MONSTROPEDIA BRITANNICA A-H

FIREHEART SAGA

A HUNTER’S GUIDE TO
ETERNIA – THE MAKING

 

MONSTROPEDIA

Monsters, Wild-Special
and Magical Beasts of Eternia – A Study

 

Based on the game Ultima VI – A Bestiary by Lord Britain

Produced by ORIGIN (tm)

Recorded for Andry Chang’s research only, not to be
published commercially.

 

A - H

 

Acid Slug:

Though seldom encountered
except in the darkest corners of the dampest caves, this featureless creature
will secrete its corrosive juices on anything you possess that is metal, thus
dissolving it. Painful but superficial skin burns may result from contact with
the acid while it eats away at your armor. Conventional weapons have little
effect on the monster, whereas a flame will send it fleeing.

Habitat: Caves throughout
Aurelia, especially an abundance of it in Lore.

 

Alligator /
Crocodile:

Care must be taken whilst
wading in the murky swamps which are the home of this aggressive man-eater. Possessing
great physical strength, this fearsome lizard can inflict heavy damage with a
single blow from its mighty tail.

Habitat: Bresconnor
Swamplands, Borgia, River Lirn in Arcadia and rarely in Western Aurelia.

 

Ant, giant:

The shifting desert sands
conceal these warrior insects all too effectively. Beware their powerful
mandibles, capable of crushing a man in an instant.

Habitat: Bal’Hanni, deserts
in Ubanga Continent, Al-Kalam region, Meshallah.

 

Bat, giant:

Equipped with keen hearing
and night vision, these large, winged rodents are swift and efficient in their
nocturnal attacks. Though difficult to hit, their fur-covered bodies are
extremely vulnerable to damage.

Habitat: Some large caves,
caverns and forests throughout Aurelia. This is a common monster.

 

Corpser:

Found only in deep,
labyrinthine caverns, these hellish, tentacled ghouls drag their screaming victims
into subterranean dens. What fearful end awaits the poor captive, none can say.
Only a burning flame has been known to have any effect on these creatures of
the dark.

Habitat: Sylvania (but it’s
not going to be mentioned specifically in any FireHeart Saga stories) and some
cursed graveyards.

 

Cyclops:

This hulking, one-eyed titan
fears no one. Possessor of remarkable strength, it wields a mighty oaken club
when it isn’t hurling large boulders at its foes. The earth trembles as this
giant lumbers about its domain, or so say those who claim to have survived an
encounter with a cyclops.

Habitat: Parthenia, Escudia-Corazon,
Arcadia, Regia, Gremion (co-exist with orcs), Borgia.

 

Daemon (or Devil, or
Demon – Succubus for Female Daemon):

This most wicked and
formidable of foes is not to be underestimated. Overwhelming strength, skill
and intelligence make daemons nearly unbeatable. Possessing magical powers
rivaling the most powerful of mages, the daemon can summon hordes of his
brothers to assist him in killing or possessing his victims. Being already
undead, the daemon has little fear for death. You are forewarned!

Habitat: Sylvania (wait until
you see the three legendary daemon lords: Noac, Xylen and Arachus!)

 

Dragon:

How many myths have been
built around this winged, fire-breathing holdover from distant past? Even the
strongest warrior has been known to wilt under the intense magical flames and
noxious fumes that pour from the enraged beast’s nostrils. Though mortal,
dragons are extremely difficult to kill. It is, therefore, a wonder that some
bold souls have actually managed to steal eggs from a dragon’s nest to satisfy
the culinary delights of wealthy town dwellers!

Habitat: Borgia, Grad,
Western and Northern Regia, Val’shka, and somewhere throughout the world.

Note: Dragon comes in many
species and forms, and some can breathe ice, water, lightning, wind, lightblast
and poison.

Additional species: Ancient
Dragon, Fire Dragon, Black Dragon, Green Dragon, Blue Dragon, White Dragon,
Gold Dragon, Bone Dragon, Canopy Dragon etc. (from various literatures and
games)

Legendary: Two of the Ancient
Dragons,

Algaban the Bahamut – Ancient
Fire Dragon (Wranglarr Mount, Halethia, Regia Confed.)

Omegron the Tiamat – Ancient
Black Dragon (Kraal’thragon, Sylvania)

 

Drake:

Smaller than their cousins,
the dragons, but no less ferocious in battle, drakes are usually found in the
company of their more formidable relatives. In a battle against a dragon, one
must be ever mindful of the deadly drakes.

Habitat: Borgia, Grad.

 

Gargoyles:

Frequently confused with
daemons, the gargoyles are a little understood race of beings. Only fragments
of information have made their way back from expeditions to the underworld
habitat of these creatures. There are two classes of gargoyles – a dominant,
winged variety and smaller, wingless drones. The larger gargoyle is a daunting
opponent, possessing very high intelligence and impressive magical powers. But,
the smaller drones are not to be ignored, for their attack is deadly, despite
their apparent lack of magical ability.

Note: There is a completely
different version and definition of gargoyles in Eternia, and I will supply it
later in the final, finished monstropedia. This version only applies in
Britannia as in the Worlds of Ultima. For now I’ll go with Warcraft’s version
for the definition of gargoyles.

Habitat: Wild Gargoyles: Sylvania;
Subdued Gargoyles: Valanis

 

Gazer:

How this monstrosity evolved
in is anybody’s guess, for gazers are among the most unusual creatures found in
the realm. They are usually spotted hovering above the ground in dungeons,
searching for creatures they can mesmerize with their multiple eyes. One
experienced adventurer claims that gazers emit a strange buzzing sound as they
move about. Remain alert when you suspect the presence of a gazer, as it is
constantly on the alert for prey.

Note: Another typical
Britannian exaggerated version of Evil Eyes. Will I input it in the story? Hope
this monster is not copyrighted, though. Evil Eyes is common term enough.

Habitat: It exists in Eternia,
but I will not define where yet.         

 

Ghost:

Ghosts are generally found in
cemeteries and other places of the dead, though their movements are all but
unlimited. These ethereal spirits pass easily through solid walls and other
obstacles, making them difficult to chase and difficult to elude. Though they
do not possess great strength, their mobility and ability to use magic make
them a force to be reckoned with.

Additional Note: Since it’s a
supernatural being, it can only be damaged with magic or magically enchanted
weapons (namely White Magic)

Habitat: Any haunted
graveyards or places throughout Eternia.

 

Gremlin:

Unimpressive in battle,
gremlins usually roam in packs and will attempt to overcome you through sheer
force of numbers. Given the chance, these persistent creatures will take
whatever food you are carrying in your pack, distributing it amongst themselves
in a frenzy of feeding.

Additional Note: In
‘original’ versions, gremlins also sabotage any form of machinery and
structure.

Habitat: Originally from
Val’shka, but a great number of them dwell in Parthenia to mess up with their
machinery and technological items.

 

Headless (and Headless
Zombie):

The product of a wizard’s
(thaumaturgist’s) failed experiments, these wretched creatures somehow manage
to sense the location of their quarry and strike with unnatural accuracy.

Do not fall prey to pity, for
a headless would as soon strangle you with his bare hands as accept your mercy.

Habitat: Not undead:
(undefined), Undead: Sylvania and throughout Eternia as a headless zombie.

 

Hydra:

The putrid quagmire of the
swamp is the spawning ground of this botanical nightmare. This monster drives
its enemy into the adjacent swamplands where the carnivorous hydras completed
their mission of destruction. While fearsome, hydras also bring good luck, of a
sort – when one finds a hydra, the valued nightshade mushroom can be usually be
found close by.

Note: This version is
completely different from the ever-regenerating heads and limbs of a multi-headed
dragon version.

Habitat: Jigdha’uthul swamp
and a few vast swamps in Aurelia.