The Beast of Valeusse
'The Beast of Valeusse' is a Martellite urban legend revolving around a series of assaults in the area of Valeusse. The attacks were attributed to a lycanthrope, though the motive behind the attacks varies depending on the source.
It is commonly accepted among the nobles that the lycanthrope in question was a wild, animalistic man bent on revenge, attacking rich traders and caravans indiscriminately. He reportedly relished in the cannibalistic side of his curse, believing the flesh of the wealthy would provide him with greater health and youth. After the fifth attack, the local nobles dispatched an order to the general populace to hunt down the lycanthrope, the first man to claim its head would be paid a sum equal to the losses accrued by the monster's attacks. After the order was given, the lycanthrope was never found, though several people quelled the local wolf population in an attempt to trick the nobles into giving up the award. Eventually, the search was lifted, the lycanthrope never turned up again.
Another interpretation comes from a handful of dubious reports from those sent to initially hunt the Beast. Some claim that the lycanthrope was an assassin. The beast was simply tasked with 'disappearing' merchants and rivals they grew tired of. In an effort to cut ties, the nobles then set forth the rumors and then, eventually sent the commoners to finish him off.
Others claim to have spoken with the Beast himself, and learned his true motives. They claim the attacks were not random in the slightest. The true nature of the Beast of Valeusse was that of a vigilante, targeting members of the nobility who were known to be corrupt, merchants who duped their customers, and in general were an affront to the ideals of the Arcturian faith.
It is commonly accepted among the nobles that the lycanthrope in question was a wild, animalistic man bent on revenge, attacking rich traders and caravans indiscriminately. He reportedly relished in the cannibalistic side of his curse, believing the flesh of the wealthy would provide him with greater health and youth. After the fifth attack, the local nobles dispatched an order to the general populace to hunt down the lycanthrope, the first man to claim its head would be paid a sum equal to the losses accrued by the monster's attacks. After the order was given, the lycanthrope was never found, though several people quelled the local wolf population in an attempt to trick the nobles into giving up the award. Eventually, the search was lifted, the lycanthrope never turned up again.
Another interpretation comes from a handful of dubious reports from those sent to initially hunt the Beast. Some claim that the lycanthrope was an assassin. The beast was simply tasked with 'disappearing' merchants and rivals they grew tired of. In an effort to cut ties, the nobles then set forth the rumors and then, eventually sent the commoners to finish him off.
Others claim to have spoken with the Beast himself, and learned his true motives. They claim the attacks were not random in the slightest. The true nature of the Beast of Valeusse was that of a vigilante, targeting members of the nobility who were known to be corrupt, merchants who duped their customers, and in general were an affront to the ideals of the Arcturian faith.
