A Dance of Fang and Claw: The Ranger Archives Volume 3, page 54
We have decided to include it in this edition of the bestiary due to its undeniable nature, but don’t be thinking you can fight it. The last time a sighting was reported—by my grandfather’s generation—it was seen taking down a whole vessel in minutes, dragging it down to the depths.
There were reports of tentacles and a mighty tail but little else. Besides that, we know nothing of the monster. Well, that’s not strictly true, I suppose. We know it won’t let any ships cross that sea.
Varys Nad, Ranger
Trappers - Experience you’ll need, Ranger, if you’re thinking of taking on a contract concerning these beasts. They’ve been known to dwell in both deserts and muddy plains—wherever their prey believes they walk on solid ground.
While underground, these monsters have a unique way of vibrating their bodies and liquifying the hard earth. The next thing you know, you’re sinking into the world and the hungry maw of a Trapper.
Balen Stone, Ranger
Gilgamorg - You’ve likely heard of the demon, no more than a myth to most; a bedtime story. But more than one ranger has sighted the creature and lived to tell of it, so we will continue to pass on what we know.
It is said the Gilgamorg came into being during the first civil war, when Gal Tion’s kingdom fractured into six. His court mage enacted a terrible spell in the middle of a heated battle. The nature of that spell remains unknown, but the devastating consequences were felt by all that day, to be sure.
One by one, the dead littering the field were brought together into one nightmarish fiend. So massive was it that all could see the terrifying creature wrought from dead limbs and severed heads. Imagine a beast with a thousand hands and a sword in each.
It’s enough to keep me away from The Vrost Mountains.
Craegor the Long-lived, Ranger
Razor Hog - The history of this beast has been passed down from our very first edition and those most earnest of rangers who had dealings with the dwarves of Dhenaheim.
According to them, the dwarves ride on mounts called Warhogs, brutish animals that make the children of the mountain all the more formidable.
The Warhog, however, is not the monster in question. It is the monster from which they are bred.
The Razor Hog is said to be equal in size to a shire horse and roughly the same in appearance as an average hog. The exception is its numerous tusks and trio of horns that line its head.
Should you cross one of these behemoths, I would simply recommend running in the opposite direction.
Liam Kelin, Ranger
Witchweavers - There has been much debate whether these fiends are of our realm or the Shadow Realm. I personally believe they hail from that dark place but there is no proof.
Witchweavers favour forests for their skill comes from their ability to weave walls from twigs and branches, creating corridors that force their prey in a particular direction.
By wailing and screeching, they terrify people, inducing such fear that they flee into these ‘natural’ corridors and get lost in a hellish maze.
From there, any and all are easy pickings for the spider-like witches.
Roy Clement, Ranger
Sirens - There are plenty of sailors around Velia’s port and the like who will swear blind that Sirens exist. They’ll recount sightings and tell tales of men hearing the sweet and hypnotic song of these creatures.
They don’t exist.
If they did, we would have killed one by now. It is unanimous amongst our order of hunters that Sirens are no more than fairy tales.
Neave Gladwell, Ranger
Skulldiggers - Imagine, if you will, a butterfly the size of your hand and with teeth like a beaver. Oh, and an appetite for human brain.
At speed, one of these critters will fly directly into your face and immediately begin digging through flesh and bone until it’s situated inside your skull.
If you see a swarm—hide. If you’re hunting a swarm, stock up on salt; they hate the stuff. I would also recommend smoke, to make them drowsy first.
Haylin Nord, Ranger
Blatenwik - A brute of a monster, and an angry one at that. If you must hunt one of them, surprise will be your greatest weapon. If your surprise attack fails and you’re face to face with it, best be having your affairs in order, because running isn’t an option.
With the rounded horns of a goat and a head that could only be compared to a Gobber’s, it’s a creature born of nightmares. Its hideous face and tusks aside, the danger posed by a Blatenwik comes from its strength. There’s no fat on these creatures, just muscle. Trust me when I tell you, they will use that muscle to tear your arms off.
The Blacksmith, Ranger
Greyfang - I have to say that these beasties are dangerous because they’ve been known to kill plenty of folk, but, I also have to say, they’re really not. At least, they’re not that dangerous if you know anything about using a sword.
Big black eyes and big sharp claws make them look more formidable than they really are. Their bodies are more bone than anything else. With little muscle, they rely on their claws to deliver damage. They’re so easy to cut down it’s almost fun. If nothing else, they’re good for sword practice.
Bru Vane, Ranger
Unicorn - I understand that we live in a world of monsters, in a world of things. But Unicorns are just for children.
Move on.
Ankar Tor, Ranger
Bearded Dragon - A sea serpent to rival the mighty King Basilisk. These monsters are aggressive, so much so that they have been known to not only stalk merchant ships but board them.
Think of these creatures in two halves. Their lower half is all tentacles, and barbed ones at that. Nasty things.
Their top half is always likened to a dragon, with two arms and wicked claws that can easily dig into the wood of any ship. Their reptilian head is dominated by strong jaws. It is the tendrils that hang from those jaws that lend the monster its name.
Mendra Falcorne, Ranger
Shadow Dealers - Get a mage. I’ll write that again. Get a mage.
Aptly named, these monsters crawled out of the Shadow Realm, but it is not what they are or where they came from, but what they do, that is so hellish.
A single bite from these demons will scar you with what can only be described as a void. I’ve heard mages call them portals. From these wounds, more of their wicked kin are able to claw their way into our world. These nightmarish gateways can only be closed by a mage—killing the poor soul who was bitten will not suffice.
Get a mage.
Nay Hodden, Ranger
Three-headed Dread Serpent - If you’ve read about Hell Hags, you should have an idea how foul and ferocious they are. Hell Hags have nightmares about these serpents.
Dread Serpents will encroach on the swamp of any monster and make it their own. While it is good that they devour other monsters, they themselves are extremely hard to kill. While you might evade one or even two snapping jaws, few can avoid the bite of a third.
I myself shared the reward with a mage. She froze the swamp and I lopped off the heads. We could all do with learning a spell or two.
Jayms Mellor, Ranger
Lizard Folk - I have had to fight hard to have these monsters included in this edition. My fellow rangers believe me mad, delusional. They tell me the heat of The Arid Lands got to my mind.
I saw them.
Tall as men they were and damned if they didn’t walk like us too. There was no mistaking what they were, however. The Lizard Folk of The Narrows are real. Some of them were even wearing clothes I tell you.
Long tails dragged behind every one of them and their claws were curved and sharp. I know what I saw. Heard too. They could talk to each other, coordinate and the like. I’m sure as hell never taking a contract that takes me anywhere near The Narrows.
Old Ned, Ranger
Philip C. Quaintrell, A Dance of Fang and Claw: The Ranger Archives Volume 3
