The Plain Demon
Posted by Meg
I found this entry on in the comments section of the Create Your Own Coreling Post.
The Plain Demon is slightly smaller than a normal horse and has dark skin making it difficult to see at night. Its hooves are replaced with clawed paws similar to that of a dog, for gripping into the ground, but are sharp enough to shred prey. Its head is flatter with than that of a normal horse giving it a more canine like appearance with long pointed ears extending diagonally from its head and a jaw with a row of sharp teeth and two fangs at the front of the mouth for finishing off prey. The Plain Demon’s eyes glow red, the color deepening in anger or lightening in pleasure. Its mane is often a grey or stained white color, with the tail being the same color, and it has sharp bony spines coming out of its back, starting just past the end of the mane.
The Plain Demon’s armor covers most of its body, and the fact that it travels in small groups makes it hard to sneak up on. Its speed can outmatch that of most horses and can easily catch travelers by surprise at night. Their eye sight and hearing are the Plain Demons’ two best senses allowing it hear the sound of prey on the open plains before it sees them, which is followed shortly after.
Plain Demon’s are fast but take time to slow and have limited turning ability at full gallop or charge, taking time to fully slow down, sometimes charging into wards. As well as that they can be speared through the neck during a charge because of the limited armor around that area, but if a person is holding the spear they will likely be crushed by the collapsing Plain Demon if the spear doesn’t hold its weight.
The Plain Demon runs on the plains around Fort Rizon but goes no closer to the forest than Woodsend. It is sometimes seen on the opposite side of the Dividing River but no further than Tibbet’s Brook if at all, preferring warmer conditions and open land to run and charge.
The Plain Demon’s armor is mostly at its front and sides, protecting it during charges and also its internal organs if anything gets close enough to do it harm. Its armor consists of toughened skin which can guard against most attacks and, unless shot or hit directly by an arrow or spear, will not cause serious harm. It lacks armor at its rear, belly, on its legs and has lesser armor on its neck, so as not to reduce movement.
Plain Demons travel in herds of four or five, the strongest leading the group with two to keep the others in line, and the rest following for the kill. Herds can form and break with the rise and fall of the sun.
Thanks to William for posting! I can definitely imagine these demons in Thesa. Beautifully described!