Monsters

Monsters refer to creatures with strong physical and/or magical prowess, which differentiates them from other living beings. Although other animals exist in this world, a majority of creatures that are found in the Sanctuary are Monsters. Only a few Monsters are known to be able to evolve through special items called catalysts and the Tree of Evolution.

Monsters can be tamed by hatching eggs obtained from wild Monster drops at the end of a battle as a possible rare reward, Reward Boxes or certain story events. Hatching a Monster egg will give you its corresponding Monster.

Full Monster Listing

Click here to toggle the Monster table!

	Monster		Elements			Stats
	Image	Name
1		Spectral Wolf				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
2		Spectral Toad				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
3		Spectral Eagle				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
4		Spectral Lion				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
5		Blob				▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
6		Magmapillar				▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
7		Rocky				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐
8		Vaero				▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
9		Catzerker				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐
10		Yowie				▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
11		Steam Golem				▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐
12		Monk				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
13		Grummy				▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
14		Tengu				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
15		Fungi				▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
16		Frosty				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
17		Minitaur				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
18		Specter				▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
19		Crackle Knight				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐
20		G'rulu				▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
21		Mad Eye				▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
22		Nightwing				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
23		Toxiquus				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐
24		Beetloid				▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
25		Druid Oak				▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
26		Magmamoth				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
27		Molebear				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐
28		Glowfly				▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐▐
29		Goblin Brute				▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
30		Goblin Hood				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
31		Goblin Warlock				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
32		Goblin King				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
33		Raduga				▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
34		Ice Blob				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
35		Caraglow				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
36		Aurumtail				▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐
37		Megataur				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐
38		Mogwai				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
39		Crystal Snail				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
40		Akhlut				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
41		Blade Widow				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
42		Ninki				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
43		Ninki Nanka				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
44		Vasuki				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
45		Kame				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
46		Sycophantom				▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
47		Imori				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
48		Qilin				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
49		Sizzle Knight				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
50		Koi				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
51		Tanuki				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
52		Kanko				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
53		Dodo				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
54		Kongamato				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
55		Ucan				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐
56		Brawlish				▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
57		Thornish				▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
58		Nautilid				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
59		Silvaero				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
60		Elderjel				▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
61		Manticorb				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
62		Goblin Miner				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
63		Salahammer				▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
64		Lava Blob				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
65		Glowdra				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
66		Draconov				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
67		Dracogran				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
68		Asura				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
69		Skorch				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
70		Stolby				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
71		Ornithopter				▐	▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
72		Polterofen				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
73		Oculus				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
74		Mimic				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
75		Goblin Pilot				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
76		Shockhopper				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
77		Targoat				▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
78		Dracozul				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐
79		Troll				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
80		Brutus				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐
81		Mega Rock				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐
82		Argiope				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
83		Arachlich				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
84		Moccus				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
85		Promethean				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐
86		Draconoir				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
87		Spinner				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
88		Plague Egg				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
89		Sutsune				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
90		Darnation				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐
91		Thanatos				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
92		Rainbow Blob				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
93		Changeling				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
94		King Blob				▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
95		Worm				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐
96		Vodinoy				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
97		Aazerach				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
98		Diavola				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐
99		Gryphonix				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
100		Vertraag				▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
101		Mad Lord				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐
102		Ascendant				▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
103		Fumagus				▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
104		Rampede				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐
105		Rathops				▐▐▐▐▐	▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐
106		Krakaturtle				▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐▐
107		Tar Blob				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
108		Amberlgna				▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐
109		Dracomer				▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐
110		Terradrile				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐
111		Bard				▐▐▐▐▐ ▐▐	▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐	▐▐▐▐▐ ▐           {{Monsters||Row|sort|||}

For a list of all Monsters by the areas in which they are found, see Monster List by Area.

History of the Monster World

Within the Monster Journal you may find a list of Monsters, arranged loosely by the locations they may be found within the Sanctuary. Reading each Monster's entry will grant you a multitude of small impressions of the history of the Old World as well as the Sanctuary, yet it could hardly serve as a comprehensive history of our world. To do so could not be achieved with this tome; instead, the following ruminations on the history of our world shall serve as a point of reference for the stories of this tome's Monsters.

The First Monsters

We shall therefore not start with the creation of our world (which is shrouded in mystery), but with the emergence of the first Monsters in our world. It is widely assumed that this honor falls to the nature spirits that bear a simple form, like Rocky and Frosty. From cave paintings that were drawn by ancestors of humankind, we know this to be true for Rocky. They are believed to have existed for as long as our world has had fertile soils and lush forests.

Next came the first organic Monsters that evolved from simple biological organisms, first of which was the Crystal Snail. As cave drawings can tell us, the Crystal Snails existed at the same time as our primeval ancestors did, as well as other mammals, lizards, birds, and fishes. None, however, could rival the monstrous Crystal Snails at this point in history. Some speculate that they evolved to such monstrous forms because they, being more primitive and older life forms, had much more time to do so at this point than other life forms.

First Wave of Evolution

Shortly later, there was a first wave of evolutions that resulted in a variety of Monsters - which for some reason seemed to only affect reptiles. We have only bones of most of these reptile-type Monsters, with Kongamato being one of the only living remnants of this era. Aurumtail is believed to be closely related to some of these early Monster species. Perhaps it developed the ability to feed off of Mana-rich minerals due to the cataclysm that extinguished most of its brethren.

As stated in the Glowdra's History, a great cataclysm enveloped the atmosphere of this world with volcanic ash. Some species evolved to harness the volcanic minerals in the air, becoming what we call dragon-type Monsters in the process. Due to the prevalence of reptile-type Monsters, most of these were reptile-type Monsters as well, such as the Draco-family of Monsters. Some, like the Glowdra, evolved from simple animals or insects. It should be noted that the river dragon Ninki Nanka did not evolve at this time; it only evolved much later thanks to hidden underground reservoirs of volcanic mud, together with the second, larger wave of monstrous evolutions.

Occult-type Monsters

Before that, however, we must address the first demonic creatures that invaded our world: the Elderjels. This led to the creation of Nautilids and Ucans, some of the first Monsters that inhabited our oceans. Later on, Grummies and G'rulus entered our world as well, and they battled against the Elderjels for dominion of our world. For such occult-type Monsters, which by their very nature either originated from another world or were created by occult magic, it is impossible to tell when they actually came into existence - if anything, we are only able to tell when they began to enter our world. Therefore, they might very well be much older than any of the other life forms of our world.

Second Wave of Evolution

It was only millions of years later that, finally, a second wave of monstrous evolutions came to pass. Within a relatively short time span, an overwhelming amount of different Monsters evolved, such as Vaero, Magmamoth, Molebear, Nightwing, Yowie, Kame, Brawlish, and Thornish. In fact, most of the current organic non-occult Monster species evolved at this point, leading it to be called the "renaissance" age of the Monster kingdom. The first true humans evolved at this point as well, although it would still take us some time to develop civilizations.

The leading theory on this "renaissance" of Monsters states that there was a chain reaction of sorts. In general, it is accepted among Monster scholars that one monstrous evolution will provoke other species within the same ecosystem to evolve into similarly monstrous forms. Over time, more and more monstrous species evolved through different means or came to our world. It is speculated that eventually, a critical mass was reached, when virtually every territory of our world was inhabited by several Monster species. This caused a multitude of monstrous evolutions across almost every biome of our world, which in turn caused more monstrous evolutions. Eventually, it seems that every type of animal and insect had a monstrous relative in their family tree.

Some even argue that humans evolved only out of necessity during this time. Being able to survive in this monstrous environment required brains. Therefore, one could consider humans a monstrous evolution of their own. This second wave is believed to have happened around 50,000 years before the creation of the Monster Sanctuary. The first traces of human civilizations date back to around 4,000 years before the Monster Sanctuary. Yet, a lot happened in this short period of time - for humans and Monsters alike.

In 2,332 BC (before creation of the Monster Sanctuary), it is written that a small girl was given a Draconov egg by a mysterious stranger. All historical accounts at this point only talk of Monsters as wild, uncontrollable creatures or even as destructive forces of nature that quell humanity's progress. This girl is therefore recognized as the first human in history who could command a Monster to do as they wished - the first Monster Keeper in history. In fact, by becoming the Dragon Empress and conquering most of the world with an army of dragon-type Monsters, she forever changed how humans perceived Monsters. The cultures that saw themselves as the heirs of the Dragon Empress's people began to revere Monsters; those cultures that were conquered by the Dragon Empress learned to fear and respect all types of Monsters. Later on, there were other human civilizations that used Monsters for warfare, but due to the difficulty of taming Monsters, these were only singular cases.

The Effects of Humanity

Next, there are Monsters that came into being as a consequence of humanity in one way or another. Without humanity, these Monsters likely wouldn't have come into creation. These Monsters can be put into five different categories.

• First, there are Monsters that evolved in response to humanity or because of humanity's actions. Included in this group of Monsters are Catzerker, Akhlut, Toxiquus, Sycophantom, Crackle Knight and Imori. One could say these Monsters came into being accidentally through events caused by humanity, or as a consequence of humanity's actions towards our environment and towards each other.
• Second, there are Monsters that were created by human sorcerers, such as Goblins, Minitaurs, Druid Oaks, and Skorches. These were the first Monsters that were created by the wills of individual humans.
• Third are the Monsters that were created by human alchemists and scientists. They are distinct from the Monsters created by sorcerers not only in the manner that they were created, but also in their nature as well. They are almost exclusively construct-type Monsters, such as Steam Golem, Ornithopter, and Promethean.
• Fourth, some Monsters' first appearance was in the Monster Sanctuary. This includes Specter and, most prominently, all the different types of Blobs one can find in the Sanctuary. Evidently, there is something about the Monster Sanctuary itself that generates monstrous evolutions - what it is, however, no one has been able to discern so far.
• Fifth, there are Monsters that were created by other Monsters. The created become the creators in what might become an unending cycle. The only specimen in this category to this date is the Oculus, but one can expect that many more will follow in the centuries to come.

Spirit-type Monsters

Lastly, there are the spirit-type Monsters that often defy attempts at determining a chronological point of origin. For spirits like Monk and Qilin, it is possible that they have existed all along in this world, but that there are no early depictions of them because our primeval ancestors did not come into contact with these spirits. Spirits like Tengu and Kanko could have existed longer than humanity has as well; human shamans were simply the first to bind such spirits into forms that allowed them to interact with the material plane of this world.