Untitled - The Secrets of the Mind & Body Shaping

Presented below are brief descriptions of
20 animals, concentrating mainly on the mythic
characteristics ascribed to them. Descriptions of
the listed Qualities for each beast are given in the
Qualities section.
Asp: The asp keeps its mouth open, with
venom steaming from its jaws to injure all kinds of
animals. Like all serpents it is cold by nature, and
its bite steals heat from its prey. There are many
types of asp, each distinguished by its venom: the
dipsa makes one die of thirst, the ypnalis sends its
victims to sleep, and the emorrosis makes its victims
sweat blood. The venom of the seps devours
the body and bones of its prey. Virtues & Flaws:
Lightning Refl exes; Infamous. Qualities: Ambush Predator,
Loathsome Appearance, Slippery, Venomous. (phlegmatic
with sanguine aspect)
Badger: A fi erce creature, for its size. Their
tenaciousness is legendary. Some are born to be
the servants of the others, and clean the nests by
lying on their backs and holding onto the soil,
whilst being dragged out by others. Virtues & Flaws:
Enduring Constitution, Ferocity (when cornered); either
Pack Leader or Pack Mentality. Qualities: Aggressive,
Grapple, Large Claws, Tireless. (melancholic)
Bear: The bear is a nurturing creature who
gives birth to formless young, which are then
licked into shape. Their heads are said to be
feeble, with the greatest strength lying in the
arms and loins. Their weakness is for honey.
Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (when injured), Improved
Characteristics x2, Tough; Greedy (Minor), Reclusive.
Qualities: Aggressive, Extra Natural Weapons (claws),
Grapple, Hardy, Imposing Appearance, Large Claws,
Pursuit Predator, Tough Hide. (melancholic with choleric
aspect)
Boar: The boar is wild and rough, and signifi
es fi erceness. His thoughts are wild and unruly,
too. Virtues & Flaws: Berserk, Enduring Constitution,
Ferocity (when cornered), Tough; Greedy, Wrathful
(Minor). Qualities: Aggressive, Extra Natural Weapons
(tusks), Hardy, Herd Animal, Tireless. (melancholic with
choleric aspect)
Crow: Soothsayers declare that the crow
knows the paths of treachery, and can predict the
future. Some say that God entrusts his secrets to
the crow. Crows are known for their acrobatic
fl ight. Virtues & Flaws: Second Sight; Visions. Qualities:
Accomplished Flyer, Crafty, Keen Vision, Mimicry, Vocal.
(sanguine)
Dove: A simple fowl and free from malice.
It is a dainty and graceful eater, taking only the
fi nest of grain. It is pursued by hawks, and uses
mirrored surfaces to watch for their approach.
Some believe that in every fl ock of doves, one is
Beasts of Legend
an angel. Virtues & Flaws: Premonitions; Pious (Minor).
Qualities: Timid (sanguine)
Eagle: The eagle has such wonderful eyesight
that nothing can be hidden from its gaze.
When the eagle becomes old and its feathers
dull, it fl ies to the height of heaven and burns off
the dross of age until the feathers shine like fi re.
Virtues & Flaws: Lesser Immunity (blindness), Piercing
Gaze; Proud (Minor). Qualities: Extra Natural Weapons
(claws), Fast Flyer, Keen Vision, Pursuit Predator. (sanguine
with choleric aspect)
Eel: Eels are born from mud. They are so
slippery that the harder one holds on to them,
the more quickly they slip away. Qualities: Aquatic,
Slippery x2. (phlegmatic)
Fox: A fraudulent and ingenious animal who
feigns death to attract the attention of curious
birds for him to eat. He never runs in a straight
line, but always by devious ways. Virtues & Flaws:
Perfect Balance; Nocturnal. Qualities: Ambush Predator,
Crafty, Good Jumper, Keen Sense of Smell. (choleric with
sanguine aspect)
Goat, Wild: A goat’s eyes are very acute.
They are the best climbers of all creatures, and
the most sure-footed. The blood of a he-goat is
said to be able to dissolve even diamond due to
its excessive heat. Virtues & Flaws: Perfect Balance,
Long-Winded; Lecherous (Minor). Qualities: Aggressive,
Extra Natural Weapons (horns), Hardy, Herd Animal,
Keen Vision, Skilled Climber. (melancholic)
Hare: Light-footed and swift-running, the
hare is timid, and puts no trust in itself, but
rather in God. Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (eluding
predators); Pious (Minor). Qualities: Fast Runner, Good
Jumper, Keen Sense of Smell, Timid. (melancholic with
phlegmatic aspect)
Horse: The spirit of a horse is great, it exults
in the battlefi eld and is excited to fi ght by the
sound of a trumpet. Its virility is extinguished if its
mane is cut. Virtues & Flaws: Improved Characteristics,
Long-Winded; Fear (loud noises). Qualities: Imposing
Appearance, Fast Runner, Good Jumper, Tireless. (choleric
with melancholic aspect)
Lizard: The lizard goes blind with age, but
its sight is restored by the rising sun. There are
several types of lizard; the salamander is proofed
against fi re, the newt is the enemy of poisonous
creatures, and the botrox has a frog’s face. Most
lizards are venomous, but their venom is stronger
during the day when they are warm. If a lizard is
cut in twain, the parts scramble around until they
fi nd each other again, and rejoin. Virtues & Flaws:
Greater Immunity (fi re or poison), Rapid Convalescence;
Depressed, Poor Eyesight. Qualities: Camoufl age, Slippery,
Venomous. (phlegmatic with sanguine aspect)
41
Otter: The otter has a playful and frivolous
disposition, but is nevertheless the enemy of
crocodiles, which he climbs inside and eats. Virtues
& Flaws: Ferocity (against water creatures), Puissant Swim;
Carefree. Qualities: Amphibious, Pursuit Predator. (phlegmatic
with melancholic aspect)
Partridge; The female partridge secures protective
coloration by clever camoufl age, hiding
their eggs from predators and her husband, who
is a disgusting creature consumed by lust. As a
devoted mother, the partridge feigns injury to distract
foxes from her young. Virtues & Flaws: Puissant
Stealth; Fragile Constitution. Qualities: Camoufl age, Timid.
(sanguine)
Salmon: A wise fi sh who feeds on the nuts
of the hazel bush. Some say that the salmon is the
oldest creature on earth. Virtues & Flaws: Improved
Characteristics, Intuition, Unaging; Compassionate
(Minor). Qualities: Aquatic, Slippery. (phlegmatic)
Stag: Stags are a symbol of health; they
are able to restore themselves from old age by
eating venomous serpents. They have the keenest
of hearing. They have kings, whom they
obey. Virtues & Flaws: Improved Characteristics, Unaging;
Higher Purpose (protect the herd); Dutybound. Qualities:
Defensive Fighter, Extra Natural Weapons (antlers), Fast
Runner, Good Jumper, Large Antlers, Sharp Ears. (choleric
with melancholic aspect)
Swan: The swan is good luck to those
who make their living on water. Swans have
the sweetness of music. They are strong fl yers
and able to cross vast distances. Virtues & Flaws:
Luck, Inspirational, Puissant Music; Humble. Qualities:
Accomplished Flyer, Timid, Vocal x2. (sanguine with
phlegmatic aspect)
Weasel: The weasel is a hunter of snakes
and mice. Weasels are skilled in healing. Virtues &
Flaws: Greater Purifying Touch (venom); Short Attention
Span. Qualities: Aggressive, Fast Runner, Pursuit Predator,
Skilled Climber. (choleric with sanguine aspect)
Wolf: Wolves are well known for their
rapacity and keep their strength in their chest
and jaws. They can live on anything — plants,
soil, even the wind — but it is fl esh they like
the most. Should a wolf gaze upon its prey, the
creature is paralyzed and struck dumb; if the prey
sees the wolf fi rst, it is the wolf who cannot run.
Virtues & Flaws: Ferocity (against livestock), Improved
Characteristics x2, Long-Winded; Compulsion (killing),
Infamous. Qualities: Aggressive, Hardy, Keen Sense of
Smell, Pack Animal/Pack Leader, Pursuit Predator, Sharp
Ears, Thick Fur, Vocal. (choleric)