Klaus

Besterium Mysterium

• Excerpt from Gedwydd's Besterium Mysterium:
  
  Alphyns are a rare and little known species of heraldic beast, not unlike gryphons, unicorns, and dragons. They are Germanic in origin, but have been thought to have spread beyond those borders across Europe. They are described as predominately wolflike, but with much thicker fur, a large mane not unlike a lion's, and long, thin ears. Their tail is long and thin, a knot tied somewhere in its length, with a long tuft of fur on its tip. There are often tufts of fur all over the alphyn's body, namely legs and hindquarters.
  
  There are some variations of alphyns, some with the forelegs of an eagle or dragon, and the hinds of a goat or wolf. Some have been said to breathe fire and others exceptional magic weavers. What seems to hold true for all alphyns is their aversion to iron, leading some to believe fae ancestry.
  
  Alphyns have been said to be fairly vain beasts, particularly in regard to their manes. Whether male or female, they sport impressive, silky fur and will groom themselves frequently. It is suggested that the appearance of an alphyn's mane and fur determines social standing and the potential to attract a partner. Even alphyns disguised in human form - which they have been said to possess on occasion - tend to their coif compulsively.
  
  Due to their taste for all meat, including human and furre alike, and their luxurious pelts alphyns have been hunted extensively in the past. Due to their evasive nature it is difficult to estimate how many alphyns remain, but the sharp decline of confirmed sightings and even belief in these creatures does not bode well for the alphyn.
  
  Another characteristic of the alphyn that supports draconic ancestry is their compulsion to hoard. Though largely solitary, alphyns have a tendency to become infatuated and even obsessed with an individual that catches their interest. This infatuation will often progress to the point of extreme possessiveness and the alphyn often kidnaps the object of their fancy and hold them captive in their dens. An alphyn may 'collect' more than one person at a time but the more people in the alphyn's sight increases the chances of it favouring one over the others - and given their tendency to devour those that no longer interest them, it's in one's best interest to be the only object of the alphyn's desire.
  
  There is no true way of determining what kind of person will draw an alphyn's attention. It is a common misconception that young men and women, particularly those that are vain and of unusual beauty, are at most risk but evidence suggests that almost anyone could catch the eye of an alphyn. Each alphyn likely has their own taste rather than all having the same single interest. There is a particularly detailed account of an aged farmer stolen from his estate and held captive for three years, during which his alphyn captor - surprisingly a male by the name of Haffyd - doted upon him and cared for him like a lover. Even more shocking is that Haffyd returned the farmer, unharmed, three years later after the farmer expressed desire for his own wife.
  
  There is more to the elusive and rare alphyn than savagery, but it is unlikely many more questions will be answered given this age of dwindling numbers and forgetful lorekeepers.