#ghul

WALdSCHRAtE (FORESt SPIRItS)

These shapeshifters—also known as woodland beings or tree spirits—call ancient groves their home.

Some legends claim they can assume any form: from a stooped elder with skin like bark and hair made of moss and twigs, to a massive, clawed beast with antlers crowning its skull, or even ordinary forest predators like wolves, wildcats, and bears—or a flock of birds.

A forest spirit is extremely dangerous in combat, as it can summon the forest and all its inhabitants to its aid.Its command over both animals and plants leads many to regard it as the master of the forest. In some regions of the world, these creatures are even worshipped; a form of nature cult has developed around them, retaining followers in isolated forest communities to this day.

The inhabitants of these villages offer small game or birds to the forest spirit, worshipping it under the name Kerun or Kernos. These religious traditions have also spawned many legends of benevolent forest spirits that drive prey toward hunters, guide lost pilgrims back to the path, or rescue travelers from bandits.

The latter notion is entirely unfounded, however, as forest spirits are fiercely territorial and claim the woods they inhabit as their own domain.

Now, here is where the classification system really breaks down. While 80% of these guys fit the description, you can’t really call jinn “demons”. But they didn’t really fit into any other group, being creatures of fire. In a bigger roster of creatures I would organize them based on their origins and habitat, similar to how I’m doing the bestiary entries. 

Ghoul - Based on a page from the Shahnameh. Looking back, it kina looks like a bigger, meaner version of a satyr. It’s ability in the game is similar to Zoroark from Pokemon to reference folklore where ghouls (ghul in Arabic) shape-shift to try and trick travelers. 

Rakshasa - Based on some Indonesian puppets I found on wikimedia. Rakshasa are sometimes depicted as typical demons and other times are depicted as animal-headed people. I went with the former and gave him a bronze ngao. 

Jinn - I did this drawing before I started reading Legends of the Fire Spirits by Robert Lebling. It’s a very good reference for jinn folklore and opened my eyes to the many different varieties and regional differences. Going back I’d call this guy a marid, a very powerful jinn, and do artwork for the others. 

Angel - Here referring to the lowest rank of angel in the Christian hierarchy. Only the lowest two are here for simplicity. Per Islamic tradition, angels are made of pure light, which inspired a lot of their designs. This little angel represents both a candle light and starlight. 

Archangel - Hey, it’s our good friend Ariel! Or at least his color scheme. It’s meant to be evocative of sunsets and sunrises. The flaming sword is obligatory because it’s the most recognizable sign of an archangel. 

Incubus - Again inspired by the incubus/succubus designs of BangbooDoragon. The latex colors and bat motif are amazing; please go follow him. 

Imp - I was torn between doing a very generic sort of imp demon and doing a Boschian little guy. In the end I did both. 

"All except the Witch-king were apt to stray when alone by daylight. And all, but the Witch-king, feared water, and were unwilling but in dire need, to enter or to cross unless dryshod by a bridge."

We know the Nazgul can/do walk in daylight, just not much, and that their powers are at least diminished by it.

"Of Khamûl it is said here that he was the most ready of all the Nazgûl, after the Black Captain himself, to perceive the presence of the ring, but also the one whose power was most confused and diminished by the daylight."

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 4, The Hunt for the Ring Notes 1

What inspired this I wonder though? Not crossing moving waters is a theme common in many a monster/demon myth from cultures, same with sunlight hurting monsters/demons - I'm wondering if there is any specific lore Tolkien drew from (creature specifically) on/for that one. Don't just say Norse - no shit. The Hobbit is Beowulf.

Not my point. I've gone into the etymology of Nazgul before and the Arabic ghul, as well as other sources.

Audrey Cordelia Redmond (20). The young woman had always been a child of contradictions. As the daughter of the director of Rikers Island, she enjoys the privilege and refinement of New York City’s high society. Yet, that world alone is not enough for her. Her days are spent half-heartedly attending lectures at Barnard College, where she studies art history—more to pass the time than out of genuine passion. Audrey discovered early on that life extends beyond the gilded dinner parties and elegant balls of her social circle. Fascinated by contrast, she occasionally seeks adventure in the city’s shadows, where she encounters figures who would never grace the pristine halls of her world. The stories she hears about the inmates of Rikers—often shared by her father, a stern and dutiful man—spark her curiosity about life and the people on the other side of the law.

New York by Night - Red Carpet