Earth but not the Earth we know today. This Earth has not yet passed through the 1600s and the Americas have just been stated to be colonized. Humankind also is not alone on this version of earth, monsters walk among them. Vampires maintain strongholds, werewolves walk among the peasants, beasts of myth fly in the sky, fae play in the woods and creatures stalk humans in the darkest night.
Because of these beings, an unknown profession in our own Earth has appeared, Monster Hunters. Part mercenaries, part folklorist and part hunter, theses men (and women) work for those that hire them to hunt down the beasts that threaten humans or are considered “evil”. Many find themselves under employment by the church or a highly religious noble. The hunters work alone or in bands to put these beasts down.
Some Monsters
(Europe)
Black Dog: The black dog is essentially a nocturnal spectre, and its appearance was regarded as a portent of death. It is generally supposed to be larger than a physical dog, and often has large, glowing eyes (but not always, some are resemble small, sad dogs). They are often associated with electrical storms and also with crossroads, places of execution and ancient pathways. Black dogs are either malevolent, although few (such as the Barghest) are held to be directly harmful or benevolent. Some are a portent of de a protector and guide. ath, or are in some way associated with the Devil. Some as a protector and guide or luck. Seeing a black dog once can mean good luck (or death in some cases), seeing the same black dog twice means bad luck and seeing the same black dog three times means death.
Church Grim or Kirk Grim: They are said to be the attendant spirits of churches, overseeing the welfare of their particular church. English Church Grims are said to enjoy loudly ringing the bells. They may appear large black dogs. In parts of Europe, including Britain and Scandinavia, a completely black dog would be buried alive in the grounds of a newly built church, thus creating a guardian spirit, the church grim, in order to protect the church from the devil. Grims created in this way are normally bound to their church but in the case of the church being torn down and built over, will protect the new building.
Wulver: The false werewolf. It is described as a man, covered with short brown hair but with a wolf's head. Unlike most werewolves, the wulver kept to itself and was not aggressive if left in peace. He spent most of his time sitting on a rock, still known as The Wulver's Stane, fishing, and was reported to have occasionally left fish on the window sills of poor families.
Werebeast: Legend tells of a few different clans, in days of old, that worshiped a moon goddess and for their service (or cursed if you believe the church) were granted the ability to change shape. They also gained faster healing bodies. Most wounds that would kill a human only slow a werebeast. Burns however, do not seem to heal well for them. A guaranteed kill would include one either severing the spine, burning the body or using a poison like Wolfsbane.
Like humans, werebeasts can be good or evil but it’s the evil ones that rampage and kill humans that get the spotlight. They can breed with humans but the child is always the mother’s race.
Vampire: an offshoot of humanity, a cursed soul or demon, the exact origin of vampires is unknown. A healthy vampire is required to feed on blood, human blood if they can get it but animal blood will hold them over for some time. A bite from a vampire will turn a human into one of them (if the vampire wants to or the human is a victim of many, prolonged feedings), giving proof that they are cursed but it takes time, normally a week or more. Victims that survive their attacks and remain human speak of the vampire's hypnotic eyes (vampires must be very close for this to work) and feeling nothing during the bite.
Pure vampires are normally handsome or beautiful, with pale skin that it highly sensitive to sunlight. Their skin is so sensitive that brief exposure to sunlight will cause bad second degree to third degree burns and long exposure will make flesh char and caused a painful death.
Crosses do nothing to vampires, unless one is driving it into the vampire’s heart. Holy water is more effective but only if your trying to drown a vampire in it. For some reason, vampires sink like a lead bar in water.
Like humans and werebeasts, vampires can be good or evil but with humans or werebeasts as a major food source for vampires, the choice is be evil or starve.
Ramidreju: that resembles a weasel. They are born every 100 years from a weasel or a marten. This animal has a very long body, like a snake, and their fur is slightly green-colored. Its eyes are yellow and its nose is like that of a hog, which it uses to dig very profound holes. Ramidrejus are a very wanted animal in Spanish folklore because its fur heals every sickness and the animal has a big desire for gold.
Phooka: It is one of the myriad of fairy (faery) folk, and, like many faery folk, is both respected and feared by those who believe in it.
According to legend, the phooka is an adroit shape changer, capable of assuming a variety of terrifying forms. It may appear as a horse, rabbit, goat, goblin, or dog. No matter what form the phooka takes, its fur is almost always dark. It most commonly takes the form of a sleek black horse with a flowing mane and glowing yellow eyes.
If a human is enticed onto a phooka's back it has been known to give them a wild ride. But unlike a kelpie, which will take its rider and dive into the nearest river or lake to drown and devour him, the phooka will do the unfortunate rider no real harm. The Púca has the power of human speech, and has been known to give advice and lead people away from danger. Though the phooka enjoys confusing and often terrifying humans, it is considered to be benevolent.
Kelpie: Its hide was generally supposed to be black and will appear to be a lost pony, but can be identified by its constantly dripping mane. Its skin is like that of a seal, smooth, but is as cold as death when touched. The horse appearance is strong, powerful, and breathtaking. Water Horses are also known to transform into handsome men in order to lure women into their traps. It is understood that the nostril of the horse is what creates the illusion of grandeur. The water horse also creates illusions to keep itself hidden, keeping only it's eye above water to scout the surface, much like the illusion of a fish's pupil.
The water horse is also a common form of the "kelpie," known to lure mortals, especially children into the water to drown and eat them. It performs this act by encouraging children to ride on its back. Once it's victim falls into it's trap, the Kelpie's skin becomes adhesive and rides into the river, dragging them to the bottom of the water and devouring them - except the heart or liver. A common Scottish tale is the story of nine children lured onto a Kelpie's back, while a tenth keeps his distance. The kelpie chases him and tries to catch him, but he escapes. A variation on this is that the tenth child simply strokes the kelpie's nose, but when his finger becomes stuck to it he takes a knife from his pocket and cuts his own finger off. He saves himself, but is unable to help his friends as they are pulled underwater with the kelpie. Commonly known as spirits of the dead, kelpies are not benevolent creatures.
Lynx: an elusive, ghost-like animal that sees without being seen. Often called "the keeper of secrets of the forest", its magical appearance stems from the mystery that such a creature's secrecy can also be its strength. The Lynx teaches us that even the smallest can succeed in life, and that the world can unfold itself to those who stop and listen. The lynx is not a guardian of secrets so much as the one who knows them, especially when it comes to those secrets that are either obscured by time and space or are completely lost to the world. The lynx is therefore associated with divination and clairvoyance. Those who seek the lynx may find difficulty in getting it to cooperate. Just because the lynx knows secrets does not mean it wishes to share them. Only by respecting the lynx's behavior and listening carefully may one begin to receive an answer.
This power and ability to remain unseen attracted ancient warriors to adopt the lynx and, thus, they believed, its nature. Cunning, solitary hunters, lynx have large eyes and a keen sense of hearing which enables them to hunt at night.
Those who have been touched by the lynx's presence may be given a boon and bane. A lynx may guide the listener to a secret, whether it be a lost object or a hidden truth that is somehow relevant at the present time. On the other hand, the lynx may be an omen to warn those who have somehow betrayed the confidentiality of oneself or others.
(Americas)
Sasquatch: ape-like creature, standing between ten and twelve feet tall and covered in dark brown or dark reddish hair. The head seems to sit directly on the shoulders, with no apparent neck. They have described large eyes, a pronounced brow ridge, and a large, low-set forehead; the top of the head has been described as rounded and crested, similar to the sagittal crest of the male gorilla. They generally travel in bands ranging from three to fifteen and mostly female. Males can be found traveling around by themselves or on or two in a band. They don’t attack humans save if a human attacks them or they are sick. If a human attacks them, the whole band will kill that human and trace them back to their home, to destroy it.
Kee-wakw: a rare beastie. Looks like a very tall, underfed wolverine that walks on humanoid hind legs. The forearms are too long for its body and end in a large paw, tipped in razor claws. They normally eat anything they can catch, including each other (save in the breeding season)
Dijien: man-sized spiders that like to drop down from the treetops onto prey. Their venom sends their victims into shock after several minutes, if they don’t bleed out from multiple bites from large fangs.
Dzunukwa: Their appearance is that of a naked, black-skinned, furry humanoid with long pendulous breasts. Males are never seen. They travel all the time, never staying longer then a few nights in one place, either alone or in pairs. Fearful of human adults, they attack and eat children left unattended. If back into a corner, they fight like the devil to get free. Dzunukwa’s have limited eyesight, and can be easily avoided because they can barely see.
Gichi-anami'e-bizhiw: called Copper Cats by any hunter that’s seen them. The same size and shape as a mountain lion but covered in copper, snake like scales and the males have two short, curved horns on their heads. Adults live in male female pairs and have a wide range of territory, which they will fight to the death to defend. While the adults are vicious, their young are meek as newborn kittens for two years before getting that mean streak and might be possible to tame.
N'ha-aitk: The N'ha-atik, or Ogopogo, as the colonists call it, is a large, eel like serpentine creature. Usually found in lakes or inland bays, they are usually passive creatures, not caring about the lives of man. Though, if one is hungry and a human is avadible, they aren't the most picky eaters. Their main diet is Sasquatch and Dzunukwa, and anything of that size and shape that venture into or near the water. They are rarely seen, and many sightings are reported as a log or breeching fish, though some settlers have disappeared when they went to have a wash...
The Jersey Devil:The Jersey Devil, sometimes called the Leeds Devil, is a bipedal creature with a horse like head, long neck and tail, leathery wings, and cloven hooves. Although nearly seven feet tall, it can fly with surprising strength and its presence is forewarned by its blood-curdling scream. It does not normally seek out human prey, preferring to feed on native mammals and livestock, but will often attack when confused or surprised.
If there is any monster you want to see in the roleplay or have interact with, please write up a monster profile and have me approve it.
Character Profile
Name:
Age:
Race (human, werebeast, vampire):
Gender:
Appearance (remember 1600s fashion and pic okay):
Weapon(s):
Reason for being a hunter:
Other:
Mine
Name: Conlan Ó Miadhagáin
Age: 29
Race: Human
Gender: male
Appearance:
Weapon(s): side sword and a pair of wheellock pistols
Reason for being a hunter: comes from a long line of hunters
Other: Current leader of the Slayers
I'll make you a pie if you wont get angry ;__;