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Among the many forces that oppose the Hero on their journey, monsters are by far the most plentiful. Whether they roam the wilds between cities or stand guard within ancient shrines, monsters present a constant threat to the Hero and the rest of Mydreign.
While the exact mechanisms and origins of monsters are not known, it is clear that all monsters derive from single shared power. Most monsters do not have a will or personality of their own, acting exclusively as an extension of this force's will. As such, individual monsters are largely interchangeable, acting as mindless armies and automatons rather than sapient beings.
As monsters are not crafted from physical matter like the rest of Mydreign, their “death” tends to be impermanent and usually leaves behind no corpse, save for a few horns or similar pieces of loot for the Hero to collect. While it varies from location to location, most monsters return to life overnight, returning to their original tasks and locations.
Sometimes, when this indirect influence is insufficient, whatever force monsters originate from creates a much more powerful monster and bestows it with a soul of its own. While these so-called boss monsters usually are loyal to their creator and their causes, they are fully sapient beings in their own right and can choose how they wish to act for themselves. As such, these types of monsters are rare and usually only found guarding particularly important locations or objects. Unlike other monsters, boss monsters cannot escape the clutches of Death and do not return once killed.
Typically, the powers of monsterkind are subtle and only relevant for particularly adventurous Mydreignites. Yet, as ancient evils stir beneath Mydreign, monsters are becoming more and more common a sight…
While monsters can in theory come in any form, there are a couple archetypes that are particularly common, some of which are listed below:
Gemlings – Small, vaguely humanoid creatures seemingly made out of pure gemstone. Despite their small size, they are vicious and often come in packs. While the particular gemstone they are made of does not give them any unique properties, it does indicate their general endurance and aggressiveness, with green ones being the least threatening, followed by red, blue, yellow, and finally purple in order of danger.
Stingers – Resembling giant wasps, Stingers use the large, sword-like appendage on their rear to attempt to skewer their foes. Like real wasps, Stingers tend to not attack unless provoked, though they will view any attempts to enter their territory as provocation. Most commonly found in the Heartwood.
Vinelings – A mass of thorny vines that attempts to ensnare its victims, constricting their movements. Particularly deadly when encountered alone, but can be neutralised via use of fire. Most commonly found in the Heartwood.
Lava Vipers – Camouflaging as rivulets of flowing lava, or hiding within pools, Lava Vipers specialise in ambushing their enemies. Unlike actual lava, they are cool to the touch, but are still vulnerable to ice magic. Most commonly found in the Lizard's Fangs.
Obsidilings – A much larger variant of gemlings made of obsidian and molten magma. Unlike gemlings, they typically move alone and use their sheer strength rather than numbers in combat. Often use their bulky size to block off pathways. Most commonly found in the Lizard's Fangs.
Kelplings – A mass of kelp & seaweed that attempts to ensnare its victims, constricting their movements. Resistant to fire due to living underwater. Most commonly found in the Sea of Light.
Glittertraps – Fish who use a glowing lure that twinkles like a useful item while hiding in the shadows. Most commonly found in the Sea of Light.
Mirage Vipers – Appearing as rivulets or small puddles of fresh water, Mirage Vipers specialise in ambushing desperate Mydreignites. If their initial attack fails, they can briefly go invisible to escape. Most commonly found in the Sunshade Desert.
Sandeaters – Resembling large rodents, Sandeaters roam the desert day and night. Though they look cute and fluffy, they can move with surprising speed and can easily eviscerate enemies that are caught unaware. Most commonly found in the Sunshade Desert.