Cockatrice

"Look, I'm not saying you have to eat the bloody thing, but at least look at it."
"No! It's gross!"
"Gross? You literally just ate a moldy carrot and you're calling a dead cockatrice gross?"

— The author is frankly pleased that they do not know who these individuals are

 

A Scratch in the Dark

  These creatures are rarely percieved as dangerous, despite their temperament and their hunting ability. With their piercing gaze, venom tipped tail, and six inch talons, they make a formidable opponent to any person who finds themselves in their territory.   They do not hunt simply for food, as one might expect, they also hunt for the pleasure of it; the thrill of chasing their prey through the grasses and trees of the Eight Lands. Where you see one, others will not be far. They hunt in groups, though precisely how many has never been discovered, it is believed their hunting packs are between three and five cockatrices.  

A Muffled Cry in the Night

  Their bodies are covered in dark feathers, from a deep blue to a blood red. Their noses are sharp and can find the scent of their next meal from miles away. Their eyes can pierce the dark of the night, and those walking with a lantern in the evening might find themselves with a pair of shining eyes staring right at them through the bushes.   Their bodies are long, their wings are sharp, and their stride is quick.   If you stand still, they will stare. If you run, they will chase. If you scream, they will strike.