Meridian 59 User's Guide
Monsters and Other Wildlife
The citizens of Meridian 59 share their fair realm with a number of rather unpleasant pests. Exterminating them is perhaps the most popular local sport. While the rules of this quaint pastime are given in full in Skills and Spells, no introduction to Meridian's life forms would be complete without a brief description of the more common local fauna.
The creatures below are presented in order of their relative durability. New Meridian citizens are cautioned to practice their skills on the small game near the top of the following list. As your health and vigor increase, and you acquire better armor, weaponry, spells, and friends, you may elect to try your hand on the more powerful beasts farther down the list.
Many of these species carry small caches of money, jewels, food, and other useful stuff pillaged from unfortunate citizens. If you manage to kill one, you may be rewarded for your trouble.
| Baby spiders, Giant rats, Giant ants |
These three common pests are useful for new citizens to practice their skills on. |
| Centipedes, Scorpions |
These graceful creatures can be killed only at cost to your good karma. |
| Slime, Spiders |
Intermediate-level vermin. Bring a friend: they're ideal for your first taste of team combat. |
| Living trees | They won't seek you out, of course, but they will fight back if attacked. Killing a tree is very bad karma, and get you kicked out of the Meridian Arbor Society as well. |
| Fungus beasts, Orcs, Zombies |
Gruesome apparitions who favor certain unsavory locations. Don't go alone unless you are well-armed and very buffed. |
| Skeletons, Trolls |
Really bad beasties. For these, you need plenty of combat experience. A posse of well-armed friends may also be useful. |
This list is not complete, but it does include the most common creatures you're likely to encounter in your early explorations. Many tales are told in inns and guild halls throughout Meridian about other, rarer species you may also meet up with in your travels.
