Spirit bunker "Monsters"
This is a list of creatures that are fairly odd, creatures of the Spirit Bunker universe that are known to be very antagonistic. These also tend to be large physical creatures in comparison to the other creatures in this setting.
shadow drinkers: Starts with an individual who digests infected water, or breathes in too much of the atmosphere. Specifically, sources infected by Spirit wells. increased metabolism, and an increase in hunger. With the next faze thin infected individuals begin secluding themselves away in abandoned areas. Next is the transformation, with their body elongating, the skin growing patchy and tinted blues, and other shades of blue appearing on it. Next is cloudy eyes and a bottomless hunger. often combined with a seemingly uncontrollable high after devouring after eating/drinking high amounts of iron. Lastly, is their ability to slip in and out of the spirit realm. Alongside extreme adrenalin pumping through them permanently. At this point, the person is likely buried under several instincts and addictions. (For out-of-world information, this would benefit from vampire and zombie troops for those looking to run monsters like this. With some ghostly traits when in the spirit world).
Frill serpents: Brown and green snacks that shack a rattle at the end of its tail when approached, eventually raising its head and frills, before finally biting. It lives a life constantly on the run from creatures that would eat it. They often try and slip into oasis Cities and Bunker Cities. Often setting up a nest. If it weren't for its deadly poison, they may even be welcomed for best control. Their scales are useful for containing spirits, so they are harvested from time to time.
Chalk moths: Mothe-like creatures with large hard heads, and two tongue-like appendages to help tear creatures up. Often swarming onto dead bodies or open wounds. In swarms, they will defend their quarry. Yet seem to exclusively try and populate Oasis cities, but have been known to burrow under the sand to travel some distances. others ride the winds of the dust storms. They will often consume rotting meat, leaving grayish-blue goo in their wake. Once the corps/Shelter is gone, they'll leave. They especially enjoy Bunkers. However, they also act as a valuable food source for many. For others, it even acts as a valuable halk used for cleaning water, making paints, and preventing rust.
Lightcaps: Existing between the spirit realm and the material world simultaneously. Seeming to be jellyfish-like creatures that are drawn to sources of like and wind-wells. with ribbon-like tendrils that have painful stings, and instinctually grasp creatures who wander into them, spiritual or not. They have a special relationship with Chalk mothers, who seem to be immune to the sting and grasp. Yet, their size can range from the size of a small rodent to several stories tall with heads the size of cars. The larger ones are known to house some other spirits. Yet nobody has gotten close enough to connect.
Bells heads: Mysterious massive statues, made of rusted metal pipes, barbed wire, and cement chunks. With a massive iron bell for its head, four goat-like legs, and an armless human torso with pipes sticking out where the arms would be. often having spirits circling them as if hypnotized. When the sun sets, there's a likely chance these statues will start to move. Creaking as its form begins to bloom again, a light appears in the center of its head like a bell. Wandering the landscape for creatures to exterminate. It has a bloodlust unlike most. Its primary weapon is massive sonic vibrations and a red beam that emits from the chest. Spirits will begin to wander into this space and be torn apart. Humans and sentient creatures would be entranced and stand still. before red tendrils emit from under the bell and impail the individual, before lifting them up. forcefully dragging the body into the stump of the neck. Fortinet, it's not very perceptive. with only being directly in front of it, or near a spirit being able to draw its attention. Its abilities also only work if you can see it. Although damaging it isn't advised, due to the cement and pipes seeming to heal using mycelium, and cement. Causing interesting patterns. While attacking it during the day causing those red tendrils to emerge. Even if that doesn't deter some from stealing the precious metal pipes from its structure. All of them are almost supernaturally durable and even retain some of the bell head's healing properties for a short while. When felled, they become Spirit reefs. Housing a large mass of spirits. Along with producing similar effects to a dormant Spirit-well.
Crypt eyes: Located in the ancient cities buried in the tunnels beneath the sands. Shadows exist between the astral realm and the material world. Humanoids in exaggerated human forms made of translucent shadowy materials, with emaciated frames and two blue eyes. Sometimes, they can bunch up and block hallways, yet shift around light. With these masses having the chance to produce a deformed version. With multiple limbs, many heads, or maybe just masquerade as passive ones until stared at too long. They can be seen to play with and hold onto things like sticks, toys, and clothes. They are almost completely immune to most things, yet can interact with anything. They can not be harmed, or physically bend around a light like a distortion, granting an option to deal with them. As for use, they can actually drain the life from spirits. making them one of the few creatures who can do it no matter what plain they're on. Yet alone with such ease. Some say they're lost within their own memories. They are also known to be susceptible to dust storms. Seaming to make the parts of them exposed to the storm blow away like dust. The missing parts will then grow back wrong and with tumors, likely being the primary way hostile versions are made. beyond that, these creatures can be sealed in tanks and slowly broken down into a diesel-like substance often used to help contain and keep out spirits when rubbed against walls, ceilings, and machines. Alongside cracks and fillings to be safe. Doing this process though attacks the attention of hoards of these creatures.
The Dustkings Lizard: Iguanna-like creatures the size of massive alligators. With yellow, red, and orange stripes on the mail. They lurk beneath the dusk with very sensitive whiskers to detect movement and electricities. Helping these blind predators. It primarily goes for creatures or spirits that lurk under the dust but are more than willing to take any opportunity to eat bigger prey. Despite all this, it does shed its tail when startled enough to avoid predators or larger male Bustkings. Especially human hunting parties from oases or trench towns.
Dust Serufs: Strange towering figures with a gaping hole where their faces would be. Often the size of a bear, and wings like a manta ray. this creature can paralyze entities who look at them. They only come out at night and tend to shelter young animals and creatures. Sometimes blue tubes will emerge from the bottomless hole in its face to inject water, antibodies, and nutrients (kinda like an IV drip). Some who've lingered for too long around Wind-wells may even accidentally give those it helps magical powers. As for where it goes in the day, it seemingly goes into the spirit world. where not even other spirits know where they hide.
Wicker Mice: half-a-foot tall rodents that have developed special hairs on their ears and forehead, to collect water from it's ears. using its front arms to collect the water into its mouth. However, they can use this water inside a hump on their back to create a fiery explosion to create a flame sprite from their body. some even lite sticks and twigs on fire, to carry around fire spirits of strange white flames with blue tips. often using it as a weapon or a light source. Some have even been seen using these flame sprits to help cook small beetles and insects. They tend to travel in family units, often sizes of 10-19. Scavenging buried succulents. with limited cultivation and transport of them. Some even make patterns in their nest, and decorate their young in paint patterns, often assisted by their flame wisps. Despite this, if you need a meal, they can be water rich source of meat. This is often the case in trench cities, where they are rather well-known pests. While in the wild, they are one of the primary prey animals.
Crypt Coyote: small Coyote-like creatures with long lashes slender builds, long whiskers, and mangy fur. only emerging from tunnels when night falls and in packs of seven to eight members. They are extremely opportunistic hunters. with a large insectivore diet, but capable of eating vast amounts of meat in quick succession. Their fur also seems to make them nearly invisible to almost all Spirits. Making their hydes incredibly valued. If one were to follow them, they'd find multiple entrances and exits to the catacombs. Places they often are smart enough to block behind them using large degree or piles of sand.
Wind wissailers: Amongst the shells of strange towering structures that have bent with the wind. In them, are humanoids without heads and full of wisling holes. their feet rooted to the edge of these buildings. with neck large feather-like filter that collects particles in the wind. Strange insects use these hollowed-out humanoids as hives. Acting as a form of protection. One may see these actually see them walk like people. wandering to a new position. If attacked directly though, they're known to use their feather-like extension to eject barbs into the aggressor, alongside the many insects who'll try and defend their home.
Quillback Lizard: Medium creature with sharp needle-like quills on its back and many whiskers used for sensing in the dark. This nocturnal creature, and no eyes. The males are known to be very territorial. With feathers on its back to help protect it from the cold nights. These quills are often used as daggers and are capable of hurting spirits no matter the plain. Acting as a deterrent against possession. They are also renowned for tacking the feet of unwary adventurers who step into their territory.
Crypt worm: Medioum worms that lurk within the catacombs that clear degree, when attacked, they will through or vomit up a flurry of derby. They are known to swallow more valuable items, which you only get if you kill them in time. Smaller spirits are also known to commonly take shelter within this creature. Often times using it as a mobile spirit reef, and a storage vessel they ride on.
Illusion Crawler: Strange four-tendreled creatures with four sensory organs and a single metallic valve. if it does so, a tendril of mist will tack shapes into different instructions and directions. Often leading towards crypt cities or shelters. if attacked, they can release as a powerful tear gas, and escape into pipes. If harvested, their grass can be used to paralyze spirits and make people go temporarily blind and def. Still, they will exclusively help non-spirit humanoids. Those with possession-based mutations. They'll even attempt to sabotage spirits in particular. Especially if they can be classified as sentient. If it's both, the Ilusion Crawler will do everything within its power to kill or greatly inconvenience the spirit. If they are a lesser spirit of smaller size, this creature will show a strange ability to use its gas to form a crystal shell around the spirit, after which it will tack that spirit to a nest and often use it for decoration.
minitar Lizard: Gargantuan Lizards the size of large dogs that have heavily armored backs and skulls, wander around the crypt tunnels alongside Illusion Crawlers, Crypt Coyotes, and Crypt eyes. Often hunting Crypt worms and coyotes. Despite this, they are still completely blind, with a variety of whiskers on their faces, and two sensitive antennas that resemble horns. Pared with their star-like noses and sharp front claws they become one of the top predators in the crypt. Storing extra fat in their tails for their summer hibernations. Granted, crypt coyotes do often ambush them during this time, with mixed results. Although, their most well-known feature, is the minitar lizard's ability to eat spirits. How is unknown, but all the same terrifying to many spirits. Their three stomachs are often harvested by people to contain smaller spirits safely.
