Mournling

The creatures known as Mournlings are an infrequent occurrence on Pande, but are the more common of the Failed that escape from The Underworld). Intelligent, creative and possessed of a malicious hatred of humans, they appear to have no greater purpose in their existence than to kill and maim, and cause as much chaos as possible.
It is unknown what causes their appearance on Pande, but they typically appear in groups of half a dozen or so and it can be several weeks before the Imperial Army can muster enough strength to kill or capture them, during which time they wreak much destruction across the lands.

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Basic Information

Anatomy

Broadly humanoid in shape, Mournlings have a powerful upper torso, thick, strong arms, and shorter, yet still muscled legs. Their heads have a long muzzle, filled with sharp teeth, wide nostrils with no discernible nose, and three eyes. Both their hands and feet have opposable digits, with a similar layout to humans, although with only three fingers to their thumb. They have a long, flexible tail, with a sharp horn-like tip.
They are covered in a dense fur, with only their eyes, mouth bottom of their feet and palms of their hands without it. The most defining feature of the Mournlings is their ability to alter their colouration to blend in with their surroundings. Similar to that of cuttlefish, not only can their fur shift rapidly in response to their movement, but it is under conscious control, and can be used to display rippling and mesmerising patterns, confusing both prey and predators. Whilst it might appear that it's their fur shifting colours, the colour changing pigments are on the creature's skin, and the hollow, refractive nature of the individual hairs carries the pattern to the surface.

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Genetics and Reproduction

No young or newborns have ever been seen of Mournlings, and it is unknown if they are even capable of reproduction in the classical sense. They are always seen fully grown, and their numbers do not increase from those seen initially. If they have reproduction in The Underworld, this is unknown.

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Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Not native to the Empire, or even Pande, Mournlings can appear all over the world, in any environment, but are typically only found in isolated parts. Scholars postulate that their appearance is only possible in low levels of population density, although the reasons for this is unknown.

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Average Intelligence

At least as intelligent as a human, although in a different manner; where humans are tool users and speakers, Mournlings possess a low cunning, and ability to plot and deceive. They do not appear to have any form of complex language, but they clearly can communicate with each other and have been known to understand human speech on occasion.

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Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Mournlings have superb eyesight in both daylight and the dark, and a sense of smell that would rival that of most dogs. Their hearing is about the same as humans, and they lack any other extra or unusual senses. 

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Civilization and Culture

History

In the earliest days of creation, the Primordials attempted to make many new living creatures, based on their own understanding of what life, and by extension sentience would be. The resultant beings were powerful, successful and utterly selfish and egotistical. With little care but their own self satisfaction, these creatures wreaked havoc throughout creation, and ultimately the Primordials were forced to segregate them for the sake of the rest of the universe in their own pocket dimension, The Underworld.
Whilst the Underworld only has one official entry, guarded for long ages by the Guardian god, Sis-retyr, there are points in time and space where the Underworld and the physical world draw close, and the right combination of events can cause beings to 'slide' between the barrier between dimensions. Most instances of this are far from Pande, and the creatures that pass through barely worth noting, for not all occupants are interested in retribution, and simply wish to exist outside of the confines of the Underworld. Some, however, see the existence of Pande and the favour shown to humans with malicious envy, and seek to cause as much disruption as possible.
The Mournlings are fairly unique in that, not only do the seem to be able to cross between the two universes relatively frequently, but they almost always appear on Pande. Whether this is through accident or design is not known.

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Genetic Ancestor(s)

• The Failed