In most respects, the swampus looks like a typical octopus. One difference is immediately apparent: at first glance this creature appears to have four tentacles instead of eight. This is because four of its original tentacles have evolved into weight-bearing pads which it uses to move over land. They function like the foot of a gastropod, carrying the animal along by a rippling action of the muscles. The suckers of the tentacles have developed into horny ridges that grip the ground beneath them. The long tentacles at the front of the swampus are also used in locomotion, reaching out to grip logs and trunks, and then pulling the creature along. It is a clumsy movement, but sufficient to carry the animal's 44-pound (20 kilograms) weight through the thick vegetation of the humid swamp. The swampus can survive on land for up to four days at a time, safe from the electrical attacks of lurkfish. However, it must return to the water to replenish its oxygen supply and carry out other vital functions, such as mating. The murky water is no place to rear a family, though. Once she has mated, a female swampus clambers out of the water and into the surrounding vegetation to find a safe place in which to deposit her fertilized eggs. Instinct: To survive

• Entangle them with tentacles
• Camouflage

Hawktoads are amphibians with the body of a very large toad, but their front paws have very long, hooked claws. Instead of back legs, they have a thick tail like that of a tadpole. The full length of a hawktoad is about 3 feet. These bizarre creatures float in air and “swim” through it by lashing their tails, exactly the way a tadpole swims through water. Their sharp claws are dangerous, but the real threat comes from their tongues, with which they can strangle creatures up to Large size. Once a hawktoad gets its tongue around a potential victim’s neck and latches onto the victim’s back, it quickly transitions from pest to lethal threat. A single hawktoad would be easy to deal with, but they always move and attack in packs. Hawktoads are most dangerous in spring, when they can be ravenous if the winter was particularly long or harsh. There are rumors that some wizards have attained hawktoads as familiars, but most scholars discount them as legend. Even if such stories were true, the hawktoad’s foul temper would make it an unpleasant companion. When a hawktoad hits a target with its tongue, the monster wraps its tongue around the victim’s neck. It then quickly maneuvers itself behind the target, landing on the target’s back. The hawktoad digs in its claws and tries to strangle the victim with its tongue. Instinct: To strangle

• Strangle the victim with its tongue

The flayed lizard native to the swamps of Altalos are dog sized lizards covered in pink, stinky flesh. They put up their frilly colar to scare away enemies and spit corrosive venom. Instinct: To Hunt

• Return to its lair when threatened
• Scare them away
• Corrode Armor

Deep in the tangled underbrush of forests and in the remote regions of dismal swamps and bogs lives a strange creature called the carbuncle. It is a shy creature that seeks to avoid encounters. Should it seek interaction, a carbuncle often begins by proudly announcing the value of the gem in its forehead just to watch the reaction the information arouses. Despite its shy nature, the carbuncle has a mischievous side as well. It sometimes joins travelers so it can play pranks on them and observe the reactions of the unfortunate victims of its curiosity. After joining with a party, a carbuncle eventually seeks to breed hostility and suspicion between party members. They have been known to telepathically contact nearby monsters and draw them to the party, so that it can watch the battle and read the thoughts of the party under attack before slipping away. A carbuncle can be coerced or persuaded to surrender the gem in its forehead. If the attempt fails, the carbuncle sees through the deception and flees. If the carbuncle relinquishes its gem, it grows another one within one month. When a carbuncle is slain, its forehead gem crumbles to dust. Though fascinated by combat, carbuncles are nearly helpless in melee. They enjoy setting up encounters using their powers and watching the brutal scenes unfold, but they surrender immediately if attacked themselves. In a lethal situation, a carbuncle first tries to bargain for safety with its gem. If that fails, it can will itself to die rather than suffer torment (and rather than giving up its gem to someone it suspects will only kill it anyway). Instinct: To play pranks on adventurers

• Lure adventurers into a dangerous situation
• Cause discord
• Telepathy

You don't see many dragons around these days. What's worse, those that are still around are all mature and horrifying, capable of raising cities on their lonesome. Among these dragons stands out the legend of Mordigar. The Great Red who toppled a kingdom in a day. They say he swooped down from above, intrigued by the great walls they built to keep foes out, and that in the end kept them all contained. With two passes, the capitol was in ruins. Once more and the castle too had been crushed. Once the royalty had made their way out to parley, Mordigars apetite had grown. He swallowed all but the king in a single gulp, and then leaned in close. "This land is mine, and you shall help me rule it." With no choice but to obey, the former king returned to his palace, and has since lived a life of servitude to the new lord of the land. Instinct: To rule

• Bring forth fiery destruction
• Conquer with ease
• Return a slight on his name

Cuando ves que una horda de tomates, cebollas y remolachas gigantes viene a por ti y los tuyos, sabes que debiste dedicarte a ser granjero. Los bueyes no secuestran familiares. Corre por tu vida o prepárate a ser tempura Instinct: Obedecer las ordenes de su maestro

• Apresar con sus raices

These magically mutated lizardmen were combined with saltwater crocodiles to make them tough and aggressive. They are stubbornly loyal to their vampire ruler-creator; whom they worship as a goddess. Instinct: Consume

• Obey Vampire Queen

Mistress of the night, Becca is an ancient vampire. She has lived through many kingdoms and some say was the mother of all vampires. Instinct: Drink blood, enthrall others

• Consumes life force
• Can mesmerize others
• Can take the form of mist, a bat, and terrify others

The guardians are constructs unearthed by solaran historians. Large mechanical creatures powered by sunlight. When light is blocked they lose strength and speed. Instinct: To stop, to dominate

• Defend solaran places of interest.
• Can cast magic to ensnare enemies.

Commander ignis is a member of solaran. A low ranking commander who shows great promise with his magical abilities and combat prowess. Fighting with a rapier, a buckler when needed, but perfering to use his fire based magic. Instinct: Incinerate unholy creatures. Purify evil.

• Command grunts, manage tactics
• Casts fire based spells.