Lichen Beast

A great roar echoed through the forest. Heavy, pawed feet bounded across the ground. The trees had whispered a warning: a poacher had entered the sacred grove. Now, the lichen beast gave chase to its prey.

It burst from the undergrowth and charged the poacher. The man spun to face it and notched an arrow in his bow, drew it back, and let it fly in one swift motion. It struck the beast's shoulder, and the creature stumbled. The poacher fired twice more in rapid succession, and the lichen beast's legs gave out. It went down in a heap. Grinning, the man shouldered his bow and drew a hunting knife as he strode toward the fallen beast.

Its body trembled. The lichen upon it grew thicker. Twigs and branches mended together, forcing the arrows from its hide. The bolts fell to the ground. The beast rose. The man backpedaled. Too late.

The lichen beast pounced on the poacher, pinning him to the ground. He screamed as its jaws stretched wide and tore into his face, silencing him for good. The lichen beast is a guardian of nature that prowls ancient forests and fey crossings, protecting the borders between realms, as well as the surrounding flora and fauna. It does not require food, drink, or rest. Instead, it feeds on sunlight and can heal itself by drawing on the elemental mana of earth found in trees and lichen. These bear-like creatures can live for hundreds of years. Their loyalty to the forests and its denizens makes them highly sought-after companions for rangers and scouts.