The Xanadu Bestiary

Bloodroot. An experimental extremophile - an organism intended to help terraforming by thriving in conditions where ordinary Terran lifeforms cannot. Unfortunately, an early “beta” strain was released from containment before all the kinks were worked out. Grows slowly in a sparse fuzz in desolate areas, but explodes into thick woody vines and tendrils anywhere that is more hospitable - like your spacesuit, the interior of your ship, or your lungs.

Inevitable Lizard. Made by unknown parties for unknown purposes, this six-legged lizard monstrosity is slightly smaller than a man. They are utterly fearless predators, and with good reason - their name comes from the fact that they are extremely difficult to kill. Glancing blows and flesh wounds are shrugged off completely, but even mortal damage doesn’t last long. They can regenerate from any wound within seconds, making them a nigh unstoppable killing machine. Hunting (and regenerating) uses up a lot of energy, so Inevitables spend a lot of time resting in torpor between hunts.

Plasm Cat. These feral, genetically engineered felines are striking to look at. They have unusually long legs and two pairs of eyes, and are usually a glistening silvery color. Though they are the size of a bobcat and they can be dangerous to humans, they are generally shy and secretive animals.

The real danger from a plasm cat is not the cat themselves, but the parasite they host and live in symbiosis with. The plasmasis parasite can be found in the air throughout a plasm cat’s territory, and is easily picked up by humans. Those who are affected by it exhibit changes in behaviour, and often refuse to see the plasm cat as a threat.

The plasm cat has the ability to identify humans under the effects of the parasite through a mechanism not currently understood; it will fearlessly approach them. Though it usually just tears up their equipment and eats their food, there have been reports of plasm cats killing humans.

Razorflies. Insects are a vital part of the terraforming process, and necessary to build a stable atmosphere and biosphere. Razorflies were originally various species of genetically engineered insects, designed to survive extreme conditions. On many planets, however, a genetic throwback caused them to mutate into a dangerous pest.

Razorflies are large, menacing insects that grow up to 2 inches in length and can sting repeatedly. Though a deep purple in color, they behave similarly to wasps, building nests that teem with hundreds of members. They tend to build them out of mud, meaning that they very often blend into the surrounding landscape. Anyone who gets too close to a razorfly nest is in for a nasty surprise, as they are aggressively territorial.

Sand Horror. A horrible monster that dwells in Xanadu’s deepest deserts and burrows beneath the sand to ambush prey. It resembles a cross between a spider and a crab, and can grow to the size of a bus. Originally bred by an early failed colony as a “water finder”, and was no larger than a dog when kept in captivity. When the colony collapsed, they escaped into the surrounding desert and laid their eggs, disappearing quietly until the terraforming efforts made Xanadu into a place where they could find prey.

Twintail. A so-called “spliced animal”, the twintail was meant to be the ultimate all-purpose beast of burden; combining the strength of an ox with the intelligence and eagerness to please of a domesticated dog. The results were successful, from a certain point of view. Mutations were minimal besides a split tail, though a bovine head with a mouth full of fangs has a distinctly unsettling aspect. More importantly, the twintail is smart, fast and terrifyingly strong.

Unfortunately, the twintail acts like a deranged springer spaniel that has no idea that it weighs 2000 pounds. Wild twintails kill a lot of people each year - and more often than not they weren’t even trying to hurt anyone. If you can raise one from a calf and train it very carefully, though, they are a formidable companion.