Chimaera

Chimaera is an umbrella term for a group of magical creatures created by the ancient Stormborn of the Thunderlands, made from a hybrid of conventional naturally-occuring animals. This was made possible through the gift of Terramancy which allowed them to manipulate nature and gave them biokinetic control over fauna. Almost all chimaeras were created as tools of war, used by the Western military to help colonize their homelands and fight in battle against their enemies, the High Elves and Orcs. 
After the Storm Kings died off circa 350AE, the surviving Chimaera species were no longer able to be controlled by terrestrials and they became wild and hostile. Many species were hunted to extinction out of necessity as their unnaturalness proved disastrous for local ecosystems, with many presenting a highly dangerous threat to civilization. As of 1086AE their numbers have dwindled greatly, though a few select types have managed to thrive, especially in the Thunderlands.
As creatures of magic, chimaeras display a demon-like resistance to conventional weaponry. It was commonly said that a Griffin could fly through an entire volley of enemy arrows seemingly without taking a single scratch. However, they are able to be damaged by magic, anti-magic, and some such as the Lycanthrope have specific weaknesses to certain materials. They are usually very long-lived and display high levels of intellect.
A number of Chimaera species are listed below;
Name 	Combination 	Description 	
Griffin 	Hunting Falcon+Mountain Lion+Eagle+Hunting Hound+
Warhorse+Possible Human Brain	Considered their finest creations, Griffins were used as mounts by Storm Kings in battle. They can fly and manuever at high speed in the air, their beak and talons are lethal at melee range, and they have a very high level of animal intelligence. They also form close bonds with their riders and can live for centuries. They roost in the Thunderclap Mountains, and as of 1086 there are domesticated examples including Coriolinus. A rampant, crowned Griffin is used as the symbol of House Blackthorne.	
Lycanthrope	High Elf + Wolf 	Unusual example of chimaera that only takes animalistic form in moonlight, and retains form of host body in daylight. Hunted to extinction by Lucas Blackthorne. 	
Cockatrice 	Rooster + Monitor Lizard + Cart Horse 	A trial run for the later and more dangerous basilisk. Effectively a very large, partially scaled, fast-running chicken, with a carniverous appetite. Cockatrices have thrived across the realm and are considered to be a kind of super-vermin, known for attacking herds of grazing animals; killing one is a badge of honor for an errant knight. A Cockatrice is the symbol of House Waynrite. 	
Basilisk 	Hunting Falcon + King Cobra 	Extremely dangerous snake-bird hybrid, loaded with biological weaponry such as an armored hide and an acidic venom-spit that could melt through steel. The addition of a magical weapon in their eyes that could kill human targets with a look made them too difficult to handle and they were mostly destroyed even before the last Storm King died. There are very few in existence as of 1086AE, and almost none in the wild. 	
Sphinx 	High Elf + Gibbon + Mountain Lion + Owl 	Only one of these was made, an immortal guardian that stands watch over the Vaults beneath the Eyrie Peak. Highly intelligent, capable of human speech and enjoys riddling. Has anti-magic capabilities and a demon's immunity to conventional weaponry; large size strength and physical agility makes it a powerful opponent. 	
Kraken 	Giant Squid + Lobster + Blue Whale 	A ferocious, multi-clawed and multi-tentacled aquatic creature used for naval battles, capable of attacking enemy ships from below. Some grew so large they were able to tear down entire warships single-handed. Hunted to extinction as they presented a threat to fishing vessels. 	
Harpy 	Human + Eagle 	Humans given bird's wings talons & tails, used as aerial dogfighters and attackers & known for their frightening vocalizations. Low intelligence, attack in packs. Known to roost in the Thunderclap Mountains, often preyed on by the mightier Griffin; dwindling species near extinction in 1086AE. 	
Manticore 	Scorpion + Black Widow Spider + Hornet + Bat 	Large and aggressive insectoid creature with armored carapice and extremely poisonous stinger tail, capable of flight at surprising speed with bat-wasp hybrid wings. Thrive in arid areas, with some hives still found in the Deadlands as of 1086AE. 	
Selkie 	Human + Seal + Otter + Seahorse + Mandarinfish + Humpback Whale	Occasionally called "Syrens" or "Mermaids." Aquatic creature with human-level intelligence and upperbody features, with iridescent coloration and a mix of scale and fur on their lower halves. They vocalize in whalesong-like keening. Known to be highly alluring to terrestrial for their beauty, but can be aggressive when provoked. Uncommon in 1086AE, becoming endangered due to oil pollution in waters. 	
Centaur 	High Elf + Destrier + Mountain Goat 	A failed attempt to create a heavy cavalry troop that combined horse and rider into one. Their human intelligence combined with their goat natures made them difficult to control and they were eventually destroyed by their creators, their concept giving way to the more effective Unicorn. 	
Unicorn 	Destrier+Mountain Goat+Rhinocerous 	A large and powerful quadruped with a single head-mounted horn. Capable of moving in even adverse terrain at great speed, with a particularly lethal charging attack that could impale through steel plate. Was occasionally used as mounts by Storm Kings for ground campaigns. Can still be found in the Whiteoak Plains, and on the Thunderclap Mountains. 	
Lyrich 	Owl+Rabbit+Ferret 	A pet made by the Monarch for their close friend and confidant, Claire Ludlow. A lovable companion, named for Richard Holdenholme and Lyron Piers. 	
Orcboy 	Human+Pot-Bellied Pig 	A court jester made by Balthazar of the Black Thorn, made to mockingly resemble an Orc. A sadistic and perverted creature, with human intelligence and speaking abilities.