Encyclopedia of Evil Creatures and How to Hunt Them: Vol. II

## On Liches

Liches are undead creatures who, in life, were powerful spellcasters. Often little more than evil, insane, scheming shadows of their past selves; Liches have a hunger for long-lost secrets and hidden lore. They are hoarders of knowledge and magical artifacts, and often formulate complex and long-spanning plans to reach their goals which could take centuries to come to fruition.

How one becomes a Lich is not known exactly; it is known that soul magics are involved, and often sacrifices and potions. The origin of the secret and evil process it takes to become a lich is highlt contested; however many believe that it was the terrible Lich Queen Erandis Vol, The Lady of Blood, Lady Vol.

Hunting Liches can be difficult, because they often leave no signs of their presence and remain hidden away, waiting for their secret and complex plans to call them to action. Abandoned libraries, wizard towers, or Arcanums are all places that one might find a Lich.

Fighting the Lich is not much easier. They are barely affected by electricity, death magics, or the cold. Poisons and unsilvered weapons do no harm to them. They do not frighten or fatigue. Nor can they be charmed or paralyzed. They have access to rare and powerful spells which only the mightiest wizards can learn, and clerical magics often times can fail against the power of the Lich.

The cold touch of the Lich can freeze your very muscles, and often times it does this to paralyze it's prey. The gaze of a Lich can fill even the bravest warrior's heart with fear. The Lich is a master of death magics, most who fight the Lich are withered away by his powers.

The best advice to be given when fighting a Lich is to find it's 'phylactery.' It is suspected that this is the source of his Lich-ness, and it what brings the Lich's body back to life when it is destroyed. So, acquiring the phylactery and destroying it will prevent him from returning.

## On Medusas

Medusas are terrible feminine serpentine creatures who only desire to bring suffering and death to all who comes before them. Created as a wicked curse from those blasted Gods, Medusas are awful monsters of unnatural ugliness. Their bodies are that of a snake, and their scaly heads sprout a large number of poisonous snakes, who attack those who would dare to get too near. As well as this, Medusas are skilled archers, normally preferring not to get into close combat. Rather, they hide in the shadows waiting for the right moment to strike, waiting for their prey to cluster up together in a convenient manner, and then reveal themselves to turn their prey into stone.

As a result, the best preparations to make if you want to fight one of these monsters is to hire an archer or spellcaster. Though mercenaries can cost a pretty penny, the petrifying gaze of the Medusa does not work at long range, making her susceptible to ranged attacks. It is not known the reach of the Medusa's gaze, but men are said to have gotten within fifty feet without turning to stone.

The Medusa is no stupid creature, however, and recognizes her own shortcomings. Often, Medusas will make nests in tight and cramped spaces to make it easier to effect their prey; and as well as this, she keeps a number of underlings around to pick off those who would spread out. Amongst her thralls are a number of creatures.

Most impressive and most dangerous, is the Medusa's lieutenant. The Maedar is the male equivalent of a Medusa. This creature is a most fearsome and deadly one, being extremely strong and hardy. Often wearing heavy armor, these creatures do not have the ability to petrify. Instead, they are latent with a deadly toxic venom. Their strong fists; which they normally decide to fight with, forgoing a forged weapon; inject poison into the skin of their prey, and their bows which they tend to use as a last resort are doused with the very same poison. Even the gaze of this terrible monster is poisonous. Just as Medusa can petrify a man with a single glance, so can the Maedar kill with theirs through their deadly venom.

Oftentimes the Medusa will have a number of Lesser Medusa under her command. They appear similar to the Medusa herself, but without the snake hair. They cannot petrify and are able combatants, both melee and ranged. Their primary function in the Medusa hierarchy is to help the Medusa set up her surprise attacks, and so they are indeed very sneaky.

The Medusa also has a number of snake thralls which serve her, most dangerous of which is the giant constrictors which try to tangle up the Medusa's prey so she can gaze into their eyes. Further, any common snake within a few hundred feet around the Medusa's lair will be attracted to her and abnormally aggressive. It has been reported that such affected snakes detect the presence of anyone in the area and swarm together creating giant masses that attack the intruders nearly in sync.

All of the above having been stated, it is this humble researchers opinion that if ever you are faced with the prospect of fighting a Medusa, especially if that Medusa has the full range of thralls detailed here, then you should run with all haste. If however, you find yourself unable to run for reasons of valor or honor; or you find yourself trapped in the dungeon of the beast; well then, all I can give to you is a good luck, and hope that your death is a quick one.