"A cruel and fiery Illuminati mercenary who hunts cryptids for money"

Audrey Lequerescu serves as one of the The Illuminati Lodge's most feared operatives, specializing in the capture and elimination of cryptids deemed too dangerous (or unpredictable) to be left alone. While her primary assignments involve hunting otherworldly creatures, the Lodge occasionally employs her for more mundane — yet equally lethal — tasks: the quiet removal of troublesome individuals (which distinguishes her group from the The Gévaudan Hunting Club).
Over the years, Lequerescu and her unit have earned a chilling reputation within the shadow world — the Lodge’s boogeymen, dispatched whenever subtlety fails and fear must do the work instead.

In early 2014, Lequerescu led a small contingent of mercenaries and freelance "specialists" deep into the Sino-Tibetan Mountains of western China. The region had long been ignored by secret societies, until a series of strange reports began to surface a few years earlier.
For example, in 2011, local farmers spoke of unnatural noises echoing through the mountains — deep, resonant rumbles that seemed to shift the earth itself. The following year, three European climbers vanished without a trace. A two-week rescue operation uncovered only one body, found near a scorched cliffside — charred, half-dissolved, and twisted beyond recognition. Official investigations swiftly declared it an accident, and the matter was buried.

Behind closed doors, however, every major occult organization took notice. Rumors spread that the region might conceal one of the last surviving draconoid species — perhaps an ancient, territorial specimen, or even a nesting mother guarding her young.

By 2014, with the Lodge’s full authorization, Audrey Lequerescu was ordered to locate the creature, secure the legendary dragon’s heart, and, if possible, retrieve one of its eggs...

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TIME: December 15st, 2014, ~11:27 AM
LOCATION: somewhere in Sino-Tibetan Mountains, western China
CRYPTID: Dragon (not confirmed)
STATUS: Classified
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Welcome to the World of Cryptids!

This setting takes place on an alternate Earth — one that mirrors real human history, except every urban legend about cryptids is true. Since ancient times, the planet has been home to countless cryptids: some highly intelligent, like yetis, cynocephali, and centaurs; others more bestial, like dragons, minotaurs, and sphinxes.

In ancient history, cryptids were either feared or revered like gods. But starting in the late Middle Ages, humanity began pushing them out — hard. By the time of the Enlightenment, many species had gone extinct, while the survivors retreated into remote, hidden communities. Over the centuries, most humans forgot they ever existed.

Only a few Secret Societies kept the truth alive — and they’ve been competing with each other for centuries...

— SECRET SOCIETIES BASIC INFORMATION —

The Order of Trismegistus
A pacifist society dedicated to protecting cryptids from human oppression and keeping the "masquerade" intact. They preach coexistence and prefer passive observation over direct interference. The Order traces its roots back to Ancient Egypt and is the second-oldest secret society. Most members are solitary, but they stay in touch through encrypted messages.
Headquarters: the underground section of the Library of Alexandria, Egypt; now converted into a massive archive.

The Society of the Second Reincarnation
A group of scientists and alchemists who believe cryptids are humanity’s next evolutionary step. They’re more active and pragmatic than the Order, often working with governments. Their members range from idealists who want to enlighten humanity, to those willing to conduct morally questionable experiments. They meet at irregular congresses in historic or academic venues.
Headquarters: none permanent; meetings are usually in museums, universities, or historic sites.

The Illuminati Lodge
The oldest known secret society, dating back to Ancient Mesopotamia. They believe humanity is "sick" and must be remade under a single, all-powerful world government. Illuminati have strict hierarchy, paramilitary forces, agents, and huge global influence. This society usually use cryptids as a tools for "reshaping" the world. Disobedience within the Lodge is met with severe punishment.
Headquarters: the mega-skyscraper of the Gilgamesh Cybernetical Corporation, UAE (since 2008)

The Gévaudan Hunting Club
A loose network of cryptid hunters. Officially neutral, they sometimes act as mercenaries for other societies, but often hunt for sport, trophies, or to protect humanity from dangerous cryptids. Some members are thrill-seekers, others see themselves as protectors. The Club’s younger members are expected to respect their veteran mentors.
Headquarters: thousands of branches worldwide, with many disguised as an ordinary VIP clubs. The oldest and largest branch is in Mende, France.


— CRYPTID ENCYCLOPEDIA: DRAGONS —

Dragons, or draconians, are among the most legendary and mythologized cryptids in human history. Over the centuries, they have been reported in a wide variety of forms, leading to more than a dozen recognized variations. Some scientists classify wyverns, wurms, and hydras as dragons, while certain cryptozoologists consider them distinct species, sometimes referred to as pseudodragons. Due to the extensive diversity of the group, this article focuses on the general characteristics of dragons, as well as the two most well-known subspecies: the European dragon and the Asian dragon.

Most dragons resemble enormous lizards or serpents, with the ability to fly and attack prey in spectacular ways. While the classic image of dragons involves fire-breathing, some exotic variants employ venom, smoke, corrosive stomach acid, or even extremely cold substances such as liquid nitrogen. Dragons are generally long-lived, though they mature very slowly. This slow reproductive cycle, combined with centuries of human persecution — particularly during the late Middle Ages — has brought most dragon populations to the brink of extinction.

Dragons typically behave as wild, solitary beasts with limited intelligence, but exceptions exist. Certain draconians are highly intelligent and may even be capable of assuming human form, though it remains unclear whether these accounts are exaggerated folklore or represent a distinct subspecies.

— European Dragon: The European dragon is the most widely recognized type, commonly depicted as a four-legged, winged creature. Historically found throughout Western and Northern Europe, these dragons possess a specialized gland that enables them to breathe fire. They often settle near valuable mineral deposits, which they fiercely guard. European dragons are nearly extinct today, with only a handful of weakened individuals surviving in captivity.

— Asian Dragon: Asian dragons are typically elongated and serpentine, inhabiting rivers, lakes, and mountainous regions of Eastern Asia. Unlike their European counterparts, they usually exhale through their nostrils rather than mouth-based fire. Asian dragons are considered more peaceful and reclusive, yet they were historically persecuted because their hearts were believed to possess unique properties — allegedly granting longevity or even immortality. By the 18th century, this led to their near-total extermination.