Monsters are creatures that spawn from raw magic itself. They have strength categories that align with ranks - Lesser, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. The relative strength of a monster spawn is influenced by the level of Magic Density in the area - lower magic density usually prevents stronger monsters from spawning.

• The Threshold of Stability: Every monster exists within a specific power threshold, or Rank. Because they are made of condensed magic, their forms are temporary. Over time, the magic holding them together begins to fray and destabilize.

• The Cycle of Aggression: As a monster approaches its natural expiration (the point where its form will dissolve back into raw magic) it becomes increasingly aggressive. This "berserk" state is a natural byproduct of its magic breaking down.
  Lesser monsters last a week to two. They start so close to breaking down that they're aggressive from the start, but they're very weak. Iron rank monsters last about a month, getting aggressive in the final week or so. It goes up from there.

• The Role of the Hunter: A primary duty of the adventurer is to track and eliminate these manifestations while they are stable. Defeating a monster simply accelerates its return to the natural magical background of the world.

Looting

Defeated monsters can be looted using a ritual (Ritual skill required) or a Loot Power. Looting monsters transforms the magic remaining in their bodies into items, magical and / or mundane. Any sort of item can be acquired from looting a monster: spirit coins, monster "parts" (think deranged pheasant meat), quintessence, essence, even - rarely - magic items.