056: Seeker
Genus – Avion Classification – Steeling
Observations: Being a sort of steeling, its body cloaked in fine white fur, and favoring darkness to the light of day.
Known to employ shrieks of an extremely high pitch as a means to navigate in the gloom, as well as to deprive potential prey of their sense of direction, a more conventional approach being used thereafter to deprive them of their lives.
Mainly feeding upon smaller creatures, but known to attack larger foes in packs on occasion, giving rise to the extraordinary sight of a flight of white-winged creatures speckled crimson with fresh blood.
Philosophical Musings: This wing, covered as it is in snow-white fur, is the most exceptionally beautiful steeling artifact. Should the fur be rich and even in its length and set, the wing becomes even more beautiful - a perfect work of art.
To the trained eye of the collector, its value is beyond question. That is why I seek out these bat wings and store them reverently as another might horde precious jewels.
057: Lost Soul
Genus – Undead Classification – Skeleton
Observations: Men whose souls have been wrenched from the flesh and made to march to another's tune are called lost souls. Sightings of these poor creatures serving as guards for ancient ruins or graves are common. In modern times, even those with power and title are prevented from performing the rituals of extraction necessary to fashion these monstrosities, hopefully ensuring that none shall ever more be made. To release their souls from bondage, no other means is known save to pulverize their bones and return them to the earth.
Sage Knowledge (2 of 78): The Age of King Raithwall: Many were the countries and kingdoms dotting Ivalice, and many were the wars waged in this time. Legend says that Raithwall, a noble from a small country in Valendia, was granted a sword and magicite from the gods, and with these artifacts, a mission: to unify the land. His strategic genius and deep empathy with his people were evident in his rule of Valendia, and from there he went on to take control of the remaining two continents. Soon all Ivalice belonged to the Galtean Alliance, and a Golden Age had begun.
Now king of all he surveyed, Raithwall's was a benevolent and just reign, guiding the Alliance for near half a century. After his death, the Alliance held firm and knew peace and prosperity for four hundred years until its dissolution with the passing of the last of Raithwall's direct descendants.
058: Lesser Chimera
Genus – Fiend Classification – Cockatrice
Observations: In times now ancient, mages worked magicks upon captured cockatrices to effect the eldritch creation of these twisted beings. They are possessed of a singularly wicked intellect, which they use to its full extent for the infliction of pain upon their enemies.
Their wings shine as the rainbow, each bearing a blazing red eye marking that shifts from side to side as they move, these being used to discourage foes larger than they, and for purposes of attracting a mate during the mating season.
Sage Knowledge (38 of 78): Jagd: Regions of Mist-laden winds and magicite-rich soil, precluding the proper operation of skystone.
Shifts in weather have been known to make jagd where once there was none, though the reverse has never been recorded by the chroniclers of such things.
As airships cannot operate in jagd, no such region is under the control of a major country, making the jagds lawless, perilous places.
059: Zombie Mage
Genus – Undead Classification – Zombie
Observations: Behold the fate of the sorcerer who seeks to satisfy his dark intellectual curiosity by means of the abnormal extension of his natural lifespan!
Alas, though all manner of precaution be taken, he cannot stop the wearying gradual decay of the flesh.
Yet what other means hath he to know the mysteries of this world? How many have walked his grim path?
We shall never know, for they guard their secrets fiercely with tooth and nail to their graves and beyond.
Aletap Rumors: When we think of travelers, we think, perhaps, of people without ties to any place or thing... but this is not so! Take, for instance, clothing. The longer the journey one intends to make, the more important the clothes you must pack.
Of the many choices available, traveler's vestments are held in highest esteem.
Made of braid wool and tanned hides, purchase one of these, and you've bought yourself a lightweight garment that feels great against the skin, with little or no chafing!
Tongo, Morpher Apprentice
060: Skull Warrior
Genus – Undead Classification – Skeleton
Observations: Cold bones sheathed in armor forged of a strong alloy, wielding a blade with more skill and more cruelty than any warrior alive. Perhaps all were as skilled in the forgotten past, for this undead creature's bearing, arms, and armor are of an ancient style.
Indeed, the skull warrior's skill with a spear illuminates the old ways of war in a fashion more vivid and fearsome than any tome on the subject could hope to effect. Though pale by comparison, even a modern interpretation of the spearman's art is not to be underestimated when employed by a dedicated practitioner.
The Town Crier: Hear ye! Announcing a feat of hunting mastery such as the world has never seen! Donatelos the White Mage has trounced all existing records in the annual city gathering of hunters. As you know, each year contestants vie to see who might slay the most creatures designated as that year's quarry.
This year's target: the fiendish skull warrior! A tally has been made of broken spears retrieved, and Donatelos has distinguished himself for eternity with an incredible haul of 126! Honor to the champion!
061: Lich
Genus – Undead Classification – Ghost
Observations: Of the legions of ghosts that cling to this world, the greatest are called liches.
When a man dies with hatred enduring, he is rent from his station in this life, and given new station in undeath according to the depth of his passion… a testament indeed to the depths of the evil manifest in these kings among the dead.
Sage Knowledge (5 of 78): House Solidor: A noble Archadian family having a permanent seat on the Senate, and de facto control over the Ministry of Law.
In the days following Archadia's establishment as an empire, House Solidor found itself in opposition to the then-powerful military. Having won the ensuing struggle, it then initiated far-reaching revisions to the law in an attempt to prevent any further challenge to its supremacy. Subsequently, the Ministry of Law was created to monitor the military, with the order of Judges at its head.
House Solidor's firm grip on the workings of the Empire can be felt to this day, with Emperor Gramis the fourth in a succession of Solidor emperors.
062: Ragoh
Genus – Construct Classification – Facer
Observations: Once a proud statue set to protect the Tomb of Raithwall for all eternity, the blades and horns on its head being symbols of the Dynast-King's authority and power.
On a fell day, monsters intruded the sanctum of the tomb, and with them came a great surge in the Mist within. Perhaps this caused the mechanisms of its control to fail, for now it is no better than the beasts it was charged to keep away, and it will rampage down death-corridors until it is given its final rest.
Sage Knowledge (52 of 78): The Tomb of Raithwall: West of the Jagd Yensa, deep in the Valley of the Dead, lies the tomb of Dynast-King Raithwall, a titanic stone structure built during the age of the Galtean Alliance to celebrate his subjugation of the lands bordering the Naldoan sea.
Inside can be found many technologies and architectural marvels beyond the ken of modern man. In addition to Raithwall's crypt, the tomb contains priceless royal treasure, and only those with proof of direct lineage are suffered within. Intruders are met with traps and guardians most terrible. Though the sky pirates know of the treasure's existence, none have succeeded in its theft as yet.
063: Tallow
Genus – Amorph Classification – Flan
Observations: Being an amorph appearing most often in those ancient ruins of religious power and ensorceled bearing.
The nodules of metal that float freely through its body suggest a previous existence as a statue, perhaps set to guard whatever building the ruins once were. Regardless, it has now melted beyond recognition.
The inexhaustible flame atop its head is the source of its life-energy, leading some to theorize (and not without merit) that the flame is indeed a fire elemental forever bound to a strange, slimy master.
Sage Knowledge (4 of 78): House Dalmasca: Bloodline begun by the second prince of Dalmasca to take up the mantle of rule after King Raithwall's passing.
The reign of Raithwall's direct descendants, House Galtea, drew to a close after 400 years, marking the end of the Galtean Alliance, and the beginning of rule by House Dalmasca.
Dalmascan reign continued for nearly seven centuries, until the Archadian invasion brought their era to an end.
