mineral-based diets with carrion, eventually becoming exclusive carnivores. This triggers an arcanophysiological change that renders them larger, more agile, and able to fashion the bones of their meals into plated armour—a habit that has earned them the name of “osteolisks”, courtesy of the Borderless Union of Magizoological Sciences.

Hypnotic Sight. Favouring feasts of flesh over stone, osteolisks gradually cease to rely on their petrifying gaze, causing it to atrophy into a minor hypnotic glare. These bone-wearing predators employ this new ability to knock their prey unconscious at the earliest opportunity, thus avoiding a tiresome fight or chase. Once incapacitated, the victim is dragged back to the creature’s den, where it’s consumed, still alive, down to the bone. 

Bone Collectors. Just as a basilisk's domain is decorated with the petrified remains of previous exploits, an osteolisk's den is easily identifiable by the treasury of bones that adorn its walls, floors, and ceilings. This grisly trove is equal parts an armoury upon which the osteolisk relies whenever it needs to refresh its protection and a grand trophy display that it maintains with care and diligence. Superstitious travellers are known to carry the bones of exotic animals when travelling through osteolisk territory, hoping that these offerings will sate the creature’s powerful compulsion to expand its skeletal collection.

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

Malachite Fang

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Hidden deep within the heart of the Devil’s Grove, the Malachite Fang patiently waits for the arrival of the Malachite Wyrm, a baleful god of plague and disease they ardently worship. Its arrival, they believe, will be heralded by a cloud of noxious miasma, bringing with it choking death to the impure and the unfaithful. The Malachite Fang thus spend their days in preparation for the prophesied reckoning, building their resistance to a host of different poisons in hopes of surviving the apocalypse.

Mythridatism. Through the ritualistic consumption of poisonous substances, members of the Malachite Fang acclimate their bodies to the presence of toxins, even learning to draw strength from them. Neophytes of the cult undergo a series of grueling initiation rituals, such as licking the back of a poisonous spearfrog, or extracting and imbibing the venom of a deadly rootsnake. Few survive these brutal trials, but those who do find themselves sharper, swifter, and stronger while poison courses through their veins.

Greenscales. Sects of the Malachite Fang commonly join forces with green dragons, seeing them as living embodiments of their dormant god. Deceitful by nature, the draconic despots weaponise the cult’s misguided faith and corrupt their beliefs, turning them into pawns in their elaborate schemes. These splinter groups are known by the rest of the faith as “greenscales”—a profoundly derogatory term generally punctuated by spitting on the ground in disgust.

Malachite Bonecrusher

Battle hardened warriors and hardcore enthusiasts of the pungent Amanita rotgut, bonecrushers are the first—and often last—devotees of the Malachite Fang an intruder has the displeasure to meet. With a diet consisting primarily of poisonous mushrooms and rotten fruit, their physiology has adapted to the ingested toxins, leading to rapid muscle growth and temporarily numbing them to pain while poison flows through their bloodstream. Side effects of such practices include nausea, vomiting, sweating, headaches, stomach aches, and, worst of all, an absolutely fetid breath.

Malachite Plaguespreader

Ranking amongst the most fanatical members of the Malachite Fang, plaguespreaders are as wise as they are completely insane. They consume vast quantities of Psilocybin kwikitrippiae—a psychoactive fungus known for its hallucinogenic properties—in an attempt to commune with the great Malachite Wyrm, though rarely does the practice yield meaningful results. Prolonged consumption of these mushrooms has enhanced their sensitivity to the arcane, which continues to expand in power as the toxins accumulate in their system.

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Malachite Fang

>

Hidden deep within the heart of the Devil’s Grove, the Malachite Fang patiently waits for the arrival of the Malachite Wyrm, a baleful god of plague and disease they ardently worship. Its arrival, they believe, will be heralded by a cloud of noxious miasma, bringing with it choking death to the impure and the unfaithful. The Malachite Fang thus spend their days in preparation for the prophesied reckoning, building their resistance to a host of different poisons in hopes of surviving the apocalypse.

Mythridatism. Through the ritualistic consumption of poisonous substances, members of the Malachite Fang acclimate their bodies to the presence of toxins, even learning to draw strength from them. Neophytes of the cult undergo a series of grueling initiation rituals, such as licking the back of a poisonous spearfrog, or extracting and imbibing the venom of a deadly rootsnake. Few survive these brutal trials, but those who do find themselves sharper, swifter, and stronger while poison courses through their veins.

Greenscales. Sects of the Malachite Fang commonly join forces with green dragons, seeing them as living embodiments of their dormant god. Deceitful by nature, the draconic despots weaponise the cult’s misguided faith and corrupt their beliefs, turning them into pawns in their elaborate schemes. These splinter groups are known by the rest of the faith as “greenscales”—a profoundly derogatory term generally punctuated by spitting on the ground in disgust.

Malachite Bonecrusher

Battle hardened warriors and hardcore enthusiasts of the pungent Amanita rotgut, bonecrushers are the first—and often last—devotees of the Malachite Fang an intruder has the displeasure to meet. With a diet consisting primarily of poisonous mushrooms and rotten fruit, their physiology has adapted to the ingested toxins, leading to rapid muscle growth and temporarily numbing them to pain while poison flows through their bloodstream. Side effects of such practices include nausea, vomiting, sweating, headaches, stomach aches, and, worst of all, an absolutely fetid breath.

Malachite Plaguespreader

Ranking amongst the most fanatical members of the Malachite Fang, plaguespreaders are as wise as they are completely insane. They consume vast quantities of Psilocybin kwikitrippiae—a psychoactive fungus known for its hallucinogenic properties—in an attempt to commune with the great Malachite Wyrm, though rarely does the practice yield meaningful results. Prolonged consumption of these mushrooms has enhanced their sensitivity to the arcane, which continues to expand in power as the toxins accumulate in their system.

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

Hài Dragon

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Few creatures across the planes boast appetites as voracious as those of hài dragons, who are renowned for devoting most of their time to sampling a great variety of foods, in even greater quantities. This quality would make most creatures unwanted guests, but not so for hài dragons. Their manners are impeccable and they bring bounteous luck wherever they go—to feed one is to invite prosperity in return.

Twelfth to Cross. The pig was eager to ascend after hearing Yu Ling’s melodies. It set out early with the rest of the beasts, but was soon waylaid by many irresistible opportunities, each too important, too delectable to ignore. First was a patch of delicious mushrooms just off the road. Then a kindly cook with far too many dumplings. Naught but a mile later, a full pot of soup sat abandoned at a campsite. Had the pig not shown up in the nick of time, all that food would’ve been completely wasted! And, of course, each meal merited a quick nap to rest and digest. So it went all the way to the river bank.

Full and jovial, the pig bobbed across the river, one year after the final note had been played. With the lingering melody echoing in its mind, the pig practically rolled itself through the gate, the closing portal pushing it through as it shut. Freshly ascended, the first hài dragon set out to find all the tasty novelties its mortal form had missed.

Beast of Feasts. With each festival, many villages across the realms lay out magnificent feasts in the hopes of attracting a hài dragon to attend, bringing good fortune with it. Invitations are sent to the dragons, but every child knows that only the most deliciously decked table will draw in the coveted guests, and towns pride themselves on receiving the good luck of hài dragons year after year. Unbeknownst to their hosts, most hài dragons accept as many invitations as possible, claiming to be “full” (an impossibility for their kind) after a couple courses at each before moving on to the next. Some dragons visit up to twelve different villages over the course of a holiday, enjoying the novelty and signature dishes of each.

---------------------------------------

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Hài Dragon

>

Few creatures across the planes boast appetites as voracious as those of hài dragons, who are renowned for devoting most of their time to sampling a great variety of foods, in even greater quantities. This quality would make most creatures unwanted guests, but not so for hài dragons. Their manners are impeccable and they bring bounteous luck wherever they go—to feed one is to invite prosperity in return.

Twelfth to Cross. The pig was eager to ascend after hearing Yu Ling’s melodies. It set out early with the rest of the beasts, but was soon waylaid by many irresistible opportunities, each too important, too delectable to ignore. First was a patch of delicious mushrooms just off the road. Then a kindly cook with far too many dumplings. Naught but a mile later, a full pot of soup sat abandoned at a campsite. Had the pig not shown up in the nick of time, all that food would’ve been completely wasted! And, of course, each meal merited a quick nap to rest and digest. So it went all the way to the river bank.

Full and jovial, the pig bobbed across the river, one year after the final note had been played. With the lingering melody echoing in its mind, the pig practically rolled itself through the gate, the closing portal pushing it through as it shut. Freshly ascended, the first hài dragon set out to find all the tasty novelties its mortal form had missed.

Beast of Feasts. With each festival, many villages across the realms lay out magnificent feasts in the hopes of attracting a hài dragon to attend, bringing good fortune with it. Invitations are sent to the dragons, but every child knows that only the most deliciously decked table will draw in the coveted guests, and towns pride themselves on receiving the good luck of hài dragons year after year. Unbeknownst to their hosts, most hài dragons accept as many invitations as possible, claiming to be “full” (an impossibility for their kind) after a couple courses at each before moving on to the next. Some dragons visit up to twelve different villages over the course of a holiday, enjoying the novelty and signature dishes of each.

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Xū Dragon

>

Xū dragons are fiercely loyal to those who show them kindness and respect, especially in their youth. They’re incredibly gentle to all they meet right up until the moment someone they love is threatened, at which point they bare their fangs, ready to do whatever it takes to defend their own. Warriors and emperors alike have fallen to the bite of a xū dragon defending its friends.

Eleventh to Cross. The dog was more excited by the idea of a journey than it was by ascension itself. It was thrilled by each new sight, smell, and sound, and it spent most of its time exploring the novelties along the road. Of those curiosities, none intrigued it more than the river itself, and while others struggled to cross it, the dog spent weeks splashing at the water's edge. It never thought of crossing the river for itself until it noticed a raft floating along, and curiosity compelled it to plunge into the water and give chase, paddling with all its might to catch up. By the time it reached the beached raft, the passengers were long gone, but a dog’s nose isn’t so easily fooled. Following the lingering scent, the first xū dragon sniffed its way right through the gateway and into ascension.

Guard Dog. Like the dogs they once ascended from, xū dragon puppies are extremely playful and love playing with others—especially friendly mortals, who may not even realise they’re in the presence of zodiac dragons. A xū dragon remains a juvenile for close to a century, so one may bond with a family or town over generations before reaching adolescence. The dragons eventually outgrow the communities of their youth, but typically make their lairs nearby. They wander the mountains, gulleys, and rivers beyond their former homes, remaining vigilant against threats and rushing to the aid of those in need. Many a traveller owes their life to the timely intervention of a xū dragon bearing vital supplies or jumping at the throat of a violent monster.

---------------------------------------

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!

Xū Dragon

>

Xū dragons are fiercely loyal to those who show them kindness and respect, especially in their youth. They’re incredibly gentle to all they meet right up until the moment someone they love is threatened, at which point they bare their fangs, ready to do whatever it takes to defend their own. Warriors and emperors alike have fallen to the bite of a xū dragon defending its friends.

Eleventh to Cross. The dog was more excited by the idea of a journey than it was by ascension itself. It was thrilled by each new sight, smell, and sound, and it spent most of its time exploring the novelties along the road. Of those curiosities, none intrigued it more than the river itself, and while others struggled to cross it, the dog spent weeks splashing at the water's edge. It never thought of crossing the river for itself until it noticed a raft floating along, and curiosity compelled it to plunge into the water and give chase, paddling with all its might to catch up. By the time it reached the beached raft, the passengers were long gone, but a dog’s nose isn’t so easily fooled. Following the lingering scent, the first xū dragon sniffed its way right through the gateway and into ascension.

Guard Dog. Like the dogs they once ascended from, xū dragon puppies are extremely playful and love playing with others—especially friendly mortals, who may not even realise they’re in the presence of zodiac dragons. A xū dragon remains a juvenile for close to a century, so one may bond with a family or town over generations before reaching adolescence. The dragons eventually outgrow the communities of their youth, but typically make their lairs nearby. They wander the mountains, gulleys, and rivers beyond their former homes, remaining vigilant against threats and rushing to the aid of those in need. Many a traveller owes their life to the timely intervention of a xū dragon bearing vital supplies or jumping at the throat of a violent monster.

---------------------------------------

Do you wanna see how the RNG gods decided that we should make this bad boy? You should check out our Youtube Channel for bonus commentary and a time lapse of our art!

Want to see more of these? Check out our patreon for weekly monsters!

These will be featured in our newest kickstarter!