Fauna lists all relevant cortex entries of the events and people belonging to the Fauna "faction" of Bastion, found in the Cortex. Note that Fauna is not truly a faction, however, from the gameplay standpoint, it could be considered one. This list does not include personal entries involving The Freelancer.
Collection Details
A total of 64 cortex entries make reference to the fauna.
The following Cortex Entries tell about the fauna and how they operate and what they do as a Faction.
Agent Yarrow (3)
See Cortex Entry: Agent Yarrow (3) for More Details
Without Freelancers, there is no future beyond the wall, no plans, no civilization—only rough survival. Does that sound crazy?
Yes, maybe it is.
People say we aren't needed. Yes, this is easy to say when you are comfortable behind the wall, with the Sentinels marching back and forth to keep the jungle away. Perhaps less easy from the inside of a moving strider, despite plates of steel between you and the monsters. And finally, not so easy for those who find themselves out there alone. There are no words, just silence.
Anrisaur (1)
See Cortex Entry: Anrisaur (1) for More Details
The predators of Bastion have adapted to our world in interesting ways, none more astounding than the Anrisaur. This cave dweller's saliva creates an electromagnetic field that can disable flashlights and destroy flares, often leaving humans stumbling around in the dark. It takes a slow defensive approach to stalking prey, keeping its distance but using its spiked tongue to lash out with great force from far away. Handy for taking grabbits, gazicks, and the occasional lost lancer by surprise. You should be so lucky!
— From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Anrisaur (2)
See Cortex Entry: Anrisaur (2) for More Details
"A pile of rocks that can hunt. That's not really the worst of it, mind—they don't act like proper animals going about their business. These aren't those nervous, "as likely to run off when they see you as look at you" types. No, these monsters have a tick of something vile in 'em. Whatever goes on in their damn rotted brains is stuck on making life miserable for everyone. A ragged bit of creation, if you ask me."
Anrisaur (3)
See Cortex Entry: Anrisaur (3) for More Details
"My knife just bounced off that shell, a mistake that should have ended me—but luck was with me. Spared to spread a word of warning to others, I guess. Never fight these things with an ego. You find yourself facing one, shoot to kill or get the hell out of there."
Arcanists (1)
See Cortex Entry: Arcanists (1) for More Details
Arcanists are scientists, researchers, and scholars who study the mysteries of the world, from wildlife to Shaper instruments. While some are found teaching in classrooms, others spend their lives solving Shaper mysteries in the wilderness. They have long preserved the collected knowledge of humanity and consider their studies a spiritual and moral duty.
After the destruction of the library of Dunar. Arcanists published a common book of accumulated learning, known as Concordance. It stands as their most prolific work and a new edition is published annually.
Blirpbit
See Cortex Entry: Blirpbit for More Details
Unknown Creature Bst189567307, recently observed in a Fort Tarsis shop, has finally been identified as a Blirpbit. Regardless of his keeper's outrageous claims, this beast (yes, beast!) is ancient, revered, and very rare.
Old texts also describe it as "venomous and deadly". When the Blirpbit feels threatened, it is able to unhinge its jaw and envelop its assailant's face; unable to breathe, the attacker slowly suffocates under noxious fumes that were noted as "smelling like a sickly-sweet, feces-encrusted, Stinkhand pie" (if such a thing existed)
In recent history, Birpbits were hunted almost to extinction. While their ability to annoy and enrage would be reason enough to see them gone, their venom was thought to cure the painful rash brought on by javelin chafing.
— From A Guide To Living Things That Will Kill You by Timon Batrok
Brute (1)
See Cortex Entry: Brute (1) for More Details
Sometimes called the Mighty Swiper, this formidable brute is fast and strong and will knock you right on your butt when you least expect it. Brutes have unique mating rituals, where clutches of males gather to duke it out over who will be the female's main squeeze. Once all comers are vanquished, the male has to go find the female, who has gotten bored halfway through the ritual. The female will then decide if the male smells acceptable, and if he does, they mate for life. If the male is rejected, he usually finds a cave to brood in for the rest of his life. Romantic!
—From "Bastion's Amazing Animals!" by Venwick Crok
Brute (2)
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"The fog was so thick, I smelled the creature before I saw it—swamp water and old blood. I felt the soft jungle earth drum with each step: Boom. Boom. Boom. It swayed as it walked, each step shifting its head crest like tall grass in an easy wind, ponderous and slow until it spotted me. The eyes sharpened, and before another heartbeat, it sprang with shocking speed and grace. That smell and a deep scar from shoulder to stomach marked that day forever."
—From "The Green Hunters" by Garrington Wells
Brute (3)
See Cortex Entry: Brute (3) for More Details
"...the small group of creatures were foraging not a hundred steps from camp. They walked upright, with a steady, unhurried gate. Well-proportioned for hunting and capable of terrible bursts of speed, they were impressive and fascinating predators. Unnoticed, we crouched low to the jungle floor and watched their every move. Though our guardians urged us to depart, we were too rapt with discovery. These beasts were something new, perhaps thrown from their own world by unimaginable Shaper forces or newly migrated to Bastian and as yet undiscovered."
—From "An Explorer's Account: The Collected Journals of Utassi Hans" by M. Chronicler
- The word Bastion is wrongly spelled as Bastian in this entry.
Cataclysms (1)
See Cortex Entry: Cataclysms (1) for More Details
A violent, unpredictable disturbance created when the Anthem of Creation overwhelms a Shaper instrument. They often appear as an intense storm. While one Cataclysm may create bizarre new wildlife, another may shake the ground or force rivers to flow backwards. The only thing certain about a Cataclysm is that it cannot be predicted.
— From Cataclysms and their Effects, 1st Edition
Crescent Lake (District)
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Ancient Anzu Arcanists think that this lake was home to some sort of creature. The lake's underwater passages lead into the cenote in Anshar, so it could be possible that this creature had something to do with whatever happened there. If it was, in fact, an Anzu of some sort, this would be the basis for many of the stories from the area. Maybe the Fen Watcher, the Ezurite Anzu, and the mysterious shadow that came to Anshar are one and the same.
— From Ancient Anzu, radio show
Echo Mirages
See Cortex Entry: Echo Mirages for More Details
The first precept of Raban Maur's Theory of Amplifonic Force states that the creative force of the Anthem cannot be stopped or contained. An important rule to examine because it is not simply true in the grand sense, it's true at every scale.
In the case of echoes, for example: although they can often seem inert to the unaided eye, they inevitably transform the minerals and microorganisms surrounding them over time, and even eventually create new material. And it is a well-documented phenomenon that stronger echoes, possessing greater resonance, will take on temporary forms.
These echoes mimic flora and fauna to such an extraordinary degree that more than one unsuspecting traveler has mistaken one for a fellow human, and only learned their mistake at the end of a lengthy, if confusing, conversation, when the mirage abruptly vanished
— From Cataclysms and their Effects, 1st Edition
Elementals
See Cortex Entry: Elementals for More Details
Unlike chimera, which are fauna transformed by Shaper energies, elementals are sentient beings brought into existence by the clash between Shaper instruments and the violent energies of the Anthem of Creation found at the center of a Cataclysm. While the fire-spewing wyvern is commonly referenced as the example of an elemental, the most notorious and universally feared is the monstrous titan. Pioneering researcher Gelhold Fraf theorized that if we could unlock the secrets of an elemental's formation, we would gain profound understanding of the Shapers' design for this world.
Exile's Arch (District)
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This pass leading to the Fortress of Dawn has a long history, not just as one of the Legion's defensive posts, but being the place they exiled one of their own. The Legionnaire Verithan had murdered his friend Felux out of jealously and Tarsis decided he should be banished rather than have Legionnaires spill human blood. Today, Exiles Arch is still a key location for the banished as the primary location for outlaw hostage exchange. When the authorities fail to arrive for a hostage exchange, captives are left alone at “The Hanging tree.” where they are more than likely to be eaten by wildlife.
Fort Tarsis (12)
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On your way through to Freemark, you'll have to stop at Fort Tarsis, which is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of Bastion's most enchanting vistas. The fort sits on top of the breathtaking Tarsis Falls, which flow into a series of smaller falls, attracting a large variety of fauna to the area, which you can safely observe from strong, elevated walls. If sticking around for a day trip, check out the underground passage beneath the fort, once said to be home to the famous Ezurite Anzu, and then jet off for visit to the Haven, Honor Valley Dam, or the awe inspiring Ring Gate. Finish off your day with a nightcap at the local bar "The Shifty Korox," which is under new management.
—From Quest Advisor pamphlet
Freelancer Enclave: Xagular Skull
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Xagular are medium-sized predatory animals native to the mountains near Heliost. They are often depicted in art of the Legion era as companions of the urgoth. The skulls of xagular are considered good luck, bringing health and happiness to all who touch them.
This specimen was recovered by Lucky Jak, who was attacked by the creature while protecting Arcanist researchers at a Shaper relic site.
Friend of the Wild...
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People are misguided. The beasts of this world are our friends. Companions in nature. They love us and we should love them. If I can be the example that changes people's minds, so be it. I'm watching an ursix now. He is gazing back at me with love. His eyes sparkle with compassion. He yearns for a kinship beyond his own kind. Like me, he seeks a bond that transcends species and our prejudices. He's approaching me. The moment draws near. Together, Friend Ursix and I will show the world what harmony looks like. I smell his breath now. It's unpleasant, but no matter. And though his teeth are sharp, I will not let fear sway me from a breakthrough that—
Gawnes the Blademaster (1)
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"Lay him to rest beside our great stronghold. He shall watch over the approach in death as he did so often in life. Blade at the ready, waiting to greet aspirants with a challenge.”
"Couldn't get close enough to investigate that cavern. Too much wildlife. Have to send suits to the Fortress to check it out."
Grabbit (1)
See Cortex Entry: Grabbit (1) for More Details
I will begin this guide with a short examination of the seemingly harmless grabbit. My cousin had a pet grabbit once, and contrary to legend, it didn’t steal shards and hoard treasure. My cousin liked to dress it up like a baby and coo at it, and when I expressed my concern, she said the grabbit liked it. Maybe. Or maybe it just put up with my cousin because it hoped she’d die soon and it could have a nice dinner.
— From “A Guide To Living Things That Will Kill You” by Timon Batrok
Grabbit (2)
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"Retger's skill with a rifle proved no match for the animal's uncanny speed, as he fired three shots that landed well wide of the target. Cursing his luck, the threw his firearm down in disgust. At that moment, two of the creatures leapt from the bush and knocked him down. Only with repeated gunshots into the air did we scare the beasts off. Retger—indeed, all of us—would never underestimate these long-eared creatures again."
—From "Signs of Life" by Garrington Wells
Grabbit (3)
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"Looking up from the field notes that had wholly consumed my attention, I was surprised to find myself surrounded by a collection of chirping creatures. At first, I was delighted. They were curious but cautious, keeping their distance. I set my book down and sat quietly, not wanting to alarm them. A few of the braver ones stepped forward to sniff my equipment and poke around my tent. One stepped up to me, a low trill coming from its throat. Only when the fanged mouth split wide in warning did a chill creep up my spine. Unharmed but unsettled, I remained still until the creatures moved on."
—From Field Record #453, by Utassi Hans
Grabbit Training!
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By Venwick Crok
Taming a grabbit requires a great deal of patience and understanding, but once you’ve earned their trust (and cleared possession with your settlement), they make a wonderful pet! Here's some handy tips to get you started.
—Careful not to scare them! Grabbits are extremely jumpy (no pun intended) and unless you tempt them with shiny objects, they are more likely to flee than make friends. Offering them some chimeric compound or even polished ammunition is a great way to introduce yourself or lure them into a cage.
—Wear protective gear! Grabbits have sharp beaks and claws, and even an affectionate pat from your grabbit can tear your skin to shreds or cost you an eye. Full body padding is optimal.
—Lock up your treasures! As mentioned, grabbits love shiny objects, and will steal what they can to add to their hoard. Once you find their stash of goodies, they will fight you for it, unleashing a remarkable fury that wouldn’t expect from such an adorable creature.
—Careful about the poo! Grabbit poo is not only extremely toxic, but leaves a nasty purple stain that can only be removed by the equally nasty stinkhand plant. So make sure you have lots of leaves and grass for them to deposit their droppings on.
—Grabbits follow the leader! This little cutie is usually part of a flock, and will automatically follow anyone who has earned their trust in almost every movement they do. Want to make your grabbit jig? Dance in front of them! But be careful what you show them, for they will mimic your bad habits.
—Grabbits like other grabbits better than you! While you might be tempted to socialize your grabbit, don’t do it! Once grabbits smell another of their kind, they will want to flock, and a flock of grabbits can cause real damage to settlements.
Good luck!
Venwick
Korox (1)
See Cortex Entry: Korox (1) for More Details
Speaking of grazing, don’t let this beautifully colored herbivore fool you! While they’d like nothing better than to spend their day eating three times their weight in plants, they spook easily. And when they spook, they charge! Nothing knocks the wind out of you like a head butt from a wild korox, let me tell you!
— From "Bastion's Amazing Animals!" by Venwick Crok
Korox (2)
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"The lead beast smashed through our defenses, allowing its stampeding cousins entry to our base camp. The rumble of their assault nearly shook us off our feet. We could only watch in helpless awe as they flattened our buildings and crushed our equipment. I don't know what set them off, but I hope never to stir them to action again.".
—From Field Record #337, by Utassi Hans
Korox (3)
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"Spotting the herd from my vantage point high atop the bluff, I marveled at the brutal design this world insists upon for its creatures. Large plates of bone covering a thick, rough hide, thick legs meant for bursts of charging speed, and stomachs capable of ingesting a wide range of toxic plants. If left alone, they graze in relative silence with occasional grunts or bellows to ensure their small herds remain close. When disturbed, they shift to engines of destruction."
—From "Signs of Life" by Garrington Wells
Locks
See Cortex Entry: Locks for More Details
Locks are massive, heavy doors that keep wildlife from entering settlements or migrating into different areas of Bastion. In settlements, individuals can exit or enter by passing through two heavy doors. Each door must be locked before the second will open. Strider locks in the wild are found primarily in mountainous passes. They operate with a similar two-door system that the strider itself passes through.
Mail: My Life with Monsters, Issue No. 1
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FROM: Tanner Tuffgui
Greetings, fellow adventure enthusiasts! I'm Tanner Tuffgui with the inaugural issue of my newsletter. You've been subscribed because you share my fascination with all the amazing creatures that roam the walls outside Fort Tarsis. Dangerous monsters abound! Teeth and talons lurk in the dark! Unwary travelers make a quick meal! But unlike most people, you and I welcome the risk. We relish it. So stay tuned as I brave the jungle and chronicle my life with monsters...
To kick this issue off, I've just run faster than I've ever run before. An ursix was hiding in the bushes, but I spotted him. Can't hide from Tanner Tuffgui. I went over and slapped him on the rump just to make things exciting. No surprise, he came after me. I wanted to prove who's the top gui around here—that'd be me, Tanner Tuffgui, for you slow readers—and I outran him. Ha ha ha. Silly ursix, you can't catch the Tuffgui.
Mail: My Life with Monsters, Issue No. 2
See Cortex Entry: Mail: My Life with Monsters, Issue No. 2 for More Details
FROM: Tanner Tuffgui
Tanner Tuffgui here with another newsletter. Messing around with ursix is one thing, but how about a whole pack of frost wolven? Now that's a challenge. They're smart, and they've got numbers. You can't just focus on one of them because the other six are circling behind you. Unless you're the top Tuffgui in the jungle, which I happen to be.
What's tougher than outrunning wolven? How about living with them. Yep, that's right, I alone will tame the savage beasts and give them a new alpha gui to follow. I started with food, because if wolven are anything like Tanner Tuffgui, they like meat. Sure enough, some scraps of raw korox caught their interest. I'm slowly getting them used to the idea that if they want an easy meal, the food comes through me, the new alpha in town. Pretty soon they'll wonder how they ever survived without the Tuffgui.
Missing Dominion
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Monitor:
We followed the link coordinates, but there are no bodies or equipment. There's also no sign of battle or animal tracks. No sign of Shaper energy, but that does not discount possible relic activity.
Will investigate further.
Outlaw Ranting
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They put me on the other side of the wall, those fools, they think that will stop me. The Shapers whisper in my ear, the Shapers told me to do it, and I will ascend like a wolven. They are sending wolven to help me sing the song, sing, I am singing, I am singing. They think they know, but they don't. They call me Outlaw. I will survive. I will feast. I am a wild animal and am finally free. I am master of the wild. I am the chosen of the Shapers.
Pulse Blast
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Once charged, the pulse blast shoots a burst of raw energy at the target. The device was originally conceived as a possible non-lethal method of wildlife control, and adopted as a weapon when it regularly killed, rather than subdued, the animals.
Radio
See Cortex Entry: Radio for More Details
Invented in antiquity, radio communication was not widely accepted until after the defeat of the urgoth. Radio towers are expensive to build, must be maintained against harsh weather and damage from wildlife (tesilars are especially drawn to such structures), and clearly announce the presence of a human settlement to potential attackers. Moreover, interference from Shaper ruins limits the effective range of even the strongest radio transmissions to only a few klicks. And yet for all the drawbacks, radio has saved countless lives. It allows lancer teams to coordinate in the field without a cypher. It keeps Sentinels on patrol in contact with the settlement they defend. Radio distress calls lead rescuers to downed striders and damaged javelins. And of course, everyone inside a settlement's walls relies on radio for news and entertainment.
Saurian (1)
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Saurians are sweet little creatures. Literally! The skin of an adult saurian is sweet to the taste and are a special treat for ursix and brutes, who gobble them whenever they can. While saurian flesh is poisonous to humans, physicians sometime recommend licking a saurian to induce the vomiting necessary to counter exposure to toxic spores, but I can say from experience that licking a saurian isn’t as fun as it sounds. These pack animals also have a tremendous bite, so if you’re going to keep an adorable baby saurian as a pet, wear your gloves! Nothing's sweeter to a saurian than your fingers!
—From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Saurian (2)
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"The cursed thing snapped at my hand and left a long scratch across the metal. I blasted the horn, hoping to scare it away. That just got it mad. It hissed and jumped at me, snapping against the thick glass of the windshield. Two more bit into some of my hydraulic lines. Things were getting bad. I was losing mobility and could see more of them crawling out of the trees. I dropped the scrap metal I was carrying and made for home."
—From Sentinel incident report FT/302, Tarsis Steppe Farm
Saurian (3)
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"They glided along the dirt path like a brightly colored river. Moving in shifting directions, but with unmistakable purpose. I held the arm of my child to keep him from running down to greet these colorful creatures. He did not see the bloody footprints they left."
—From "The Easy Toil: Breaking Ground in Bastion" by Ingal Bass
Skorpion (1)
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This six-legged killing machine is a truly fascinating predator! Skorpions are careful not to hatch from their eggs until they sense that food is near. These creatures have highly corrosive blood and two stingers that can shoot acid at prey, damaging even the thickest javelin armor. This acid is actually pre-digesting food for the skorpion, who is willing to share a meal with their siblings—who may or may not be burrowing underground, plotting a surprise attack.
— From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Skorpion (2)
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"I refuse to believe those vile things were conceived and shaped here. My brain conjures images of some blasted nightmare where blackened plains are home to endless hordes. A chitinous sea spreads in a poisonous wave across a dead world. The sky is dark and cracks with endless lightning and rainless storms. They call this damned place home, and pity the lost traveler that stumbles upon it."
—From "I Beckoned the Stranger" by Mentor Kurcer Attjax
Skorpion (3)
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"My light is failing. A cave-in has cut off my escape. Endless scratching at the stone is the only sound in this cold grave. They search for a way in."
Stone Bridge
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Swarm Tyrant (1)
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Rare, mysterious, and legendary in size, the six-legged Swarm Tyrant prefers a dark, damp environment where it can live in relative peace. But beware! If you do stumble into a Swarm Tyrant's house, you're in for a memorable time. Boy, can these things leap! Just when you think you've run far enough away, they'll land right on top of you with their glorious bulk. Swarm tyrants earn their name from their willingness to sacrifice their young to save themselves, using them to cover their tails and other vulnerable areas. They'll even hurl their babies at you so the Tyrant can regroup. No one is more important to the Swarm Tyrant than the Swarm Tyrant. All hail!
—From "Bastion's Amazing Animals!" by Venwick Crok
Swarm Tyrant (2)
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Swarm Tyrant (3)
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Far below the green, a queen well-appointed.
Gathers souls unseen from the foolish brave.
Grim worship gathered from her anointed,
Each gray web its own black grave.
So, hush child—your wild cries invite
Her vile gaze to stray from corners dark.
Lie still, no tears, no trouble this night,
Else upon your cheek find the queen's black mark.
Tarsis Forest (District)
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Most notable in this forest are the fierce-looking statues of an unknown beast, reminiscent of “The Hound” of Honor Valley, meant to frighten wildlife and keep them away from the settlement. These statues are found along most major strider pathways in the Fort Tarsis area and were given the nickname “The Happy Anzu.” But could this beast have once existed? Ancient Anzu Arcanists think so.
— From Ancient Anzu, radio show
Tesilar (1)
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While "Tessi the Tesilar" is a favorite child's toy, real tesilars are not so snuggly. Anyone getting too close to a tesilar should prepare to be electrocuted. And by too close, I mean "in the general vicinity". Most animals are smart enough to avoid the tesilar, except of course wolven, which will still try to eat them, even after they've been zapped. Which is terrifying. If wolven aren't afraid of the tesilar's electromagnetic field, they probably won't be afraid of anything a javelin can do. I hate wolven.
— From “A Guide To Living Things That Will Kill You” by Timon Batrok
Tesilar (2)
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"Humanity's struggles against the urgoth included a limited harnessing of the tesilars' inherent power generation for their basic needs. So reliant were they upon the animal's gifts that a certain fondness developed, despite the danger the creature posed. If the uprising against our oppressors had occurred a few generations later, I wager that tesilars would have been wholly domesticated."
—From "Early Days: A Reckoning of War" by Fionna Nomeri
Tesilar (3)
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"They appeared quite agitated at the sight of our loader—our hand was making his way across the clearing laden with generator parts. I could see only flashes of lightning and hear the crack of metal snapping. The loader stopped dead, black smoke rising from its frame. I could see our man frantically trying to urge the machine onward as the assault continued until the yellow paint had peeled back from bare metal. Satisfied the threat had passed, the hooting creatures tottered away into the jungle."
—Witness account, Tarsis Steppe Farm
The Antium Lock
See Cortex Entry: The Antium Lock for More Details
The southern lock to Antium is the most important strider lock in northern Bastion, not only because it's the road to Antium and the only supply line into Fort Tarsis, but also because it has been successful in keeping certain wildlife from migrating south to Antium.
The Fire Shrine Pilgrimage
See Cortex Entry: The Fire Shrine Pilgrimage for More Details
For centuries, Freelancers have ventured to the Abyssal Loch, where they descend into the Fire Shrine Caves to ritually honor the dead. They claimed the site as their own long ago, and risk their lives to keep the ancient fires burning even today
The tunnel network is famed for its corruption of local wildlife and the unnatural storm that rages constantly within its cut-stone halls. The inner workings of this unique geological area may never be unraveled to the Arcanists' satisfaction, but the seasonal lighting of the shrines continues to serve as an important reminder that no Freelancer is alone, and no sacrifice is forgotten.
The Guardians of Dunar (District)
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Said to be one of the wonders of Bastion, the Guardians were enormous statues built to scare off wildlife from entering the area or threatening the Arcanists at Dunar. The Guardians themselves are likenesses of Arcanist mentors long past, particularly Idris, who taught Arden Vassa the ways of Ember, and Hrennen, who found the gateway to the Anthem.
The Monitor (3)
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Monitor:
We followed the link coordinates, but there are no bodies or equipment. There's also no sign of battle or animal tracks. No sign of Shaper energy, but that does not discount possible relic activity.
Will investigate further.
Titan (1)
See Cortex Entry: Titan (1) for More Details
Titans are a major force, and a force to be reckoned with! Once a rare creature, titans have been continuously coming out of the Heart of Rage over the past few years, and so we've gotten to know more about them than ever before. Titans reproduce by growing an "offshoot," a smaller copy that just breaks off and walks away. But smaller doesn't mean less dangerous! If you happen to come across one, you may be lucky enough to catch them in a bad mood and see it shoot energy from its chest! What puts a titan in a bad mood? Just about everything! Truly unforgettable!
— From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Titan (2)
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"I could tell you about titans, but you would not believe me. No story, no account, no anything prepares you for that first time you see one. Destroy them where you find them, you hear me?"
Titan (3)
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"The stone monster slumbered. I've seen the jungle move with uncanny speed to overgrow and reclaim anything abandoned, soon overwhelming even the grandest structures—yet the broad back of this silent giant remained curiously bare of green. Perhaps there is a voiceless understanding that the jungle cannot master something beyond the natural world."
—From "An Explorer's Account: The Collected Journals of Utassi Hans" by M. Chronicler
Unknown Creature Bst189567307
See Cortex Entry: Unknown Creature Bst189567307 for More Details
An offensive and hideous new visitor to Bastion was recently spotted in Fort Tarsis, perched in an Arcanist's shop with malice gleaming behind its dead eyes. We may never know what type of slavering beast it is, as the Arcanist insists it isn't an animal, but a twisted Anthem mutation. The deluded fellow will certainly learn his lesson when the fiend bites his head off as he sleeps and swallows it, helmet and all.
A gentle dissection of the creature would solve this mystery and satisfy my professional curiosity.
Ursix (1)
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Now here's a glorious predator! Humongous and highly aggressive, the ursix will stop at nothing to put you on the menu. One hit from their massive arms can turn your javelin into scrap metal, and one bite from their enormous jaws will pop you out of your armor like a nut from a shell. I advise watching the ursix from a safe height, and if you're really lucky, the ursix might hurl boulders at you. What a sight to behold!
— From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Ursix (2)
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"I won't relate the grim details of my long night spent in a cargo container listening to the grunts and huffs of the lumbering creature outside. I was certain it had my scent but couldn't work out how to enter the steel box. The thundering howls of frustration shook my soul, and I shall never sleep a full night in peace again."
—From the field notes of Arcanist Sethi Guj
Ursix (3)
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"The pack of wolven split into two. Half harassed the side while the rest nipped and barked at the front of the great beast. One darted in and bit deep into a leg, tearing off a sizable chunk. This emboldened the rest of the group, who took turns stealing in under the swinging arms and biting new wounds into the thick hide. It seemed the ursix was done for, but with a ground-trembling howl, it grabbed one of the closest attackers and hoisted far above it head before smashing it down into its unfortunate brethren. Seeing their advantage destroyed, the pack turned and ran. The lord of the jungle bellowed a challenge; wisely, none responded."
—From "An Explorer's Account: the collected journals of Utassi Hans" by M. Chronicler
Vesnids
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See that dark cloud dancing above you, blocking out the sun? That's a swarm of vesnids, one of the deadliest insects in the world! While a single vesnid is only the size of a fingernail, they always form part of a larger colony that live in spires. Spires are built from chewed-up wood and mucus. Each spire houses an amazingly complex community of workers, administrators, sentinels, undertakers, nurses, and emperor vesnids. A vesnid sting has been known to take down a korox. Lucky for us, they only cause minimal damage to a javelin. So feel free to take a moment and enjoy the furious buzzing of a cloud of vesnids!
— From “Bastion's Amazing Animals!” by Venwick Crok
Wolven (1)
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Imagine gnashing teeth coming at you over and over again in quick succession. You raise your weapon to defend yourself but another beast has come at you from behind. The pack closes in, and you pray to the Shapers that your javelin has cooled down enough to fly up out of the nightmare. But they’re everywhere. Wolven… wolven in the dark.
— From '“A Guide To Living Things That Will Kill You” 'by Timon Batrok
Wolven (2)
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"The first time you hear the howl followed by the answering call of its pack is the last moment you wish to be alone in the dark. The tone is both mournful and menacing, with a slight vibration of the unnatural—effective at rendering prey frozen in terror. To that end, all mortal things in the open wilds are considered prey to these merciless hunters."
—From "The Unknown Blood" by Mentor Kurcer Attjax
Wolven (3)
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"I checked my rifle constantly. Cleaned as best as could be managed in the wet jungle. The pack had ambushed us—five, perhaps six, springing from the dense jungle in ruthless coordination. We lost two, Arcanist Reeve and Engineer Dahr, that first night. After that, it became a race to the fortified Sentinel base three days march from our position. The attacks continued through that first night and into the days ahead. We started the expedition with fourteen, but only three of us arrived at the gates."
—From "Lost Sun and Rain" by Lox Bergol
Wyvern (1)
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There are things that will kill you for food or self-defense. Then there's these elemental terrors, that kill you to appease their own malicious sense of humor. Not only will they rain fire from above, but they will sneak up behind you and then rain fire from above. Luckily, you can listen for their distinctive shriek and take cover. If you can find cover. What if you don’t have cover? What if you’re all alone with no hope of rescue? My professional advice is: just stay home in the first place. There are so many better things to do.
—From “A Guide To Living Things That Will Kill You” by Timon Batrok
Wyvern (2)
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"It is not enough to watch the tall grass and dense vines for the flash of a predator's teeth—we too must gaze upward to search for silhouette of long wings and cruel talons."
—From "The Grindstone of Fate" by Mentor Kurcer Attjax
Wyvern (3)
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"A collection of steady, unblinking eyes watched from the high cliff. We were striking camp as quickly as possible, but clearly running out of time. The collection of flying predators grew by the second. We must have seemed easy prey to those merciless creatures. In truth, we were."
—From Field Record #189, by Utassi Hans