Nightfallen

Azgū Nagul. The history of mankind has been horribly disfigured by the Grū since men first began recording their tales. Entities of nightmare, the Grū have fed on the fears of Man for millennia, and in all that time remain as mysterious and terrible as they must have been in Early times. Many tales have lingered through time, such as those of “children that cry at night, will be carried off by the Grū”.

The debate of whether the Nightfallen are a race or simply monstrous creations fashioned by dark magics, has continued for many centuries. Despite differences between scholars, there are points on which most agree. First and foremost, the Grū have an unnatural attraction or hunger for fear, particularly Yrūn fear. The monsters seem to bleed from the darkness in areas inundated with horror to claim their victims. This basic understanding has given scholars the necessary means by which to study the creatures. The Grūag are sages that have devoted their lives to the study of Grū. All Grūag undergo a ritual known as Perdū Lor which involves trepanation with a specially prepared golden spike. If done correctly, the sage loses the ability to fear. If done wrong (the most common result), brain damage or death results. The method was discovered by accident, by a monk circa 830 HK. Perdū Lor was later adopted by some groups of Irūl warriors, but is currently viewed as a cowardly means to overcome one’s weaknesses.

Physiology

The interior of the Grū seems to liquefy shortly after death, releasing a toxic black-green vapor. For this reason, the anatomy of the Grū is unknown. Captured Grū seem to lose their “appetite” when the fear stimulus is removed from around them. Capture of one or two Grū have been documented over time, with similar findings. The creatures vary in size and shape though are mostly bipedal with rounded snouts and saucer-like eyes, which seem overly sensitive to light. Their sense of fear may be limited to an area local to Grū “nests”. The Troll Hills of the Oðic Northwoods are believed to be one of these places.

Grū seem to disdain the flesh of the dead, which is why they are often accompanied by Ghûls.

Psychology

Grū may be more intelligent than their bestial nature suggests.

Language

Though seemingly incapable of “normal” speech, the Grū engage in low guttural animal-like howling. If a language exists among them it is incomprehensible.

Culture

The majority of scholars do not believe culture exists among the Grū. The Grūag know different. A handful of explorers have visited the ruined City of Arkìrūn in northern Ardùwū and observed a social organization among the Grū. Not only do the Grū of that remote place exhibit signs of organization, but tales have emerged that are several different sub-races of Grū.

Magic

Though no Grū have been observed casting spells, it is believed that they are natural users of magic. The most obvious support of this is the Grū ability to sense fear and to travel through the darkness toward their prey. While dimensional travel is not impossible on Teréth End, it is exceedingly difficult. There are no known examples of living creatures (magic or otherwise) possessing the ability of dimensional travel. It is possible that Grū are an exception to this rule, but many Grūag prefer to believe that there is another answer. This position is supported by observations that Grū “appear” near their prey, but are unable to “disappear” from the same area.