Shadow Beasts

Youths growing up around the Two Towers are told stories of the Shadow Beasts. The stories of these monsters are used to teach children caution and the dangers of the world around them. Here are some of the stories told about Shadow Beasts.

• They say that the Jackalope has captured the souls of children who died during the apocalypse.  That he has commanded this shadow army to protect his stronghold, deep in the Two Towers.  These shadow beings attack the psychic soul stuff of trespassers, destroying the mind and leaving the bodies as ravening beasts.  These also become part of the Jackalope's protections.....
• Shadow beasts can be calmed or placated, allowing one to safely pass.  In order to do so, one has to recall the shadow beast to its former self.  
• They say that the city was cleansed in the Fires, that old people and old things were purged so new people and new things could emerge.  This Fire was not red or orange like you might huddle near for warmth on a chill evening, but a dark fire, all cold purples and blues and blacks.  And burned not just the flesh of those it touched, but their souls as well.
• The Fires did not leave ash in their wake, but something else, something worse.  When the Fires are finished with you, all that's left is a Shadow, hungry, lurking, angry, remembering nothing of its old life but hate, hate it bears towards you.
• Deep in everyone's heart, no matter how brave they are, lurks a fear.  And that is the truth of the Shadow Beasts: stray too close to the Towers, and you will catch their attention.  They have no form, but gazing into them, they gaze into you, and they reflect the fears they see.  Perhaps it is Spiders you fear, or Lizards, or Clowns, or something worse.  Whatever it is, the Shadow Beasts know, and that is the form they will take.
• The Shadow Beasts were a legendary biker gang that terrorized the area for years with brutal night time raids. Eventually, the members grew old and few, and went their separate ways. Some settled in and founded what is now known as Night Shadow.
• Shadow Beasts are the ghosts of pets that have succumbed to starvation or radiation poisoning. They guard the last known dwelling place of their masters, attacking anyone who may threaten their owners' eternal slumber.
• Shadow Beasts can be burned by light, but only if it's artificially-produced from a light bulb or an old neon sign, otherwise they have no fear of torchlight, handheld lighters, or bonfires.
• Shadow Beasts ride other creatures and feed on their emotions. You can tell if a human has a Shadow Beast riding them because they will seem emotionless and even humorless, and their shadows will display frills and edges as if quills and fur were growing out of their body.
• Eating human flesh can protect you from the Shadow Beasts.

Some of these are true. Some are merely legends.