Gauthic Beasts

Often called monsters, transformed animals are a common form of Gauthic creation. The inherent intelligence and personality of the original subjects make it easier to control, or at least predict, the behaviour of the final result.   Chimerae, in which two or more creatures are fused to combine their desired traits, are the most common. Popular subjects include lesser dragons for their power, great predators for ferocity and focus, and hounds or steeds for loyalty. Particular examples include griffins and hippogriffs, manticores, and the various amalgams simply known as chimeras.   Much rarer are innovations, unique new forms, distilled from alchemical concoctions like a homonculus, but given true life instead of a mere facsimile. The most successful of these creations may find their own place to occupy in the world.   Superlatives are natural animals enhanced, usually through investment and transmutation, to possess prodigious size or uncanny powers. These beasts are often then bred to further develop their abilities. This category includes a number of fae creatures, such as the blink dog. Where these transformations are divinely affected, such creatures are called paragons, and include pegasi and unicorns. Conversely, those transformed by infernal or abyssal forces into hellhounds, nightmares and the like, as known as defilements.   When the attempt to create gauthic life goes awry and especially when Otherfire is drawn into the process, the results can be corrupted. These creatures are driven by a depthless hunger and hate, their bodies constantly eaten away and preserved by the Otherfire. They are often called abominations.