Cryptids
Type: Primal
Cryptids are powerful nonmagical creatures. Reclusive and rare, they typically avoid civilization, and are more commonly found in the wilds or in Arcadia. Some belong to distinct cryptid species, while others are completely unique creatures.
- Abilities: Cryptids usually have only natural abilities, like those of animals. Many are quite large and strong. Because of their association with Primal, it’s not unheard of for them to have regenerative abilities or even minor nature magic. They sometimes may have very simple supernatural abilities, such as breath attacks. However, creatures that are more strongly magical in nature are usually classified as fey. Surviving in the wilderness is often second nature for cryptids.
- Origin: Cryptids are the result of Primal energies transforming living creatures, and creating new ones. Many are ancient species that have simply learned how to avoid humanity (or at least the dangerous parts of it). Others are spontaneous mutations that occur at birth, most commonly in rural areas. Cryptids also sometimes arise in the depths of the wilds, where Primal magic is at its strongest and most chaotic. Beastmen have a particularly strong connection to cryptids, as both were created by the power of Primal. Cryptid mutations are more likely to arise from the beastman population than elsewhere, in the form of beastmen with more powerful animal abilities.
- Varieties: Cryptids come in a wide variety of forms. Usually, they resemble monstrous animals or plant-creatures, or a mix between the two. They are often hybrids between several types of organisms, or have unusual physical mutations such as extra limbs. Also, technically speaking, there’s no difference between a cryptid and a rare or supposedly extinct animal species; a living dinosaur would count as a cryptid.
- Personality: Many cryptids are simply animals. However, even sentient cryptids strongly feel the pull of nature within them. They’ll tend to feel out of place in urban areas, and will usually seek out wilderness areas to make their dwellings in.
- Visibility: Complicated. Cryptids often prefer to avoid mundanes, and many cryptids are thought of as nothing more than urban legends. Because cryptids are created in a similar way to mutants, they are often incorrectly classified as mutants when they are discovered. Some cryptids are able to pass themselves off as simple beastmen, but even these will tend to prefer the seclusion of wilderness to civilization.
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments