Yan-gant-y-tan
Basic Information
Anatomy
Yan-gant-y-tan are humanoid creatures, identifiable by their elongated limbs and digits, with their fingers and toes typically double the length of the human average. On one hand, they spin tongues of Faerie-Fire in a wheel-like motion, with one flame hovering above each clawed digit. Their bodies are covered in a layer of long matted hair. A long, rat-like tail emerges behind them.
The exact nature of these creatures is unknown, existing outside of the Korrigan or Sidhe, but appearing to have some connection to Faerie. Korrigan oral tradtion only describes them only as being one of a possible mysterious race of "the Others", while the archives of the Faith typically describe the creatures as demons.
Ecology and Habitats
Yan-gant-y-tan reside in wetlands, especially swamps and mires, typically found along deserted footpaths, emerging from fog with little warning. Hovels of branches and dried mud have been found near these encounters, with some signs of habitation, but there has been no observed habitation of these structures.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
A pair of straight, conical horns of a shiny black material stick out at a diagonal angle from their heads, located above their ears. Their expressions are set in a wide-eyed, rictus grin, further enhanced by bony ridges above their eyes and along the fronts of their faces, casting dark contrasts and shadows as the lights of their finger-flames play across the surfaces.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Average Intelligence
Yan-gant-y-tan appear to possess some rudimentary level of intellect, capable of recognizing traps and navigating complex obstacles. However, they do not seem to communicate with other creatures and are only observed as solitary individuals, appearing alone on desolate roads and silently observing and following travelers before vanishing once more.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
It is unclear how the senses of these creature operate, as contradictory encounters have made definitive answers murky at best. Numerous encounters show that the creatures are undeterred by darkness and fog, even thick banks of Feth Fiada, cutting across uneven terrain with remarkable speed and directness to confront travelers without warning. Other times, they search for hidden travelers with seemingly intense focus, but are unable to find travelers hidden by rudimentary obstacles.
Civilization and Culture
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
The most distinctive features of the Yan-gant-y-tan are the five tongues of flame dancing in the air above its long, bony fingers, which it constantly cycles in a wheel-like pattern. It has been observed that the typical pattern of this motion is in a counter-clockwise fashion. A traveler who encounters one of these creatures will typically be the recipient of five curses along their journey, often-times fatal. However, should a traveler witness the wheel of flame in a clockwise fashion, they will be granted 5 boons along their journey instead. The latter of these patterns is exceedingly rare, but with either pattern the will-o-wisps of the creature are observed at the scene of the foretold event. It is unclear if the creature is the cause or merely a herald of these events, but they are typically treated as a bad omen regardless.
Common Taboos
The creature takes great care to not extinguish its flames, avoiding appearing on days of heavy rain or wind. Likewise, they are typically slow to turn, and avoid sudden changes that might upset the flames.
The creatures have a fondness for gold, and a golden chain left on a traveler's post or Kalvar is considered an effective ward against the creatures for a night.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Yan-gant-y-tan typically appear to sapient creatures along lonely roads at night, but have been also observed approaching isolated houses and knocking on doors. They do not appear to differentiate between species, treating Bediz, Tuatha and Formorians with identical behaviour and effect. They will not approach a group of larger than 3.
Average Height
1.7 m - 2.4 m
Geographic Distribution
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