E

ETHORA

Arcanus Bestiary

Field Guide

The Arcanus

Open the field guide. Meet the bipedal, elemental-bonded inhabitants of Ethora — what they are, how they're built, and the lives they lead between frostspire and hollow coast.

Two Arcanus busts framing the title 'About the Arcanus'
I
Chapter

What is an Arcanus?

The Arcanus are an intelligent, bipedal species native to Ethora — mostly mammalian, with reptilian scales along the spine and clawed, dragon-like feet. They live close to the land without belonging to the wild alone; they build cultures, tend languages, and shape crafts that travel the length of the continent.

Every individual carries two forms: an upright anthropomorphicstance worn day-to-day, and a feral form grown into during childhood. And nearly every Arcanus, from the first breath, is born bonded to an element — a quiet inheritance written into horn, eye, and scale.

II
Chapter

Anatomy

The anthro form averages around 200 cm; the feral form, around 170 cm at the shoulder. Once built for survival, the species today is seen across a far wider range of frames.

Anatomy plate — anthro and feral silhouettes, skull views, paw prints, and proportion notes

· Double upper and lower canines.

· Dragon-like feet, four-toed and clawed.

· Skulls vary slightly with horns and race.

· Sturdy back legs built for leaping.

III
Chapter

Variation

No two Arcanus are quite alike. The species sorts into four races — Northern, Western, Southern, and Eastern — and four body types — Bulky, Dragon, Classic, and Royal. Mixed lines are the rule rather than the exception, and a single litter can vary wildly.

A closer reading of each race and body type — facial structure, proportion, regional distribution — lives in its own chapter.

Continue to Races & Body Types
Races and body types plate — silhouettes of the four races and four body types
IV
Defining Trait

The Elemental Bond

Almost every Arcanus is born bonded to an element. It is not a learned craft but a feature of the species — as native as horn or claw — surfacing in childhood and shaping how an individual moves through the world.

Five basic elements run through the bloodlines of Ethora. Two rarer affinities — Divine and Corrupt — exist alongside them, but those belong to a longer story.

Fire element symbol

Fire

Flame, heat, forge-craft.

Water element symbol

Water

Tide, rain, river.

Earth element symbol

Earth

Stone, root, growing things.

Wind element symbol

Wind

Storm, breath, far-carried sound.

Electric element symbol

Electric

Lightning, current, storm-charge.

Continue to Elements & Usage
“Watch an Arcanus long enough and the element shows itself — in the way it stands by a fire, takes shelter from rain, or turns its head to a passing wind.”
— A southern field naturalist
V
Chapter

Life in the Field

Individuals encountered across Ethora — anthro and feral, every race and body type represented. The point is not catalogue but range: how widely a single species can vary in horn, fur, scale, and bearing.

A row of Arcanus individuals showing variety in horn, fur, and scale patterns
Two further Arcanus — an anthro figure and a feral figure with contrasting colour patterns
VI
Continue Reading

From here, the guide branches out.

Each chapter below opens into its own field of study. Read in order, or follow whichever thread catches the eye.

  1. 01Races & Body TypesA closer reading of the four races and the four body types.→
  2. 02Trait EncyclopediaHorns, eyes, ears, tails, fur, scales — browse by category.→
  3. 03Elements & UsageThe five basics, Divine and Corrupt; manipulation and summoning.→
  4. 04Core EnergyThe inner light, weakened cores, and loss of control.→
  5. 05Ranks & Battle FormWorker through the Three Kings — glands, true and false armor.→
  6. 06Life CycleBaby, Toddler, Child, Young Adult, Adult, Senior.→
  7. 07Judgment GodsLove, Life, Hatred — and the shadow of corruption.→
  8. 08Make Your OwnBuild a character with the MYO trait system.→