Moonrunners

"Herny? Run please."
"What, why?"
"Because you're about to get eaten."

— Herny and their friend, who were both quickly eaten.

Pale in the Light

On the edges of forests, beneath the canopy, deep in the shade where detail is lost from your eyes but it's clear enough to make out vague shapes, shine blue eyes. One might at first be scared of these eyes peering out at them, however once they slowly move closer and closer, their appearance becomes less threatening. The light shows their ruffled grey fur, their fluffy ears, and their energetic tail wagging back and forth.
Only able to move slowly in the shade and barely at all in the daylight, these creatures are overlooked by many. Once seen, their cute appeals to those nearby, eliciting offers of food and shelter, especially by children. Parents, of course, either deny their children the stray dog, or on occasion allow them to pick up the poor lost pup to bring them home.

Shade in the Night

Despite what their appearance in the day may make you believe, when the night comes and the moon sheds its light across them, they begin to show their true form. Their ears turn sharp, their fur becomes short and silver, their eyes turn the colour of midnight, and their teeth become blades.
Their paws shine in the light, leaving faint silver tracks as they run through forests, across fields, and within the home of whoever was unfortunate enough to take pity on them.
Those who see them change or wake to the sound of their low growls are left with little choice but to offer food to them or to run. Food may placate them, but running sees you become their food. In the light of the moon, there is no person in the Eight Lands fast enough to run from them.

Lifespan

Approx. 10 to 12 years

Average Height

20 to 25 inches at the shoulder

Average Weight

40 to 50 lbs

Average Length

30 to 35 inches