Protected Creatures

The elves believe that every creature exists for a reason, and to allow any species to go extinct would throw off the planet's delicate balance and cause irreparable damage- possibly even a massive catastrophe.

### Alicorn

The rarest creature on the planet, with only four in existence- and that number is a recent development. Alicorns have shimmering silver fur, feathered wings, brown eyes, a wavy silver mane and tail, and a white-and-silver-swirled horn jutting out of their foreheads. They're also telepathic and can teleport.

### Argentavis

Enormous silver-blue birds that humans believe are extinct. They eat carrion in the wild and are one of the four creatures the Neverseen used to create the gorgodon.

### Arthropleura

Giant arthropods believed to be extinct, with long, poisonous antennae that end in forked points covered in clear slime. Arthropleura have plenty of writhing legs, but they travel primarily be coiling themselves into balls and rolling- and they hiss when threatened.

### Banshee

Slinky ferretlike creatures with gray fur and beady purple eyes. Banshees can tell when someone is dangerously ill and will scream a warning- or choose to lie beside them if the person is about to die. As a result, many physicians keep banshees as pets.

### Bennu

Best known for their orange and blue fire-resistant feathers and small watery eyes. Bennus have storklike bodies and pelican-like beaks and often build their nests near flareadons- or in areas where lightning strikes are a regular occurence.

### Boobrie

Black parrot-size birds with dark, glittering eyes. Their heads are crowned with a yellow feathered mohawk-but a boobrie's most distinct feature is their long, curled eyelashes (or perhaps their earthshaking roar)

### Bugbear

Furry, rat-size creatures with curved brown shells a bit like turtles, which they hibernate inside for the majority of the year.

### Cockatrice

Small, friendly creatures that make excellent pets, given their lack of claws or fangs as well as their calm temperament. Cockatrices' bodies are similar to chickens' but are covered in scales instead of feathers, with beaked noses and stumpy tails.

### Dinosaur

Large reptilian creatures that come in a variety of species (T. rexes, triceratops, stegosaurs, pterodactyls, raptors-to name a few), with one noticable commonality between them. They're al covered in bright, fluffy feathers. And despite what humans think, dinosaurs are definitely not extinct. Most species of dinosaurs easily transition to the Sanctuary, but Verdi (a T. rex) might end up a permanent resident at Havenfield.

### Dire Wolf

Larger and much fiercer than the more common wolves in the wild, dire wolves have elongated fangs, thicker coats, and sharper claws. Humans believe they're extinct, but the Sanctuary houses numerous thriving packs. The Council selected the dire wolf as the mascot for Sophie Foster when she became the leader of Team Valiant.

### Dragon

Unlike the fearsome beasts of human legends, dragons are timid reptilian creatures-larger than a dog but smaller than a horse, with scaled green skin and spikes running down their backs. They walk on four legs (which is the easiest way to differentiate dragons from wyverns) and serve as the mascot fo Level Four at Foxfire.

* **Peluda Dragons**: a species of dragon with quills on their backs; mentioned in *Lodestar*

### Eckodon

Elephant-size plesiosaurs with long hooked necks, pointed noses, gills lining their cheeks, and scaled skin that comes in a variety of colors (most commonly gray-green, purple, and blue). Eckodons live in the water and use sound vertixes to travel great distances. Many human legends are based on them, particularly the stories of the Loch Ness Monster.

### Eurypterid

These eight-foot sea scorpions are another creature that humans believe to be extinct. ANd while eurypterids look deadly (especially with their pincers raised), they're actually quinte gentle and friendly. Eurypterids swim along the surface of water, wich is why they were chosen to pull the carriages in Atlantis.

### Flareadon

Pterodactyl-like creatures with golden, flame-resistant fur and enormous green eyes. Flareadons need fire to survive and generally live near volcanoes. The Neverseen used flareadon DNA to make the gorgodon, and flareadons are also the mascot for Level Seven at Foxfire. Sophie Foster additionally used a flareadon named Gildi to bottl ea sample of Everblaze.

### Flickerwing

Small insects that look part firefly, part moth, and part butterfly- with a slightly venomous bite. Flickerwings are drawn to the splendors (a rare type of plant) and are used as part of Foxfire's Opening Ceremonies.

### Ghoul

A fureless catlike creature with deep-set black eyes and sallow gray skin that sags slightly off their bones, giving ghouls an appearance of something dead, even though they're very much alive- which is probably why they're featured in so many human ghost stories.

### Gorgodon

A deadly creature created by the Neverseen to guard their Nightfall facility. Gorgoons are part flareadon, part gorgonops, part argentavis, and part eurypterid, with a reptilian face, lionlike limbs, sharpy angled wings, and slitted yellow eyes- as well as venomous fangs, venomous talons, and venomous spikes on their curled tails. THey can also fly, breathe underwater, scale walls, and camouflage themselves- and they're at home on land, in the sea, or in the sky. Their only vulnerability is fire, despite the fact that their eggs require Everblaze to hatch. Only one gorgodon remains, which some feel means the gorgodon is now the rarest creature on the planet (and the new standard for the Timeline to Extinction). But others argue that gorgodons aren't a "naturally" existing species and therfore shouldn't count.

### Gorgonops

Humans believe that the gorgonops is extinct, but the vicious creatures live on in the Sanctuary- though they have to be kept in isolation because of their agressive tendencies (even after rehabilitation). They look like a combination of a saber-toothed tiger, a hippo, and a giant rat-with huge fangs-and their DNA was used by the Neverseen to create the gorgodon.

### Gremlin

Small creatures with black fur, shiny noses and folded ears lik a puppy's who love to dismantly things with their capable hands-particularly technology (which makes it extra surprising that the Black Swan's Technopath, Tinker, chooses to keep a gremlin named Sprocket as a pet). Gremlins are the mascot for Level One at Foxfire.

### Griffin

A lionlike beast with wings and a beaked nose-much like the human myths surrounding their existence. Given their eagle-sharp eyesight, enourmouse claws, and prominent fangs, griffins are deadly hunters and are some of the trickiest creatures to rehabilitate.

### Gulon

Incredibly stinky greenish creatures that are rarely seen above-ground (though a number became visible during Foxfire's infamous Great Gulon Incident). Their bodies are similar in size to a large rabbit, but shaped more like a rodent-with the exception of their noses, which are elongated like an anteater's.

### Halycon

Small birds with feathers in different shades of blue (not to be confused with the birds that humans have given the same name). Halycons are able to sense when a storm is coming, and they serve as the mascot for Level Two at Foxfire.

### Ichrite

A type of tiny, troublesome insect similar in size to a flea, but with silver bodies perfect for blending into unicorn fur. Ichrites feed primarily on unicorn blood.

### Imp

Palm-size gray creatures with enormous eyes, furry ears, batlike wings, and tiniy purple tongues. Imps are equal parts adorable and troublesome-with a venomous bite that isn't deadly (but is painful). THey're also incredibly stinky and known for their loud snoring. But under the right circumstances, they can make wonderful pets (as in the case of Sophie Foster's imp, Iggy).

### Jackalope

Rabbitlike creatures with massive antlers jutting out of their heads. Humans consider them to be nothing more than a silly folk tale.

### Jaculus

Black, winged serpents that feed off blood by latching onto an animal and injecting them with venom that serves as a powerful anticoagulant.

### Kelpie

Bluish-green water horses that are slightly sparkly. Kelpies are beautiful and elusive and live primarily in the Gloaming Valley where the Alenon River connects to the ocean. Kelpies were chosen by the Council as the mascot for Shaylyn Vacker when she joined Team Valiant.

### Kraken

Slimy green beasts that look like a strange combination of an octopus, an elephant, and a lian, with six fangs and a trunklike, tentacled nose. Krakens live so deep under the ocean that the elves don't need to relocate them-but they do still monitor them to ensure they're safe. The kraken was chosen by the Council as a mascot for Stina Heks when she joined Team Valiant.

### Larvagorn

Bugs that look like a blend of scorpions and maggots-considered a dwarven delicacy (and a favorite food of eckodons).

### Manticore

A powerful beast with red shaggy fur, blue-gray eyes, and multiple rows of teeth. Manticores' tails can sting much like a scorpion's, and their venom is a powerful sedative.

### Mastodon

Elephantine creatures believed to be extinct that are similar to woolly mammoths-but with shorter, stockier bodies and sharper tusks. Mastodons serve as the mascot for Level Three at Foxfire

### Meganeura

Vulture-size green insects believed to be extinct that look like enourmous dragonflies, with iridescent wings and eyes like disco balls on the sides of their heads.

### Mermaid

Despite the abndance of human legends, mermaids are neither humanoid nor pretty. Instead, they are eel-like creatures with stringy tentacled "hair" growing from their pointed heads. Most live wild in the ocean, and their migration is carefully monitored by the elves. But mermaids that are too weak to mak the journey are placed in private aquariums-the most famous of which is as Everglen.

### Moonlark

(Proper name: suldreen)

A rare species of bird with long legs like a crane, sweeping silver tail feathers like a peacock, and a curved neck like a swan. There heads are crested with wispy feathers, and their beaks are rounded bills. Moonlarks are best known for laying their eggs in the ocean-so only the strongest make it to shore-and leaving the babies to survive on their own (though the parents often nest close enough for the hatchlings to hear their songs.

### Murcat

Small underwater creatures that look like mini kittens coered in colorful scales. Although they have venomous fangs, murcats can be sweet once trained-though few choose them as a pet. (Linh Song adopted one recently, named Princess Purryfins).

### Muskog

Froglike creatures that burp stinky gas when frightened-which makes muskogs a popular choice for pranksters.

### Pannoniasaur

Bluish-gray freshwater mosasaurs that look like a combination of sharks, alligators, and eels. Pannoniasaurs have beady eyes and extra-long snouts, as well as an abundance of needle-sharp teeth. Lady Cadence sometimes uses them to pull her flaoting house-boat (Riverdrift).

### Pegasus

Winged equines that differ from alicorns by their smaller, huskier bodies-and their lack of a horn. They're also more common than unicorns and have deep blue spots and midnight blue manes.

### Phoenix

Eagle-size reddish birds with flame-resistant feathers, best known for their strange way of reproducing (which is likely the source of many human myths). Phoenixes are only able to conceive at the end of their lives, and they do not lay eggs like other birds. Instead, the baby develops inside the mother, who sheds her feathers as the pregnancy progresses. And when the last feather falls, she steps into fire, sacrificing herself for the new life that rises from her ashes and is cared for by the father.

### Pooka

A small aquatic creature that's a cross between a toad and a salamander, best known for the large pustules that form on its greenish yellow skin. Pooka pus serves a number of medicinal uses.

### Saber-toothed Tiger

Large red-orange cats with huge fangs and claws, believed to be extinct by humans. Saber-tothed tigers are used as the mascot for Level Five at Foxfire.

### Sanguillisk

Giant insects that look like a combination of a roach and a mosquito.

### Sasquatch

Tall, green, shaggy creatures with beady eyes, beaklike noses, and big feet (like the human legends). Sasquatches walk bipedally and live in dens in the forest. They're also avid climbers who can travel by treetop. And they're absurdly smelly.

### Selkie

Sleek black creatures with whiskered faces and long, coiled bodies, making them look part seal, part snake. THey routinely shed their skin, which liquifies into an oily black puddle swirled with iridescent blue. Many selkies live in the Sanctuary, but some live free on Inktide Island.

### Siren

Small, water-dwelling creatures that look a little like otters-only much less adorable. Their black fur is matted, their gray faces are scaled with long whiskers like a catfish and their oversize mouths are always open, letting out shrill, earsplitting whines that some consider to be musical.

### Suncatcher

Majestic yellow birds with long, wispy tail feathers that curl out behind them in wide coils. Suncatchers are best known for their tremendous wingspan and the sheen on their bodies, which can make them painful to look at when they stand in direct sunlight.

### Titanoboa

Absolutely enourmous snakes that humans think are extinct. Titanoboas live so deep underground that they don't necessarily need protection, but the elves still monitor them. The most famous Titanoboa is Twinkle, who pulls the gobli nqueen's royal carriage through the Imperial Pathways to and from Gildingham.

### Tomple

Small, fluffy creature that look like a cute cros between a kitten and a headgehog-until they turn over and display their six spindly cockroachlike legs. Tomples feed on dust, which makes them useful to keep in labs-though many elvin homes have them as ell. And the COuncil chose tomples as a mascot for De Dizznee when he joined Team Valiant.

### Tredgeon

Gigantic sand crabs with squirming legs and atennae iridescent claws, and a glowing opalescent shell. Tredgeons tunnel underground like dwarevs, which is why the dwarves value their carapace above any gem (and even use it for their leader's crown).

### Unicorn

Rare horned equines with black manes and tails, silvery bodies, and no wings. Only one pair of unicorns lives at the Sanctuary. The rest are with various members for the Heks family, who've mastermed unicorn care and breeding. Unicorns are the mascot for Level Eight at Foxfire.

### Verminion

Rottweiler-size hamsterlike beasts with purple fur, glassy black eyes, constantly growing fangs, and pouchy cheeks where they store their "food"-including small animals they've hunted.

### Woolly Mammoth

Large elephantine creatures similar to mastodons, only they're larger and have longer horns. Humans believe them to be extinct, but there is a thriving herd at the Sanctuary.

### Wyvern

Huge winged lizards with a ridge of spikes down their back-similar to a dragon. But they only have two legs and two much smaller arms, like a T. rexx. Wyverns were chosen by the Council as a mascot for Wylie Endal when he joined Team Valiant.

### Yeti

Large bipedal creatures with bushy white fur and tiny eyes. Yetis are the source of the human myths about the abominable snowman, and they serve as the mascot for Level Six at Foxfire.