Violent, misanthropic killers by reputation, a barghest is similar enough to a man in size and posture, and will often wear stolen rags for warmth, that its true unseelie nature may not be discovered until it is upon its victim. Using massive spade-like teeth and a distendable jaw, the barghest will kill by crushing or slashing its prey’s throat, after which it will dismember the body to get at the long bones, which it will crack open and suck dry for sustenance. Though attacks on humans are relatively rare, barghest predation on cattle and other livestock has led to its ruthless suppression and hunting, and there are some in the Collegium who believe that less than 1000 of these creatures yet persist in the Emperor-King’s realm.

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