The Bestiary

There are many vile and dangerous foes which inhabit both the upper world and the lairs and caverns underneath. These creatures can be dangerous to the experienced, deadly to the uninitiated. The following Bestiary outlines some of the adversaries you may face while you journey in the world of Arena.

Rats: Scavengers, these disease-ridden vermine crawl through many of the cities sewers, or make their home in places where they can use their numbers to attack and bring down larger prey.
Goblins: Goblins are vile, nasty creatures, short in stature and almost rodent-like in their frenzy to feed. Very stupid but dangerous to the inexperienced.
Lizard Men: Once thought to be distant cousins of the Argonians, it was soon evident that those lizardmen had nothing human within them whatsoever. They are a race of carnivorous reptiles, whose use of language stretches only far enough to communicate the location of their prey to the rest of their hunting party, which then move to attack and feed.
Wolves: These are cunning, dangerous hunters who inhabit mostly forests and glens. They use their highly developed sense of smell to track their prey. They hunt in well organized packs, and are known for their ferocity in battle. It is rumored that far to the north is a large more dangerous version of the normal wolf. These Snow Wolves are said to be able to freeze their prey using some sort of magiv.
Orcs: Orcs are a larger version of goblins. Indeed, scholars have often speculated that these two creatures are somehow related. Nevertheless, they are stronger than their cousins, and very dangerous, often equipping themselves with weapons found on their opponents. They are not overly intelligent, but are cunning enough to stalk their prey and set up ambushes.
Skeletons: Skeletons are undead creatures, once human, now animated by some forces either magical or supernatural. They usually are set to guard certain places, such as burial crypts or vaults. They have a single minded purpose, and will track their foes until the hapless victim is found and destroyed. Skeletons are resistant to edged weapons.
Minotaurs: These creatures have the body of a man and the head of a bull, and are cruel man-eaters. They are not particularly intelligent, but can track a man by scent alone. they are very strong and slightly resistant to magic.
Spiders: These arachnids are of the giant variety, very poisonous, and extremely fast. They often inhabit places underground where the moist depth can keep their chitinous skin pliable. They are highly carnivorous, and will attack without provocation, using their paralyzing venom to incapacitate their intended victims until they can be fed upon.
Ghouls: These undead are the carrion eaters of dungeons, crypts, and other burial places. They feast on human corpses and other rotting flesh. Although they are not intelligent, they have a natural cunning that aids them in finding food. Because of their vile habits, ghouls have a chance of transmitting a disease to those they bite.
Hell Hounds: These canines are actually from the nether planes, usually summoned by some powerful being to perform a service. They attack with their powerful jaws, or with a fire breath that burns their intended victims. They are resistant to fire based spells.
Ghosts: They were once human, but are now trapped between here and the ethereal plane. They exist as spirits only, but have a chilling effect upon those they attack. Ghosts have the ability to drain a wizards spell points at range. Ghosts are difficult to hit, and often hide themselves in the shadows, where they are effectively invisible. Ghosts also have the ability to see invisible creatures.
Zombies: These undead are dangerous indeed, for they carry with them the curse of their deaths. Those who are struck by a zombie have a chance of getting a rotten disease, which will slowly but surely eat away their health, eventually turning the hapless victim into a zombie also.
Trolls: Trolls are shaggy, green-skinned creatures which often are set to guard areas by high level mages. They are generally stupid, but regenerate any damage done to them quickly. Killing a troll is almost impossible, for doing so would require that the damage was done in such a way as to destroy the flesh, rather than just sever it. It is for this reason that they make such formidable adversaries.
Wraiths: Wraiths are the spirits of long dead mages, trapped into this state either by the circumstances surrounding their death, or by being called up from the dead by a more powerful Wizard. They often are set top guard things, or to patrol different areas. It is known that Wraiths can cast spells, and will do so in order to destroy any who tresspass into their domain. Wraiths also have the ability to see invisible creatures.
Homunculus: A strange being created by a high level Wizard who has somehow combined the properties of certain spells with parts of various demons. These creatures are often set to guard areas, using their ability to fly to patrol corridors. They have the ability to cast spells, using these effectively with their normal attacks to ward whatever areas they have been set to guard.
Golems: Golems are creatures created by those practiced in the arcane arts. They are fashioned from a material to resemble a human form, then animated and set to particular tasks, whether that be questing for an object or guarding a tomb. There are three varieties known to exist in the land: Ice, Stone, and Iron. Any of these are dangerous, each with its own special abilities, immunities, and spell casting powers. Defeating one is a feat well worth praise, for they are very formidable opponents.
Daemons: These creatures are from the netherworld, often gating themselves into our plane of existence on some errand of their choosing. They are dangerous foes, highly intelligent, completely chaotic in nature, and powerful in the ways of magic. Often they are very resistant to fire, and are subject to attack only by special weapons. They are very dangerous to face. Fire daemons also have the ability to see invisible creatures.
Medusa: The medusa is a creature with the upper body of a woman and the lower torso of a snake. It writhes along using its hands and body to wind its way through its lair. Medusa are very strong and intelligent, and armed with a fearsome weapon. Their gaze has the ability to paralyze an opponent. Because of their magical nature, they are immune to weapons below a certain quality.
Vampires: With the exception of a Lich, these are perhaps the most feared of all creatures which prowl the land. Vampires are exceptionally intelligent, very strong, and very fast. They are immune to most normal weapons, and regenerate lost health points. Silver weapons do double damage however. Because of their reclusive nature, not much else is known about these powerful undead Lords. They are believed to have spell casting ability, the ability to see invisible creatures and the ability to command other creatures. They are a fearsome foe indeed.
Liches: These creatures are Wizards who have attempted to cheat Death by prolonging their life through the use of spells and such, eventually turning themselves into a form of the undead. Few have ever faced such a creature and lived to tell the tale. It is known that they are very powerful, able to defeat high level characters easily, and able to see the invisible. They are known to have immunity to most forms of weapons, regeneration capabilities, and any other powers that would be associated with a 20th+ level mage. You are cautioned, these creatures are beings of such power that it would be foolhardy to face one without properly preparing yourself with powerful equipment or artifacts.
People: It is a sad commentary to include those of our own race in this list of creatures and foes, but there are those traveling the land of Arena who would see profit through your pain. These people come in as much variety as you or I, some following the paths of the arcane, others familiar with the sword and shield. Do not underestimate any who would approach you. Their skills can be as deadly as your own…