The Salikawood
121. Salikawood: Wyrdhare
GENUS: Beast
CLASSIFICATION: Dreamhare
[1/2] Observations
Being a creature with a body the color of ripe red fruit, and silken hair white as snow.
Though of a warm, personable nature, they are very wary of predators approaching from the rear, and turn to attack at the merest hint of danger.
Their feather-like ears are highly sensitive to movements in the air, detecting the slightest stirrings caused by the approach of predators. Adored as a symbol of joy, it is popularly believed that those fortunate enough to glimpse a wyrdhare are destined to enjoy happiness in life.
[2/2] A Curious Treasure
Do you know why the wyrdhare is considered a symbol of good fortune? Why, it is on account of the light that radiates from its body, much resembling the light of the stars used in fortune telling and divination. The source of that brilliance is none other than the dust that stirs up around it as it scampers and whirls in the gloaming. The fine particles on its fur glitter like stars in the light, making it pleasing to the eye, and securing its position as a good luck charm withal.
This dust, in turn, is called stardust, and is highly valued.
122. Salikawood: Pumpkin Head
GENUS: Plant
CLASSIFICATION: Mandragora
[1/2] Observations
Being a variety of mandragora exceptional among its kind for a high degree of intelligence, the most often cited evidence of this being the clothes, gloves, and boots it is known to wear. It lives in the manner of men, and exhibits a personality startlingly similar to ours.
It is richly expressive, and fond of making hideous faces--this same playfulness illustrated by the pumpkin mask it wears upon its head.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (66 of 78)
The Salikawood
Forested region in central Nabradia. A path strung between the thick-growing trees leads towards Archadia. However, many of the tree-bridges are covered with thick moss, and in advanced stages of decay.
As transport by airship gained prominence, the land roads were abandoned. Now more beasts walk the woods than travelers.
The forest is the domain of the Kingdom of Nabradia. Abandoned these two years since its fall, the number of fell beasts within its borders swells daily.
123. Salikawood: Sprinter
GENUS: Avion
CLASSIFICATION: Cockatrice
[1/2] Observations
Being a variety of cockatrice living in the thickest of forests.
They are feathered green overall, though here and there are feathers of the most spectacular coloration, providing camouflage against the brightly colored woodland flowers. Though their winged forelimbs are rather underdeveloped, using the floatsacs beneath their skin and the rising forest vapors they are able to hover about the canopy, make their nests, evade predators and spot prey.
[2/2] Aletap Rumors
Souls and entites, though vague and lacking in substance, are nonetheless possessed of great power.
No great surprise, for are they not the source of life's energy? Were these two essences to become one, you can imagine the result, I am sure.
It is said that the high arcana is nothing less than the product of this union.
And it is my belief that in these beings we may perceive the true form of the gods.
Viruna, Missionary
124. Salikawood: Malboro King
GENUS: Plant
CLASSIFICATION: Malboro
[1/2] Observations
Being the highest rank of malboro, and wearing a crown to prove it. It is still unknown how it came to wear its crown, or who, indeed, made it.
There is a rumor which claims that, should a man slay it and put on its crown, he will be at once transformed into a malboro king. Should this be true, it could very well mean that the crown is cursed with the vilest of magicks, and the beast that wears it was once a man.
[2/2] Sage Knowledge (3 of 78)
The Tragedy of Nabudis
Two years past, Nabradia, fearing the military might of the Archadian Empire, made treaty with Rozarria to place troops from that land near her borders. Fearing an invasion of the Valendian continent by its sworn enemy, Rozarria, Archadia immediately exerted political pressure on the small kingdom. Yet Nabradia did not accede to their demands, and Emperor Gramis of Archadia was compelled to use force.
Several days after the Archadian invasion, a terrible explosion reduced the once proud city of Nabudis to naught but rubble. Though the city fell in the space of a night, the Mist that now swirls where it once stood has transformed the land into a barren waste for eternity. Even now, the cause of this cataclysm is not fully understood.
125. Salikawood: Antares
GENUS: Insect
CLASSIFICATION: Mantis
[1/2] Observations
Being a variety of mantis living primarily in large forests.
Known for its insatiable appetite, this voracious beast can consume up to five times its own weight in the space of a single day.
It dines primarily on creatures of middling size, such as chocobos. Known to hide among stands of white trees, there to wait in ambush for its prey.
[2/2] Aletap Rumors
You wouldn't think you'd spy people wearing clothes made of quality pelts and tanned giantskin these days, would you? But, hear this: were you to use a fire crystal to treat those materials, you could make clothing of surpassing quality! Indeed, that's how power vests and chakra bands are made.
I only found this out recently myself, by the way, so I'm hardly an expert on the subject.
Catosso, Ninja