Who are the heroes, villains and monsters of Ancient Dangers? Come to think of it, who is that weird bird? Find out more here!

Heroes

Scoria#

The spicy twin. Scoria is a wilful teenage orc, bored of being typecast by society as a 'baddie'. She envies human heroes who get to go on adventures, but her friends and family laugh at her dreams.

Likes: Fighting Dislikes: Being told what to do

Gabbro#

The sensible twin. Gabbro's granny has always said they've got a firm orc head on their shoulders - though secretly, they also yearn for adventure. And a good night's sleep.

Likes: K(obold)-Pop Dislikes: Confrontation

Herb#

As shifty as he is loveable. This charismatic bat was born with an unusual green tinge to his fur, thanks to a magic spell gone awry. Believing him to be cursed, Herb's colony banished him, and he's spent his life trying to find a way to make himself look less unusual so that he can return home.

Likes: Cockroaches Dislikes: Rejection

Granny Orc#

Scoria and Gabbro's beloved grandmother, the cause of their insomnia, and the main beneficiary of their quest. They say Granny Orc's snore is so powerful it could blast the arms off a Rock Golem at twenty paces.

Likes: Wrestling matches Dislikes: Being woken up

Dragons

The dragons of Hypatia's empire are notorious as the richest and most terrifying monsters in all the land. They relish this intimidating reputation, as it dissuades nasty human adventurers from breaking in and dirtying their carpets. They have many hobbies, the principal being locking up intruders in their expansive (and surprisingly well-kept) dungeons. Fearsome in combat, dragons can fly and breathe fire - as well as arrange a spectacular floral centerpiece.

Empress Hypatia#

Ruler of the Dragonfire Citadel. She cultivates a terrifying reputation, instilling dread in all who would dare invade the Dragonfire Citadel... because she's thoroughly bored of wannabe heroes breaking in, stealing treasure and interrupting her night-time skincare routine. Really, she'd just like a quiet life.

Likes: Shiny things Dislikes: Dust

Horace#

Softer than wet bread and just as dangerous. A lover of horticulture and floristry, this dragon tends the Citadel's roof garden, and lives in constant fear of Hypatia flying into a rage and incinerating the lot. He placates her terrible moods with award-winning bouquets and herbal smoothies.

Likes: Pottering in the garden Dislikes: Being shouted at

Hortensia#

Hypatia's ruthlessly efficient right-hand dragon. She commands the guards of the Citadel and its dungeons, where they keep any monsters who wander in, as they cannot abide their mess. She tolerates Horace's presence, mostly because he makes a delicious lime marmalade, which she has a particular weakness for.

Likes: Being Hypatia’s favourite Dislikes: Horace

Additional Characters

Citadel Dungeon Bats#

Residents of the dungeon catacombs of the Dragonfire Citadel. They are not well-travelled, as they have an endless supply of rats and cockroaches to feast upon, and the lava pools make the caves lovely and toasty. The only downside is the constant wailing of the imprisoned monsters. Well, that, and no Wi-Fi.

Likes: Exotic things Dislikes: Going outside

Market Bird#

The apothecary of the Grand Bazaar, and as such a very popular bird. They can source any herb you require, though it may take some time, as some of the plants and fungi are in rather dangerous locations. Horace the herbalist is a regular customer - though, mysteriously, he never visits in person.

Likes: Organising the wares Dislikes: Stupid questions

Rock Golems

Magical creatures created by mages to do their dark bidding (and their ironing). Rock Golems are the preferred form of golems, because Clay Golems leave weird stains everywhere, Wood Golems keep catching fire while doing the cooking, and Flesh Golems get a bit stinky after a while. During the great uprising, when the Land of Monsters became a thing, Rock Golems became a magical race of independent - and rather dangerous - beings, mostly living underground in caves and ancient tombs.

Small Rock Golems#

Rock Golems which were rejected by the mages due to their lack of limbs. Still, they've got a nasty headbutt - so they're far from 'armless.

Likes: Feeling included Dislikes: Handshakes

Big Rock Golems#

Your standard, common-or-garden Rock Golem. Mages found them most useful for stacking boxes, watering plants, and taking the bins out. Now they mostly just smash stuff. And people.

Likes: Smashing Dislikes: Bin day

Projectile Rock Golems#

A deluxe golem, with the nifty ability to spit danger orbs. Created as an experiment by a rather foolish elementalist named Doreen, they proved highly effective at murdering heroes during the great uprising, and were likely pivotal in deciding the outcome of that battle. Thanks for nothing, Doreen.

Likes: Target practice Dislikes: Mouthwash

Undead

The Land of Monsters is littered with corpses, many of whom kicked the bucket in distinctly unpleasant ways. As we all know, dying in strange or dramatic fashion practically guarantees you a spot among the legions of the undead.

Skull Chomper#

The long-deceased skulls of humanoids who died harbouring too many regrets about their lives, Skull Chompers are doomed to wander the earth biting people who have the luxury of still being alive, the show-offs. As you'd expect, they are mostly encountered in places where you'd find dead folks.

Likes: Toffee Dislikes: People trying to put hats on them

Demon Chomper#

A bit like Skull Chompers, but rather than being ghosts, they are possessed by demonic forces. Demons like looking extra-scary, so they tend to go for monster skulls rather than your bog-standard human ones.

Likes: Horror films Dislikes: Boring human skulls

Skele-Grabber#

Just Skull Chompers only their heads haven't fallen off (or been knocked off). Or is it the other way around?

Likes: Long walks on the beach Dislikes: Skin

Killer Flora

The Wizard of Thornstrike Castle was a magical, power-hungry botanist, obsessed with taking over the world with his army of carnivorous vegetation. His creations are all excessively violent and extremely dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that their creator lost control of them, and was eaten along with all of his minions and his castle. Oops!

Snapper#

Alone, these nibbly nuisances are easy to defeat, but in groups they will swarm you and can easily overwhelm the hardiest warrior. They are the piranha fish of the plant world, except they have legs. Absolutely cursed.

Likes: Aqua aerobics Dislikes: The dentist

Carnivorous Plant#

A crafty creature - it will hide under the ground or suitable objects until you approach, then spring out and bite you with its needle-sharp teeth. Uses its roots to block nearby doors, sneakily encouraging adventurers to walk into its trap. Its weakness is that it can't travel far from where it first emerges. Does not want to hear about the amazing vegan cleanse you're on. DOES want to munch on your legs.

Likes: Spy films Dislikes: Quinoa

Smasher#

May look like a harmless boulder covered in vines, but in actual fact is a powerful vege-tentacle that wields the boulder like a giant mace. Very harmful indeed. Get too close and it will spring out of its hole and try to hammer you into the ground like a tent peg. Rare variants have been known to use Treasure Chests instead of boulders - for a little extra sparkle.

Likes: Glam rock Dislikes: People invading their personal space