Creatures of Malas

The exploration of a new land usually leads to the discovery of new creatures, and Malas is certainly no different in this regard. From the highest peak of the Northern Crags to the lowest depths of Dungeon Doom, you'll encounter life-forms never before seen in Britannia — 28 to be exact, and each one of them a curiosity of its own.

The following are examples of a few of the more curious Malas inhabitants.

Bone Demon

Crystal Elemental
Crystal Elementals are unusual creatures made purely of the strange crystals found in Malas. They are easy to spot, as their jagged forms and bluish tone stand out against the natural greenery of their environment, the Crystal Fens. They are known to have average intelligence and strength, and their hard, crystalline body seems to afford them some resistance to magic. While they do not have any magical ability of their own, their attack is somewhat energy-based and their densely compact form can deliver quite a crushing blow.

Demon Knight
As one of the vilest creatures on Malas, the Demon Knight is a force to be reckoned with. This hulking beast is a fearless creature filled with a thirst for death and destruction. It can only be found in Dungeon Doom, and even there it must be summoned, for it will not make an appearance for anything less than a worthy opponent. Defeat its subjects to conjure it from its mystical plane, but beware, doing so will incur its wrath and this is one foe not to be taken lightly. Infused with magical energy, its spells are deadly. Combine this with strength and intelligence far beyond any normal being and you've got one lethal creature on your hands. No lone adventurer could stand against this monstrosity-your success will depend on the assistance of others.

Devourer of Souls
As its name implies, the Devourer of Souls feeds off the souls of its victims. With a wide, gaping cavity that reaches from the middle of its head to the bottom of its torso, it attempts to capture its prey by extending its ribcage out and drawing the soul of its target within the dark hollow of its body. This beast has a rapacious appetite for fresh souls and, thus, is extremely aggressive and quick to attack any adventurer that should cross its path in Dungeon Doom. With brute strength and a high level of magery at its disposal, it'll take some cunning tactics to defeat this foe; although, rumor has it that cold and fire can be quite effective against it in combat.

Video: Attack

Flesh Renderer
Crawling about on six spindly legs, the Flesh Renderer could be likened to a very large insect, but this is not a creature that can be squashed with the mere heel of a boot. With a large and somewhat flat body, this beast is protected by a thick covering over its thorax that is fairly resilient to physical damage. When it attacks, a number of tentacles extend from its mouth, each tipped with a needle-sharp spike that can pierce flesh and paralyze its victim. The speed and power of its attack can even knock a person right off their mount if they're not careful. Should you come across this brute in Dungeon Doom, be prepared for a long and grueling battle.

Video: Attack

Gibberling
The spirits of those that are lost to madness can give rise to minor daemons, called Gibberlings. These hunched fiends of Dungeon Doom move about on quick feet using their hands and long arms to add further mobility to their lanky frames. While they are not as intimidating as some of the other monsters in Doom, it would not be wise to underestimate them. Their gangly bodies are a lot more powerful than they may appear, but their true strength lies within their ability to balance on their arms and kick forward with their long legs and claw-tipped feet. The force of this blow could knock a person right off his horse.

Video: Walk Cycle, Attack

Mound of Maggots
This shambling mound of decay and infestation does not exist naturally in Malas, but is created by the dark magic of Necromancers. It enters the world through those that have fallen and, in a blind rage, attacks any and every creature nearby, except humans. While not particularly impressive in strength or intelligence, its thick outer layer provides a good deal of protection against the strength of steel; and as a poisonous creature by nature, it is completely resistant to toxins.

Patchwork Skeleton
Created from miscellaneous skeletal parts, Patchwork Skeletons are the summoned minions of Bone Demons. While not the strongest or most intelligent of Dungeon Doom's inhabitants, they attack without question and are often found in groups. Like their creator, they are highly resistant to cold and completely immune to poison, and their strong, bony limbs can deliver a powerful blow that can dismount their enemies. For an experienced adventurer, they shouldn't pose too much of a threat, but stay on your toes! There are many other dangers in Doom that can strike while you're focused on one of these lesser creatures.

Ravager
Perhaps one of the most unusual creatures in all of Malas is the Ravager. This stout demon hunts the dismal halls of Dungeon Doom in search of victims. And when it finds one, it viciously attacks and rips the arms from its prey and attaches them to its body. The purpose for this lunacy becomes clear with the next victim the creature encounters. Used as ammunition, the limbs from its previous prey are torn from its body and hurled at its target with such force that success could mean a crushing blow. For those that adventure with a mount, beware of these flying missiles of flesh and bone-duck or be dismounted!

Treefellow
Not every Malas native is a twisted evil nightmare. Treefellows prefer the quiet solitude of the deep forest. Ponderous and contemplative, these mobile wooden hulks are sometimes mistaken for normal trees by local avians. Treefellows are not aggressive by nature and prefer to live in harmony with their environment. While not especially bright, they are fairly strong and defend themselves and their forests viciously when attacked. Their flailing wooden branches can knock a man off his horse. Someone seeking to destroy these generally harmless creatures would (for obvious reasons) find a strong ally in the element of fire.

Wailing Banshee
Wailing Banshees are the tortured spirits of women who died in immense fear that followed them into death. They haunt the darkness of Dungeon Doom lamenting over their misfortune in a very loud and mind-numbing fashion-the intensity of their screams has been known to harm the minds of the living. They are not overly strong or intelligent, as their constant state of misery consumes them, but do not turn your back on these ladies. When they strike, the damage done can be so deep that your wounds may not heal for a period of time.

Wanderer of the Void
Not much is known about these elusive creatures of Dungeon Doom. They resemble something that might be found deep in Britannia's oceans. The Wanderer's dark, bulbous body tapers down and splits into an array of dangling tentacles that whirl beneath it when it moves. Their method of propulsion is unknown, but is suspected to be magical in nature. Necromancers know these creatures to have a high level of magery at their disposal and, in turn, a high resistance to magical energy. Rumor has it that their coloring is an indication of the type of damage they can deal--an adventurer would be wise to research this before facing this creature one-on-one.

Remember, this is only a sampling of the creatures you'll find in Malas. There are many more mysteries to unravel. Good luck in your travels!