The Creature Codex

If you are reading this, then allow me to say: Welcome Initiate, to the Order! You have been selected based on your skill or merit, and we are proud to have a new face join our ranks!

(Please note: if you are reading this by mistake, then please, place this book back where you found it. The details in this manuscript were not meant for your eyes)

Please remember this. Should you choose to accept this role, there will be no turning back for you. You will be an integral figure in deciding humanity's (and the world's) destiny during your time here. You will become invisible to the eyes of history from this point on. Secrecy is our watchword. If you decide to back out, that is understandable.

But we strongly urge you to stay. Without the capable men (and women) of this generation, I fear we will lose this war. You have likely already been made aware of the invisible war we have been waging behind history, and if not, allow me to clarify:

There are creatures that go bump in the night.

As a Protector, you will seek out these monstrosities, and you will end them. This is your Codex, your guide to the supernatural. Study it, and learn it well.


Schneeman: Originally discovered in Germany, it is believed that the Schneeman (or Ice-Man or Snow-Man) originated in the Antartic, where there is little to no human activity. The origins of the Ice-Men are unknown, though it is theorized that they were people who should have frozen to death and survived, but again, it's only a theory. Schneeman have the unique command over water and ice, and are able to freeze water solid with a touch, or manipulate water into a whip or other weapon. These creatures are deadly in winter or rainy conditions or near a body of water. They are rather fragile to heat.

Vampires: Vampires are creatures of undeath. Although they are human in appearance, they are skilled and calculating hunters, with unsuspecting humans as their prey. Vampires can be difficult to find, as they tend to hide among the humans they hunt. When a vampire consumes blood, it restores their humanoid appearance. However, vampires devoid of blood will likely revert to a more primal mindset, wildly attacking and consuming any living thing that draws near. Vampire Lords are more powerful than their lower class counterparts, able to shift into a beastial form at will. Vampires can be repelled by garlic, and destroyed by sunlight or a silver stake or sword. One vampire lord that has eluded us for centuries is the Wallachian lord, Vlad Tepes, known by locals as "Count Dracula".

Dragons: Stories of these titanic reptiles have persisted since around 800 A.D., though in truth, we know very little about them, other than they have an affinity for glittering treasures and they tend to breathe fire. Thanks to our Dragon associate Ulysses, we have begun to understand them more. Dragons also have a tie to the magical arts, some being able to shapeshift their form among other things. Few things can harm a dragon behind their scale armor, however, it is believed that weapons made from dragon bones can break their defense.

Dredge: Aquatic humanoids sometimes also called "Sirens", Dredges have the ability to manipulate sound. This ability can be used to turn an angered foe into a passive servant, or cause a man's eardrums to burst. The Dredge have been mentioned in many folklores, most recently in Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Mermaid" (How he knows so much about Dredge culture is being investigated). Despite these tales, Dredges are not to be viewed as creatures of curiosity or romance. They will show no mercy in battle, and neither should you.

Doppelgänger: A creature whose name literally means "double walker" in German that takes on the form of another person, most commonly the person it is currently confronted with. It is a paranormal copy that is an evil omen with a sinister nature. It's true form (though there are no written recordings) is said to be a shadowy silhouette of a person, indeterminate of sex, featureless with shadows wisping around it. Though it copies an existing person, the Doppelgänger often exceeds that person in physical abilities, with inhuman strength and speed and other rumored powers. As it uses its true powers, bits of its copies image often chip away, revealing nothing but shadows beneath. It supposedly wishes to destroy the people that it copies so it may assume their lives, in belief that there can be only one of them. It is thought to have originated in Germany, though it could be anywhere in middle Europe.

Gargoyles: Creatures made of stone as guardians of churches and other places of worship that have been animated by an unknown supernatural force. Fiercely protective of their roostings (where they were built) they will often attack defilers or otherwise trespassers on their holy grounds. Though the most common forms of Gargoyles are bat like and dragon like in design, they may also take on the forms of other animals such as lions or wolves and sometimes slightly more humanoid or demonic figures. Those with wings can often fly, in spite of their stone bodies. They are most commonly found on the Cathedrals of France and Britain.

(More entries to be posted)

Your Codex is a key to survival and an edge in combat. Study it well, and if you have questions, please relay them to our chief demonologist, Adler Werner.

Keeper Artemis

:O What is this? The start of a new story methinks? :D Sounds cool! Reminds me a bit of the Grey Griffins book series :P

Hoorah, interesting concept for a story. :)

This sounds interesting. ^^

Hopefully it'll be interesting. I'm still kinda putting it together, but I hope to post soon.

Necromancer: While not necessarily monsters or other forms of creatures, Necromancers are just as dangerous and just as great of threats. Also known as Shaman, Shadowmen, or Witch Doctors, Necromancers interact with the spirit realm, usually for personal gain, though occasionally they aid others, usually for a price. It's not uncommon for a Necromancer to sell their power to others for profit, though most practitioners scorn doing so. The most powerful Necromancers are able to raise the dead.

Changling: According to an old legend, Changlings steal children from their beds and assume their form. The Changling will use it's disguise to get close to the mother and feed on her (It's unknown why the Changling won't feed on the Father or Siblings). Unfortunetly, our knowledge of Changlings is limited. According to our texts, Changlings haven't been sighted since the late 1700s. However, just in case, Changlings will mark their territory, either with a small splash of their blood, or similar red marking. They are resilient to most conventional weaponry, but fire seems to destroy them.