Byakhee

"There flapped rhythmically a horde of tame, trained, hybrid winged things... not altogether crows, nor moles, nor buzzards, nor ants, nor decomposed human beings, but something I cannot and must not recall."

— HPL , The Festival

The Byakhees are creatures that appear for the first time in the story The Festival and whose name was given in stories of August Derleth.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Despite being loosely described, their appearance is known to be that of large creatures, with membranous wings and webbed feet. They are usually represented with some features reminiscent of those of insects.

Genetics and Reproduction

The byakhee are organized into herds and all of them answer to Hastur, who acts as their lord and patriarch. They can also submit to some magicians who summon them and act as their mounts.
The byakhee are, in short, beings who were born to be slaves.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The byakhee are creatures of about three meters, capable of powered flight and can fly through the vacuum of space without any negative effects and can move at the speed of light. According to Sandy Petersen's Guide to Mythos Monsters, this is possible thanks to an organ called a "hune", which protects them from extreme temperatures and allows them to slightly alter the magnetic field around them, facilitating movement in the middle of a vacuum.
Byakhee have no biological need to breathe and do not appear on Asyur unless summoned by sorcerers or called upon by their master, Hastur. Still, there is a chance that they will go down to any planet in search of food.

Geographic Distribution

• Carcosa
• Hyades