Ungals

In the deepest woods, the darkest and most forgotten stretches of true forest, near unnavigatible woodlands, amongst the shadows and boughs one could have the ill fortune to stumble upon many a beast, predator or danger. Amongst the variety of options however, in the darkest and foulest corners of such biomes, in ancient and forgotten woodlands, twisted with dark power, one could have the ill fortune to stumble upon an Ungal herd. Of the various types of Bestials, these are by far the most common on the continent of Durol. These antler headed, deer hooved humanoid-esque entities are known for their worship of Gulagor, one of the Fell Gods, of Gluttony. They are touched by the Void, heinous and foul, and are known for raids, taking prisoners and corpses to feast upon in strange and dark rituals to their fell diety.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Ungals are bipedal and roughly humanoid in shape however they have the obvious marks of fell twisting, their legs inverted, the knees facing the wrong way, with cloven hooves not unlike an elk or deer. Their heads are human shaped, however the face slightly elongated like a muzzle or snout like a deer or elk, with jaws of bone crushing and flesh ripping teeth, mixed and mangled. Upon their heads, slick brown pelt, with a rack of antlers not unlike an elk or moose. Their skeletal structure is as nonsenical as their description, defying all understanding of biology and biological function. They have a humanoid torso, generally decorated with rudimentary dyes and markings, some rudimentary inks, some organic compounds, some perhaps even feces. They are fell and wild and without mercy, and are ever hungry. They can wield rudimentary weapons and tools, yet oft prefer to fit with tooth and antler.

Genetics and Reproduction

It is generally believed that Ungals have a season similar to elk, a Rut, and some scholars even suggest that perhaps these beings came about during the Sundering, born of tribal groups of humans or elves, druidic folks, going feral, tainted by foul magick and partaking in unholy unions with moose, deer and elk, producing these vicious and maligned offspring. However the truth of the thing is far darker. Born not of such union but of mutation of regular babies when exposed to the taint of the Void, particularly if a pregnant woman were to imbue void dust or rotting venison, or tainted water from Scars upon Reality. Babies born with such mutations are always supposed to be killed by law in most every place in Valerick. However the truth of the matter is asking a mother to take the life of her own babe is quite a tall order, and thus it is perhaps not uncommon for instead the babes in question to simply be abandoned deep into the woods, the idea that nature will take care of the problem. These entities are also naturally capable of reproduction themselves and as such, the scourge is now self propagating.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Though they are omnivores, Ungals like all of the Feral Bestials, are most known for their drive and hunger for sapient flesh. They hunt and raid rural settlements, trade caravans, anywhere they can manage, seeking to take prisoners for their table, however such raids are actually rare, though brutal in their arrival. They are masters of the forests they live within, living nomadic, off the wilderness, only leaving the dark and twisted most remote regions of ancient and forgotten woodlands to raid and pillage to seek flesh to bring to their feasts and tables.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Though we know there is a social structure of note, a herd/tribal structure of a kind, the understanding of its intricaticies or the inner workings of that structure is quite limited. There seems to be an alpha or some kind of chieftan of course, however the rest of the herd structures itself underneath that likely through violence and battle. Antler Shamans are rare and seem to hold a unique place in the tribal structure seperate to, yet still adjacent and contained within the hierarchy. They cannot be usurped per say, yet fall subservient to the chief.

Average Intelligence

Ungals, like most bestials, demonstrate a level of basic intellect that cannot be discounted, it is a sapience of some sort. However they do not have a complex social structure as most would recognize, though again, you cannot ignore that their herds/tribes do seem to have some sort of social structure, and though armed conflict between different types of Bestials when such tribes clash or rub shoulders is by far more common, these creatures do engage in trade with each other in some fashion.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They've extraordinary hearing and sharp eyesight, and are known to often have a very strong sense of smell. Some seem born with a natural affinity and sensitivity to magick as well, able to sense and detect the arcane arts.

Average Height

There is some wider variety when one includes the oddities such as Antler Shamans or Ungitars in the equation, however by and large Ungals average between 1.65 meters (5'5") and 2.1 meters (7') tall.

Average Weight

Again, ignoring the wider variance one could find within Antler Shamans and Ungitars, generally your average adult Ungal will weigh between 63.5 kgs (140 lbs) and 104 kgs (230lbs)

Average Physique

Though they may seem somewhat small by bestial standards when compared with creatures like Caanites or Felinids, the fact of the matter is this should not be confused as being weak. The average Ungal is still notable stronger than the average man, dwarf, elf, tantur or otherwise in a straight up physical confrontation.