Caradog
Image (c) Chasse-Lune
This image was drawn for Aztersil.
Description
The strangest creature one could ever happen upon in the forest is debatably the caradog. They are made up of leaves and vines, and are part of the very forest itself. It is said that every time someone dies of a broken heart, a caradog is born. Each caradog looks different from all others, like snowflakes. They appear to be nothing but gathered leaves, vines, twigs, and a pair of glowing eyes in a canine like form. They are only as evil as the sad soul they were born from.
Gender Differences
Though caradogs are the gender of the soul they were born from, it is impossible to tell the difference.
Habitat
Caradogs inhabit nearly every forest in Aztersil, though they tend to make themselves scarce. Caradogs can even be seen loping across fields at dusk.
Mannerisms
If a woman dies of heartbreak at losing her children, the caradog that is born is one born from love, and it will care for wonderers lost in the forest, especially children. If a power hungry monarch dies of a broken heart from losing his land to a conquering army, the caradog that is born is one born of hatred and leads travelers into swamps, or even attacks to kill.
Strengths
They cannot be hurt by normal weapons, since they are in essence, spirits and their bodies are nothing but leaves, twigs, and vines. If they are slashed with a normal sword, there is no blood, and the litter that encompasses their bodies just pulls itself back together.
Weaknesses
If a caradog is set on fire, it will die. If the form it inhabits in the forest litter turns to ash, there is no way the caradog can put itself back together and the spirit will finally pass on to either heaven or hell.
Abilities
They can dissipate and pull together at will. A pile of leaves can suddenly swirl together into a caradog. If they are shy, or seen when they do not want to be seen, the caradog's form will seem to explode and the litter that made up their bodies will settle undisturbed upon the forest floor. They can speak the languages that the spirit they were born from can speak.
Life Span
Caradogs are born of broken hearted spirits, and only die when their spirits are put to rest. It is impossible to know exactly how to put the spirit at rest, for one can never know what the spirit is like. Fire will kill the caradog and force the spirit to rest.