Ryslig's Expanded Monster Guide
Nov. 6th, 2022 01:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
waitingforplayer2The Expanded Guide is edited by Chiaki Nanami.
The Expanded Guide begins with a condensed & re-edited version of Spengler's Guide, written several years prior. This contains broad knowledge of the 23 monster types at the time, and largely features the information covered in Ryslig's bestiary.
The new content in the Guide consists entirely of individual monster testomonials.
Submissions to the Guide can be made by anyone at any time, in a drop-off box at the Insert Coin arcade. The form below can be used as a template for any monsters looking for inspiration or structure for their entries. Nanami copies out the entries longhand, and stores the information in several locations, so that the information is never lost.
A copy of the current manuscript may be requested for casual perusal at any time.
As of now, the Expanded Guide has not yet been officially published on the peninsula.
MONSTER ENTRY SUBMISSION TEMPLATE
The Expanded Guide begins with a condensed & re-edited version of Spengler's Guide, written several years prior. This contains broad knowledge of the 23 monster types at the time, and largely features the information covered in Ryslig's bestiary.
The new content in the Guide consists entirely of individual monster testomonials.
Submissions to the Guide can be made by anyone at any time, in a drop-off box at the Insert Coin arcade. The form below can be used as a template for any monsters looking for inspiration or structure for their entries. Nanami copies out the entries longhand, and stores the information in several locations, so that the information is never lost.
A copy of the current manuscript may be requested for casual perusal at any time.
As of now, the Expanded Guide has not yet been officially published on the peninsula.
(no subject)
Date: 2022-11-13 06:36 am (UTC)Sorry for the novel!]
What do you like about being this monster?
There's a few things, so let's touch on each. I would personally use the term "like" loosely as well. It's less what's likable and more what's useful that matters to me more.
In that regard, I find the impressive strength in both forms and the size of the night form itself are the most obvious choices. As much as I'm not one to fight, I realize how useful it is to be one of the stronger monsters, especially when transformed. Obstacles dwindle in scope, as do opponents. Few monsters will trouble me if they know what's good for them, especially without a plan in mind. It's not my usual method for protecting my personal space, and it's not one I can control when it's my appearance alone that intimidates, but I'm coming to realize I don't want to go without it. Not entirely.
The powerful sense of smell and hearing is also exceedingly useful. I can recognize familiar scents no matter how faint, whether it lingers in the air or on objects a particular person has touched. I can hear people walking around from fairly far away. And if they're not walking, I can hear their breathing if I really concentrate. I've never used it for tracking, with that in mind, but it's something I'd like to try sometime. Again, it's the usefulness that appeals to me, because the obvious downside is that horrible smells and sounds are also amplified.
I suppose having fur is nice too. I'm from a warmer climate, and Ryslig is often cold unlike the country I come from. In a way, the fur protects me from noticing the difference much when winter arrives. The caveat is that summer can be miserable.
What do you dislike about being this monster?
Plenty. Changing forms constantly is exhausting and painful, and perhaps the most vulnerable aspect of life as a werecreature. I can't do anything in the midst of a transformation.
I also don't enjoy living as an animal for weeks at a time. Many things become inaccessible, from spaces not made for an enormous bear to idle hobbies that require more dexterity than paws permit.
There also seems to be a preference for nocturnal behavior, but I find it affects me less than I've heard is true of other weres. Not that I'm not exhausted during the day, but it's completely doable to do daytime errands and the like when supported with well-timed naps. Living without seeing the sun is not something I will allow.
I'm also of the opinion that when my form isn't intimidating, it's too ridiculous to take seriously. This is impossible to predict as far as reactions from newcomers and new acquaintances alike, and being unable to anticipate how an interaction will go discourages me from speaking to other monsters without good cause if we haven't spoken before.
What is something unique to you about being this monster?
Hard to say. I assume this question is meant to eke out the variations that can't be accounted for except on an individual basis, but I will simply say our appearances reflect us in some way, especially physically. Occasionally those influences are something entirely unique to that person. As such, mine are too identifying to say.
(She's pink with spots. That's not entirely unique, but it is distinctive!)
But if we ignore that...werebears do have the ability to doff their ursine skin in exchange for a humanoid form. From what I've seen, no other monster can do this, not even our close cousin the werewolf.
We also have a weakness to silver.
What types of creatures or beings influenced your monster form?
Haven't a clue. I go by what this monster type is called, and otherwise I don't know how anyone is expected to tell what sort of bear I'm supposed to be when everything about this is unnatural.
What is it like to feed as this monster?
I don't do it in a way that is reflective of how this creature is likely intended to feed. It's irrelevant.
What are some notable physical features you have as this monster, and what do you like or dislike about them?
The fur, without a doubt. I hate that it covers so much of my body, but maintaining it is admittedly relaxing. I do like how it feels, but it's much better as an accessory and not something I would wish for as a permanent part of my person.
Claws are interesting, but I don't have strong feelings about them. Oh, but mine are semi-retractable, which is something that may or may not be unique to me. Hard to say, ultimately. I very rarely encounter other werebears.
I have sharp teeth too, which isn't appealing either when I haven't got much use for them, and it's not a trait that is remotely unique. I'm sure other monsters can just as easily crack a walnut open with their molars as I can.
What are some notable psychological changes you have as this monster, and what do you like or dislike about them?
I haven't noticed any at all. I've come to believe some monsters simply don't experience them for whatever reason.
(Or maybe whatever traits were there were already amplified, and thus invisible to the person of origin. She is not going to mention the inclination to climb, that's not weird!!)
Would you become this monster again?
I've been a different monster before unexpectedly, but I wouldn't have changed from this one of my own accord.
Would you become this monster for good?
Most likely I'll stay this way, if I must be a monster at all. Why? For the reasons outlined above. Even I recognize this body is a powerful tool.