Wendigo

There is always a price for feasting upon one's fellow man, for they will forever be damned to hunger for all time. - Ve'tal Shaman

Amongst the ancient tribes of the Great Forest, there are many tales of the creatures lurking in the shadows of their ancestral homeland that can make even the most courageous of men cower in fear. Yet, there is one amongst the darkness that all dare not speak its name, as its arrival only brings desperation and the loss of morals with reckless abandon. A Dark Spirit that takes hold of those broken by their hunger when they no longer bear to withstand its pains, dining upon anything that is within reach with ravenous greed, even their fellow man. Yet their satisfaction will not last as it strips away their humanity like a husk, leaving them as hollow as a rotting tree, cursed forever to know only an insatiable hunger for the forbidden flesh they were once made of, now replaced with rot and decay the life within it lost as the cold consumes it. One that can only be found in the silence of the merciless winter that steals the nourishment the land offers to its children and drains all of its warmth as its bone-chilling wind carries its dreaded name to all who speak it, Wendigo.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Wendigos are taller than any Human with an extended pair of arms and legs. Their bodies become thin and pale as all color is drained from their skin, with their fingers and toes extending to long, sharp claws to tear flesh and climb. The head is elongated with deer antlers coming out of them, but their teeth become razor sharp and can easily rip through flesh.

Biological Traits

Possessed Being: Like any spirit, they can possess a person and masquerade in their body for their use; the Wendigo, however, can only take control when they meet their requirements, mainly when they commit the taboo of cannibalism. Once that happens, the Wendigo spirit will take control of that person as its host and transform it into a monster form it is known to have. The Spirit will influence the host to crave Human flesh, and all near it will sense its evil presence as long as it maintains its physical form.
Ice Affinity : As the embodiment of winter, Wendigo often has power over ice and snow, being said to create blizzards and even travel upon them when hunting, usually leading to the area around them becoming harsher to be in. This also has a darker effect on all living things around them, causing them to feel a sense of dread and desperation from the conditions they have been forced to live through. It has caused its body to be strong and resist most damage, with the only exception being that of fire, which it quickly burns if it makes contact with it.
Twisted Monstrosity: Amongst the many Dark Spirits to exist, the Wendigo is one of the most infamous amongst them for its sadistic and savage nature in an attempt to satisfy its endless hunger. Their bodies are said to be as light as a feather, not making a sound or leaving tracks, yet have horrifying strength to ensure their prey does not escape. It will not be a quick death either, as it devours them alive as much as possible to savor its meal and is said to grow the more they eat for a time.

Genetics and Reproduction

The only way that a Wendigo is created is through the act of cannibalism, with the Dark Spirit accessioning the one that has committed the wicked act, taking over their body, and, as more time passes, beginning to shift and change into a more monstrous form.

Growth Rate & Stages

Once a Windego finds a suitable host, they become less human as time passes, becoming frail-looking and sickly, growing as time passes with extended limbs and enhanced reflexes.

Ecology and Habitats

Due to becoming the embodiment of winter, Wendigos are often found during the cold and harsh times, hunting anyone they come across in forested areas unaffected by the frozen landscape. Their favored time of the day is at night when they can easily hide without being seen and seen all around them.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They eat human flesh, and only that is because they always hunger more often, eating their victims alive as long as possible instead of killing them as they wish to savor the life that they take.

Biological Cycle

A Wendigo will often stay active during the winter season. It will usually hibernate for an extended period before reemerging during another winter, early spring, or fall to begin hunting again.

Behaviour

The only desire a Wendigo has is to feed to quell their never-ending hunger; though it is impossible to do so, it will not stop them from hunting and killing Human beings.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Wendigos hunt alone and prefer it that way. Any trace of their former Humanity has been stripped away from them; only the desire to feed remains, with no desire to interact with others of their kind. Those who come across each other often fight for control of hunting grounds.

Domestication

It is said that the only way to control a Windiego is to gain control of its icy heart, use it to enthrall it to one‘s will, and have it feast upon its enemies; however, it will often be too late before they realize that their hunger will always overwhelm them and feast upon their master once they lose control of their heart.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

A Wendigo's heart is considered highly valuable to those who practice Dark Magic, but as long as it remains, it lives on and will seek it out to reclaim it.

Facial characteristics

Elongated skull with jagged fangs

Geographic Origin and Distribution

It is believed that due to the ancient nature of the Great Forest, these dark spirits feel more comfortable in this untamed and wild land filled with darkness.

Average Intelligence

Despite losing their Humanity, Wendigos have not lost their intelligence, being able to track down their unsuspecting victims with horrifying accuracy, along with being able to mimic the voices of other Human beings to cause fear and confusion in those they hunt before killing them.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Sight: Excellent
Sound: Excellent
Smell: Excellent

Civilization and Culture

Common Myths and Legends

The Tribe of Bones: A wary tale of how the first of the Wendigo came to be from greed and pride.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Humans

Scientific Name

Class: Supernatural

Origin/Ancestry

Cannibalism

Lifespan

Immortal

Conservation Status

Unkown

Average Height

7 ft - 18 ft

Average Physique

Despite their slim and fragile-looking bodies, they are solid and durable, with a mix of bone, ice, rotting flesh, and withered plant material.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Greyish

Geographic Distribution

• Great Forest

Related Myths

• The Tribe of Bones

Embodiment of Evil

by Jester%

The Spirits aid in preserving life and harmony with the land, yet not all are so selfless and only take by harming all. - Shaman

Whenever a Wendigo appears, it is often considered a bad omen for all near its presence, for its wickedness has no bounds. It is often considered the embodiment of greed due to its overall nature of devouring to satiate its cannibalistic urges. To come across one means a painful and gruesome death to the unprepared, and the beast will not stop so long as it is bound to the world every winter; wards are placed in villages to ensure that such evil will never come near to feast on them all and should one arrive, only the spiritual power of a shaman or cleansing flame may destroy their form by removing its icy heart, but not its spirit it will move freely until it is sealed away within the earth or beyond using powerful magic.

Hunter of Terror

by Jester%

Finding a Wendigo on the hunt is often impossible, for it is everywhere and nowhere, only reliving itself when it prepares for the kill. - Tribal Brave Heart

The Wendigo embodies the hunter in its twisted way as they never go for the kill right away, savoring the suffering of their victims as much as possible until it is time to strike. Their greatest assets are fear and confusion by mimicking the voices of others and leading those who listen to them to become lost with no means of escape. They will often keep their distance by climbing through trees or traveling through blizzards to hide without making a sound, with even the larger ones being mistaken as trees watching their prey until they decide to go for the kill; this will not happen for hours, even days, as they slowly lose their minds until they choose otherwise.