Austin Zoo Quest — The Arcane Menagerie

The Sanctuary

The Secret Behind the Fences

Behind the fences of the Austin Zoo and beneath its winding paths lies a hidden truth: this is no ordinary zoo. Every animal here was rescued — seized from smugglers, surrendered by private owners who could no longer care for them, found injured and unable to return to the wild. Austin Zoo is one of the few facilities in Texas dedicated entirely to giving these animals a permanent, safe home.

In the language of the Arcane Menagerie, this place is a sanctuary of Wardstones — ancient enchantments woven by generations of scholar-mages to protect the creatures within. Today, five guild of apprentice mages must complete five Trials of mastery to restore the failing wards. The creatures are counting on them.

Arcane Lore

Six Secrets of the Menagerie

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Voodoo the Albino Python was seized by authorities — his previous owner had no permit. He now rules the Basilisk Crypts as the longest-reigning resident of the Reptile House.

🦉

Priscilla the Great Horned Owl is missing her right foot from an old injury. She arrived January 20, 2017, and can never return to the wild — but her remaining grip alone requires 28 pounds of force to open.

🐻

Korben, Tilly & Ruby were three black bear cubs abandoned by their mother in Oregon. A logging crew and tribal community found them and called for help. They've lived at Austin Zoo ever since.

🐺

Five wolf sisters — Aspen, Denali, Ivy, Juno, and Lindy — arrived from an Illinois facility in February 2015. Each howl in the Howling Sanctum carries the voice of all five sisters at once.

🐢

Gertie, Muffet & Wheezy, the Galapagos tortoises, were born in April 1989 and can live 150+ years. They will likely outlive everyone reading this sign — possibly by a century.

🦝

Stitch the South American Coati has double-jointed ankles that rotate more than 180° — letting him descend trees headfirst like a tiny, enthusiastic acrobat. He was purchased at a pet store.

Support the Real Sanctuary

Help Austin Zoo Keep the Wards Strong

Austin Zoo is a nonprofit rescue facility. Every animal here depends on donations to fund food, veterinary care, and habitat maintenance. If this quest moved you, consider supporting the real sanctuary that inspired it.

Donate to Austin Zoo →

The Five Guilds

Choose Your Path, Apprentice Mage

Each guild begins at a different zone of the Menagerie and follows its own unique route through the Five Trials. Find your guild wristband color and enter your quest.

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Order of the Emerald Fang

"The serpent sees what others overlook."

Green • Starts: Reptile House

Enter Quest →

🦁

Circle of the Iron Mane

"Strength is nothing without wisdom."

Gold • Starts: Big Cats

Enter Quest →

🦅

Covenant of the Feathered Eye