Hoodbeast Open Species Updates and Info

Hoodbeasts are an intelligent magical species that reside in the same realm as Mantelbeasts. They live among niches, and sometimes feed off of the niche's energy to stay alive. They always have a 'favourite energy' to eat.
Though they do sometimes resemble certain niches, they do not protect them like the Mantelbeasts do, and do not need to reside within any specific niche to survive. 
The Hoodbeasts can act as familiars/companions to Mantelbeasts or other sentient species, though some may choose to live without a companion and instead form a community/pack of other Hoodbeasts.

What does it look like?

Hoodbeasts are, in their most basic state, a gaseous cloudy spirit. They are often mistaken for Wil-o-wisps, though are notably different for their glowing eyes that float within their smokey form.
When a Hoodbeast wishes to find a physical body, it will inhabit an article of clothing or other cloth accessory. The most popular are cloaks, cowls, scarves, and hooded robes. However, it isn't uncommon for them to go after other things like bandages, pants, shirts, ribbons, dresses, etc. 

Much more uncommon is the habitation of a hard object such as a piece of armor, a headpiece, or pottery.*

*the use of a hard object as your Hoodbeast's base body is forbidden for Open creation.

Once they've found a body, the Hoodbeast reforms the garment to suit it's tastes, usually mimicking other animals or lifeforms. However, the face of the Hoodbeast is always hollow. Smoke or gas can always be seen floating within the opening of the garment, along with the beast's eyes. There may be the formation of a mouth or beak. It is important to note that this face is not solid and will appear to sink back into the opening.
Hoodbeasts (being literal cloth bags full of smoke) are soft to the touch and if squeezed they will sort of deflate. If a Hoodbeast feels threatened they can escape their body and fly away as their original smokey form. Likewise, if their cloth body is torn/damaged or destroyed they will be forced to leave it and search for another. They are very weak and vulnerable like this, but extremely slippery and hard to contain.

Hoodbeasts have 2 main forms: Bipedal and Quadrupedal

Bipedal

The Biped form is the most commonly used form for Hoodbeasts. It is easy to maintain and doesn't require much energy. This form is the smallest; usually cat or small dog sized. It is important to note that this form is not humanoid, but rather anthropomorphic. They always will have animal digitigrade legs!
The article the Hoodbeast originally inhabited is very easy to decipher in this form.

Quadrupedal

The Quad form is the second most common form. It takes a bit more energy to achieve and is used mostly for feral activities such as hunting, fighting, and sneaking. This form can reach sizes of large dogs. It is important to note that this form is feral and can mimic a number of bestial animals.

/Beast/

There is a Third form, commonly referred to as a Beast Form. This form can only be achieved by Hoodbeasts with great control and energy. It takes many years for a Hoodbeast to master this transformation. This form is large, and can become as big as the largest horses. It is important to note that this form is extemporized from the Hoodbeast's Quadruped form. Hoodbeasts who achieve this form are often given magical help from Mantelbeast companions.

Size and Form Cont.

A Hoodbeast's base size is of a small dog, but can change it's size at will. A Hoodbeast copies the shape of something to a certain degree; imitating different animals (though they still retain a majority of their original form). 
As stated before, Hoodbeasts are magical. They use most of their magic for shifting, though with enough skill and concentration the magic can be used for travel (through warping), or even offense and defense.


Any questions? Please feel free to ask!
Otherwise, happy creating!