Legends

I forgot Boar!!!! Nooooo! I knew I forgot something! Damn it! Damn it all!

Anyway, I thought I'd do a little piece with all my Dead Hills animal Legends in it

Important animals
* Demsck (Demishka) - The Sun Hare, he is symbol of Light and Exorcism, it is he who first woke the Sun King from the Night Woods, and also he who drives away demons and evil at the end of each year in the Utru Demscka Festival (Or Night Sun). This night falls at the very end of the year and all Natives celebrate it, it's a night to remain awake with all doors and windows open, houses constantly lit to drive the evil into the street. The Festival only comes to an end on Imble Demscka or Morning Sun, the first day of Spring, when it is said that the Sun King truly wakes from the trance of Winter and Demsck guides him to see the new world.

* Sckelg (Ishkelg) - Crow, the Dead Hills Messenger of Death and only Creature of the Beginning not to have the celestial Mark on him. Crow was once beautiful and a great singer and bard, he was bidden by the Sun King to venture out and seek out the True Meaning of Sorrow and Despair, this he did, and stumbled upon Man, who told him of Death. Crow is the only creature to have entered Death's Domain while still living, there he gazed upon His lands, and finally upon Death Himself, and discovered what he was seeking. For trespassing, Crow was punished to become Death's Messenger and to also punish Man by reminding him that Death is always inevitable.
Crow is regarded as one of the most feared of all the Creatures of the Beginning, but also highly revered by the Dead Hills people, who regard their dead highly. He is still father of stories, but has become very closely related with Death (He is NOT Death, the Dead Hills Natives do regard Death as a separate entity)

* Srista (Ishrishta) - Snake, envoy of the Moon, Snake is the symbol of Change and Renewal, thus he is a harbinger of swift and sudden change, either for good or for bad. He is sacred to the Moon Goddess, for it was she who gave him the gift of change. Despite snakes being regarded as evil in many other cultures, the Dead Hills see him as merciful and a swift granter of justice or retribution, hence often law enforcers have symbols of snakes about them.

Other animals
* Kulayuo - Vixen, is the symbol of Protection against demons and spirits, she is renowned for being a demon slayer and even got her red colour from the blood of one. However, she can also be the symbol of treachery and murder
* Roic - Bear, is the symbol of strength and bravery, but is also a glutton and very lazy, he is the strongest of his animal Brethren, however not the smartest, often charging into things with his brawn. Bear is often compared a lot to Vixen, who is his intelligent counterpart. However Bear is also compassionate and symbol of the Father, who protects his family.
* Haegan - Boar (not in this picture!) is the symbol of War and aggression. Boar is often stubborn and distrusting of others. He believes solely in his own abilities and often his people are at war with others. Boar however is the symbol of Warriors and knights who believe in what they fight for.
* Warakh - Stag (very similar to the Ruinon "Wark") is symbol of Royalty and Sense, he is the voice of reason and protector of the Whole. He is often the symbol of the Chief or Village Lord, he who protects his people and rules them fairly and with common sense and regard to what is best (not always what is right!). Stag however is a very vain creature and will often not interfere in the problems of others, he cares only for his people and this often makes him blind to danger.
* Ummarska (Ummarishka) - Owl, she is often depicted as many types of owl, not just one. She is symbol of the Grand Mother, head of the family and teacher to all. She is wise and caring and has knowledge that others do not. Owl is the one who all the animals come to for aid and all listen to her, even Bear and Stag. Owl is also symbol of Magic and Mysticism, and is often associated with Witches (which is not a good thing) and has been connected also to the untimely death of small children and babies, hence whenever Natives heard or saw an owl hunting, they would often call a plea out to her to not take their child.
* Jun (Yun) - Wolf. Loyalty in numbers, symbol of group strength and family. Wolf is always first to suggest his people if help is needed. He is the symbol of Strength of the Whole and unity, however, without his brothers and sisters, Wolf is the symbol of madness and savagery, without his people Wolf can be wild and brutal in desperation, symbol of distrust and violence.
* Ririk (Ririkha) - Rat, agile of mind and body, Rat is the symbol of Teacher (for good or for bad), he is happy to pass on his skill but does not distinguish between good or bad, to teach is not to question what the student will become, so long as he has the knowledge. Rat is also symbol of disease and famine, bringer of Punishment or Riches, it is his dual nature as knowledge can either bring good or bad.