Classification: Mythical Beasts & Cryptids

Temporal Range: 1903

Geographic Range: Van Meter, Iowa, USA

Diet: Unknown

Horde: North American

Appearing over a series of nights in 1903, the Van Meter Visitor (sometimes also called the Van Meter Monster) is one of the strangest cases we have come across in our exploration of North American creatures to venture forth from the Rift. Over the span of five nights, it appeared to the local townspeople and caused chaos.

Over eight feet tall, it has some humanoid qualities, but its standout features are huge bat wings and an ability to fire beams of light from its forehead. A famous sketch of the creature gives it a long-beaked face, perhaps akin to a pterodactyl or huge bird. Another key (and we’re sure unforgettable) feature was its unholy stench, which followed it around the town like a putrid shadow.

During the altercation with the beast, several locals opened fire on it. It is unclear whether the beast’s use of its light beams was in defense or if it fired first. This will be one of history’s great mysteries. Granted, the gunfire made no impact on the creature whatsoever.

On the final night, the townspeople chased the creature into an abandoned mine, where a second one was lurking, perhaps a mate? Neither Van Meter Visitor emerged the next day, and the mine has since been closed up. No further sightings have followed, but the town of Van Meter has been in a constant state of alert ever since.