Mythological Beasts

[Nomadic]

Something I created that could possibly be used in a game. Purposefully avoided statting it so that people can stat it based on their own rules and ideas (though I could probably try a 3.5e statting if someone wants it). I will probably add some more stuff. I have some interesting ideas for creatures.

Anyhow, Ishmayl this one is for you.

The surf pounded at the cracked sides of the old cog. With each rhythmic thump the ship elicited a small crunching sound. It wouldn't be long, Drake figured, before the battering broke the ship to pieces against the rocks. Towards the starboard men were still hard at work, attempting to save it. The effort was fruitless though for as soon as their poles found purchase and pushed off the rocks, the surf drove them back into the sharp crags. It couldn't take much more of this. He cursed the wind he had previously praised. It had pulled them out of the doldrums and straight into unseen shallows. Hidden just beneath the foaming waves.

"All hands abandon ship! People and necessary supplies only, everything else remains here." He took up his own advice and immediately headed to release a raft from the deck netting. Men were scrambling about carrying crates of fresh water and food. Just aft of him another group was cutting free the ropes that held down one of the larger scouting boats. There was a splash as the first boat cleared the deck. Sailors began descending ropes with boxes and kegs strapped to their backs. Meanwhile the captain finished unsecuring the boat. Before he could even give orders it was drawn out into the frantic wave of people. Things were beyond his control now, the crew would do what they needed without supervision. He had drilled this stuff into them too well. With nothing else to do he immediately ran to the cargo hold and began helping with the supply line.

"Come on, we haven't got all day," a burly man was berating a couple seamen who were having trouble lugging a large crate of dried meat. "Good, good now just toss that up and get another quick unless you want to go for a swim." The big man was hefting the crate up to the deck and the captain stepped in to help it up. "Nice to have you here sir," he gave a quick salute then dropped back down into the hold. The ship still drove mercilessly against the rocks, the heavy winds had pushed it fully up onto their jagged edges and the men had stopped trying to push off them. Down below their was a heavy crack and water started coming in at a rapid rate. Below the waves their was a sudden shudder. All the men stopped for a moment as the sea itself seemed to moan. The frantic pace became all out chaos as men ran with supplies and dove into the boats. In making sure that everyone got to safety the captain himself was almost left behind. Yet even as the ship began breaking up his quartermaster grabbed him and they both just made it to the last boat.

There was a sharp crack and the ship began listing heavily to port, taking in huge amounts of water. The sea itself foamed and the waters seemed to push back in a surging wall. The once mighty vessel was tossed like a child's plaything into the raging water. The swells capsized one of the life boats and it was only through much luck that nothing else was sunk. Their was another moaning sound, seeming to reverberate through the air with an altogether mournful note. Then a final blast of water shot up from the waves and a summit of rock rose, as if some mighty mountain was lifting its head above the ocean. There was smoke and the smell of sulfur, then fire belched forth from its peak with a bright flash. The crew covered their ear as the moaning sound again echoed forth. Yet now it was painfully loud, echoing from inside their very minds. The peak continued to rise, mounting ever higher on the wind tossed ocean. There was a spray of steam and a great head, like unto that of a massive sea turtle rose from the water. Its eyes glowed with a yellow light and smoke issued from its nostrils. The captain and his men looked on at the creature that now floated upon the waves. It opened its great mouth and another moaning echoed from within their skulls. Men screamed at the pain, keeling over in their small wooden boats. Others made motions with their hands, calling to the gods of the sea to save them. The beast turned and began to propel itself with large flippers, each larger than a warship and adorned with kelp and barnacles. As each flipper slapped the water a wave surged forth, driving their boats onwards in a swirling foaming mass of water. There was another eruption of flame and smoke from its back as it moved off to the east, leaving a trail of dark soot and pumice floating in its wake. Everyone stared in awe as it faded off into the horizon, all that violence, and yet it was just as suddenly gone. In the background the captain could hear someone giving thanks to their god.

Considered nothing more than an old sailors myth by most, tales of the Gargolose still stir up feelings of awe and fear in many. According to legend the sea was furious at how people mistreated it. Men dumped their garbage into the waves without a second thought and plundered it of its life to sate their appetite and greed. Thus out of the oceans fury was born the Gargolose. This creature is in appearance much like a gargantuan sea turtle with a volcano on its back and a great inner fire that issues from all openings. It is said to rest on the sea floor in wait of passing ships, often drawing them near with driving winds. It can crack a ship of the line in half with little effort, or set it aflame with a blast of fire from its nostrils. Whether it actually exists none have yet proven. Nevertheless, many claim to have been waylaid by a massive beast, spouting smoke and death. All hold that they were lucky to have survived.

[Ishmayl-Retired]

Oh... My.... GOD

I even know appropriate artwork for it (though it has feet and legs instead of flippers, closest I could get on short notice though):

[spoiler]

[/spoiler]

[Matt Larkin (author)]

Ish, that is a freaking awesome picture!

And Kudos to Nomadic for this kind of project.

[lionrampant]

I was actually recently thinking that I needed some kind of unique sea monster in my campaign world to populate the huge, land-locked sea.  I'm completely stealing this, except I'm getting rid of the volcano on its back, as I don't think that would make sense for what I want it to do.  Everything else is MINE now, though, you hear me?  MINE!  The picture, too.

:)

(and everyone else's, too; I'm just frustrated at work and need an outlet.)

[Nomadic]

Rofl, thanks all and please do steal it I love when others use my work. Also I have another idea for an evil construct I am trying to flesh out so keep your eyes peeled.

[Nomadic]

Here it is, part one of a long story explaining another interesting creature I thought up. Part 2 to follow soon.

The Shadespire Mansion (Pt. 1)

The rain came down in sheets of ice cold needles. It hammered at Megan and she drew her soaked cloak tightly about her body, stifling a shudder. Up above the sky was a deep gray with lighter flecks swirling in and out of view. All about her the downpour drummed upon the leaves and branches of aspens and pine trees. She squinted her eyes, searching for a dim light in the background of haze and shadow. Off to the left she could just barely make out a faint yellow hue between two tall evergreens. The water was now a full blown torrent, pounding upon her head. She had to find some shelter soon and the light was the only hope she could see. If only she could stop getting turned around in this blasted fog.

Placing one muddy boot in front of the other Megan slowly trudged on in the direction of the light. The air was thick with the smell of mud and pine mingled together. Her boots made a squishing sound with each step, threatening to come off in the clinging mud. Yet with each step the light was getting stronger and she now refused to take her gaze off it for fear of getting lost again. Off in the distance a wolf was howling.

After much marching through the pouring rain the forest finally opened up around her into a clearing. In the center she could just make out a large house, in the middle of which rose twin towers. The flicker of candlelight streamed out of several windows. With nothing else to do she walked up and pounded on the door. There was the sound of padding feet and the door opened up to reveal a small man leaning on a wooden cane.

"Why young miss what are you doing outside in such a storm?" He adjusted the spectacles on his nose, looking her over. She imagined she looked much like a drowned rat standing out there in the rain.

"I...," she began. Before she could finish though he motioned inside.

"Come in, come in before you catch a cold," the old man took her hand and led her inside. Outside the rain continued to beat upon every exposed surface. There was a steady tapping rhythm coming from the roof several floors above.

The man brought out a simple wooden chair and asked her to have a seat. She rested in the chair as he walked off into the other room. There was the sound of a hushed conversation and then the rustling of movement and the slam of cabinet doors. Megan glanced around the room. It seemed very ornate, paneled with a blonde wood and trimmed with glass and gold. In the corner there was a delicately crafted harpsichord studded with pearl. On the key cover was carved an image of flying swans. After a short wait the elderly man returned with a large burly fellow and a young girl. The big man was carrying a stack of cloth in his muscled arms, his dark hair mussed from sleep. The girl was holding a kettle in her small hands. A veil covered her mouth and neck. That and her dark complexion led Megan to assume that she was from one of the eastern tribes. "This is Jonathan and the young miss here is Kelisha," he pointed to them in turn. "We are quite surprised to see anyone out in such weather, but I am sure you will explain in time. Come now though," He clapped rugged hands together. "Let's get you out of those wet garments before you catch your death. Kelisha will see to that. Meanwhile, we shall prepare you a room for the night."

The young girl took a towel and some clothes from Jonathan and led Megan into an elegant bath room. As she went Megan caught Jonathan out of the corner of her eye. He was smiling coyly. The bath room was tiled with green and blue glass and adorned with golden fixtures. On the far wall there was a large mirror. She now saw that her earlier assumption was correct. She really did look like a drowned rat. Megan chuckled to herself. Up above the ceiling glittered. Constellations of pearl sat within a sheet of deep blue.

There was a tap on her shoulder and she turned. Kelisha was standing there holding a towel. Behind her a lavender nightgown was resting on a stool. The young girl led Megan over towards a porcelain tub, filled with water. She pointed Megan to the large kettle, which was now resting on a rack in the corner fireplace. Then turning she walked out of the room, closing the door softly. How curious, Megan thought, the small girl had never said a single word.

Steam rose softly from the bathwater, gently caressing her face. Megan sighed and closed her eyes. Outside the patter of rain could still be heard, though it was far less loud then before. Megan was contemplating all that had happened. She now realized how lucky she was, escaping the battle unscathed. She had ran headlong for the cover of the trees, a good five hundred paces. It was pure luck that she hadn't been hit by an arrow, running as she had. Even more luck after she had lost her way but found that blackberry patch. She had never tasted something so good, her stomach knotting inside her from the emptiness. And finally, she thought, pure luck that she had stumbled upon the light and found such hospitable people there to greet her. That in itself was amazing, most people harbored a hatred of the royal military. She stopped and rose up in the tub without thinking. The rain had stopped. A smile crossed Megan's face and she sunk back down into the tub. Yet more luck.

After some more soaking she got out of the tub, and finding the towel, dried herself off. Over on a counter she noticed that a collection of combs and other items had been left out. Megan grabbed a small brush and worked the tangles out of her hair. She then took a metal comb and smoothed it out before pulling it up into a pony tail and binding it with a silk cord. There was even a basin of fragrant water and megan sighed as she splashed her face with it. Finally she put on the light purple nightgown and stepped out of the bath room. There was a thick red robe hanging near the door. Wrapping the robe around herself, Megan walked back out into the meeting room.

Jonathan was sitting in a chair, eyes closed and a pipe in his mouth. Tendrils of smoke curled about his head and there was a thick woodsy smell in the air. "I'm done. I must say that is the most splendid bath I have ever had," she brushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. The big man didn't open his eyes but his lips turned upwards in a grand smile.

"Glad you enjoyed it. Master Hinry is always adamant about taking the best care of any guests we get." Jonathan took a big puff on his pipe and blew a thick ring of smoke up into the air.

"You get guests often? I didn't even know anyone lived in these woods before now," Megan walked lightly over and sat down in another chair. She was sleepy but what Jonathan said had her curious. There was a porcelain plate with fruits, bread, and small block of cheese.

"From time to time," he opened his eyes and slowly stood up, stretching his big arms and yawning loudly. He reached over behind her and grabbed a small bottle off a nightstand. "A bit to drink before bed will do you well I think". The big man gingerly poured some of the wine into a tall, thin glass and set it before her. Megan took it as well as a slice of green apple off the platter. She ate in silence, watching him blow smoke rings and hum a half-remembered tune. After Megan finished she sat the glass down and sighed.

"The hospitality is much appreciated, I thought I would never find any shelter from such driving rain," a thin gray wisp rose from Jonathan's lips. Outside there was the chirp of crickets.

"As I have said, we take pride in providing for guests," he looked her over now. "Though I am curious what brought you out here".

"I was a hired messenger in the king's army. The battle went ill and I just escaped with my life. I was very lucky." She stared back at him, noticing an odd scar stretched along his cheekbone.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow, though he said nothing for a long while. "We don't often get such visitors out here. Certainly this is interesting news to hear." He placed his pipe on the nightstand. "I am thoroughly unwound now though. And seeing that you are done I can show you to your room," Jonathan motioned towards a door. She wanted to talk more, to find out about this strange place in the middle of the woods. Jonathan would only say though that all her questions would be answered in the morning. That she should for now try to get some rest. "I myself would like to hear more," he spoke softly as they walked up a long flight of stairs. "However I have been told not to bother you too much. You need your rest."

Megan yawned, realizing that he was probably right. She was shown to a door and after a short farewell Jonathan headed back down the hallway towards his room. Walking into her own room she saw that a large round bed had been readied. Near the headboard there were several well fluffed pillows. The moon was shining through the window and cast its light near the foot of the bed. Without a second thought Megan crawled under the thick blankets and fell asleep. Finding now peace and comfort like she hadn't had in years.

[Nomadic]

Part 2 is done and an explanation will soon be posted outlining the whole thing.

The Shadespire Mansion (Pt. 2)

Tap, creak. Tap, creak. The sounds beat out in a steady progression, growing slowly louder. Suddenly there was a snapping sound and Megan jolted out of bed. The room was dark but the sounds could be clearly heard. They seemed to be coming from all directions. She sat there in the dark while a strange feeling slowly crept upon her. Something was different. Tap, creak. Her eyes finally adjusted fully and what she saw nearly made her heart jump out of her throat.

The walls were moving. Tap, creak. Panels shifting and decorations sliding. What had before been a beautiful bedroom was now a constantly morphing mass of rotten wood and broken glass. To megan it appeared almost as if she was within a giant mouth, filled with decaying teeth and hanging bits of silken flesh. Looking down she noticed that she was laying upon a writhing mass of tattered rags that seemed to be sucking her slowly downwards. Farther into its clinging grasp. On her body still hung the wet mass of her traveling clothes, stained with mud.

Megan struggled but the cloth held her firmly in its entwining grasp. Slowly she slid deeper down and she could feel something muscular sucking at her booted feet, like a fleshy orifice waiting to devour anything it should find. Megan reached to her belt and grabbed the dirk that she always carried. Frantically she began hewing at the mass that held her down. A final slice and she was free. The room now was fully rotating about her while she stood alone upon the unmoving floor. A dream, this had to be a dream. There was a burning sensation and she saw a mark on her leg where something had burned through her pants and scorched her calf. It looked very much like an acid burn. She had experienced one before when she had fallen through the roof of an alchemists shop, landing straight on a vial of the stuff. Tap, creak. It was all a dream. The burning sensation on her leg grew. Could you feel pain in dreams? She didn't recall having ever felt pain in a dream before.

Megan couldn't take it and more and when for an instant the door halted to spin in a new direction she grabbed at the handle and was carried along as it raced up towards the ceiling. The gravity of the move pressed her flat against the door and breathing became difficult. She was a speck stuck in a vast swirling ocean of tiles and panels. Yet Megan continued to inch her hand forward. Grabbing the knob she braced her foot on the frame and pushed her self up. The effort was nearly too much, but in the single moment she yanked and the door flew open. The resulting movement threw her off-balance and Megan plummeted through the open door, rebounding off a wall before dropping to the hallway floor. Behind her there was the large slam of a closing door.
Megan lay on the floor as the ceiling spun slowly in her blurry vision. The spinning finally subsided and she was able to get to her feet. The dirk was amazingly still in her hand. Further down the hallway she could make out a white light. Moonlight! She could still escape, she had to escape. Still uneasy from the previous incident, Megan stumbled down the hallway towards the light. Coming to the doorway she looked in. Sitting on the ground was Kelisha, framed by the moonlight. The panels in the room were rotating slowly in place. Megan ran towards Kelisha and put her hand on her back.

"Quickly we have to get out of here, something is going on and I don't like it." There was a slamming sound as the door to the hallway and the window shutter simultaneously closed.

"There is no escaping from here". The girl turned around and Megan now noticed that she wasn't wearing a veil. Along her throat could now clearly be seen a great slash where it had been slit. The girl had a blank stare in her eyes and in her hands held a small wooden cane and a smoking pipe. There was an H stamped on the top of the cane. "Many have tried, but none succeed," a cruel smile crept across Kelisha's face. The wall panels began rotating faster as Megan stepped back in shock. There was a crushing sound and one of the walls folded back to reveal a black mouth, ringed with teeth of metal and glass. Something struck her in the back and Megan went limp, dirk dropping from senseless fingers. Silken vines wrapped around her and she watched in horror, unable to move as she was slowly dragged back into the waiting mouth. Kelisha, still grinning, walked forward and picked the dirk off the floor.

"A fine addition to the collection," she laughed cruelly and looked up as the tendrils drew Megan inwards. "And your mind and soul shall taste just wonderful. I haven't had such a meal in a long while." There was grinding sound as the walls closed in around her. There was an agonizingly sharp pain in the back of her skull as something was driven through and Megan wished only that the end would come soon.