Vara'kyn (Var-ra-keen)

There exists a rare form of undead whose existence is disputed by many scholars. The vara'kyn are ruthless hunters cloaked in darkness, looking as if they had crawled out from the depths of the Abyss. Vara'kyn appear as ghostly apparitions of beasts bearing dagger-like teeth and claws, as well as piercing eyes that could kill someone with one look. Shadows twist around these beings, shifting and warping their forms. This allows them to blend into the shadows, rendering them invisible to most. The vara'kyn hunt those experiencing intense emotions due to traumatic experiences, especially if the trauma involved a violent crime of some sort. When they find a target, they stalk them for long periods of time, feeding off of their target's emotional state to grow in power.
While they work quietly, they emit an ear-splitting shriek when their presence is discovered. This shriek pierces through the minds of its target, temporarily driving them to insanity, giving the vara'kyn ample time to kill them before their existence can be called to attention. Those around the target find themselves grief-stricken at random, a result of the agonizing pain that surrounds these creatures at all times. Vara'kyn are born from the anguished spirits of mortals who were brutally tortured before their deaths. They haunt the living to inflict their suffering onto others and feed off of the emotions that result from their presence.
Old tales, as rare as they are, speak of the vara'kyn and ways to appease them. One such method is to offer the creature the bones of its abusers, but whether or not this method works is unknown. Vara'kyn are vastly understudied, like most forms of undead, but especially so considering the means in which they are created. What little documentation of them exists paints a grim picture for anyone caught within the sight of a vara'kyn.
In some small villages around the world, depression is seen as a curse the creature has placed on someone. Mentally ill villagers tend to be shunned by their loved ones, their presence thought to bring nothing but misfortune. The forced isolation leads many into self-exile, finding a new life away from the judgement and terror of their peers. Others unfortunately succumb to self-harm and suicide, which their fellow villagers believe to be the handiwork of a satisfied vara'kyn.

Scientific Name

Undead