Animmaculates

> [Wolf’s howl, lion’s roar, elephant’s trumpeting, all mixed in with the click and whirr of gears and the grinding of metal on metal]
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The term “Animmaculate” refers not to a single type of creature, but rather to a wide variety of hobgoblins that share common characteristics. All Animmaculates appear to be composed of a synthesis of clockwork parts integrated into the body of a normal animal. A wide variety of these creatures has been reported, both carnivorous and herbivorous — lions, antelope, bears, horses, owls, serpents, wolves, and hyenas. Even smaller and domestic animals such as cats, dogs, mice, rats, fish, and insects have been seen.

Whether these creatures evolved naturally — if anything can be said to occur “naturally” within the Hedge — or are the creation of one of the Keepers is unknown. Some scholars point to an oh-so-scientific Fae noble called the Clockwork Queen, but can’t rightly swear that she’s responsible for all the Animmaculates prowling the Thorns. No two, even of the same basic animal type, seem to be identical. For example, Jeremy Question, a Wizened Oracle travelling through the Hedge to visit a friend, reported seeing an Animmaculate leopard with claws made out of curved metal barbs like fishhooks, and a tail made of long, rubber-sheathed cable. Several months later, Laughing Amelia, Chicago’s then-Queen of Spring, told her paramour about an Animmaculate leopard she had seen while searching for goblin fruits. The creature she spotted, however, had compound eyes made up of numerous camera lenses, a coat made of metallic fibres, and cog-work wheels grinding slowly in its jaws, rather than fangs.

The “immaculate” root of the creature name refers to the fact that the creatures do not seem to eat, drink, or excrete. Although some sightings have mentioned creatures that incorporate solar cells, steam engines, or even small windmill vanes into their bodies, it is unknown if these parts actually provide the creatures with energy and take the place of the normal digestive system. The creatures do not appear to reproduce as mundane animals do, and it is uncertain as to whether they can do so at all.

There is one other fact worth noting. Normal animals — those that aren’t Hedge Beasts, but simply lost — loathe and despise Animmaculate creatures. This reaction is especially pronounced when the normal animal is the same overall sort as the Animmaculate it encounters. The stray alley cat that has recently wandered into the Hedge will hiss, spit, and yowl when faced with an Animmaculate cat. It is unknown whether the mortal animal recognises any degree of kinship with the hobgoblin, or simply realises that such a change could happen to it, but in every instance, the flight or fight response takes over. Natural animals will either destroy the Animmaculate animal if it can, or flee if the Animmaculate is more powerful than it is, which usually tends to be the case.

Although Animmaculate creatures vary widely, some generalisations can be made about them. First of all, there do not appear to be any that are entirely mechanical. From what accounts are known, no Animmaculates have been spotted that are more than 50% mechanical, and most that have been seen are a good deal less than that, usually in the neighbourhood of 15% to 30%.

Secondly, the mechanical parts that substitute for the normal portions of their body always seem to do so in a way that does not hinder or hamper the creatures. For instance, legs are never replaced with wheels on muddy or stony terrain where wheels could not travel. Although the replacement of parts may seem to be random, they are always functional, and in many instances function better than the creature’s flesh-and-blood parts would be.

While Animmaculate predators such as wolves, bears, and panthers will stalk and kill changelings, hobgoblins, and other animals they encounter, this behaviour seems to be a remnant of instinct. No one has ever seen an Animmaculate predator eat a living creature they have hunted and slain. However, on the whole, Animmaculate creatures seem to bear no specific malevolence toward other creatures, and such deaths are rare.

Animmaculate creatures are always knowledgeable about the general area in which they lair, and may be persuaded to aid travellers for an appropriate recompense. On rare occasions, Animmaculate creatures have been convinced to accompany changelings or other hobgoblins on visits through the Hedge for short periods of time. They will never do so without being offered some form of reward, such as goblin fruits, tokens, or information.