Around 40% of the world’s population are monsters, with the ability to transform into uncanny creatures. Transformation is typically painless. Usually the person grows and shifts, but sometimes they disappear and reappear into their monster form. With the former, transforming back into a human is more like melting back into their humanoid form, whereas the latter is more of the same. Phoenixes are unique in their transformation, bursting into flame during the transformation. Being a monster is typically hereditary, but it’s possible to be one without a known family member being one. It’s also possible–and rather common–to be a different monster than your family. The most common monsters are phoenixes, drakons, griffons, and kitsunes. Other monsters include rosewraiths, zoni, and alysidas. Phoenixes are red, fiery birds who are bigger than most humans, usually at least six feet. Their feathers are always searing hot, often covered in flames. There are legends that they are immortal and can be reborn from the ashes, but this myth simply stems from their ability to teleport from one place to another in an ash-gray flame. Phoenixes in their human form have unnaturally warm skin. Drakons are reptilian beasts with hard, near-impenetrable scales. They have bat-like wings, venomous fangs, a long, plumed tail, and horns. They are usually around 4-5 feet tall. Griffons have an owl-like torso, with large, feathered wings, horn-like feathers, a sharp beak, and the strong body and legs of a big cat. They’re around the same size of a dragon, and have the ability to communicate with humans in monster form. Direwolves are like regular wolves, but twice the size and with much thicker fur. Pelts are usually shades of black, grey, brown, cream, or white. They are incredibly strong, especially their jaws and their fur can deflect weaker blows. It is said that their howls can call other canines to the area. In human form, they are typically very tall. Kitsunes are fox-like creatures, around 4 four feet in height. They have up to 9 tails and often have a rune on their forehead. They can be natural colors, or they can be unique–many are mostly white with accents of pink, red, blue, or a similar color. They are shapeshifters, but it requires vast focus to maintain a form that’s not their natural one. Rosewraiths have a lithe, deer-like body with thin, supple legs–with paws rather than hooves–and a wolfish face. They have pointed ears going backward and roses growing on their antlers. Along their neck, back, and tail, they have thorny dark purple/brown spines and another rose on the tip of their tail. They have black fur, but the roses can come in any color, the natural rose colors being the most common. They usually stand 5-6 feet tall. The smell of their roses is mesmerizing, and it has been reported to make people fall asleep. Zoni are rabbit-like creatures, with long, rounded ears, longer hind feet, and shorter front legs. The tips of their ears are black, and they have dark rings along their tail and a dark mask on their face. They have a fluffy mane of fur, similar to a lion, and sharp canines. Their main fur color is usually gray, gold, white, brown, green, or orange. They range in height from 4 feet to 6 feet and have a potent venom in their fangs. Alysidas are wolfish beasts, with the build of a canine. They have pale star-like markings scattered across their thick fur. Their strong legs are built for running, and have dark markings that resemble chains. Their tails are plumed at the end and they have feathers along their spine. Finally, they have two small horns in front of their ears. They are typically 4-5 feet tall. They are able to sense the emotions of those around them and have strong senses. The Venatores, more commonly known as the ‘monster-hunters’, are a relentless group of people that don’t associate with any country. They are widespread, and their influence is deep. They have members in every corner of Chrysos and have made it their life’s work to track and destroy all monsters. They have convinced the people of both Teras and Ananpoi that monsters are inhuman creatures that deserve to perish. If a family has been revealed to be monsters or harboring them, their house is to be burned.
If you have a monster idea you'd like to add, use this form: Monster name / Physical appearance / Powers (opt.) Black and white drawings of monsters are inside the project!
