Ancient primal beasts

A catch-all term referring to various massive creatures dotted throughout the world. Seen by most as heralds of death or doom, many settlements hire mercenaries and adventurers to kill them, with limited success. The exact origins of these beasts are unknown, however, schoolers agree some form of magic was used. Only the existence of eight has been confirmed, with multiple stories about other possible ones overlapping. All eight of these beasts are depicted at Wū Yāo Mén.

Nightmare beast of Lacertilia

Located deep in the forest of Lacertilia the nightmare beast is the biggest of the Primal beasts. An enormous quadruped that stands 20 feet tall, or 40 feet tall when rearing on its hind legs. Each leg ends with massive claws allowing it to climb and large tusks just out from each side of its mouth. Thick purple skin covers its back and its soul-fire blue eyes glow in the dark.
The nightmare beast tends to stay in the forest where pray is plentiful, this has however made it impossible for the Lacertilian republic from growing into the forest itself, with both attempts to do so ending in disaster.

The Kraken

Probably the most hunted of the known beasts, as it is the most known, and as a result, claimed the lives of more adventurers than any other. The Kraken is a massive multi-tentacled sea-dwelling monster, nearly 40ft long. It resides south of the gem sea, often being spotted between the Isle of the lost and Mire of lost souls. Any ship brave enough to travel in the islandless stretch of water does so at its own risk.

Berenguer, True hunter of the North

Berenguer is a giant 30-foot bearlike creature. Bearlike as its fur looks closer to spikes than fur and the jaw is larger than it should be for a bear of its size. Though only seen once in 249 Blood, by a student at Sepa academy, its existence has been confirmed by various shifters. Even at the start of the Fey age when asked if it had been killed by a group of hunters, a Shifter chieftain reportedly laughed, handed the lead hunter a spear, and said 'You go kill it, it'll be where we're not.' This was the last letter the hunter's family received from him.

Champion of Sardia

Though known to have existed its current status is unknown. People who visit Sardia and explore the ruins swear something is there, though many put this up to ghost stories, while others claim it's actual ghosts. What is actually known about the champion comes from a few ruined sculptures near the edge. A 10-foot bipedal creature that runs on all fours, with carapaced skin, it had dreadlock and giant claws on the ends of its hands, and three whip-like tails flow out behind it. Its jaws also resembled a dragon's just on a smaller scale. It's said to have an eery blue glow. Many schoolers believe this is the statue on top of the Wu Yao Men arch.

Soul-Stealer

Lingering on the southeastern shore of the northern silent lake roams a skinny four-legged, eyeless animal. For its mouth, it has thousands of thin tendrils with sharp points. First recorded by sailors, over the years several adventures have fallen victim to it, leaving themselves dried husks. The only wound is around their rear, their eyes however are missing but seem to have been sucked back.

Horned Serpant

A giant serpent with spikes down the length of its body. Covered in fur that seems to blend in with where ever it is, the serpent normally is only noticed when it's right next to you. Recorded as one of the many dangers of the mire of lost souls, It was encountered by Grunkle's Angels.

Glimmer

The name given to the guardian of Glimmerbay due to the fact that a glittering scale is one of few pieces of evidence of what the creature is. What is known is the creature is some sort of giant sea serpent that can 'sing' beautiful and serene music. It can however punch holes into the bottom of boats, though it is unclear exactly how.

Lagrigoyi's bane

A massive undead dragon corrupted by Phervians with a soul stone trapped inside it's chest keeping it 'alive' while the Phervian corruption isn't depicted at Wū Yāo Mén the beast was long thought to be the one Lagrigoyi captured in the Phervian era. This was confirmed in 122 Fey by Grunkle's angels who had to fight the beast. though unable to kill it, they were the first to survive a fight against any of the creatures on this list.

Suspected beasts

With the eight known beasts depicted as statues at Wū Yāo Mén, Many theorize the seven statues of unknown creatures also exist in a similar group, stories from around the world seem to back this up.

Hell Pig

The statue depicts a large, muscular pig-like creature with a humped back and large razor-like teeth. a set of large tusks curve up from its lower jaw. Standing the size of a horse with longer proportioned legs than a normal pig indicates it could be quick on its feet. Rumors of pig-like squealing being heard northwest of Glimmer bay, as well as any livestock, grazed in that area being found dead, half-eaten but with no claw marks indicate it could be from this area.

Smilie

While no rumors could possibly link to this creature, its existence is theorized by the smallest statue you pass at Wū Yāo Mén. Depicted as a small cat, no bigger than a housecat, with a prehensile-looking tail, the creature mostly looks unremarkable until you look at its innocent-looking grin and the two razor-sharp, long fangs that come down from its upper lip.

Aracna

A giant spider with a long tail tipped with a large stinger. A few schoolers theorize that this monster is linked to the Lilsea, though the inaccuracies mean this theory hasn't gained traction. Rumors of a massive spider have been reported from The webbed thicket of the Dread Forest, though many believe this to be Lilsea.

Dragonturtle

It is said if you can get the Dryads of Elysia to be quiet for a moment you can hear what sounds like a heartbeat. While normally discounted as hearing things, the fact a giant dragon-turtle statue resides at Wū Yāo Mén has made a few schoolers wonder if Elysia is on the turtle's back.

Ancient Shoosuva

While it looks like a normal Shasuva, the statue seems to be bigger with more spikes than fur. While no evidence of this specific Shoosuva exists, packs of the species can be found in north Frostmourn.

Stormbird

This is rumored to be a giant bird that flies over the Tempest Sea. While a Bird is depicted as a statue, though it looks closest to a buzzard which has placed doubts on the claim, as well as the few places it could nest.

Overgrown Hornet

While more described than actually given a unique name, the overgrown hornet was only seen as a statue, and thing of nightmares, for the majority of the Era of Ages. The statue at Wū Yāo Mén depicted a Hornet the size of a giant with large protruding mandibles.
The things existence of the creature was given credence when Grunkle's Angels found a smaller drone, still the size of an adult dragon, by the town of Mythras, sealing the mines that had more buzzing coming from them.

Champion of Sardia
Artist: Rae Elderidge
https://www.instagram.com/elderidgeart/