P.S. Broaddus

Exarus

By P.S. Broaddus | August 19, 2013 - 3:50 pm |October 28, 2014 Author of "A Hero's Curse", Illustration

The Exarus race is a mysterious race that looks similar to the Kingdom of Mar’s champion war horses but with the addition of wings. The Exarus do not claim any relation to our own breed of horses, although they do have a similar fondness for apples. Little is known of their origin as they guard their history carefully and often keep to themselves.

The Exarus are perfectly proportioned and can speak several languages including Lingua Comma. They are not ridden as we ride horses. Instead they have been sought after as diplomacy and war advisors in the past. The Exarus left the Kingdom of Mar when Amanex was banished by King Yertune during the Cretlin Sea War. Since that time the Exarus have been declared an extinguished race. See “Amanex, Diplomat of Aeola,” and “Extinguished Races.”

Royal Archives Volume 239, Kingdom of Mar, “Exarus,” by Royal Historian Handel Brushtache

Essie and Tig

By P.S. Broaddus | August 19, 2013 - 3:15 pm |October 28, 2014 Author of "A Hero's Curse", Illustration

Urodela

By P.S. Broaddus | August 19, 2013 - 2:54 pm |October 28, 2014 Author of "A Hero's Curse", Illustration

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Urodelas were a salamander-like creature that made their home in the swamplands of Bangular, until those marshes were destroyed and became what is now commonly known as the Grey Wasteland.

A relatively harmless and peaceful creature, they are known for their incredible varying colors and have at times been held as pets by nobles. No Urodela are known to exist today. See “Extinguished Races.”

Royal Archives Volume 611, Kingdom of Mar, “Urodelas,” updated by Royal Historian Smalls Cavimish, original entry see, “Uerodelam,” Royal Archives Volume 328

Rock Basilisk

By P.S. Broaddus | August 19, 2013 - 2:45 pm |October 28, 2014 Author of "A Hero's Curse", Illustration

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Rock Basilisks are one of the more cunning predators of the Valley of Fire. They were described in the journal of the great explorer Tangerine Menalo as “a creature up to eight steps long, of the same coloration as the red rock of the Valley of Fire with sharply jagged features, camouflaging perfectly with the sharp terrain in which it lives.” Menalo also says “the mouth of the Rock Basilisk is of a bright yellow and it emits a most unpleasant scream before making a kill.”

The male Rock Basilisk has a hooded frill around its neck that is also brightly colored. It is unknown if the female Rock Basilisk has the same frill. Rock Basilisks have never been tamed or captured, but for those who have killed the Rock Basilisk, the hide is of tremendous value. There are presently two Rock Basilisk hides in Plen, in the Kingdom of Mar, as a part of the Royal Treasury display. One of the hides is the Rock Basilisk mentioned in the Ballad of Grindor Trunch. The properties of the hide are most unique, with overlapping scales forming an almost impenetrable barrier but coupled with an absorption property, allowing Rock Basilisks to receive severe blows with minimal damage. The absorption property present in the hide is thought to be similar to the “stone armor” enchantment used by blacksmithing mages. See “Ballad of Grindor of Trunch,” and “Rock Basilisk Hide.”

Royal Archives Volume 451, Kingdom of Mar, “Rock Basilisk,” by Royal Historian Gregus Sandburr