The Anzu emerged from the deep waters near the camp. Hatred for the Freelancers burned in his heart. How dare they chase him from his cave? How dare they eat and drink merrily, when he had been forced to hide under the water, eating cold phiranix. He watched them around their fire on the rock face, so confident in their mastery. Well, he would show them, He would remind them why humans would never rule this world.

The word "Anzu" is a group term for any creature formed at the dawn of creation, not of the natural world. When the Shapers departed, the Anzu were left to fend for themselves. Some survived, some did not.
Though most references to Anzu live in folk tales and children's stories, our world does have a considerable number of pre-urgoth structures. The Sunken Garden submerged in the center of Shadowmark, The Vault of Monument Watch, and The Golden Monolith of the Mirelands possess similar architecture not associated with Shapers, humans, or urgoth, and perpetuate the myth of ancient beings from long ago.

As for my students, Klata believes that the Anzu, creatures as old as time, are not gone, but merely living among us... that perhaps a titan or even humans are Anzu. This is ridiculous. When has a titan ever built anything? And if humans were Anzu, don't you think we would have some sort of knowledge of that? There are stories of Anzu in the north guiding the Dominion's hands, but this seems like Dominion propaganda to me. They're much scarier if we all think they have some ancient being guiding them now, aren't they? The Anzu are gone, simple as that.

— Arcanist diary

Under the hill, there lived an Anzu named Ezurite, whose cruel and nefarious ways were known to all travelers of the high road. Furious that the urgoth who once worshipped him were no more, Ezurite found amusement in bringing ruin to peaceful settlements and devouring whole herds of korox. This was the task the Emperor set before them—to rid the north of this malicious monster and clear the trade route to Freemark. And so, after settling their tab and getting a night's sleep, the Freelancers Three set off in search of the monstrosity.

— From The Freelancers Three by Fallon Dalathie

Ancient paintings suggest that not only did the Anzu worship the Shapers, but interacted with them. Several paintings have been found of a Shaper artifact emitting beams of light. Could the beams be energy? Or the opening of a door? Or perhaps the Shapers themselves, existing on a plane beyond our understanding.

Ancient Anzu Arcanists think that this lake was home to some sort of creature. The lake's underwater passages lead into the cenote in Anshar, so it could be possible that this creature had something to do with whatever happened there. If it was, in fact, an Anzu of some sort, this would be the basis for many of the stories from the area. Maybe the Fen Watcher, the Ezurite Anzu, and the mysterious shadow that came to Anshar are one and the same.

— From Ancient Anzu, radio show

Dawnguard Transcript: Season Two, Episode Three. Last time, we left Walker and her team trapped in the depths of the crumbling Arcanist laboratory.

Alhazen: There's too many Anzu to fight, Walker. We'll never make it out.
Walker: We don't get to die today, Alhazen. If we don't find that relic and silence it, Antium will fall. Easley, you and Hawking search the ruin for the relic. Alhazen, you and I will hold this doorway against the Anzu.
Hawking: We won't leave you behind to die. "Strong Alone, Stronger Together." We all go, or we all stay here.
Easley: We won't fail. Save us a couple Anzu, Walker.

On your way through to Freemark, you'll have to stop at Fort Tarsis, which is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some of Bastion's most enchanting vistas. The fort sits on top of the breathtaking Tarsis Falls, which flow into a series of smaller falls, attracting a large variety of fauna to the area, which you can safely observe from strong, elevated walls. If sticking around for a day trip, check out the underground passage beneath the fort, once said to be home to the famous Ezurite Anzu, and then jet off for visit to the Haven, Honor Valley Dam, or the awe inspiring Ring Gate. Finish off your day with a nightcap at the local bar "The Shifty Korox," which is under new management.

—From Quest Advisor pamphlet

Home to the massive and impressive, active Shaper relic known as the Monument, a constant place of concern for Bastion. If the relic were ever overpowered by the Anthem, the destruction would be unfathomable. Monument Watch is also known for its high density of nocturnal flora, and the Anzu ruin known as "The Vault."

The wedged key is no different than other keys in the area, so why is it so revered? The Scars have tried to dislodge it several times. Why? Scars constantly attempt to get their feelers on Shaper relics, but it remains a mystery why this one is of such interest when there are five others nearby. I am submitting my request for a cross-reference with Hanni Blythe, writer of History of Scars.

— Delana Vale
Ancient Anzu Arcanist.

My mentor has decided that we should settle ourselves on the ruins of Anshar. When the other scholars and I objected to rebuilding our new academy where so many had died, my mentor revealed that the city itself was built on Anzu ruins that required study. Then he said that “we should not forget the dead or the events at Anshar, though they fill our hearts with dread. And so we will call it Shadowmark.”

— Arcanist diary

The distinct style of the caverns point to the fact that urgoth were not the only Anzu capable of building and design. The caverns differ from Shaper ruins, and even have, dare I say, an appreciation for aesthetics. What was this being that created such beauty? Was it just one? Or perhaps many? Perhaps they were not so different from us. Though urgoth were indeed Anzu, not all Anzu were urgoth.

— From Dialogues by Mederines

Most notable in this forest are the fierce-looking statues of an unknown beast, reminiscent of “The Hound” of Honor Valley, meant to frighten wildlife and keep them away from the settlement. These statues are found along most major strider pathways in the Fort Tarsis area and were given the nickname “The Happy Anzu.” But could this beast have once existed? Ancient Anzu Arcanists think so.

— From Ancient Anzu, radio show

Dalathie's influential story about Freelancers working around Arath and Velathra, hunting down Anzu and generally having great deal of fun. The Freelancers Three was an instant sensation in the early 200s, and made Dalathie, whose real name was Norl Quirk, an instant sensation, still celebrated today.

Long ago, the graceful and majestic beast named the Eddian roamed our world. Possessing deadly horns and hooves, none dare challenge the Eddian, none save the greedy Ezurite Anzu, who found it most delicious. It hunted the Eddian until only one remained. Freelancers decided to protect the Eddian and battled the Anzu at the watering hole. The Anzu was driven off, but the Eddian was mortally wounded. As it died, plants welcomed it back to the earth, and a great tree sprung from where it lay. Freelancers still consider the Great Eddian to be in their protection, keeping their vow from long ago.

— Folk Tale

New forms of metal were recently discovered in underground Anzu cities! Engineers are excited to learn about new metals and rare rock formations found in structures buried beneath tons of rock and mud. Could these new finds be the edge our lancers need to safely end Cataclysms? Early reports suggest these mysterious, ancient structures have similar designs to strider bays, proving that engineers can theorize about history as well as any Arcanist.

—From "Heliost Monthly"

Some places get so quiet you can hear the blood pulsing in your ears. Makes you wonder what creature first felt that silence and knew they'd found home so long ago. I believe the dead talk down here, but I don't think we're ready to hear what they have to say."

—From the field notes of Arcanist Kei Hasa

Those who study Anzu artwork and architecture can only be amazed by its brilliance. What sad fate buried these marvels and cultural secrets, leaving behind the foolishness and barbaric reflections that humans try to pass off as art?

—From "The Moment After Sunrise" by Sab Hendt

The Phantom Javelin was last spotted along the eastern edge and the old strider path. Recent eyewitnesses confirmed previous accounts that the Phantom Javelin did indeed have no head and consequently, no pilot. Who and how can this possibly exist?

— From Ancient Anzu, radio show

Were the urgoth the only Anzu? Many books and philosophers have debated this point, though it seems undeniable. For example, that big shrine out there. It doesn't show any recognizable symbols or patterns we know were formed in the Anzu Era. What races came before the urgoth or during their lifespan?

—From "The Moment After Sunrise" by Sab Hendt

The Key is one of the most common Shaper ruins, found all over the known world. What makes this one different? It's believed to be an Anzu place of worship. This figure has been found painted into various caves, with light coming from its center. So is it a ruin or a relic? Ancient Anzu Arcanists think it's the latter.

— From Ancient Anzu radio show