Mythic Beasts

Main article: Religion

Vitan mythology includes several mythic beasts. They are not part of the Circle Pantheon, but in certain cultures are worshiped alongside the gods as demigods.

Despite their name and purported supernatural qualities, mythic beasts actually exist. In fact, there are a number of them living in Anaxas. They are mysterious, and their language cannot be understood unless the beasts wish to speak directly to a man (which is extremely rare). Their fearsome appearance belies their true nature, as they are peaceful among each other - a mythic beast will never harm another mythic beast. For the most part, they will not harm mankind either; hatchers are the exception.

All mythic beasts have a deep and instinctual relationship with the mona, and wield a wild, untamed magic of their own. They operate on a hivemind, or collective consciousness, with their respective species.

Hatchers

Long, lean and lithe, hatchers are feared worldwide. Their name comes from the ancient term Ha'tcheth, rarely used by anyone outside of Anhau. They are known to kill galdori and other races who come across them.

Hatchers emit a mist that shrouds them entirely, often covering miles and miles of terrain, and move in large groups. The mist they exude cancels magical will, making it impossible to cast. They are the ultimate killing machines - swift and silent, with fine-tuned senses, sharp teeth and claws, and a rapid reflexes. It is said to be impossible to kill a hatcher, and few have tried.

This is an approximation of what hatchers look like; an accurate picture is impossible, as they have never been seen properly by anyone, or at least no one who has gotten a really good look has lived to describe them.

showing the movement of the head

concept art by Autumn Haynes

Aerra

Aerra are enormous, flighted birdlike creatures, known as the most mysterious of the mythic beasts. They live deep in forests and do not communicate with men of any race. In myths, aerra would sometimes communicate with lost children, aiding them in some way, but this has not occurred in recent memory. The scientific community has been most interested in aerra, and many expeditions seek to discover one in its natural habitat, but these attempts have proven fruitless. Aerra are never seen unless they wish to be seen.

This is a visual approximation of what an aerra might look like. As they have not been sighted in some time, this is not an entirely accurate image.

concept art by Autumn Haynes

Vradire

Vradire are saurians, similar in size to the aerra. They typically live in mountainous terrain, but can also be seen occasionally in forests. Like the aerra, they are uncommunicative with humans. Vradire live alone, and return to the place of their birth once every ten years or so to mate and bear offspring (an unusual practice among mythic beasts).

Bambusi

Bambusi are tall yak-like creatures that resemble brachiosaurs. They are kind and gentle animals who inhabit the mountains of Hox. The bambusi have special relationships with the humans of Hox, sometimes allowing them to view them or even approach them.

Dapao

Dapao are enormous water tigers that inhabit the ocean and certain lakes. They are ancient and wise, and are among the only mythic beasts to ever communicate with humanoid races. When they speak, they often warn of danger; they seem to have innate understanding of the human condition and an uncannily up-to-date knowledge about the goings-on of the human world. They are bluish in color, with piercingly white eyes, and have long fur.

Fjarnegoth

Fjarnegoth are scaled, aquatic beasts, somewhat doglike in the face, with long, lithe bodies. They have distinguishing manes and tails of white hair. Fjarnegoth live in the ice to the north, in regions where no man has visited in many millennia; they are only spoken of in tales of Roannah, sometimes given the ancient collective name of Roth. In stories, they are said to be the kindest and gentlest of the mythic beasts, but fiercely protective of their sacred land and the people they protect.