[Togetak]

Daemon Catalogue

 

III. Lupin

 

 

Perhaps the most outwardly docile of all Daemon, even allowing careful Magi to come close enough to pet them (although, I would not advise actually doing so, they appear to have strict limits around physical contact), the Lupin is a uniquely interesting creature. Looking like a common rabbit, just stretched out into a pyramid, it's rather comedic shape holds a signficant hidden purpose- it makes the Lupin surprisingly aerodynamic. 

  

They are far faster than you would assume from their stubby legs and oversized bodies, propelled along with a unique combination of the sheer force of mass from their thick, pyramidal skulls, powerful leg muscles built up from carrying around their weight, and a hefty dose of elemental Air magic. Indeed, this is their first line of defence against attackers, literally hurling themselves against their opponent and hoping to trample them. They are incredibly difficult to dodge once engaged with, as their ears act as rudders, allowing their trajectory to be altered at a moments notice, an unsually nibmle trait amongst Daemon who prefer to charge against foes.

 

What is arguably most notable about the Lupin is their elemental core- the normally hidden magical center of a Daemon- being entierly exposed, jangling around atop the creature's pyramidal head. When pressed in combat, either by a ranged opponent or by one who seeks to escape and regroup, Lupin utilize this elemental core to dirrectly summon whirlwinds, although they're rather prone to misfire due to the floppy nature of the core's connection to their skull. Strangely for this unqiue feature, they appear to be no more or less magically adept than other Daemon, and I have seen no evidence that this external positioning of such a vital organ makes it more likely to come to harm (Even with their rather aggressive, close quarters form of preferred combat)- whether this is because Lupin who damage their core die too quickly to be observed, or because they possess some means to protect it, is something I have not managed to discover.

 

Rumors of mutation.

  

I have refrained from discussing this foreign rumour in prior parts of the Daemon catalogue, particularly because of how outlandish it is, but given the previous entry on Bablory I believe it relevant to discuss here- although, dear reader, you must remember that this is a far fetched idea and should be treated suspciously.

 

As some more intrepid readers may have heard before, rumours abound from foreign traders of "Daemon Taming" as a profession in certain subsets of the world, places where magic abounds and runesmiths create objects capable of binding Daemons into submission under mortal masters. While I condemn such a barbaric practice, should it even exist, most rumors speak of Lupin as the most commonly enslaved Daemon species for beginning "tamers" due to their commonality and docile nature (which, I believe, is all the more insidious?).

 

 If these rumors are to believed, through the mutual connection of mana between "tamer" and enslaved Daemon, the nature of the environment ensures both slowly grow in power over time, leading to spontaneous mutation of certain weaker species of Daemon unable to naturally endure this sharing of mana. While I assume this process must have lower mortality rates than the mutations I have born witness to here in Esshar, it is still inhumane at best.

 

Still, obviously, these two above facts are related- as it is said that the mutation of a Lupin into whatever grotesque form they become in order to shift the excess mana away from lethal doses is a rite of passage for a newcomer to the "taming" profession- which implies that Lupin would be capable of such a thing here, should any fount of mana intersect with their habitat. I say this as a warning more than a simple inconsequential fact- should one of these creatures be seen in Esshar, due to their surface dwelling nature, it would mean something terrible has afflicted the wilderness. While the rumor is vague and suspicious enough that I would not advise readers to keep constant vigilence out for this supposed mutation, I still advise you keep this passage in mind, should you ever encounter a creature that fits this description. To ignore it might be to ignore a sign of great peril upon the nation.