The Bestiary of United Merion

In addition to the more common animals, such as dogs and horses, living in United Merion, a number of rarer and more supernatural creatures are also native to the Kingdom and its surrounding islands and bodies of water. Many of these species are deemed as dangerous and threats to the Merionese people, although some are kept in protective enclosures.

## Kraken

The Kraken (pronounced Kray-Ken) are a collection of biologically-similar species that live in the Wax between Starry Mark and the Eastern Marks, although it is rumored that they originate in the Shimmergaal to the South of the Magewood. Mostly amphibious in nature, although some are solely aquatic, Kraken vary drastically in size, from the smallest being the size of dogs to the largest being around the size of a carriage, if not larger. Kraken anatomy is wildly different depending on the individual creature, with some having bipedal limbs, others tentacles, others having no discernible limbs at all, etc. However, some traits are shared by all species of Kraken, such as their blood known as either Ink, Ichor, Krakengel, or another of any number of names, being fairly uniform across all varieties of kraken. Due to its uses in perfumes and musks and its extreme rarity (as killing a Kraken is the only known way to readily obtain some, and such a task is quite difficult), the substance is quite valuable.

Every year, for approximately four to six weeks, a significant number of Kraken emerge from the Wax upon the shores of Starry Mark and attempt to move inland at varying distances. It is still unknown why they do this, although Merionese scholars believe it is a kind of rite of passage for maturing kraken. It is during this time every year that the festival Krakentide is held, hosted by House Golscat.

## Chamrosh

Chamrosh are a species of hybrid animals with the body of a dog and the head and wings of a bird. They are primarily located on the Chamrosh Arm, a peninsula on the coast of the Western Marks that takes its name from the creatures. They are typically the size of very large hounds, although in rare instances one may grow large enough to ride. However, doing so would be extremely difficult as they are notoriously difficult to train.

## Unicorns

Unicorns are a species of horse-like creatures with a single horn in the middle of their heads. Although they are commonly slightly smaller than horses, they have very large and fluffy hair that tends to make them look larger. Despite their similarities to horses, Unicorns make awful mounts, although this has not stopped people from attempting to ride them.

Due to there being few in existence, all known unicorns live in enclosures run by the Candlebrooks in an attempt to keep them safe, keep the species alive, and study them before their possible end.

## Giant Spiders

Located primarily in heavily forested areas, such as in the Magewood or the Eastern Marks, giant spiders are identical to others species of spider except for their size, typically growing to around the size of an adult pig. Like their smaller counterparts, giant spiders tend to live alone as opposed to in groups, although exceptions to this have been recorded. They are almost always hostile to all other creatures, including humans, and it can take more than twenty people to kill a single one, including Knights. Because of this, they are considered extremely dangerous, and the discovery of one near civilization almost immediately leads to a mission to kill it.

## Forest Wurms

Very rarely found in the Eastern Marks, forest wurms are amphibious, serpent-like creatures with scales, sharp teeth, and fins at the back of its head. Today, forest wurms are typically the size of cats or smaller dogs, but there are historical records of some being larger than cows; it is assumed that this larger variety has died out. Despite their small stature, forest wurms are considered dangerous, and a nest of them can cause a serious problem for nearby farms or villages.

## The Creature of the Clifflands

The Creature of the Clifflands is a fabled creature that lives in the eponymous Clifflands. Described by those who have seen it as "something sleek and mammalian," it appears to look similar to a bear that walks upright, but less bulky. It is believed to be somewhat intelligent, although there is no evidence of it being able, or attempting, to converse with humans.

The creature was recently captured by House Chinasa with assistance from House Wittlocher and is being transported around the Clifflands as a traveling exhibition.

## Trivia

* The Chamrosh Arm is home to many uncommon creatures beside the Chamrosh, including very large lions and tigers and panthers, strange, multi-colored birds, spiders the size of a human head (not giant spiders), and more.
* The Kraken are based off Kaiju and similar giant monsters, with specific inspiration coming from Godzilla, Cthulhu, and the creature from the film The Host.
* Kraken blood is comparable to ambergris from sperm whales in both value and difficulty to acquire.
* The Chamrosh are based on the mythological Chamrosh, a creature from Persian mythology.
* There is a folk tale that the hounds of House Salim have some Chamrosh in their bloodline.
* Merionese unicorns have been compared to real-life pandas in terms of population size, cuteness, and state of protection.
* "Dodge-the-Wurm" is game occasionally played by soldiers and Knights, typically while drunk after an afternoon or evening spent in a tavern. Players of the game typically lose fingers in the process.