CREATURES & BEASTS

DRAGONS

INTRODUCTION

The origin of dragons dates back to a time known as Before the First Era. It remains uncertain how dragons came into existence: whether they were created by Naumathar or emerged from the Black Portals before these were guarded by the Koluns-kand, the Nine Guardians of the Laienürimim. The First Dragons that appeared Before the First Era of Anahkólion were named Kathand-Ond-nath, as they were small in size. There was no way to compare the Kathand-Ond-nath with the Kathand-Thândnath, the Great Black Dragons, as they were called in Ernt-nador, since Omnathar had not yet induced the dragons’ evolution. Finally, came the Kathand-Thûndnath, the Great White Dragons, created by Thuror and the Goddess Thard.

*Chronologically, the story mentions in Book I, Chapter I – The God of Darkness – the Kathand-Thândnath, which is why these dragons appear first.

KATHAND-THÂNDNATH

Omnathar observed the rise of the Thayad lineage, the warrior women of Thard, and their bond with the Kathand-Ond-nath. Each warrior raised a dragon from birth, and over time, every child would have one to grow alongside. This development displeased Omnathar, who had his own plans for a complete transformation of Naumathar’s world. With the aid of the Kathand-Ond-nath, Thard’s warrior women were growing too powerful. In response, Omnathar decided to create something much larger and more formidable, fundamentally altering the nature of these creatures. Capturing two black dragons along with their warrior partners, Omnathar used his power in the depths of the Realm of Darkness, located northwest of Anathurilis, to create the first Kathand-Thândnath. After forty Cycles, Kathand Thoer and Kathand Gorum emerged as the greatest dragons ever seen, known as the Kathand-Thândnath or Great Black Dragons. Together, Kathand Thoer and Kathand Gorum spread terror across worlds when war broke out. No force seemed capable of quelling the fury of these creatures. Seeing the devastation wrought, Naumathar, along with Thuror and the goddess Thard, decided to intervene with equal might.

KATHAND-THÛNDNATH

In the face of the fury of the Kathand-Thândnath, Naumathar secretly convened with Thuror and the goddess Thard, and they decided to create two other dragons of similar magnitude and size to the Black Dragons. These creatures were to be as powerful as the Kathand-Thândnath, but completely their opposite. After convincing Ayar, a direct descendant of Thard’s lineage, and Bramarh, a prominent commander of the Thayad’s, they began the transformation of their rare white dragons. Thus, Khryll and Dhärath, the Great White Dragons of Fire, were born. Though enormous, Ayar still rode Khryll, while Bramarh flew atop Dhärath. Over time, the Great Dragons began to proliferate. Eventually, many of them were taken to a secret and safe place, where they could live in peace, until the outbreak of what would later be known as the War of the Worlds, when everything changed.

Before the First Era of the Worlds, the First Dragons, known as Kathand-Ond-nath, lived on the island of Kathond-nath, north of Anahkólion. The Kathand-Ond-nath were small dragons compared to the Kathand-Thândnath, averaging a size of two to three horses. Although not naturally fierce creatures, the Kathand-Ond-nath became aggressive and formidable when threatened. Long after the creation of the First Lineages, the Kathand-Ond-nath began to be hunted by men from the First, Second, and Third Lineages, who sought the dragons’ meat and armor-like hides. In a Council of the Kings of the First Lineage, Naöhrad decreed a ban on dragon hunting, but the measure proved unsuccessful. It was during this period that Thayad, the first queen of the kingdom of Thard, chose to protect these animals, who had no “mistresses,” before they fell to extinction. The Thayad’s, while still in full strength across Anahkólion, successfully deterred many men from different lineages from pursuing the dragons. This protection ultimately led the Thayad’s to bring the animals to the kingdom of Thard, where they could live in peace. Over time, this bond developed into a deep emotional connection between the Warriors of Thard and the dragons. In a span of about one hundred Cycles — a relatively short time for that era — every Thayad, from the Royal Guard to young children, had their own dragon. Thus, the Thayad’s became the first to rear and ride a Kathand-Ond-nath.

KATHAND-OND-NATH

THE FIRST DRAGONS OF KATHAND-OND-NATH

DARK CREATURES

HARZ

After many experiments by Omnathar with various warriors captured within his dominion at the Castle of Darkness in Anathurilis, the Harz were created. "Harz," an abbreviation of Durpanharzum, were immortal beings with six arms. As creations of the dark, they served Omnathar for missions beyond the realm of Darkness and in battles. During the Second Era of Anahkólion, the Harz struck terror into the hearts of warriors and the kingdoms they encountered, winning every battle they entered. Only a few possessed the skill and focus needed to confront a Harz, and even fewer escaped alive. Ages later, the Harz vanished and were forgotten by the world, only to resurface in Ernt-nador instead of Anathurilis. There, they became known as the Drokhus of Örhadhur, for reasons that would become clear in the time before Ernt-nador’s First Era.

DEMON OF JHUROM OR LIJ'UROR

The origin of the Demon of Jhurom, one of the most powerful beasts transformed by Omnathar, dates back to a time when the world was still being formed, known as Before the First Era. This creature held immense power, with the unique ability to dematerialize and retreat to a designated dwelling. This retreat, to the Scepter, allowed the demon to restore its strength and powers, a place that could sustain its malignant body and spirit. This artifact was named the Scepter of Jhurom, although over time, the name evolved, eventually becoming the Scepter of Lij’uror. The Scepter contained the only Walb-Ky in existence, a Blood Stone or Master Stone, taken from the uncharted depths of the Dark Mountain in Anathurilis by Nomenadhúrth, Lord of Darkness. The Scepter was the sole artifact with the power to both release and control the demon. The creators of the Scepter of Jhurom, later known as Lij’uror, and the mystery surrounding one of Ernt-nador’s most feared creatures will be revealed throughout the Master of Wizards and The Origin of Evil series.

JHUROM IN FORT THIURUM ONCK, KINGDOM OF THIURETHI

SILUS RENST

The moment of Silus Renst's transformation remains lost to time, but what is known is as follows: Silus Renst was once an ordinary person named Uhlar, who, through adverse circumstances and against their will, fell into the world of darkness, where they assumed a new form and acquired immense, unimaginable powers. However, the truth is that they were bound to something they could not overcome and would live in that form forever. As with all things, this transformation came with the responsibility and duty to command a vast army of cursed beasts. Their former name was forgotten, and they came to be known only as Silus Renst. Their identity and lineage remain shrouded in mystery, but all mysteries are destined to be revealed one day.

THORENS,
THE DARK GUARDIANS

Faced with the need to create a force to invade the realms of Anahkólion, Anathurilis, and Ernathurilis, Omnathar created the Thorens to form the Army of Darkness. The Thorens were nothing more than Gontthers, transformed into twisted creatures, obedient to only one master: Omnathar. When Nomenadhúrth was brought into being, Omnathar incited him to lead the Thorens, the Dark Guardians, against the worlds of Anahkólion, Anathurilis, and Ernathurilis. Accompanied by the Ardolerocs, who were once Arlierocs, the ancient feline companions of the Gontthers, the Thorens were relentless warriors who knew no mercy.

ARDORLEROCS

The Gontthers, Warriors of the Gods, were accompanied by large feline beasts known as Arlierocs. Omnathar captured some of these creatures and transformed them entirely, giving rise to the Ardolerocs. These Ardolerocs no longer resembled the Arlierocs; they became savage and violent beasts. Over the Cycles, Nomenadhúrth bred countless numbers of these creatures, amassing an army of beasts from the shadows. In time, the Ardolerocs and their masters would clash in battle against the Gontthers and their Arlierocs.

BEASTS OF ÔSTD

The true origin of the Beasts of Ôstd remains unknown. Whether they were created or transformed is uncertain, but what is known is that they first appeared during the Great War in Anahkólion. Prior to the war’s outbreak, rumors of man-eating beasts were said to haunt the western lands of Anathurilis. The Beasts of Ôstd are demonic creatures with superhuman strength. They move swiftly, kill their prey with brutal force, and, after killing, devour their victims’ flesh, especially their brains. These creatures, like many others, first emerged in Anathurilis, then mysteriously crossed the seas, spreading across the worlds of Anahkólion, Ernathurilis, and much later, appearing in Ernt-nador. Some kingdoms suspect they rose from the depths of darkness. Thuror and the goddess Maráhadar believe they may have been unleashed from one of the Nine Laienürimim. To Yondar, the First Wizard, a hidden secret lies behind their emergence, one that suggests these creatures might be far more than they seem.

BRUNTHERS

No one truly knows from where or how the creatures and beasts that plagued and terrorized the worlds over the Eras and Times appeared. Many creatures emerged across realms without any plausible explanation, beginning in Anahkólion during the period known as “Before the First Era.” Some gods speculated that these beasts might have come from realms beyond mortal comprehension, while others believed a powerful entity must have created them. However, three gods suspect there is a high probability these creatures emerged from the dark depths of the Nine Black Portals, initially guarded by the Nine Koluns-kand and later by the goddess Maráhadar, the Keeper of the Laienürimim. Some of these creatures were hunted and wiped out, vanishing over the Eras and Times. Other demonic beasts hid themselves deep within mountains and chasms. A few, however, not only survived but spread, carried by the seas to other worlds. In the ancient past, before recorded time, Ernt-nador harbored many of these creatures, hiding in darkness. Some became known due to attacks during the Time of Chaos. Others caused widespread devastation, with only a rare few being captured.

Other beings are hidden away by forces unknown to common men, while most have been forgotten by the Ages and Times. Yet, a select few lie dormant, awaiting the moment to awaken! Long before they were named the Beasts of Brunther or known as the Creatures of Modin, these grotesque and bloodthirsty beasts existed. In ancient times, they were simply called the Black Beasts. Their origins in Ernt-nador were recorded as the first kingdoms began to take root, their presence spanning countless Ages. The emerging kingdoms of Deutharin and Anghur documented the existence of these creatures in their early records, noting attacks and sightings. Moreover, even older writings from the First Era of Anahkólion and early Second Era of Anathurilis mention similar beasts, suggesting they roamed those lands long ago.

KÓRSK, DEMONS OF
THE DEPTHS OF DHOMNAR

The Kórsk were monstrous beings brought forth by Omnathar from one of the Black Portals before the First Era of Anahkólion. These creatures are large, with wrinkled skin and lacking both nose and eyes. Due to their extreme sensitivity to light, they can only exist in darkness. For many cycles, they plagued the kingdoms of Anathurilis, especially preying on those who dared to cross the gorge of Dhomnar. For countless Eras, the Kórsk dwelled in the Depths of Dhomnar until darkness spread across the world, allowing them to leave their domain and unleash a bloody rampage. In a secret journey led by three formidable beings who would later be known as the Narfanian Witches, some Kórsk left Anathurilis by sea. After an incalculable span, having nearly devoured the entire ship crew, they reached a land that, much later, would be called Ernt-nador. There, in the Depths of Bahrar’s Mountains, the Kórsk took refuge, hiding from both the world and the light—until the day light was extinguished entirely by darkness.

VHAUGHS

The story of the Jewel of Vaul dates back to the Time Before Times in Ernt-nador. The exact moment of its creation is lost, as is the truth of its origins. The Legend of the Vhaughs is real, and with each return to the world, it brings death and devastation. Tragically, only one person is known to have survived contact with the Black Jewel of Vaul and escaped its power, and this for a single reason. The Legend of the Servants of the Black Jewel of Vaul leads us to a place in Southeastern Ernt-nador, deep within a vast forest that, in the Second Era of Ernt-nador, became known as the Forest of the Vhaughs. Speculation surrounds the existence of a supposed citadel within the Vhaughs Forest, dating to a time before the First Era of Ernt-nador. However, no proof confirms the citadel’s existence—only the testimony of the lone survivor. Others, including hunters, looters, and thieves who have searched the forest’s depths for the citadel, never returned. The Jewel of Vaul holds powers as ancient as the first gods.

WRULL’S

A vast mystery shrouds the origins of the creatures that would eventually give the name to Wrulls Bay, the site of the Ebe Tower. Sadly, the story of the Wrulls is intertwined with the enigma surrounding the Citadel of Eberthûndor and the vanishing of its entire population. No accounts exist to shed light on what happened in those distant times, nor can we pinpoint exactly when these events took place. Yet before the Union of the Kingdoms, someone will call forth creatures long forgotten in past Eras. Ernt-nador is on the verge of uncovering the secrets of its ancient past.

RHÜN'S, THREE-EYED GIANTS

Originally, the Rhün's did not have that horrid form, nor did they possess three eyes. Their ancestry traces back to a lineage of giants called the Barons, gentle and friendly, renowned for their ceaseless work often called the “Builders of Kingdoms.” The Barons initially resided in Anahkólion, where they constructed nearly all of the realms. During the Second Era of Anahkólion and even before, in the Time of Expeditions, they were taken to other worlds to fulfill similar roles. On one of these worlds, several Barons were captured and transformed into beings that became known first as Drun's. Later, in Ernt-nador, they were renamed as the Rhün's. Today, in the cycle 1974 of the Time of Wizards, the Rhün’s remain exiled on Katr’a-Ynthor Island—but perhaps not for much longer.

LODACKS

The creatures of Darunahan remain an unsolved mystery to the Order of Wizards. They first emerged in the Northern reaches of Ernt-nador, in the Dark Lands of Darunahan, before the Time of Chaos. Named after their place of origin, the Lodacks arose to serve Húr, the Lord of Shadows, long before his first true appearance in the world of Ernt-nador. During the Time of Chaos and the Time of Shadows, the Lodacks guarded their master’s Dark Castle.

RODARS

The tale of the Legend of the Rodars dates back approximately three hundred Cycles after the creation of all the Lineages of Anahkólion. Without the First Lineages’ knowledge, a small group of young members from the Nosferac and Dailhoror Lineages in the kingdom of Urhul stole a ship and set sail on the seas. Though not known for certain, it was suspected that these youths sought to explore new lands and prove their worth. Unfortunately, their ship encountered a violent storm after crossing the southern part of the Olthom Channel, heading towards Anathurilis. The storm engulfed the vessel, partly due to the distance they had kept from the Royal Port of Anahkólion, located in the far south of Ernathurilis. When the storm subsided after hours of tossing them about, the ship crashed upon the reefs of a beach in northern Anathurilis. The survivors abandoned the ship and sought shelter on land. It was night, and heavy rain continued to pour. After walking through dense darkness for an entire day, they stumbled upon a massive castle made of black stone. Inside, they met a man who appeared as ordinary as their own fathers. Yet, they were mistaken. The youths were led into the depths of the Castle of Darkness, where they underwent a series of transformations, losing all traces of their former selves. From that day forward, they were known as Rodars, which, in the language of Idhílion, means “abominable.”