Moggrins are small, ferocious winged creatures that inhabit the high cliffs and mountains of Helerin, particularly in the rugged regions of the Burning Peaks in Mar Mabon and the Clouded Crags of Teros Major. Despite their size, Moggrins are feared for their aggressive nature, pack-hunting tactics, and eerie, echoing cries that can strike terror into even the most seasoned travelers.
Physical Appearance
Moggrins stand between 4 and 5 feet tall, with squat, troll-like bodies covered in thick, leathery hide. Their skin ranges in color from ash-grey to pale blue. Their wings are leathery and bat-like, spanning up to 10 feet, which allows them to glide with remarkable speed and agility. Their faces are grotesque, with toothed beaks and small, gleaming eyes that reflect their cruel intelligence.
Habitat
Moggrins make their nests in the most inaccessible crags of mountain ranges, using the steep cliffs and rocky outcrops to their advantage. They thrive in harsh, barren landscapes, where their ability to swoop down on prey from above gives them a distinct hunting edge. Moggrins are rarely found at lower elevations, preferring the cold, wind-swept heights where they can spot potential prey from great distances.
Behaviour
Highly social within their packs, Moggrins are vicious and strategic hunters, coordinating their attacks with shrill cries that serve both as communication and a weapon of fear. They are nocturnal, using the cover of night to ambush their prey, though they are not averse to daylight attacks if food is scarce. Moggrins primarily hunt small to medium-sized animals but are notorious for attacking people traveling through the mountains. Their hunting style involves disorienting their target with rapid, diving strikes, often toying with their prey before delivering a fatal blow. Solitary individuals are rare, as Moggrins rely heavily on their pack for survival and dominance in their harsh environments.
Geographic Distribution
Moggrins are found exclusively in the remote mountain ranges of Helerin, with the largest populations concentrated in the Burning Peaks of Mar Mabon and the Clouded Crags of Teros Major. Their preference for high, rocky terrain means they are rarely encountered in the more settled or forested regions, but their hunting grounds sometimes extend into foothills and lower cliffs where travelers are vulnerable.
Interaction with People
Moggrins are a constant menace to those who venture into the highlands. Travelers and caravans are often targeted by Moggrin packs, and mountain villages live in fear of sudden attacks, especially during lean seasons when prey is scarce. While direct encounters are rare in more populated regions, Moggrin sightings are enough to stir panic. Stories of Moggrin ambushes, often exaggerated by fear, are widespread in mountain communities, contributing to their sinister reputation. Due to their elusiveness and the danger they pose, few hunters attempt to seek them out, and those who do are rarely successful.
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