Archive of Our Own ^beta

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My mother and I have lived within the vast Kamui Woods for most of my life. However, we often make special trips to Uru Aegis (the enormous, captial city)  for ingredients that we cannot forage for ourselves.

Mom avoids speaking on her experiences in the realm of humans, but I know that witches are unwelcome like many other magik users. So any humans in the Realm of Monsters are usually those who have left humankind behind to be accepted among beastfolk. 

Though I never inherited her knack for magikraft, I put the knowledge she’s taught me to use in my observations on beastfolk! When I was young, she always did her best to find texts to satisfy my appetite for research materials, and now my room is full of texts. At times though, I think she’s trying to too to protect me from venturing too far from home. I suppose... I don't blame her. 

Supplementary:

We keep an enchanted house that can uproot itself when needed (and occassionally float!)

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met Toga after falling to the bottom of a hidden well. Upon hitting the bottom, I blacked out, and reawaken above ground, face to face with a copy of myself.

After my initial alarm (and realizing I had an injured leg) - I struck a conversation with my doppelganger, guessing it to be a changeling that had helped me to safety out of curiosity. When they revealed themselves to be a mimic, I was shocked. I’ve heard of mimics in the context of dungeons. They had commonly take shape of items, awaiting unsuspecting prey to wander in close. They famously take the shape of treasure chests, or other mundane (but otherwise inanimate objects). Never have I heard of one assume the shape of a living thing, although there are many face changers and changelings, they are not the same.

I was very impressed by her ability. I think that it was this curiosity that saved my life. Toga seemed to deeply enjoy the praise, and then complained that with the decline of adventuring, she found herself within need to change hunting tactics. She has been pushing her limits of her mimicry. By trying the consumption of different things, living, non living, she can become that being or creature for a time period proportional to the matter she consumed. Her girlish form she could take permanently- of which she offered no explanation (and I did not ask). I asked how she managed to take my form, and… with some she admitted she ate a few pages from my journal with sketches in them. I can nearly assume that she used sketches of me as her template. I asked her if I could document her abilities so that I may share her experiences. She happily agreed.

Looking back on this encounter - I was lucky I was to escape with my life. For a long time I could not reconcile the suspicion of being followed. Even today, I catch myself scrutinizing every object that seems out of place.

Supplementary: She posed for me. Her ability to mimic a human shape is truly remarkable. I gave her my initial sketches, what is here is from memory.

(additional note scrawled in childish handwriting): Hi deku, did u know i can also mimic other objects?

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Sylphs aren't known to ingratiate themselves to one territory, they are worldly beings who travel the world on whim and weather. Oboro has returned time and time again to the same area, touching base with a few individuals. I've seen him in company with Aizawa, Hizashi Yamada, Kaminari (during thunderstorms), Midnight, and a few others. He seems to run a pretty busy social schedule. 

He changes cloud makeup depending on his mood. I've seen him mostly in two modes, when he is in a thundercloud mode, he tends to move around a lot more. I've seen him enter one cloud, only to reappear from another cloud, as if he can "portal" between them. He also can make it so that one is able to sit upon clouds themselves. 

Supplementary:

Running into him is similar to walking into mist.

Example of how he “portals” between clouds. 

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Mina (affectionately Pinky) has lived the southern riverbanks of the Woodlands for as long as we have lived in the Woodlands. Recently she has pushed further inland with the encroaching sea levels. She is around the same age as me, a chimera. Chimera typically refers to a creature that can be any number of animals or mythical creatures combined into one. Mina is a classical, common depiction of a chimera, of lion, goat and snake. 

Mina’s incredible strength is equally matched by her kindness and playfulness. Her willingness and curiosity to seek out companionship with other creatures is fascinating. She has retained her playful nature even as she’s grown older, I often seen her play fighting with the resident rock golem, Kirishima. 

Recently she has claimed interest in moving to the city to become a knight, which is a common practice among standalone mythical creatures with no family. I believe the only thing that is delaying her departure is that she is trying to convince a somewhat reluctant Kirishima to join her campaign.

Supplementary: Her tail is a spitting cobra, which can spit acid. There is a common miss-conception of a chimera’s ability to “breathe fire”, when it is a byproduct of this specific acid, which can be dangerous when exposed to highly flammable materials.

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Golems are commonly known lack true sentience, but Kirishima has demonstrated himself to be a notable exception, or a miracle- depending on who you ask. He has a large and cheerful disposition and distinct self awareness. He also demonstrates desires, curiosities, goals, and strong morals. He is highly receptive to positive encouragement and demonstrates an incredible capacity to learn, adapt, and grow in his personality, which is far outside the parameters of any known golems that I know of in recorded history. His existence is an enigma, and I do wonder who could have been his creator, for they must have had extreme talent or power. Kirishima has admitted mixed feelings of meeting his maker, because of concerns that he will lose the free will that he has cultivated over the years. 

His frame is incredibly hard and he seems highly resistant to structural damage and high heat temperatures. Despite this, he seems reluctant to showcase this for fear of frightening others. Mina seems to have been encouraging him to go to the Citadel, despite his doubts. I believe he is warming up to the idea.

Supplementary: His mineral components may be sardonyx, giving him that striking red coloration.

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I met Yuga when I was quite young, and his appearance hasn’t aged a day, and I’m not sure how old he really is. Every once in a while he has me guess, but he doesn’t exactly play fair. 

Despite all of this Yuga has always been kind to me, but here I am inclined to leave a warning on interactions with faery kind, especially if you do not know if they belong to the Seelie, or Unseelie Court. Although they look human, their perception of fairness, ethics, justice, and time is vastly different than humanfolk- occasionally to their detriment. 

Supplementary: Yuga is fond of cheese. I bring him some whenever we are lucky to get our hands on it. 

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Kinoko is a mushroom sprite who makes her presence known through the faerie rings in the Woodland. She has been known to hang out with the Seelie Court. Wherever her feet touch the ground, mushrooms will tend to spring up between a few hours or a day later. They are of all varieties, it often depends upon her particular mood that day. Upon revisiting her tracks, I harvested many an edible variety. Kinoko has often said that she has a “competition” with an another entity of the woods whom she has called “Twice”, which I can only assume he is either a similar mushroom sprite, or fungus out competing her or an entity that is has some leverage against fungus.

Supplementary: Evidence of Kinoko’s passage, a fly agaric patch. She must have been in a bad mood that day.

When interacting with fae, there’s no such thing as a “free gift” .. It’s good practice to find a polite excuse to turn down the gift, but not outright. ...

Do NOT sample any “magikal “mushrooms from sprites, Kinoko is especially mischievous.

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Toru is a wandering spirit I found patrolling the Woodlands. She claims to have passed away about 100 years ago at a young age. At some point, a necromancer tried to raise her from the dead for their own use, but she had set her goal and set upon her own mission. Her spirit has been unable to pass on due to the nature of her death, she claims to have been murdered, but does not know the identity of her attacker. She will not rest until she identifies them and confronts them.

Her spirit is bound to some clothing through an elaborate set of seals, all of which are magikcrafted to be resistant to elemental damage and decay. The script and runes are very old and I cannot read them, despite best efforts! I’d also like to know who bound her to the clothing in the first place, although it is likely that they are far gone.

Toru is skilled with a blade, she has offered to teach me once. She is able to pick up minimal objects and even have a slight physical effect on her surroundings. 

Supplementary: 

She said that there’s a runekeeper in the citadel that  taught her the magickaft that keeps her manifested! This is incredibly complex and elaborate runework.

Who ended her life?

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I met Tokoyami when exploring a small cave system on the northern side of the forest. He was undetectable in the dark, not just his dark coloration, but because he remained virtually silent, until I tread across him. Cockatrice are known to be solitary and reclusive, and he is no exception, but to my surprise (and delight) he not only tolerated my presence without any ill will, but carried on a polite conversation. He seemed interested in in learning more about my explorations and news pertaining to the citadel. He has admitted that he has been reluctant to leave the cave systems, due to him being a high ranking monster. Cockatrice have carried a bad reputation, due to their ability to turn people to stone. He seemed extremely interested in learning that there are gorgons that are currently living in the heart of the Monster realm, and that their abilities have been refined and honed for non-lethal use to protect the masses. One notable example being of one Aizawa Shouta.

I’ve since returned to revisit with news (or siren poetry, which he seems fond of) he has become increasingly comfortable in daylight, but still prefers the cover of darkness. I do hope that he will make it into the city, I’m sure that he will be well received. 

Supplementary:

Unlike some creatures with multiple heads, Tokoyami’s both have distinct personalities. His draconic head is very playful, emotional and impulsive whereas Tokoyami carries himself with quiet dignity. Sometimes a personality fights for dominance - it’s a sibling like dynamic.

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I found him under a grape vine that he’s a too shy to leave behind. I believe that he’s immature for his species.

He has a language entirely of his own that I cannot understand, and I’m not sure if anyone else can. The other entities in the forest largely ignore him. 

He did give me a protection charm, at least that's what I assumed it to be until I got a firm scolding when I tried to eat it. If you look VERY close, there's a primal rune inscribed it that either translates to "Watch" or maybe "Follow". It's extremely sticky keeps winding up on my clothes. It's never a good idea to reject a gift from the littlefolk, so I've kept it.

From what I understand imps can grow up to be troubling creatures, so it’s my hope that with friendly influence he can remain good natured, or at the very least benign.

Supplementary:

1-2 years old (he is a child)

I can’t understand him as he speaks in simlish. 

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The first beastfolk I met, I was still living across the ocean in the land of humans. 

In hindsight it's a remarkable encounter. Tomura was (... is still, presumably) a vampire, although I suspect now he more accurately described as a vampire spawn. Albeit, an incredibly powerful spawn. He had complained about being beholden to some sort of master (at the time, I assumed a father figure). I also remember him mentioning he wished to have enough power to overthrow the those that govern him. So, I assume there is another vampire that is his master. Or perhaps he was referring to the sun. Tomura was unable to enter the daylight directly for some amount of time, but it effected his skin horribly. 

It is impossible for me to know how old he was, but I would guess that he was turned when he was young. 

Vampires all possess a multiple array of powers including shapeshifting and enhanced senses, strength and speed. I, possessing no magik, (and so deeply desiring it) was in awe of his powers. He went on to say that he drank blood from beastfolk to gain his ability. (This may explain his ability to withstand limited exposure to the sun without bursting into flame). The drawback is those he drinks blood from will lose those powers- or loose their beasthood altogether. 

Note: I've not heard of this kind of power before or since, and I wonder if I miss understood Tomura in my youth... There's no known way to turn beastfolk into humans. Humans spent a long time trying to do just that, and such a discovery like that would cause a new war... surely? It would be insane to imagine that a vampire would so casually share that sort of information with a human child.

At first, I naively did not see him as something to be feared. He had prevented me from wandering into an overflowing river. He must have grown tired of my questions and left me when I was nearly home. My mother was very upset when I recounted my adventure.

The second encounter, I was old enough to have copied a scroll of magikraft. (I had still greatly hoped to awaken some latent magik power)- so I had a secret place where I might practice spells. One went horribly wrong. I do not know how Tomura found me (it puzzles me to this day) he knew who I was. He offered to save my life by "Turning" me. 

Thankfully I had enough sense to refuse. I don't know why Tomura listened to me.

Suffice to say that my mother and I moved out of the land of humans shortly thereafter. She was beside herself with worry that a vampire may have taken an interest in me.

I never tried spellcasting again. 

Supplementary:

He offered “turning” me... I refused

His extra “hands” protect from direct sun exposure, but his skin withers. 

Human disguise.

He never expressed interest to “feed” on humans, probably since he stands little to gain from it. He seeks powers from the blood of beastfolk to sustain himself.

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Caladrius is a rare creature, that which is known primarily for its fantastical healing abilities. They are known to be able to identify and cure essentially by their gaze alone, at their discretion. Chiyo might have been one of the few remaining, as they were heavily sought out for their magik, like unicorns. As I recall, Chiyo never advertised her abilities in the realm of humans- and wisely so.

A caladrius' ability to heal decreases with age, so she uses many traditional healing methods usually to preserve her power. Or in extreme cases, uses her ability in conjunction with medicine in extreme cases. However sometimes this has been known to bring the ailment upon herself instead. 

Supplementary.

Caladrius live a few centuries, she may have seen many pandemics,, including the Twice-Cursed (see entry)

I was introduced to Chiyo through Tomura (see vampire spawn, I refused his offer to become a vampire to heal). He must have thought her mind and experience just as valuable as her magik. 

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The monster realm sits on a large, isolated landmass with many diverse ecosystems. Initially, it was considered inhospitable, with vegetation, animals or magik having been scored over by human-monster war. As monsters immigrated to it after the war, aquifers formed under new magik leylines, the land softened and woodlands sprang into being, encouraged by the presence of the wild magik that beastfolk possess. Atolls and reefs expanded around the landmass, protecting it from invading armies. 

It's only been within the last century that the realm opened its ports to humans, specifically those such as witches, wizards and sorcerers. My mother arrived here and raised me on her own- I am permitted to remain even though non-magik folk are often considered untrustworthy.

Currently King Nezu holds the power.. He is often called the "Rat King", a monicker he accepts although he is not strictly a rat, nor a "king" as the outside would recognize it. Nezu's history is somewhat anomalous, he arrived from the human kingdom as an escaped magikal experiment. He helped push back human forces that were trying to access the land through the sea, and then helped to fortify it. He. appealed to most beastfolk due to his blatant hatred towards humans, but with balanced and logical viewpoints to keep peace among across vast array of beastfolk. He eventually climbed his way to the position he has now. 

Nezu's ear reaches to the edges of the realm, where knights patrol and report back on different ongoings. He has a somewhat omniscient grasp of ongoings.  

Supplementary: 

Of his three heads, the middle is the only one that speaks. the other heads tend possess their own expressions. 

He is responsible for instilling magikal protective measures around the capital against invasive forces, where he presides.

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Sementosu’s presence really proves how large the capital of the realm has grown. Gargoyles will only manifest within areas that have enough structures hewn from stone, typically large buildings or preferably castle sized structures. They apparently are one of the few beastfolk that have a Luke-warm relation to humans, due to the fact that most of these structures are man-made. However, Sementosu is an example of a gargoyle that has manifested by structures made by monster kind. 

Gargoyles have the ability to manipulate limestone as well as other minerals that act as a binder. Sementosu maintains, and patrols, much of the outer walls of the city. During the day he often sleeps on rooftops, and he is known to stay so still, that some might believe him to be a statue (this is typical behavior for gargoyles, who are primarily nocturnal.)

Ranchi is a tsukumogami of kama, a rice cauldron- or Narigama. He immigrated to the island rather early. He able to transform almost any substance into nutritional substances in substantive quality and quantities with speed unknown to humankind, and could almost be mistaken for conjuration magic. He has an innate knowledge of most monster nutritional requirements and is able to create it perfectly, and it is this ability that has allowed him to feed new arrivals to the realm should they be wanting of provisions. During several civil outbursts between human kingdoms and the monster realm, he played a pivotal war in feeding refugees. The holidays marking of such historical events are known as Feastdays.

Feastdays are when every creature may come together in participate in preparing a shared feast for their city. Ranchi calls it a “lunch rush”.

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(The singed, curled pages are difficult to read - there is heavy charcoal writing on them)

BAKUGO - Salamander

Call me a dragon, and I'll kill you

This nerd can't write for shit 

(On some younger visual depictions)

- I'm BIGGER Than this

Fire comes from within- depending on what's consumed = different explosion

WOULD YOU FIREPROOF YOUR DAM-

Some original text is still visible:

Looking back I’m not sure how Kacchan and I became such fast friends considering where we are today, it helped that our parents were friends first. He was the first friend I made in the Monster Realm, (or... truthfully the first friend I made anywhere, and I would consider him my best friend). 

Through the lens of childhood we could overlook all of our differences, and Kacchan didn’t care at all that I was a human. His father was a human, and he is half human himself.

He is an incredible firebourne creature called a salamander. Salamanders are not to be mistaken for dragons. Unlike a dragon, a salamander possesses the ability to exude a flammable chemical from between their skin or scales that can be ignited by one of two means, by core body temperature, or by the friction between the scales for explosive results.

Depending on what is consumed such as what he sleeps upon such as coals, or directly eaten, he can determine the nature of the explosions. So large, small, direction, temperature, color, and so on. 

We shared a common dream, to become a knight of the realm (it is is an officiated protector of creatures!). There are many many inhabitants of the Monster Realm, some of them are wild and feral, and some of them are self-interested, but knights are one of the few that help to keep peace between the many different kinds living here, and also maintain the goodwill between humans and beastfolk. Some knights are even ambassadors in human lands. 

At some point, Kacchan decided that he disliked my existence- and made it abundantly known. Since I have no magik nor strength to compare to him, this seems to have provoked him to distance himself from me, especially since I’ve involved myself in helping beastfolk. He has made great efforts to discourage me from becoming a knight.

I suppose he's not wrong. An ordinary human cannot meet the might of most beastfolk. Still, I know I would be able to do some good serving as on ... or at the least as an ally.

So, if I am going my own way, then chronicling my meeting with beastfolk broadens my understanding, maybe someday I can bring that understanding to more humans that fear them. 

I still follow Kacchan's progress as a knight in training, I am beyond proud of him. There is no doubt that he will go beyond expectations, and perhaps become one of the greatest in the land.

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As a mouthpiece of the monster realm, Hizashi spends his days traveling from district to district gathering and distributing information on current events. In areas such as amphitheaters, he relays current information from around the realm. His humor and charm draw large crowds from large distances even in remote areas. Even Hizashi's voice carries so far that most can still hear it...

I had incorrectly assumed that Hizashi was a harpy, but that he is an uncommon avian strain of siren, based on my observations of his crowd control. I can't claim that he has not used siren "influence" on listeners, but he exerts masterful skill in empathizing with the listeners' emotions, striving to elevate the mood. He mollifies to hostile monsters by presenting himself in a nonthreatening, comedic manner. 

I also believe he is mentoring another siren. (See Hitoshi's entry)

I suspect he has tutored Toru on her runework! Although likely not be the runekeeper that helped manifest her.

Supplementary

Spurs hidden under feathers to look more friendly.

He hosts seminars on how to read and speak runes. He translated an ancient rune of the NAEDES - an ancient roar that can split the earth!

Great crowd control

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I first heard Hitoshi at a distance off the coast for a few months. I kept visiting the shores in hopes that I’d discover the source of the beautiful voice, but it was usually during decent-sized storms which made traversing the ocean cliffs too dangerous. I learned later that Hitoshi sings during storms in an attempt to “ward off” passing ships so that they do not crash into the cliffside.

However, after a particular perilous maelstrom, Hitoshi beached himself inland and was tangled up in a fisherman’s line. He was not happy to see me, and (had I been able to hear him, as I came prepared, stuffing my ears with magikraft moss), I’m sure he would have tried to make me turn around and leave. Luckily I was able to free him. 

After a few days of meeting with him and providing food (he was far too large for me to carry to the ocean) He was convinced I would do him no harm especially after I told him I was a fan of Hizashi, his mentor. 

Hizashi has been teaching him how to “throw his voice”, to be better heard even over thunder. Unlike the avian siren, Hitoshi fine-tuned his Song to manipulate anyone who hears it to do as he wished with acute precision. I discovered this when, once after he became too overbourne with my presence, I woke up later in my own home with no memory of walking there. 

Supplementary: 

Like most creatures from the deep sea, his true splendor is only revealed in his natural environment.  

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Mezo Shoji is a stunning beast that I have been courting an encounter off the coast. I first crossed paths when my boat became stuck along a shallow reef (I had been looking for abandoned fishing nets at the time, after having seen what happened to Hitoshi, I recognize that when not used responsibly, fishing can be detrimental to the ecosystem. At first, I assumed I had been found by sea serpents, because the appendages that found me looked similar, except that they lacked eyes. They spoke politely to me and introduced themselves as Shoji (as a singular being). After a brief conversation, the creature freed my boat from the rocks and pushed me into safer waters. I hoped to continue the conversation, but he quickly departed, leaving me hopelessly intrigued. I returned to the area on few times on foot hoping I would see him again in more fortunate circumstances, and whenever I saw I saw a familiar shape in the water I pursued him. 

Once he saw me trying to flag his attention, he approached to speak with me again. At this point, I had many guesses as to what sort of creature could be. What I first thought were serpentine heads were specialized tentacles, with barbs running along the lateral sides for gripping prey. Fascinatingly, Shoji was not entirely sure what creature he was himself, as he admitted that he was the only one of his kind on this side of the ocean. It narrowed the possibilities somewhat, perhaps he was a victim of hunting from humans?

He protects these waters and helps those that might become waylaid by storms, despite not being an officiated knight (similar to Hitoshi).

His plethora of prehensile eyes reminds me of a conch's, and he extends them above water like a periscope. A Kraken seemed the first logical guess of a creature, although there are many MANY different kinds of Cecelia-derived beasts, even those of his immense size, He was not yet fully grown as he mentioned he was still immature- if he is a Kraken he'll grow to be much larger.

Over the following few weeks, I returned to the stop with different activities to see if I could tempt him out of the water, mostly reading and visual materials we could converse with. Shoji admitted that he was a little reluctant to show himself to humans as his appearance incited panic in the past.

After some further research, he most closely resembles a rare subspecies of Kraken called 'scylla', which is also closely related to 'echidna'. 

Supplementary

Hitoshi had been watching this ordeal for weeks and decided to “help things along”. He encouraged Shoji inland so that his form was revealed in shallower water. 

He kept his face obscured, still preferring to use his extra “mouths” (i.e. specialized limbs) to speak directly.

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About a week's journey north through the Kamui Woods, a ravine plunges about a half day’s climb. Despite its size, not many entities know of the ravine's existence, as it has been quarantined with top circle runes and a litany of other magikcrafts that act as an amnestic. This border repels and confounds any living thing that passes near to lose orientation and sense of time. At the bottom the ravine, there is a miasma of spore cloud. This miasma is the result of spores from Twice Cursed plague.

The Twice Curse erupted about half a century ago. The fast-acting disease wiped out about a fourth of the monster realm nearly overnight- and eliminated several magical species from the continent, including harpies, stymphalian birds, manticores, a variety of therianthropes, and a few more which eludes me, but all which are species that possessed resistance to the curse. An order was quickly issued to quarantine the curse and a cure was ruthlessly dispatched.

The disease begins with with either contact with open wounds, inhalation of spores and miasma. The disease can affect almost all creatures, beasts and humanoids, and can lie dormant within trees and decaying matter although it progresses more rapidly with humanoids. It persists within the body even after heavily bodily damage.

Symptoms manifest in lesions, the fruiting body (carps), bruises of the skin. The namesake of Twice-Cursed comes from the behavior of the infected, often described to be something of a split personality, with a new demeanor emerging and slowly overtaking the old one.  It has the tenancy from the overly dramatic, overly friendly and trusting, comedic, manic- but not self aware of their affliction. Ironically, within this stage, the agreeable personality makes it easy to treat or trick the into treatment. However, once the afflicted personality progresses into self awareness, joins a sort of “hive mind”, and they refer to themselves as Twice. At this stage the transformation is irreversible. 

Twice refers to itself as a sentient entity, the hive mind that relies on hosts to duplicate in perpetuity. When the eradication process began, the entity tried to bargain for mercy from the King but was still ruthlessly dispatched, famously by the red feathers of stymphalian birds (extinct). 

As history dictates, the Twice-Curse was fully eradicated. 

To why and how I am recording of this now, I do risk serious repercussions by including this entry. I became aware of the existence of the ravine by accident. Kiniko (see earlier entry on the mushroom sprite) had lamented a few times about her troublesome interactions with Twice, which at the time I had not understood. As mentioned earlier, there are impressively powerful cogito-altering effects in the area in which the Curse is quarantined. It was only AFTER experiencing an altogether separate cognito-altering event (see the entry “Thirteen”) did I recognize a pattern in my thought process. I became more curious of Kiniko’s castaway statements. Through follow up talks I managed put together a rather alarming picture. 

Kiniko leaves her footprints throughout the woodlands long after the budding carps of the mushrooms fade away. The fungus remains underground anywhere from days to years. This mycelium is like a network to speak. Kiniko can mentally tap into the ongoings of the forest this way. Her fungal network is so vast, that it grows down into the ravine. The runes are impassive to the fungus, (perhaps because it’s not technically sentient?) In this way, she was able to bypass the amnestic and access the area that Twice is in by accident.

Twice-Cursed has a similar mycelium network, and Kiniko and Twice have formed a communication system through it. When I came to grasp this, Kiniko did not seem to share concerns about my revelation, or what that meant for Twice's containment. She assured me that "he isn't getting out anytime soon". She also seems to be completely immune to Twice, being of a similar likeness. In fact… she might be the first known case of direct immunity?

With the information Kiniko has described I’m lead to believe that Twice is as sentient as it claims to be. It carries a lot of hive mind memories with care and attentiveness, and also affection for people. It describes itself as “lonely”. It expresses “regret” for the lives it took through its involuntary or naive nature, it has even spoken that it resents its design as a "curse". The fact that it seems to crave familial connection is surprising. It makes me think about its appeal for mercy from the king, which may have well been genuine. 

This discovery brings up so many questions. Most pressing is the methods in which Twice has been contained. All the records that I'm familiar with say that Twice had been destroyed, but not only wasn’t, but something has taken great lengths to preserve its existence.

Supplementary:

Symtoms include a “split personality”, a new demeanor  emerges and slowly overtakes the first.

“Patient zero” was human, they say it’s his personality that persists

Known ways to protect against Twice:
1) stymphalian feathers,
2) manticore poison

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When spelunking, I discovered an old tome entitled “Creati”. Upon prying it open, the book revealed itself to be holder of a djinn, who introduced herself as Momo Yaoyorozu.

She was disoriented as to where she was. She was not aware of the “monster realm”. A long time ago, she was bound to a book and manipulated for powerful conjuration spells by humankind. Since was unable to make an escape, and was completely bound to serve. 

While how she arrived here is a mystery- I do have theories. If she was used by human kind she was likely intended as a weapon in the human monster war. She cannot perceive the world or passage of time when inert within the book. It’s probable that her captor had been killed, or robbed on the surrounding area. If it was a feral-type monster, they would have perceived the book as worthless and left it behind. Yaoyorozu seems confident that her original captors must be gone, as she would not have the autonomy to move on her own. Thank goodness! I led her into the citadel to help her find lodgings in the migration district. 

Supplementary:

She was a little self-conscious to be in a realm with fellow magik beings, I doubt she's had much of an opportunity to interact with others in a long time.

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Toshinori is the kind of legend you grow up hearing about, but never expect to meet. His monicker carries weight in both realms—ours and humans. A true Beast. The mere mention of him is enough to make wrongdoers think twice. There are too many stories of his battles to count, and I’d need an entire new journal just to scratch the surface. But I met him, and now he’s under our roof, recovering from wounds that may never heal.

Therianthropes have all but disappeared from the world, hunted to the brink of extinction by humans and despised by vampires. Few things pose a greater danger to vampirism than therianthropic blood—it’s the only known thing that can neutralize their powers. Furthermore, humans have sought them for their own protection against vampires. Beastfolk are also wary of therianthropes because even they are susceptible of the curse- a creature that is entirely wild and free from human impulse. What some would call a "True Beast". 

It harkens back to an ancient time before beastfolk- when there were only humans, and animals. When Magik came into the world- and some humans turned into beastfolk.

Toshinori's form is unlike any seen before... he is simply, and entirely, a True Beast.

More specifically and importantly though, he’s a lycanthrope—which is perhaps the oldest known of therianthropes. He may also be one of the last.

The wound he carries isn’t natural—it’s a curse bound in silver, and it refuses to heal. Whoever inflicted it sought not just to wound him, but to see him suffer. 

It is killing him. 

There are ways he might yet live, but none without sacrifice. There are cures for lycanthropy, but they come at a cost. Yet Toshinori does not think of himself —whatever thoughts I've been able to get from him linger on the void his absence would leave behind. The times that he is conscious, he choses his words carefully. I'm just endlessly shocked at how mild and gentle, even humorous he is in this situation he's in.

I don’t remember much about the night I met him. I do recall running, without much thought, someone was in danger- but I can’t quite piece it together correctly. What I do feel in my heart was the certainty that I wouldn’t make it out. I wasn’t nearly strong enough. 

And then—Toshinori was there. 

I woke up with no clear memory of what happened in between. Only that he saved me, but he was not in a good way.

My mother and I managed to guide him inside our home - since then he has barely moved. I hesitate to write more on him- not when his fate hangs in the balance. Healers are hard to come by, and Toshinori looks ready to take flight at the mention of it. It brings the idea that something might be following him, or if he moves somewhere he may bring unwanted attention.

Well, if it's one thing that the Midoryia's have practiced well- it's hiding.

For now I should be careful on what I relate in case this Journal falls into the wrong hands. I should really look into some privacy charms to protect elements of my writing. 

… I haven’t felt right since that night. My limbs are restless. I'm going to help find a cure. 

Supplementary:

Every time he “Shifts”, his curse-wound grows worse. He is… dying. He needs to return to being human.

I have a cast of his PAWPRINT in clay (its sitting in my room- it's my prized possession)

He has sublime control of his wolf form- where he has total will over his instincts. I can't imagine the training he took to do this. Unfortunately, because of the wound, he can't maintain the form for long when not under the full moon.

It's doubtful that he will be able to transform fully again.

Chapter Text

On trips into town Uru-Aegis, I always follow the sounds of Jiro performing on the streets. 

Panotti are a humanoid race that resemble humans in many ways, except for their ears which grow to enormous sizes. The Panotti originate from a desert-like continent, where these large ears serve to cool their core body temperature and incredibly sensitive hearing. This can be amplified when they stick their metal-tipped tails into the sand, they can detect movements like vibrations for miles in the desert.  

Jiro traveled a long way to live here. I had a chance to speak with her a few times after her performance, as I was fascinated by how she played her instrument, which she powers using her innate magik through her tail. When powered up it generates a magik-vibration that’s so powerful, that it can be felt for many city blocks. She can control the type of output it generates. 

She makes her living as a bard, but she has hopes to join the Knighthood, she has her eyes (ears) set on the watchtower.

Supplementary 

Metal tipped tail conducts her bardic magik

Sometimes she hides her ears and tail.

Chapter Text

Honengyo are aquatic variations of salamanders, and can grow to an extremely large size. Their skin is famously known for being slimy, but also for their anti-aging properties. Mitsuki is honengyo who grew up in the Monster Realm working within the waterways.

It's worth noting that there are mixed opinions on humans making their home in the Monster Realm, although it's easier for those who possess an affinity for magik. 

Masaru is a pyromancer, and works to supply magik-infused clothing for humanoids that can stand the stressors of monster life. He often keeps his hands gloved to prevent igniting fabric material.

While beastfolk and human couples are known to happen, it isn't common. 

While Mrs Bakugo is entirely suited to aquatic life, their son is not. Masaru often plays peacemaker between mother and son, and the lifestyle of the three is chaotic, straddling both land, water, and fire, but it's clear they love each other very much.

Supplementary: From what I've been told, Mitsuki was the one who pursued and courted the pyromancer.

Chapter Text

Susugu is a karkÌnos , an enormous crab (a northern variety of the saratan) that visits the realm of monsters. Every month at high low tide, he approaches the east coast, first appearing like a moving island. His arrival is highly anticipated and often heralded by flying creatures to spread word inland, inciting a mass migration of creatures towards the coast, who bring food or other goods to trade.

On sunny days Susagu basks in the shallow waters and allows creatures to climb his shell. He is docile, despite some history of monsters heckling him.

Supplementary:

When on land, he produces bubbles to aerate his gills, which are prized for their magikal cleaning properties.

Susugu permits the building of vâltoares on his shell. These washing structures are attended by a pair of water spirits- Kota and Masaki.  

Masaki is a Namija, a variety of ocean spirit who oversees the vâltoares on Susugu. Those who offer something trade may use the facilities to wash valuables, which operate under the gravity of water that Masaki brings forth and purifies from any salt. 

In recent years an apprentice has joined him, one very young vodnik named Kota. Kota's water abilities have not matured to operate the vâltoare structures, but he's very passionate about the wellbeing of Susugu.

Supplementary: Kota is a skilled artist! When he saw that I was drawing him, he brought over shark tooth carvings of his own.

Chapter Text

Tsumigumo are specialized arachnae shapeshifters, which means Sero possesses the ability to shift from a humanoid shape. Jorogumo are often referred the female variant of this species. Sero usually keeps a more humanized shape, because, to quote him- “most people wig out if I go full spider”.   

He produces incredibly strong, waterproof silk, in non-adhesive and adhesive variety. It can be used in near infinite means, from waterproof canteens, clothing and so on. 

He makes his own clothes, and has tailored some for monster kind that have unique body shapes. Apparently he also does commissions for both Masaru Bakugo (who creates clothing for humanoid beastfolk).

Supplementary:

I couldn’t tell you how I ended up in his garden. He said he laid out trap for the rabbit eating all his vegetables.

Seros’ note:

Can you tell them that it doesn’t come from my butt, it’s important that they know it doesn’t come from my butt.

Authors note: Yes! The silk comes from his spinneret, it’s sterile and can be used as sutures, poultice and gauze for wounds!

He uses different hooks on his body as a loom.

Chapter Text

Ectoplasm is not only a sentient slime (most slimes are a simple bio-compote that are reactive to basic stimuli), but he is also a knight of the realm and mentor. 

Also he’s also widely known as a brilliant mathematician, I wanted his expertise.

My experience tells me that cognitive-altering magik may be over-ridden, in terms of Site Thirteen, and also, possibly with “Twice”. With Thirteen, there’s a pattern in the numbers that spring to mind when in such an altered state, when focusing on just the numbers alone, I wonder if there’s a pattern.

Because of his knighted status, my audience with Ectoplasm had been pushed back- but he was very happy to receive my notes. He is familiar with Site Thirteen, but had been unfamiliar with the cognate effects. 

Supplementary: 

(Ectoplasm) is able to divide himself and shift his size.

Chapter Text

Denki is a raijū who is employed with a unique job within the highest castle of the realm, acting as a living lightning rod. With the severe height of the spires of the Kings spires- it leaves it at risk for structural damage from thunderstorms. On these days Denki will patrol the spires, and will attract the lightning to himself, rather than the architecture. 

He is not officially a knight, although he has expressed the desire. The mentoring program is not for the faint of heart. It’s interesting to picture Denki taking up this mantle, as he is so easy going! Yet he is loyal and kind and with an innate sense of guardianship- he has the makings for an excellent knight.

He is light on his paws, if he moves quickly enough he may walk across clouds- a gift not common among non-winged creatures. 

Supplementary:

Being struck by lighting can leave him a little confused.

An unlikely friendship came about with the local bard, he can “juice up” her instruments.

Chapter Text

Vlad could be mistaken for a type of nymph or dryad at first glance, but he is not remotely related. He a tree folk called a jubokko. He was a regular sapling initially, but during the Human and Monster War, upon the grounds where many bodies fell, (and many more forests razed to the ground via the one known as Dabi- see later entry) the abundance of blood turned an ordinary birch sapling into a jubokko. 

While most birch trees only live about 140 years, Vlad is much older, and because he has consumed up such vast quantities of blood, he estimates he will continue to live much longer.  

He is one of two mentors that officially train the knights, but Vlad trains those who prefer to stay in the wildes rather than the main cities, and so I happened to see some of his trainings at a distance.

Supplementary: Jubukko possess himokenesis, and can expel their ichor and control it skillfully as an extension of themselves

As a hematophage, he prefers to consume blood through his roots, and supplements with photosynthesis.

Chapter Text

Despite his low profile, Mr. Aizawa's reputation precedes him as a knight mentor. He has not officially been officiated among the knighted ranks per his request, and prefers to work under cloak. Kacchan, Pinky, Sero, Kirishima, Denki, Jiro, Tokoyami, Momo are just a few of I know of personally who have been (or are currently) under his tutelage, and I only know of this because they've spoken of his training. Most details is a kept secret, but I managed to learn a few details through gossip, it sounds highly disciplined.

Oh to be a fly on the wall and observe ...

I have not met him personally, there is little reason for us to cross paths, but he often makes appearances around the high castle. His training parallels Vlad, who takes on knights in the Wildes while Mr. Aizawa takes on those in the city. This may be due to the fact that Mr. Aizawa grew up in distant human lands. Maybe that is why he prefers keeping a low profile.

As a gorgon, he is able to paralyze creatures within his view indefinitely, so long as he does not break line of sight. This is easily achieved as his serpent eyes share the ability equally - and none require to blink.  Many have tried to stop the technique by cutting off the serpent heads, but fortunately, they are able to regrow (albeit in a different colors).

Using a mirror against him can reverse his gaze effects momentarily. 

Supplementary

Non-venomous. He is a “constrictor”

Gorgons are known for their tails- which can make them slow. I suspect that a powerful runic magikraft is in use to hide his tail.

Non-venomous. He is a “constrictor”

Chapter Text

Mrs Joke is a specialized yokai who gains sustenance from the laughter of others, called a waraionna. While some waraionna rely have been known to drive a person mad with laughter or death, Mrs. Joke is a renowned jester in the inner courts of the realm.

Don't let her appearance and jovial nature fool you, her humor manipulation effects are incredibly powerful and can cripple most creatures that have any capacity for humor. Even when not in direct contact with Ms Joke (I.e. reference similar effects with entry thirteen). I've learned the best remedy is to try to forget. 

Supplementary: Waraionna are able to disguise themselves as humans easily, but Mrs Joke prefers to put on a show.

Despite her ability to inflict laughter, she likes to practice comedy the "old fashioned way” for exercise.

Leprechauns are incredibly rare. Amusingly, the appearance of Mr. Smiley was almost an answer to Mrs Joke. Pictograms began to appear over the city in undesired places. Mrs Joke was assigned to capture the artist with so far, unsuccessful results. The two seem to be playing cat and mouse. 

I wonder what his motive is? To spread joy? Recognition? He seems to enjoy painting the same figure over and over again. Leprechauns are often associated with green and gold, and luck perhaps a green hare is just a good luck symbol?

Chapter Text

Many different kinds of entities prey upon the sleeping: mares, mora, batsy, cubi varieties and subspecies that use nightmares, seduction or paralysis to feed on their sleeping prey. A shadow person is a general term to describe a particular demon of this ilk, depending on the variety one may call them Hatmen. 

I came across one in the wild far away from any residence that he seemed not far from disappearing- without a food source he was barely a wisp, and could only be seen in dark corners. Despite this, he did not seem eager to prey upon me. 

With some boundaries negotiated and precautions in place I smuggled him home, where I could be of temporary source of nourishment. His feeding only involves being nearby where I sleep with some mild side effects. 

Yet, the next day I was so fatigued I could barely move. Shihai was concerned that my sleep was unusually fitful, but also assured me that he wasn't a dreamweaver- or a causer of nightmares, and was hopeful that my unrest was just a side effect. 

(I've been having some odd dreams for some time now... but I might learn a bit more about those soon) 

Supplementary: As fascinating as this has been, I fear I need to move him out of the house before the next full moon. 

He keeps himself hidden in shadows during daylight.

Chapter Text

Baku are famous for hunting down dreams to consume for sustenance. Taishiro's skill at exorcising all variations of somnambulistic amalgamations, which puts him in high demand for the chronic nightmare sufferers or the possessed. While Taishiro happily devours dreams upon request of his clients, he may also bottle and store them in witch jars. Some clients may even sell their dreams. He is in such excess of food supply that he started a joint venture in offering sleep entities ethical food resources without resorting to preying on hapless victims.

He happily agreed to see me after learning about the emaciated state of Shihai. Kirishima also came along after hearing about my plans.  Having never had a dream before (golems are not known to dream) he's grown curious of the concept.

Taishiro is able to skillfully extract dreams and consume them without directly perceiving them "to maintain client confidentiality".. Each dream has a unique flavor profile- bad nightmares tend to be bitter and bold, while pleasant dreams tend to be sweeter, and monotonous dreams may taste bland and so on.

Taishiro has been experimenting on methods to make dreams tangible so that others may also taste or experience them. Kiri volunteered to trial his offerings, he's become quite curious to experience a dream for himself.

Supplementary:

The exorcism went smoothly! (Despite Shihai's reservations)

He may use smaller forms for house calls (with his assistant- Sun Eater).

A sand nymph (although some other parts of the world might use the word sandman) produce a sand that is able to put any person into a deep sleep, even those who suffer from chronic insomnia. Midnight wields this expertly in concert with Taishiro when dealing with particularly difficult unwanted sleep amalgamations. Together they make an unlikely, but perfect business partnership. When a sleeping client awakes they will find rheum in their eyes, but no ill effects. She also offers her bottled sand for purchase, so people may take their own 'sleepy dirt' home. 

Shihai was just as relieved to be exorcised from me, and it's a relief to see him in good hands. Midnight had an instant kinship with him with both being sleep creatures. She made so many low brow jokes that he soon forgot to be nervous. 

I did ask both Taishiro and Midnight about the dreams I have been having- and they did wait to see if one might present itself, however nothing came of it that night. Taishiro admitted that some dreams... might not be dreams at all.

... well, I did get a bottle of sleepydirt - maybe that will help me achieve a full nights rest.

Supplementary: 

She speculates that she comes from succubi ancestry, and some traits sometimes show through. Her preferred dreams to consume are typically ones Taishiro finds too “spicy”. 

She’s very artistic! 

Chapter Text

Although there are plenty of shapeshifters in the monster realm, and those that may channel magikraft to alter themselves, Baldanders (alternatively Soon-Different). stand apart in that they have no default form, and can change at will to any animal, plant or object, simultaneously at once, for example an arm or leg or tail or head or foot. 

He is a known helper to Taishiro in higher class exorcisms that require more supervision. He was reluctant to speak with me at first when he showed up to shift (... I may have been a bit excited!). He also consumes dreams just like his mentor- and they also play a role in how he is able to shift into such dreamlike forms. 

Naturally, I couldn't help but ask him about his powers - at what point does dream thought cross into reality? Is there a proper way to discern them from say... visions? Prophecies? Despite being a bit shy, Suneater was kind enough to humor me a little, and explain that at least in his line of work- only true dreams may be consumed. Anything else, visions or memories... they cannot be exorcised at all- and sometimes may not even be detectable. 

... that is insightful information.

Supplementary: 

He is self conscious and often hides under his cloak.

His protean form gives him infinite chimerical combinations, but his face typically remains a constant.

Chapter Text

Upon reaching this section of the journal, there are several torn pages on the binding, where entries seem to have been carefully, intentionally removed. Folded in the vacant space is a strange assembly of loose paper- featuring a collection of illustrations (presumably the authors originals). They are ungracefully, but studiously bound together with fireproof thread. The edges of the paper are burnt as if they nearly met their fate in a fire.

The the notes appear to be additions from a different hand.

? Bai-Ze? Haku Taku

Blue Cap

Asura

Sliepnir

Iele

Enenra

Ulfhednar / Wolf warrior

?

Chapter Text

... after my conversation with SunEater, I wonder if the vivid dreams I've been experiencing might be astral projection. 

My best line of reasoning on this is Uravity.

The dream was incredibly vivid. Lost in a sky the color of ink, the stars shone with the sun, and the land was so distant below that I could not make out its details. There was a fantastic being there I didn't recognize. 

She was tethered to me (or I was tethered to her?) in weightlessness. She had a soft exoskeleton like armor, and swam through the sky like a fish through water. Together we descended through the clouds. 

I dismissed the incredible dream for weeks. Not until I saw the same being in the flesh while visiting the capital. I was so shocked upon recognizing her, I'm afraid I made a complete fool of myself approaching her. 

She was so kind and warm - and introduced herself as Uravity. She typically stays in orbit to help wayward travelers, but there has been a rise of cosmic attacks around the moon. She became stranded when her vessel was destroyed in such a crossfire, which led me to ask her how she found her way to the ground. 

She was a little reluctant, but eventually explained that a gyokuto helped guide her to the Monster Realm. I'll admit I did not know this term, the more common word for such a creature here is a 'jade hare'. The jade hare has been an apparition in the Realm as of late, but its sightings have been unsubstantiated. This may have been why she was hesitant to admit it. If Uravity did meet such a creature, it would be logical, as they can withstand the climate of the cosmos. Whatever the case- I'm so thankful she had a helping hand.

For now Uravity is staying in the Monster Realm. Her vessel was such an expensive apparatus that she explained "that I'm going to need to find a fancy job to save up for another one".

I had no idea that the celestial plane was facing such volatile threats. One certainly couldn't discern it by looking at the stars (although there's been thick cloud cover lately). 

As for the dream- I still have no affinity with magik, and have no inclinations to try. My last attempt ended in disaster (see entry on Tomura). So- I'm not sure what to think.

A sense tells me to keep it to myself for now. I've disposed of other such entries that teeter on the side of nonsense- at least until I can determine that they are safe to explore.

Supplementary: 

physics?? Magiktek? Organic? 

Mitts have tools to orient herself in a weightless environment

(A small, discolored, footnote unlike the authors handwriting)

aawww big stretch

Chapter Text

Mom did something crazy ( ... we are related, no doubt).

It's been months since Toshinori came under our roof, but his condition has regressed to a point that he has holding on to embers of himself. Caught between something primal and human to prolong self healing and maintain strength. He stopped eating and speaking once he began to draw blood from his lungs. He spent his time resting in moonlight. Much of my time has been traveling back and forth to Uru-Aegis and to markets for powerful medicines while mom helped care for him. Despite the risk, we wondered if we could try bringing him to the capital for better care.

This last time I returned to an empty house. I eventually found Mom and Toshinori in a moonlit clearing. Strewn in the air was our entire apothecary arsenal - Mom was up to her elbows in stained red where where she cleaned up Toshinori's fresh wound. 

Now, Mom is a witch who is especially gifted in sensing, and acutely levitating small objects. It's a brownie trick for finding lost things and pulling them out of hiding. In this case she had sensed a wicked an object trapped deep inside Toshinori's curse wound. It wasn't until she felt a surge in its energy, she decided to use her skill and magik to draw it out. Toshinori is lucky to have survived the ordeal (and a whole four months supply of Madame Midnight's sleepy dirt that mom dumped on his face may be partly to thank), but if she hadn't acted fast he may likely have finally succumbed that night. 
I don't think anyone else could have done it.
My mom is amazing.

The object trapped inside Toshinori is insidious magitek. I cannot touch it without it searing my skin.  

To explain what magitek is- it must be known that all beastfolk have latent magik within them, and the study into beast mana has been ongoing since beastfolk started appearing in the world. In the Realm of Humans, the study of this formed the foundation of magitek. Magitek draws from the world around it to power inventions like automatons and living alchemical creations. Kirishima is a rather stunning example of this. Yet very few in the Realm of Monsters know how magitek actually works. Except for Mei Hatsume.

Mei is Chongming Niao. She has the unique attribute of having two irises to one eye, giving her exceptional vision- sometimes called 'double sight'. Her knowledge of magitek inventions are renown, so I brought her the cursed object in hopes she could identify it.

She came to a conclusion that the object originated from the Realm of Humans (a very long journey away). It was tainted with beastfolk mana, and fired from a magitek weapon. For added measure, there was a curse etched on it, all wrapped in a sleek, silver coating. 

"I've only seen one thing so similar." she said "It's similar to the immortality seed- but its perfect inverse."

This is a lot to take in (and Mei was climbing all over and I may have only retained half of what she said). The immortality seed, a font for immortality, can be found on the moon and is guarded by the Moon Frog. Someone went through a laborious effort to create an inverse of it. Instead of immortality, it procured something like Perpetual Decay. 

Whatever, whomever had made this, did so quite meticulously, and had access to every high grade resources to do so. 

Supplementary:

I had an up close observation of the famous double pupil - hers have split entirely.

She was enthusiastic to study the object that had wounded Toshinori.

Chapter Text

To best explain the nightmare that appeared in the Monster Realm two days ago, I should explain more about beast instincts and how monsters are classed. 

Beastfolk have instincts to act upon their nature. This became an issue when they first started appearing in the human realm. Some harbor great power, others have a penchant for mischief, and some consider humans as prey. Out of fear, humans found as many beastfolk as they could and pushed their numbers far across the sea- where we are today. 

When beastfolk first arrived here, there was no Kamui Woods, magik, with little water and few animals. Most monsters had only ever known human civilization, with little knowledge on how to survive in such a desolate place and no system in place to guide their instincts, many turned feral to survive. 

To help beastfolk discern threats amongst themselves, a ranking system was devised, based on instinct and magik. Wardens and knights emerged to help restore some semblance of peace.

Once the True Beast emerged - ferals vanished almost completely, and it's why why humans like myself have been permitted to now live here. It's important to note that although control of magik and instincts are often linked, they not mutually exclusive. Some express no magik at all- (like Mina). I'll summarize the ranking from least threat to most:

• Mythless (humans, or spellcasters with no instincts)
• Tamebound (magikal, and harmonized with others)
• Wardenkind (such as knights, that discipline magik and instincts for good use)
• Stray (strong instincts but redirected, may not be self aware)
• Fiend (dangerous, primal instincts guide it, reckless magik)
• Feral (apex threat, impossible to reason with, and wonton violence)
• True Beast, which acts in harmony with its instincts to fullest extent and power- and instinct is so strong, unselfish and pure, that its actions align with the certainty of peace. (Toshinori is the sole example of this )

For Endeavor, nothing was ever more important to him as to surpass the prestige of the True Beast. In a way, he is operating just as his nature intended. Firebirds are harbingers of good fortune, doom- or unattainable goals. Given what I currently know of him, he's fulfilling all these fates at once.

Two days ago a monster fell out of the sky- what has been termed a Gashadokuro. The impact of its body alone wiped out part of the coast. It quickly was determined to be Feral, being composed not of one beast, but hundreds of monsters in one body. It listened to no one, but quickly set to destruction, not listening to those around it, making its way towards the main city. 

Endeavor intercepted it. 

Endeavor channels his pyro-magik into exothermic reactions, and with this he achieves both flight and tremendous offensive power. It was an incredible display as he felled the creature, thankfully, before it got close to the city- but the Gashadokuro proved to be a very powerful force - and some smaller monsters broke away from its body and fled into the wild. 

With the absence of the the True Beast, Endeavor has stepped up as the top of wardenkind. His firepower remains unmatched, and his presence has even earned him popular titles across the sea even amongst humans.

Lately, Endeavor has faced his share of controversies. It's known that he has put tremendous pressure on his progeny to follow his legacy. Whatever public opinions are of him, usually all will still admit he is an unforgettable sight to behold.

Supplementary:

An enormous, conglomerate of monster corpses... it fell from the sky, crashing into the coast

It was incinerated in an incredible display of prominence burn before it could do much damage.

He ignites his wings to achieve pyrokinetic flight.

Firebirds are often harbingers of good fortune, doom- or unattainable goals

Chapter Text

In the aftermath of the Gashadokuro, knights were dispatched to find the remaining corpses that had separated from its main body. The gates to Uru-Aegis' had been pulled, making the city a stronghold. I had been on my way home during the attack. Saddled with supplies and medicines, I stayed amongst the waiting crowd in outer bailey for the hunting party to return.

At long last, the gates opened to a procession of knights and their trainees, among them several of my friends- and Shoto Todoroki. I knew him on sight. Aside from being the son of one of the most affluent beastfolk, he has already achieved enough accolades to be favored as an auspicious protector.

I don't know how what caught his attention in the heroes welcome and shouting and cheering, but Shoto suddenly broke rank. Now, it might have been his sudden movement or it could have been how his direct approach made me feel like I was falconry quarry, but my legs moved first and I was swiftly through the gatehouse and outside the city with my pack banging and clanging.

Shoto soon intercepted me beyond the drawbridge. I should have been delighted to have a such a close encounter with a famed beast, but I felt rather unlike myself.

"Wait," Shoto called "Please wait a moment, I have a question to ask."

As we faced each other, he fell still.

Shoto is a creature I would describe as inscrutable, so I was unsure what he may have been thinking in that moment, but it was clear that something caught him off guard as he saw me. He approached measuredly and peered very close, as if he found something peculiar about my face.

"Are you injured?" he asked, and I was able to find my words to claim that I was actually quite well, and... how was he? And ... further more it was a pleasure to meet him... and sorry that I ran, I wasn't sure why I did so-?

"Hold." Shoto nearly cut me off "You do not recall our encounter?"

Now I'm SURE I have not met any Todoroki, but since I was so unsettled I spent a good minute questioning my memory.

"Once upon a dream?" This nervous joke did not have the intended effect, and Shoto received it with as much confusion as I felt. I rushed to assure him that no, I had not met him. Shoto looked as if this interaction strayed far from his expectations.

"I believe I made a mistake." he said carefully, now looking somewhat lost "I mistook you for someone else. I'm unsure of how to speak to you." I was also at a loss of what to say without bombarding him with a thousand questions and have him abandon the encounter. 

I suggested that we could start over by chatting about the weather (och) ... and ultimately, this is how my friendship with Shoto began.

I coaxed him to sit with me in an alcove along the quiet waters of the moat. We shared in my food and drink, although I don't think he was accustomed to street food. We DID talk about the weather, and about the monster fell out of the heavens. We talked about the weeks of overcast, how Oboro the sylph seemed to have gone missing.

Shoto finally relaxed. I do wonder if he was content to be removed from the curious city crowds. He wasn't entirely talkative, so I told him about my experiences, and he seemed to take interest that I had met many variety of creatures, and my knowledge of them. 

He began to speak on his own experiences. 

"I met a beast that cast itself so carelessly into peril, that I was sure it would die from its injuries," he said "So I pursued it with intent to bring it care, but even when maimed, the beast was too fast for me to ensnare with ice. I was warned not to give chase, that perhaps it was even unfair to a beast that doesn't wish to be captured, and that the task would be impossible anyway, but these words only motivated me to push harder."

"Is that why you started using pyromancy?" I asked. Shoto's ice magik was long renowned, but he had not cast his fire magik in a bid against his father. It is not my place to speak on how he chooses to use his magik, but it filled me with such joy to hear that he began dual wielding!

"I was precisely told 'not to go chasing rabbits.'" he smiled "I didn't understand that it was just a turn of phrase. I've turned those words over since, and I think I was being called out on how obsessed I was behaving. I was acting a lot like my father."

"With... with rabbits?"

"I was obsessed with my own agenda, but at the expense of others. I was only thankful to have realized it."

"So then," I ventured "Were you able to capture the beast?"

He was quiet for a time

"No... but I believe that the beast is faring just fine."

All of this to say, we promised to meet up in less than a weeks time, for dinner (with his family, I've never been invited anywhere before)! For now I made a vow to learn everything I could about the Todoroki family. The more I think on the baffling encounter, the stronger my conclusion became:

Shoto Todoroki is incredibly (endearingly) awkward.

Supplementary

He seemed genuinely surprised that I didn't remember him.
(If we really met before- then I'm lacking some context)

His cryokinesis on his right side was renown from a young age, but only recently he has also begun to use pyrokinesis. 

He manifests his right “arm”. 

He has been called many things: Fenghuang, Hoh-oh, Biyiniao, Elemental, ... Frostfire Chimera, but none stuck.  When the moment came to publicly label himself, he simply said: "Shoto."

… so awesome.

Chapter Text

The Lady of the Mountain is a Leshachiha. She is the lesser known, but fascinating counterpart of the male Leshy. Her namesake is two fold, as it is commonly known she overlooks the Woodland and City from the height of the tallest mountain. She gathers news from flying folk or fae, and if there is trouble, she can cross great distances quickly due to her ability to change her size. She may become nearly as tall as a mountain herself, and has been known to lock horns with many ill tempered monsters with ease.

Her mountain is noted to be so well protected and safe, that many auspicious creatures make their home there, (such as Todoroki family). 

Outside of her guardianship role, she seems to enjoy the attention.

Supplementary:

To hear her coming at a distance is both intimidating and humbling!

Chapter Text

There are two Todoroki strongholds —one in the the city, a fiery headquarters to Endeavour, and another along the frozen foothills to Mount Lady. The latter was our destination for dinner.

Fortunately neither Shoto and Kacchan are bothered by the cold, but the trip there was... awkward. I am under the impression that Kacchan invited himself along for dinner. I couldn't guess why, it seems to only be torture for him to be subjected to the company of us both. I've followed Kacchan's training, and his reputation holds to Shoto in terms of skill- and they are known to train and spar against each other often. 

I was delighted to learn that Ochako had also found her way within the knight ranks, and Shoto had interesting things to say regarding her and the recent Gashadokuro attack. Evidently, the Gashadokuro was the same kind of attacker that left Ochako stranded in the celestial planes. It is hard to speculate on what sort of conflict is is going on beyond the clouds when they have rarely parted lately.

Fuyumi Todoroki received us in their stronghold with a warm meal. She is a snegurochka (snow maiden) who teaches in the snow villages nestled in the foothills, and her students’ little drawings plaster the walls. Teaching always sounded like such a fulfilling role, I loved to hear about how Fuyumi is able to handle all sorts of creatures. You have to be flexible to handle such students.. 

Rei, their mother is an icicle yokai known as a Tsurara-Onna. Tsurara-Onna only manifest along the eves of warm houses, and their home (while welcoming) was kept cold, so sadly, I was not able to meet Rei. Hot food aside, I am thankful for both Shoto and Kacchan for being astride - or I might have froze. 

Natsuo, the older brother, was reserved. Simurgh are much akin to a phoenix but with an affinity for ice and water, and with wolf features.

This is a good opportunity as ever to better explain how beastfolk manifest, using the Todoroki's and Kacchan as examples.

There is no certain answer to why beastfolk began appearing in the world. It happened suddenly, humans began sudden and dramatic transformations. Most who remained in human shape found themselves with magikal gifts. Fauna and flora changed too- bending and adapting to magikal thoughts and intelligence. Magik followed and accumulated where beastfolk tread.

The prevailing theory for this phenomenon is that wild magik was somehow released and rapidly spread across the world. It bound itself to most living things- altering their nature in (seemingly) random ways. Magikal randomness exists in beastfolk families, but it seems to follow subtle rules. 

Take Kacchan as an example. He is not a human like his father, nor is he a hōnengyo like his mother, nor is he a hybrid. He is his own beast, a salamander (he will freely remind you as such). One could assume that he took after his mother's amphibiousness, and his father’s pyro elements and manifested into something new.

This "monster lottery" was maddening to those who first tried to guess the pattern of creatures emerging into the world. Without help, we may have been lost in imprecise beasts such as "fire demons" or "ice birds" or "spider beasts" or "Water elementals" without much nuance. Thankfully, an entity provided humanity some context to follow - the holy beast known as the Hakutaku. 

The Hakutaku possessed knowledge on all entities, beasts, and spirits- existing, and those yet to pass. It freely passed this knowledge on to humans- whose records filled an archive not found in the Monster Realm, somewhere amongst humans (I imagine). My journal is not even a glance into its footnotes- but my own meager speculations. The variation of monsters is so vast and mixed that most beastfolk see the importance in finding matches amongst themselves.

Regarding the Todorokis - each sibling is a wholly unique beast - with some sharing in one or both of their parents talents. Yet they ALL share something in common: They all reincarnate (although in different methods and times). This is what makes Shoto so outstandingly unique, he is a chimera of his parents, and doesn't fit within a known spectrum.

... I do wonder if he will reincarnate like the rest of his family. 

Supplementary: 

Tsuraonna reincarnate every winter among warm houses, but Rei has not appeared in years.

Simurgh may reincarnate after a thousand years. He reincarnates through frost fire- and reborn as an infant. 

A snegurochka would typically reincarnate yearly through snowfall (like her mother, she would retain her age). As their home sits in a cold climate, she can stay year round.

Chapter Text

I touched upon magik within monsters on my last entry. Toya as a notable example what happens with their magik is too powerful for its vessel.

Where most phoenix live to be a few centuries before they naturally self immolate, the endothermic reaction of magik within Toya runs unusually hot. His reincarnation cycle lasts only about 24 years, or sooner.

Phoenix reincarnations are often paralleled to wood combustion, with their appearance changing greatly during each progressive stage. 

Kindling - magik is heating up endothermically, but not yet ignited

Pyrolysis… magik preparing to ignite the body, the energy evaporation makes smoke

Combustion - body ignites, starting powerful exothermic reaction

Dabi (Oxidation) primary oxidation begins, body is untouchable

Immolation - Char Oxidation occurs and as the body reduced to ash, the reactionary magik is released back into a wild state. 

It's the last step that makes Toya so difficult to track after he turns to ash. Unbound magik is notoriously unpredictable. It seeks to rebind itself, or it could be consumed, or disperses or perhaps other things. Phoenix magik usually remains in the ashes where sparks the rebirth of a vessel. Toya's wild magik tends to wander, much to to the dismay of his family (the Todorokis). As result- Toya has become a bit of a boogeyman. Sightings usually begin about a decade after one of his fantastic immolations. How he accomplishes this at all is unknown, but there is speculation that the phoenix made a connection that has helped him somehow. So far, he seems unwilling to regroup with his family. 

The last few dabi immolations demolished a large amount of the Woodlands. Although, this destruction has also rejuvenated some forest growth, like a controlled burn. This area now plays host to young growth, mushrooms and faerie rings in abundance, not to mention new creatures (see entry on Juzo).

I believe I might have crossed paths with Toya many years ago upon visiting the Burnt Woods. The brief memory only returns to me after meeting the Todoroki's. The point of cycle lines up with his appearance from those years ago. I wish I could remember more of our interaction... it never crossed my mind that he was a phoenix. If I remember right, I was much more excited about showing him all the different mushrooms I'd gathered. 

Supplementary:

He should now be reentering the “Dabi” stage... where ever he is.  

Given Kinoko's growth pattern and Twice's location, his immolation spots look suspiciously strategic... see entry on Kamui Woods, Twice, and Kinoko.

Chapter Text

The longer this land played host to monsters, the more it land was enriched with the wild mana from its inhabitants. A once barren earth became fertile, forests sprung up, and the first dryad began the beginnings of what is now Kamui Woods.  Deep among the rich leylines of magik lay Prima Materia, the chaos matter that is the building block to all things. Prima Materia is considered an essential component to alchemy when it concerns the philosophers stone.

When refining prima materia - the phoenix fire can be used to purify it to its highest potential- the yliaster from which the philosophers stone takes shape. What is fascinating is that upon his last immolation, Dabi's fires ran so deep that it reached a Prima Materia deposit. The reaction must have been like lightning striking sand to create glass - and whatever magik was there was able to bind to it to form Juzu.

Juzu is able pull all alchemical feats, creating Vitrium flexile, turning objects to gold, and so on, as well as reversing alchemical effects.

Juzo claims that his first memory was emerging from the ground to find himself at the epicenter of a burning forest of ash. Over the years he's returned to the area, after piecing together his own existence. He admits that he'd like to speak to the phoenix who sparked his existence someday.

Supplementary:

He can alchemically alter constructs without a soul - 'solve et coagula'

His existence is linked to phoenix immolation- making him a rare 'naturally' forged philosophers stone and a only sentient one. 

Chapter Text

Sentient armor could be explained as ironkind or spirit bound (like Toru- magik simply refusing to unbind itself after death), but sentient weapons are not common. Testu is a man-made Tsukumogami. 

His base is a human forged, adamantine sword with a gem at its hilt- a magitek device that is able to ensnare and hold the magik of those it slays. The entrapped magik augments aspects of the sword- adding to its hardiness, flexibility, sharpness, ability to withstand heat, cold, and so on. The sword can adapt to withstand a broad range of unique defenses. This weapon made its way to the Monster Realm, likely intended to kill monsters. However, the artifact was shortly abandoned in one of the old battlegrounds.

Much like like Juzu- the sword absorbed latent magik in the realm. Wild magik bound to its gem, and gave the sword the ability to speak and take a humanoid shape.

Supplementary:

After an argument- Kiri and Tetsu ended up stuck together for days

As golems do not have a souls- Juzo was able to separate the sword from the stone.

Chapter Text

Nymphs are bound to a vast array of elements and life forms, such as forests, streams, and mountains, but then there comes along a more unusual kind like Madame Midnight for example. It is unlikely that we will know the true numbers of them, considering there are some not even bound to earth. Koronides are a specialized nymphs of comets, usually glimpsed streaking across the night sky.

There are friendly comet nymphs that make orbit around world- known as The Ingenium. It is said that is not one, but a pair of these koronides patrol protect that space which there is no air to breathe. I've not seen the Ingenium lately (or much of the moon or stars with the clouds that have choked the skies). Last night something burst through the cloud ceiling, so bright I'm sure that the whole realm could see it.

I was not thinking when I fled into the night after it. My legs moved first, as though my legs were charged and my mind was oddly blank. I didn't even warn my mother of my departure, or say goodbye to Toshinori (who remains unawoken), I grabbed a pre-made kit of supplies - watching as pieces of the falling comet were cast off, burning up in the atmosphere. 

The colors were of the Ingenium comet, blue and violets of wild comet magik- which is usually contained within a specialized vessel called an utsurobune. 

It was not hard to find the impact site- a smoldering, canyon of wrecked earth that meandered for miles. At its end, an utsurobune lay in ruin.

Uravity was there, carefully prizing apart the smoking metal. She was as surprised to see me as I was of her- but she let me help to search the wreck for survivors. Thankfully its pilot was still alive.

As the nymph emerged from his vessel, his wild magik lanced the air in such magnitudes that I was forced to shelter behind metal. Uravity was able to withstand it, and called him out by name, Tenya. 

Tenya was inconsolable. He was trying to explain what had happened to the Ingenium, and that his brother was gravely wounded and had been left behind (... still in the skies I believe?) I only understood it in pieces before the intense meeting abruptly ended

Aizawa had descended on the scene and immediately enshrined the comet nymph in stone with his gaze. This is a sensible move- as this shouldn't hurt Tenya, but bestows a temporary housing for his wild magik that the utsurobune would normally provide, (although without the benefit of speaking I fear). As this was happening- there came more monstrous movement across the horizon.

Gashadokuro. Huge, skeletal, bulky, shapes plunged from the sky like black spears. Roaring over the land in dreadful shadow - one crashed so close to us that what remaining trees were not flattened splintered across upon the scene. I was forced to retreat as a wall of the Gashadokuro's composites- undead or unknown monsters I have yet to identify, flooded the smoking ruins. 

I was able to take paths I know well to escape - and soon a few other small creatures joined me. The wildes have been plunged into absolute chaos.

I'm writing this now at rest in a familiar riverside cave, which I believe is well hidden from creatures like a Gashadokuro- who can be heard terrorizing the landscape. I am going to see if I can lure a few other good neighbors back to safety to they are not seized up in whatever is taking place. 

I'm guessing the Gashadokuro is what attacked Tenya and his brother, but I fear there's not much time to unpack that. I need to find my way back home, and I fear by now my mom may have been forced to move the house.

Supplementary:

The pair of koronides followed a patrol route Ingenium Comet

Utsurobune - Vessels that house koronides. The volatile magik of comet nyphs can pilot utsurobune at impossible speeds.

With the Ingenium grounded, nothing protects the space between earth and moon. This was an attack.

Chapter Text

As I've mentioned, nymphs have an endless collective of nymphs that belong to every sapling and flower. Ibara is a Alseid, a grove nymph, and she takes after a greenbriar plant.

Many nymphs are bound to the area, but Ibara crosses all borders of the Woodlands. Her briar is more resilient than any sort of naturally grown plant, and she is very protective of the forest and the creatures therein, much like the woodland itself.

She boldly steps out to greet the undead entities on her own, I can hear the crack in her vines as she draws them away from other creatures. She shouts angry psalms in a language I'm unfamiliar with.

Supplementary

She boldly steps out to greet the undead entities on her own, I can hear the crack in her vines as she draws them away from other creatures.

No one is sure where the first Oak tree stands, it likely took root when the first beastfolk arrived in this place. The original oak tree is be home to the dryad who commands the entire forest of this realm. Although his avatar usually remains unseen, my mother and I have conversed with him on occasion, and we have appreciated the safety of his canopy. Kamui Woods is a natural safe haven for those who wish to hide themselves away, and it has served us especially well with Toshinori's recovery. 

Now though, with the Gashadokuro rampaging through the forest, it's as though the whole forest awoke with a fury - twisting its landscape to protect its inhabitants.

Supplementary:

The woodland twists its landscape to confuse enemies and protect its kin.

... the way home is lost

I've marked latest known Gashadokuro movements on my map. 

Kamui Woods is vast. It is easy to loose even whole villages in its depths, but there's two major sites of interest that these entities could encounter. Site Thirteen, and the ravine where the Twice-Curse is encapsulated. 

Both of these sites are similar in magik profile. They are both deeply shrouded in magik that is designed to be so profoundly cognitively altering, that most living things would never be able to access them. I am not immune to this- I have long suspected that my gaps in memory in this past year is a long term effect to my prolonged study of these sites and my commitment to recalling them. Yet, we don't know how the minds of these undead, amalgamations actually operate- they may be immune to such magik. 

I'm terrified of what this could mean. 

Chapter Text

Centipeder is the third largest known monster on the mainland. It has taken him years to achieve his size, but despite this, his head body has remained somewhat small. 

Normally Centipeder slumbers underground in the mountains, but he was roused with the impact of monsters falling from the sky. His body is so long that it has not even fully emerged from his resting spot, and yet he has been fighting head on with creatures. His hide is tough to any weapon, and his bite is venomous. For an Ōmukade, yokai that are known for poor tempers and even to fight with dragons, Centipeder is rather docile. He only seems to want to vacate these invaders from his doorstep.

Supplemental. 

Ōmukade only have one known weakness: human saliva. 
That being said, even Centipeder is struggling with these immense foes.

Of the many variety of water horse.. none are so infamous as the kelpie. They often chose to live in isolated lakes.

Water horses delight in luring the unwary for rides and dumping them somewhere else, but Kelpie have been known to also eat their victims. They secrete strong, sticky substance from their skin that dries quickly and adheres riders to them. 

Some time ago hunger drove Plamo to approach me, but he did not seem very enthusiastic about trying to “tempt me”, and actually seemed rather skittish. I was not fooled by his coy behavior, but I left behind him the food I had. It seemed like a fair trade for the apex predator to leave me be. I didn't think we'd cross paths again.

In the middle of this battlefield of monsters, he found me again.

One moment I was almost crushed underfoot by titans - and then I was stuck to the creatures side as he pulled me out of the quagmire. There was little I could do, and while I was worried about the timing of the situation, I was relieved not to be in the middle of the fight.

The creature released me once I was a safe distance away. The bonds dried and flaked to dust. I have to wonder if Plamo might have remembered who I was? 

Supplementary:

Kelpie are able to swallow their prey items whole, 
(luckily, he only seemed interested in pulling me out of danger).

The clouds are so thick, that is like night- and without moonlight it's impossible to see - but I can hear the ongoing battle for miles in all directions.
It only seems to be getting worse. It is becoming hard to write. 

Chapter Text

The page seems different than previous entries. The imagery has more detailed hand, but the handwriting appears wildly disjointed and confused.

- I don't understand why - 
- He is hiding the moon?
- did I draw this?
- Only a tengu can move a cloud anyway
- I need to do (something)
- feel so unwell
- I can't - help

(There is also a thicker hand written note)

- hang in there 'zuku 

Chapter Text

(This page seems unusual. There appears to be two sets of handwriting.)

Huld-Huld

Trouble writing? You trying to spell Hulder or Hudrekal? He said either works!
^ ???

So Hulder ♂ and Huldra ♀
^ ???

Even with the battles, and no moon, he found u and took u to his home!
^ ???

One could walk by his tree and never kno u were there! 

Fluffy!
^ hello?

And I know a thing or two about hiding in plain sight could walk by his tree and never kno u were there! 
^ Toga???