Strange & Mythical Beasts
CREATURES OF THE EARTH
Beithir ∞ The beithir are large, shuffling beasts characterized by their massive tails and their affinity for human weaponry: specifically, two long scythes that they use to cut down their prey. Their hides are very thick, but if someone with a sharp enough weapon and enough persistence manages to avoid the scythes, the beithir can be killed.
Buggane ∞ These small, hideous creatures are spirits sent to punish those who have trespassed against nature. They are covered in black, gnarled hair, and have huge claws and tusks. They can easily dig through the earth like moles. They are also capable of great feats of strength. Though fast and hard to catch, the buggane can be slain with one hard blow.
CREATURES OF THE AIR
Adar Llwch Gwin ∞ Giant birds of prey, about the size of a small horse, capable of ripping a person to shreds with their talons and beaks. They understand human speech and can be brought under the control of whoever has the strength of will to become their master.
Cliodhna's Birds ∞ If you are injured and meet these birds, you're in luck. They'll lull you to sleep with their magical song, and in your sleep their song will heal all your wounds.
CREATURES OF FIRE
Aillen ∞ This fire-breathing creature lures passersby to sleep with its magical song. But once asleep, it will burn them to death. Though large and fast, it can be slain by someone with a gun, a strong enough crossbow, or a sword.
Yan-gant-y-tan ∞ A wiry old troll who carries five candles on the five fingers of his right hand, Yan-gant-y-tan uses his light show to lead travelers towards more dangerous beasts. But if he's feeling generous, he may instead give his five candles to a traveler whose own light has become extinguished. He himself is not harmful - it's what he leads you to that's bad. He is very fast and hard to catch.
CREATURES OF THE WATER
Afanc ∞ A great sea-serpent, similar to the Loch Ness Monster. It lurks in deep water waiting for passing ships, but in the House it's confined to the pond. It is massive and very difficult to kill.
Alp-luachra ∞ Any who fall asleep near the pond should be wary of this little sprite. It will spring from the water and pry its way into the sleeper's mouth, devouring them from the inside-out. They can be killed with salt.
Iannic-ann-ôd ∞ Said to be the lost souls of the drowned, these spirits haunt the House crying mournfully. Should you choose to leave them alone, they will do the same for you. But if you respond to their calls three times, they will approach you silently and invisibly and break your neck. They cannot be killed, and though they are capable of leaping great distances, they can be outrun or outwitted.
HUMANOIDS
Bloody Bones ∞ Bloody Bones (or "Rawhead," as he is sometimes known) is a frightening Santa Claus figure. He is horrific to look upon: rotten strips of flesh hanging from bloody bones, claws and sharpened teeth like a wolf, and burning red eyes. If he judges you to be a good person, he will leave you alone or even reward you with something to aid you. But if he judges you to be bad, he will snatch you and try to kill you. Almost impossible to kill, your best bet is to run away when you see him unless you're sure that you've been good.
Cauldron Warriors ∞ These are men who have been slain and placed in the Cauldron of Rebirth. They emerge mute and zombie-like, incapable of speech and bent only on swelling their numbers. Though they were once human, they do not tire, and if they feel pain they cannot make any sounds to express it. The only way to kill them is by chopping off their head. If they catch you, they will bring you to the Cauldron, to kill you and place you inside, turning you into one of them. Anyone who possesses the Cauldron can command them, but only they know where it is and obviously they're not telling.
Fear Gorta ∞ If you see an emaciated old man begging for alms, it is almost certainly one of these spirits of famine. Be generous with it and it will grant you good luck for up to a week, but if you spurn it, it will curse you, and you will slowly wither away from hunger - no matter how much you eat, you will starve to death within a few days. The only way to lift the curse is to find and kill the fear gorta that cast it on you.
Les Lavandières ∞ Three old washerwomen who wash and wring out the bloodstained clothes of those who are soon to be dead. It is best to avoid being seen by them altogether, but if you are spotted, you are compelled to help wring out the clothes. If you wring them in the correct direction, they will grant you three wishes. But if you wring them in the wrong direction, your body will be pulled apart and you'll be instantly killed.
POSSESSORS & SEDUCERS
Badb ∞ These goddesses of battle can sometimes take the form of a crow or wolf. They possess people and fill them with rage, turning them against their companions. The only way to stop someone possessed is to slay the Badb or to keep the possessed under control long enough to get them far enough away from the Badb that her influence will fade.
Baobhan Sith ∞ Vampiric succubi, these young women approach men and seduce them with their incomprehensible beauty. When the men are in their thrall, they tear them apart and drain their blood. The only way to ward them off is with iron, and they are driven away by sunlight.
La Belle Dame Sans Merci ∞ A beautiful and ethereal young woman haunts the House, and any man of weak will is sure to fall under her spell. She entraps men in a lovely dreamworld from which they don't want to wake - the things they love most, all idealized in the fantasy world she creates for them. Unless awakened, they will sleep there forever. She cannot be killed - it is rare even to see her - but her spell can be broken simply by waking up the possessed man as though from a normal dream, keeping in mind that he really won't want to wake up.
Cat Sìth ∞ These are large, spectral cats, black with a white patch on their chests, which can be the size of a large dog. Legend has it that these are witches' familiars, or even witches themselves trapped in feline form. They are capable of reaching into a person's mind and discovering what frightens them, filling their head with images of their fears. In spite of their size and sharp claws and teeth, they can be killed like any other cat.
Gancanagh ∞ These handsome young men can be recognized by the clay pipes they carry but never smoke. They seduce young women, but their skin contains a toxin that they can pass on through simple touch. Once their victim is selected, she becomes addicted to him, and when he inevitably leaves, she usually dies from pining for him. Unlike most spirits, the gancanagh can speak and interact as though he were a normal human, and unless you recognize their clay pipe, you won't know they're not human until it's too late. Like the glashtyn, they can be killed like a normal human, but there is no antidote for their toxin. The victim has to be carefully watched and forced to eat and sleep until it's out of her system.
OMENS & BRINGERS OF DEATH
Ankou ∞ These creatures are skeletal servants of death, collecting the souls of the living. One touch of an ankou's hand and your soul is taken to the underworld. They cannot be killed or warded off. Fortunately, they're very rare.
Banshee/Bean Sidhe ∞ Banshees can appear in the form of a withered hag or a beautiful young woman. While they cause no harm themselves, their eerie wail signals the impending death of someone close by.
Black Dog ∞ As the name implies, these creatures are huge black hounds, nearly the size of a horse. The mere presence of a black dog is an omen of impending death. Sometimes it can be a benevolent guardian, guiding a traveller to safety, and sometimes it can be a ferocious killer. It all depends on which one you run into.
Cŵn Annwn ∞ These are the hellhounds of Arawn, Lord of Annwn, who hunt any humans they catch scent of to drag their souls down to the Underworld. They are large, spectral dogs, with red eyes and enormous teeth. Though they can be killed, it is very difficult to do so. It is nearly impossible to outrun them.
Dullahan ∞ These predecessors to Sleepy Hollows' Headless Horseman are headless men riding a black horse. They light their way with a candle in a human skull and use a whip made of a human spine. Each one carries its own head under one arm. If you stand in its way, it will splash blood on you - an omen that you will die soon - or whip out your eyes. When it stops riding and calls out a name, that person immediately drops dead. There is no way to kill or stop a dullahan, but even a tiny amount of gold will drive it away.
Sluagh ∞ The souls of sinners who roam restlessly, looking for other sinners' souls to add to their ranks or even innocent souls to kidnap. If you're dying, watch out lest these spirits creep up on you and steal your soul away.
FANDOM-BASED CREATURES
Hellhound ∞ Supernatural
NO IMAGE - Invisible
Abilities: Fast, Predator instincts, Huge teeth/claws, Tracking skills
Weaknesses: Salt, Iron
Deadliness (1-10 scale): 9
Additional Info: - If one could see a Hellhound, they may find a huge wolf with gross, matted fur, red eyes, a foaming mouth and fangs the size of your pinky. Once a Hellhound has your scent, it will never stop hunting you. The only thing stopping it without killing it would be the master/demon who controls it.
Zergling ∞ StarCraft
IMAGE
Abilities: Regeneration, Quickness, Large Bladed Talons/Claws
Weaknesses: Fire
Deadliness (1-10 scale): 7 (10 in groups)
Additional Info: The zergling is the size of a pony, moves with incredible speed, with large claws and sharp teeth. They can burrow underground, and are extremely deadly in groups.