Magic-Starved Beasts

Magic-starved beasts are creatures spawned from the depths of a magic dead zone. They can take on a variety of forms, many of them vaguely resembling creatures found out in the world. Others, however, simply resemble monsters from the depths of one's nightmares. They are said to feed off of magic, often gorging themselves on it until they either can't move or quite literally pop. However, it has been observed that, if left to their own devices, they will eventually take that magic back to the nearest magic dead zone, whereupon it will be dispersed back into the environment one way or another.

Magic-starved beasts are generally classified as a form of undead, as that is the most common form that they take: that of creatures which have wasted away due to a lack of magic and have become reanimated via the power of anti-magic. This version typically lacks any sort of capacity for higher thought, simply seeking out sources of magic to feed upon until they are full.

Any individual who spends too long in a magic dead zone runs the risk of turning into a magic-starved beast. Those classified as fey are most susceptible to this, as they tend to carry high amounts of magic to begin with. It was once thought that those classified as "mundane" were immune, due to their seeming lack of magic, but that has been proven false over time. Mundane species simply take longer to be drained to the point of turning.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Magic-starved beasts typically live in and around magic dead zones, rarely traveling too far from the one they spawned in. On the rare occasions that they do travel far from home, it's often in search of fresh sources of magic to feed upon before retreating back to their lair. It's theorized that magic-starved beasts may actually play a role in returning magic to magic dead zones. It's been observed that some beasts that successfully feed outside the zone and return end up depositing the stolen magic back into the zone in some way. Over time, it is thought that this stolen magic will take hold in the area and make it habitable again.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Magic-starved beasts will consume any and every source of magic they can get their metaphorical hands on. Living things tend to be the greatest sources of magic, and as such, they are prone to either consuming vast quantities of plant matter or attacking and eating animals and people. They will typically prioritize the largest source of magic first, and go from there.