Tao Tei

The Taoties are a reptilian race from an unknown world that invaded Ancient China.

Physiology
The Taotie are quadrupeds carnivorous reptiles, similar in appearance to saurians, particularly ceratopsids. They possess membranous head frills which resonate, allowing them to communicate with each other over long distances. These beasts possess elaborate motifs on the crests of their skulls, which gave the inspiration of the taotie motif to the cultures of Ancient China. There appear to be three main breeds of Taoties.
 * Soldiers: These Taotie are skinner with longer limbs and snouts. Their eyes are located on their shoulders rather then the head.
 * Defenders: Bulkier and more armored, these Taotie defend the Queen, and are able to unfold their heavier frills to act as shields against bombardment. These armored frills are capable of withstanding catapults and sharp projectiles.
 * Queen: The largest of the Taotie, this creature commands the Taotie hordes. It is somewhat intelligent, being able to come up with strategies and countermeasures. Its sole purpose is to breed, which it can only in proportion to the amount of meat it is fed. It looks similar to a protoceratops, but carnivorous.

Behavior
The Taotie are ravenous monsters whose sole purpose is to consume anything in their path. They are eusocial creatures like ants, dedicated to serving their queen. They are carnivores, and will devour the flesh of their own to replenish their numbers. Should the queen fall it would mean the end of their species. Strangely magnetic rocks, such as lodestones, seem to pacify them.

History
During 1000 BC in Ancient China a meteor crash-landed onto Gouwu Mountain. With it came forth the Taotie that proceeded to lay waste to China. The appearance of the creatures coincided with the rule of a despotic emperor, making the Chinese believe that the Taotie were sent from the gods to punish the emperor of the time for his abuse of authority. Since then they attacked northern China once every sixty years. The Nameless Order was formed to combat the Taotie and the Great Wall was erected to safeguard the land.

During the Song Dynasty the Taotie attempted another invasion into the interior of China, but were once again repelled by the Nameless Order. It was discovered that the Taotie were pacificied using magnetic rocks, and there was a plan to use them to destroy the Taotie through the Queen. However the Queen managed to devise a method in digging under the Great Wall, circumventing it and the Order and led her hordes to the capital.

The capital was nearly overrun but a small contingent of the Order mananged to hold them off with the help of the royal guards. The Queen was tricked into consuming meat tainted with magnets and was killed using an explosive arrow.

Source

 * The Great Wall (2017)