Tag: Horror

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CREATURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN REALMS

Hello Readers,

Here is another post from my creature files. This terrifying animal was once extinct, but scientists meddling with the cloning of genes tried to bring it back to life and re-introduce it to the world. They partially succeeded, though you can’t really say this Thylacine is alive. Meet the Bone-Striped Tiger, an undead devil sometimes referred to as a Rot Runner by the locals.

BONE‑STRIPED TIGER

A zombie like Tasmanian Tiger stands before a lake with mountains in the background. Its eyes glow red and rotten flesh oozes from its open ribcage.

Thylacinus ossifera revenant — “The Rot Runner”

Origin In an ill‑fated attempt to resurrect the extinct Thylacine, geneticists spliced preserved Tasmanian tiger DNA with experimental regenerative sequences designed to repair cellular collapse. The process reanimated the body but failed to restore true life. What emerged was neither clone nor animal, but an undead predator driven by instinct, hunger, and a strange, lingering echo of its former species.

Physiology

• Emaciated, wolf‑like frame with exposed ribs and necrotic musculature

• Bone‑pale striping along the flanks, glowing faintly in low light

• Elongated jaws with desiccated lips pulled back from permanent snarl

• Eyes burning with unnatural red luminescence

• Limbs reinforced by partial ossification, granting unnatural speed

• Thickened tail vertebrae forming a whip‑like, skeletal lash

Behaviour

• Hunts in erratic bursts, alternating between stillness and explosive pursuit

• Drawn to heat, movement, and the scent of decay

• Displays territorial pacing patterns reminiscent of living thylacines

• Emits a rasping, breathless bark‑snarl that carries across wetlands

• Shows uncanny persistence, tracking prey long after a normal predator would give up

Habitat

Swamp margins, dead forests, abandoned research sites, mist‑choked valleys, and any region where rot, stagnant water, and shadow converge.

Abilities

• Gravebound Sprint: Accelerates with terrifying speed despite its decayed frame

• Rot Aura: Proximity induces nausea, weakness, and rapid spoilage of organic matter

• Bone‑Howl: A resonant, corpse‑dry cry that disorients prey and attracts others of its kind

• Death‑Scent Tracking: Follows the faintest trace of blood or decomposition across vast distances

Weaknesses

• Fire disrupts its necrotic tissues;

• Prolonged exposure to sunlight slows its movements;

• Cannot cross running water;

• Becomes disoriented by strong chemical disinfectants.

Cultural Lore

Locals claim the first Rot Runner rose from a vat that cracked open during a storm, lightning illuminating the creature as it staggered into the marsh. Some say the Bone‑Striped Tiger is not merely undead but angry — a spirit wronged by humanity’s meddling, doomed to wander until its lineage is restored or its remains are finally laid to rest.

Would you survive if you saw this beast, just as it spotted you from the tree line? Just how fast can you run?

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

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CREATURES OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

Hello Readers,

This is the second post from my creature files. This week we have crossed the timeline to the Northern Hemisphere in search of strange beasts and find ourselves in Canada. And what dark creature could be more appropriate than this Ribbed-back Revenant, more commonly referred to as a Rib-back. This monster evolved from the grizzly bear and dons a partial exoskeleton of ribs, coupled with a row of defensive bone spikes, that run down either side of its back.

RIBBED‑BACK REVENANT

A fierce creature akin to a grizzly bear, it has red eyes and exposed ribs running down its back that are coupled with protruding bone spikes. The creature is snarling from the bank of a lake in a mountainous setting, with a tattered Canadian flag flying from a flagpole behind it.

Ursus horrendum redivivus — “The Rib‑back”

Origin

Born from the grizzly bear’s relentless survival instinct, the Ribbed‑back Revenant represents a grotesque evolutionary divergence. In regions where famine, radiation, and predation pressure converged, the species adapted by externalising portions of its own skeletal structure. What began as hardened scar‑bone plates eventually became a full partial exoskeleton — a macabre armour forged from its own ribs.

Physiology

  • Towering ursine frame with elongated limbs and hypertrophied musculature
  • Exposed rib‑plates forming a natural exoskeleton along the flanks
  • A double row of jagged bone spikes running down either side of the spine
  • Patchy, blood‑matted fur revealing necrotic hide beneath
  • Skull elongated into a predatory wedge with protruding fangs
  • Eyes glowing with bioluminescent red tissue, adapted for low‑light hunting
  • Internal organs partially shielded by fused rib‑growths, granting unnatural resilience

Behaviour

  • Apex scavenger‑predator hybrid; attacks opportunistically but with calculated brutality
  • Known to stalk wounded prey for hours, letting fear weaken them
  • Displays territorial aggression toward anything entering its kill‑zone
  • Emits low, rattling growls caused by air vibrating through its exposed rib structures
  • Shows an eerie fixation on human remains, often dragging bones back to its den

Habitat

Boreal forests, alpine foothills, and abandoned frontier settlements. Prefers regions scarred by conflict or ecological collapse, where carrion is plentiful and cover is dense.

Abilities

  • Rib Shield Carapace: Externalised ribs deflect blades, claws, and small‑calibre rounds.
  • Bone Spike Charge: A devastating shoulder‑rush that impales prey on its lateral spines.
  • Gravehowl: A resonant roar amplified by its hollow rib structures, capable of stunning prey.
  • Revenant Endurance: Can continue fighting long after sustaining wounds that would kill other megafauna.

Weaknesses

  • Limited flexibility due to ossified rib‑plates; struggles in tight spaces
  • Bright light disrupts its low‑light vision, causing momentary disorientation
  • Bone spikes can fracture under extreme blunt force, leaving it vulnerable

Cultural Lore

Frontier survivors whisper that Rib‑backs are the restless spirits of the wilderness itself — guardians twisted by humanity’s encroachment. Some claim the creatures are drawn to battlefields, as if feeding on the echoes of violence. Others insist that when the forest falls silent and the wind carries a hollow rattle, a Revenant is already watching from the treeline.

Would you survive if this Ursidae nightmare crawled out from the bushes before you? Thankfully they are rare creatures that tend to inhabit the wilds, rather than our cities.

Happy Reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

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CREATURES OF THE AUSTRALIAN REALMS

Hello Readers,

Welcome to my creature files, a series of posts about fantasy creatures. Some of these will be from my stories, others from mythology and folktales, and some I have just created for fun – Like this week’s creature. The Nocturnal Maw; a larger, darker relative of the drop bear, and its better known, cuter, friendlier cousin the Koala.

NOCTURNAL MAW

A rabid looking koala with glowing red eyes, sharp claws, and vicious looking teeth. The beast sits upon a tree branch in a desolate outback setting under the light of a red moon.

Phascoloctonus sanguinolentus — “The Nocturnal Maw”

Origin

Folklore speaks of a once‑ordinary arboreal marsupial twisted by an ancient lunar curse. During a blood‑red moon, the creature’s gentle lineage fractured, giving rise to a predatory offshoot that feeds not on leaves, but on fear, flesh, and the warmth of living breath.

Physiology

• Matted charcoal‑grey fur streaked with dried blood

• Oversized claws adapted for silent vertical ambush

• Lantern‑red eyes capable of piercing total darkness

• Elongated muzzle with carnivore fangs replacing herbivore dentition

• Dense, compact musculature allowing explosive leaps

• Prehensile limbs retaining koala ancestry but warped for predation

Behaviour

• Nocturnal ambush hunter, descending from trees without warning

• Exhibits territorial rage when the red moon rises

• Emits low, rattling growls that mimic wind through dead branches

• Known to stalk prey for hours before striking

• Displays eerie stillness — can remain motionless for an entire night

Habitat

Dead forests, drought‑stricken bushland, abandoned clearings, and regions touched by wildfire scars. Prefers trees with hollowed cores or skeletal branches.

Abilities

• Crimson Gaze: Induces paralysis or disorientation in prey when eye contact is made

• Silent Drop: Falls from height with near‑perfect soundlessness, crushing prey beneath its weight

• Lunar Frenzy: Strength and aggression surge during red‑moon phases

• Scent of Warmth: Tracks living creatures by heat signature alone

Weaknesses

• Bright light disrupts its night‑vision and causes temporary blindness.

• Fire and intense heat repel it.

• Becomes sluggish during daylight and avoids open ground.

Cultural Lore

Bush legends warn travellers never to camp beneath dead trees during a red moon. Some claim the creature is the restless spirit of the forest itself, awakened to punish those who trespass on scorched land. Others whisper that if you hear nothing at all — no wind, no insects, no rustling — the Nocturnal Maw is already above you.

Would you survive if this little beast fell upon you from the treetop canopy above? Let’s hope you never have to find out.

Happy reading!

Allan Walsh writes Fantasy and Horror. If you’re looking for something new to read in these genres, why not check out his books here. You can also find his titles available in libraries.

If you liked this post please share it with your friends on social media.

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Fantasy Weapon of the Week.

You’ll want to feast on the vision of this evil item and fantasy weapon of the week. Sixth in the series of concept art images taken from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a halberd of doom. Take care not to fall beneath its shadow, for its thirst for blood is insatiable.

A dark fantasy style halberd lying on a cracked stone floor. The long, dark metal blades curve down on either side like angels wings. But this is no holy about this cursed weapon. Evil runes glow red on the side of each blade and a skull sits in the centre, capped by a long spike. A caption reads 'A harbinger of doom. A bringer of death. Hungers eternally for blood’.

What would you name this weapon?

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Fantasy Weapon of the Week.

A dark fantasy style Scimitar lying on a cracked stone floor. Runes burn red along the dark metal blade, as it curves to towards its pointed tip. The guard akin to the set it hails from; a grinning skull with glowing red eyes, flanked by spikey wings. Leather-bound handle capped in a curved, metal pommel. A caption reads 'Serpent of the night. Dancer of death. Thirsts for the soul'.

This deliciously dark scimitar is crying out for your attention. Fifth in a series of concept art images from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a curved sword that delights in the sorrow of the dead. A collector of souls with a thirst for blood.

What would you name this weapon?

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Fantasy Weapon of the Week

A dark fantasy style Flail lying on a cracked stone floor. The head is a ball of dark metal, with runes glowing between its deadly spikes. The head is connected by chain to a leather-bound handle. A caption at the base of the image reads 'Bound in darkness. Wrought for pain. Chaos given form'.

Mesmerize yourself with the chaotic beauty of the fantasy weapon of the week. Forth in the series of concept art images from my collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a flail with dark desires, only sated when the spikes of its deadly head are embedded in flesh.

What would you name this weapon?

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Fantasy Weapon of the Week

A dark fantasy style spear lying on a cracked stone floor. The dark metal spearhead is forged in the image of a grinning skull with glowing red eyes. The skull is flanged with spiked wings and crowned by a deadly pointed tip. Glowing red runes burn their way up along the spearhead. A caption reads 'Born of shadow. Cast in hate. Seeks the heart of kings'.

Cast your sight upon my fantasy weapon of the week. The third in a series of concept art images from a collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a spear of dread that has felled many a hero and is known as a killer of kings.

What would you name this weapon?

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello readers, and welcome to the third post in my ‘Dark City’ series. Here is another city, reimagined by Gen AI in a dark fantasy setting for you to feast your eyes on. I can’t vouch for the accuracy, but key landmarks have been captured, and I hope they stir your imagination.

This week we are exploring London. So let me ask you…

‘Do ravens still guard the tower, or have they been replaced by something more sinister? How do residents keep the rancid mist they’ve dubbed ‘The Ripper’s Breath,’ from entering their lungs? What do the ‘Mud-trudgers’ truly fish for in the toxic sludge at low tide, and why do they sew their eyes shut before they begin?’

Ponder these questions while you enjoy this delightfully corrupted London cityscape.

London city in a dark fantasy world. The image shows St Pauls Cathedral in the background, Big Ben, and the Tower Bridge. Lightning pierces the gloomy sky, making silhouettes of the winged creatures high above. Sigils glow on the buildings all around and a mist hovers over the banks of the Thames.

Which city will rise from the mist next time? Come back again next week to find out.

Until then,

Happy reading!

If you are interested in purchasing your very own ‘Dark City’ mug, check out my merchandise.

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Fantasy Weapon of the Week

A dark fantasy style hand axe lying on a cracked stone floor. The dark metal blade curves down into a pointed beard. Red runes glow on the side of the blade. A horned skull sits in the centre of the axe head and the butt flares out like a bat wing into a pointed tip. The axe has a leather-bound grip with a pointed knob at the base. A caption reads 'Splits bone. Shatters fate. Hungers for the final breath'.

Behold the fantasy weapon of the week. This is the second in the series of concept art images taken from a collection of cursed weapons forged by a dark lord. This week’s weapon; a hand axe that yearns to bathe in the blood of the unfortunate. It bestows a bloodlust upon its wielder that is unmatched by the fiercest of warriors.

What would you name this weapon?

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What If Your City Turned Dark Fantasy?

Hello readers and welcome to the second post in my ‘Dark City’ series. In this series I’ve used Gen AI to reimagine what cities around the world would look like in a dark fantasy setting. The images generated, while not maintaining an entirely correct layout, have captured key landmarks and certainly tweak the imagination.

This week we are sticking with Australia. Here are some questions to tug at your thoughts… ‘During the Red Moon, the river swells and reaches into the streets of Kangaroo Point. Which landmarks are claimed by the tide? What damp, pale spirits are left behind when the waters finally recede? What ancient, entity slumbers in the silt beneath the Storey Bridge? What tribute must the ferrymen pay to cross its waters safely?’

Concept art of Brisbane, Australia in a dark fantasy world. The image shows the Storey Bridge with the city in the background. Strange beasts fly in the unnaturally coloured sky, and glowing sigils adorn the buildings.

Ponder these questions while you enjoy this murky Brisbane cityscape.

Which city will emerge from the shadows next time? Come back next week to find out.

Until then,

Happy reading!

If you are interested, you can purchase your very own ‘Dark City’ mug from my merchandise.