Monsters

Inferno

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-Graffio- This monster might look like a spider but, unlike the insect, it is often seen hunting in groups. It lashes at its prey using sharp spikes from its front legs. Its skull-shaped face is made if a material as hard as bone and protects its body from weapons. Did you know that spiders are said to be associated with witchcraft and evil? Some even say that killing one brings terrible misfortune.

-Saltatore- A Saltatore resembles a Graffio but warrants closer inspection. Saltatori are of a darker shade and are known for their impressive leaps, owing to their robust legs. I would advise one to stay alert around them.

-Stinger- As its name suggests, this creature has an ovipositor equipped with a stinger that can produce sharp darts to shoot at its enemy. The mandibles of a regular hornet are robust and serrated, making it easy for it to chew through tough materials like wood. As such, I can only assume that this monster's mandibles must be strong enough to snap bones.

-Celere- A Celere's body is built much like that of a Stinger. Still, it is distinguishable by its red color and swift aerial movements. Hornets are sometimes seen as symbols of divine wrath and protection. In the Bible, God says he will send hornets for defense and protection. It makes me wonder, perhaps the God of the Beyond employs them similarly to safeguard His realm.

-Mangiatore- It looks like a silkworm, but its body is protected by a rock-hard layer of callous skin, as well as osseous spikes protruding from its flesh. I named this creature Mangiatore because it attacks its prey by spitting projectiles to inflict damage. I used to think I was well versed in silkworms; granted, I lived on a silk farm, but these creatures proved that I still have much to learn.

-Scavatore- -WIP

-Tagliatore- This Monster might be headless but displays surprisingly quick reflexes. It closely hunts its prey, then delivers brutal blows with its weapon of choice: a well-honed saw. When sawing is inflicted as torture, one is suspended by the feet to allow proper blood circulation. This method assures the victim to stay conscious throughout most of the procedure. What butchery! It gives me shivers.

-Balzo- A Balzo will lunge at its enemy with impressive speed, then swing its saw with remarkable brutality. I have seen the horrendous wounds the serrated teeth of its saw create. Its physical strength is much stronger than that of a Tagliatore.

-Arciere- These skilled archers shoot with amazing precision, so listen closely, for you might hear their arrows slicing through the air a second too late. Have you noticed that some monsters, for example, an Arciere and a Bruciatore, or a Cacciatore and a Tagliatore, share similar body types? When I first encountered these monsters, I could not help but wonder if they were somehow related by race or hierarchy.

-Ombra- This Monster is as skilled as an Arciere and has the unbelievable ability to disappear after each attack. Ongoing research is developing a theory on why these variant Monsters might have received these special abilities.

-Bruciatore- They emit a foul smell of charred flesh and can materialize the searing flames that took their lives to attack their enemies. Seeing them, I cannot help but think about the poor soothsayers and healers burnt at the stake. Do you know that the papal inquisition has a special branch of specialists who find and punish heretics and blasphemers? I fear even a scholar like me could be accused.

-Immalatore- An Immalatore behaves like a Bruciatore, but the range of their wrathful attack is larger. When its body is destroyed, it combusts into a small blaze. After compiling information from fellow Rebels on the nature of this world, I have started to believe that the variant type of Monsters may have been purposefully rewarded by God.

-Mazza- This creature can be tricky to wound because of the spikes that cover it. It likes to get close to its prey, then deals violent blows using a wooden mace with sharp spikes that easily tear through flesh and fabric. A Mazza's sturdy shield can pose a real obstacle during fights. Did you know that spikes are a means of defense often seen in nature? Think of a porcupine, a hedgehog, or a cactus!

-WIP

Elites

-Elite Graffio- An Elite Graffio mimics a regular Graffio but quickly stands out due to its size. Reports from Rebels claim they have seen it leap like a Saltatore, making it a perilous foe. My research reveals that when Monsters are destroyed, they leave behind Dust similar to that left behind damned souls and Rebels upon losing their physical shapes. I have started to wonder if there is a connection.

-Elite Stinger- I am not fond of insects, so I find the size of this one unsettling. Elite Stingers can shoot multiple darts and mimic a Celere's agile movements. Following the logic that God decides who and what exists in the Beyond, would it not be fair to assume that He also decided the appearance and form of this realm's inhabitants?

-Elite Mangiatore- This Elite creature boasts a more advanced physique than its base type. It is able to spit projectiles rapidly, hitting multiple targets at once. It is also able to burrow like a Scavatore, once again showcasing the formidable nature of Elite Monsters.

-Elite Tagliatore- This agile fighter can wreak havoc by slamming its saw on the ground. It hunts its prey just like a regular Tagliatore, but its difference in size and strength makes it much more deadly. I wonder, if God has indeed decided upon what Rebels would look like, then what of the souls who came here and chose to serve Him?

-Elite Arciere- This Elite's strength is so immense that the arrows it shoots resembles thunderbolts in flight. A hit could be deadly. I have thought about how the God of this realm had no say in my or Dante's appearances since we are still alive. Beatrice retains her mortal form because she discovered the Crown of Immortality and regained her freedom. Charon's nature, however, remains somewhat elusive to me.

-Elite Bruciatore- This Elite Monster can cast massive flames upon its enemy. Its attacks are powerful enough to cover large areas in scorching flames. My research about the structure of bodies in the Beyond has directed me towards transformation, a concept both present in alchemy and in the Bible.

-Elite Mazza- This Monster will lunge at you in the manner of a Balzo and will use both its spiked mace and shield to attack you. In the Bible, there is a verse that speaks of the transformation of bodies after death: the promise of a new body, imperishable and everlasting.

-Elite Artiglio- An Elite Artiglio can summon small gusts of wind following an attack. It has a strong larynx that allows it to let out terrible shrieks, loud enough to stun and harm its enemies. In mythology, harpies play a crucial role as messengers and enforcers of the mighty.

Purgatorio

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-Guaritore- Despite its name; this creature will only heal fellow Monsters and will attack you with sharp projectiles. Its head resembles a thurible, and its body is connected by what looks like clerical garments, leading to rumors that Guaritori were monks in a past life. It is fascinating that Monsters of this realm display empathy for other creatures, raising the hypothesis that they possess a conscience.

-Tiratore- A Tiratore will aim its attention on attacking you first, unlike a Guaritore. Be mindful of its lethal projectiles. The base principle of my theory on divine rewards mimics the mechanics of this world; the punishment shall fit the crime. Hence, in my theory's case: the devotion shall fit the reward.

-Boccone- This foe has a maw with an endless appetite; its teeth sink deep into its enemy and inflict terrible wounds. It has appendages at the side of its body that resemble wings but rather act as fins that allow it to crawl, sometimes with great speed, and propel itself towards its enemies to bite them. Since I have not seen one yet, I cannot help but think of a monstrous leech.

-Crawler- This monster has a specially adapted jaw and skull that allows it to quickly extend its mouth outwards to harm its enemies. The idea that hard work leads to greater rewards is a common narrative, but not always true. Sinners of the Beyond endure an eternal cycle of damnation, repentance, and purification for the meager possibility of being allowed to be with God.

-Ruota- I was unsettled when learning that this creature has an eyeball at the center of its amalgamation of legs, and a contraption resemblind a halo. Due to its monstrous anatomy, it can only roll on itself like a wheel. It will charge at you to try to inflict damage.

-Rimbalzo- A Rimbalzo will act much like its base type but will ricochet after each attack, using its many legs to deftly jump. I wonder why God of the Beyond gave it a halo. Could it mean that anatomy further from humanity is rewarded?

-Sguardo- It is said that a person's eyes are a window to the soul; and that a gaze filled with covetous intention can give one illness and misfortune. This certainly is true when it comes to these creatures, appearing in the form of giant eyeballs that fixate their attention on the source of their desire, and then shoot at them.

-Malocchio- This monster will shoot at you just like its base type, but its projectiles can also detonate to cause additional damage. Did you know the evil eye traces back to Mesopotamia, more precisely the Sumerian region? My grandmother always tells me that to cure a curse from Malocchio, you need a spell with water and oil, or milk and herbs. Also, one can always wear a Cornetto for protection.

-Manic- Manics are feared creatures, thought by some to be part of the lower class of angels. They wield massive swords with expertise, making them formidable opponents. Manics can induce a deep frenzy in nearby monsters, turning an easy fight into a deadly one. Did you know that in the bible, the lower class of angels are called Principalities, Archangels, or, quite simply, Angels?

-Cacciatore- A Cacciatore surprises its victims by striking from behind with its blades. This lethal foe targets those it deems guilty of offending their God, delivering retribution with unyielding devotion. Its snake-like appearance is of no surprise to me, as snakes symbolize treachery, and what is more treacherous than to be attacked from behind?

-Cieco-

-Catapulta-

-Quake-

-Guardian-

-Timeweaver-

-WIP

Elites

-Elite Guaritore- This Monster is a healer just like its base type, but it will also try to harm you with its projectiles. In alchemy, transformation is presented as a concept called transmutation. The work of philosophers such as Paracelsus speaks of the pursuit of immortality and eternal youth through a physical and spiritual journey toward perfection and enlightenment.

-Elite Boccone- I was surprised at first to learn how agile and alert this creature is. It uses its mouth to attack its enemy just like its base and variant type but has also learned how to use its head to create tremors similar to a Quake. However, the attack differs from that of a Quake because it will destabilize you but also strongly pull you towards the Elite Boccone.

-Elite Ruota- This Elite attacks just like its base type. It is also known for its erratic bouncing, causing harm upon impact with its target. Did you know that a halo is also called an aureole, nimbus, gloriole, or glory? The halo is seen in religious iconography to demark Saints and sacred figures.

-Elite Manic- When it comes to the Elite type, Monsters always showcase attacks and behavior similar to their base and variant types. However, the power of their attacks and physical strength is greatly heightened. An Elite Manic certainly does reflect this.

-Elite Cacciatore- I Called this skilled assassin a Cacciatore because of its remarkable hunting skills. It will try to get you blinded like its variant type and attack you with its fearsome daggers. The hypothesis my research on transformation has led me to frankly frightens me, but I have started to think that perhaps the Monsters of this realm are not quite what they seem to be.

-Elite Catapulta- The main attack of this Monster portrays quite well the reason I named it as such. It will catapult merciless exploding projectiles at you. If my research is correct, Rebels and Monsters have bodies made of the same substance. Their physical forms are also something that was decided by omnipotent authority.

-WIP

Lucido

A Lucido is a passive reptile-like creature that protects itself by burrowing underground and fleeing when threatened. It hoards various treasures and stores them on its back. Different types of Lucido have been observed in the Beyond, each with a preferred kind of treasure. If you are fast on your feet, you might aquire a great loot by chasing one!