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Description
After the fall of the Scourge of Steel, the many kingdoms came together to discuss the future, and danger, of magic. The immense Mancer had nearly destroyed their civilization, and the people now realized how devastating the unchecked practice of magic could be. Calls and demand for regulation were made loud and clear, as the public now feared the Mancers and the mages they were born from. The response to this outcry was the Akristikos, a powerful, yet odd, order of warriors who monitored and hunted mages. These humming hunters patrolled the cities and wilds, making sure the rules and regulations were followed. Those who grew past their limits were tracked down and drained, while those who defied the system and endangered the public were swiftly terminated. The Akristikos were unmatched when it came to taking down unruly mages and illegal sorcerers, their loud blades and bells turning omnipotent warlocks into powerless fools. Though their unique weaponry and unnatural skill made them incredible warriors, what made them nearly unstoppable was the fact that they never worked alone.

Born through experimentation and mutation, the Lancers were one of the species that aided the Akristikos in their duties. Like the Gallows Leech, Pharyngollus and Ixioms, they were created to serve these hunters and designed to take down magic users. The Lancers were made for speed and agility, resulting in a creature that could run down fleeing offenders and dodge the spells of desperate attackers. Though their legs were thin, they were capable of great bursts of speed and powerful leaps. Those who tried to escape from judgement could possibly outrun one of the hunters, but they would never outpace a Lancer. Even when violators fled to rooftops or crowded city streets, the swift creatures would remain in pursuit, expertly dodging traffic or leaping from building to building with ease. While they excelled at chasing down escapees, they were also often used to ambush and surprise. While their hunter barged into a mage's study, they would be waiting outside the exits, ready to nab the offender if they tried to sneak out. In other cases, it would work the other way around. The speedy raptors would dash wildly around a sorcerer's dwelling, drawing their attention as the Akristikos crept in to incapacitate them. Many violators would take aim at the Lancers, oblivious to the thunderous sword that was about to bash their head in.

When it came to dealing with a defiant magic user, the Lancer's approach was a simple, but efficient one. Their quick bodies and strong legs allowed them to move at incredible speeds and gave them a surprising amount of agility. Spells, swords and arrows found it difficult to hit one of these creatures when they were on the move. Their thin legs were also capable of delivering withering kicks, often sending foes flying back from the force. With sharp talons on the end of these appendages, they could easily turn one of these blows into a gutting attack. Their primary weapon, though, was their proboscis. This weapon could be used to pierce, slash, but most importantly, drain. Like the Ixioms, Lancers could feed on raw mana, which was extracted from a mage's Splenius magus. Low-tier offenders were pinned down and the Lancer would use their proboscis to pierce and drain this muscle. By feeding, they would greatly weaken the Splenius magus, knocking professional sorcerers down to the strength of novice. Though this would not permanently cripple the muscle, the magic user now had to rehabilitate and retrain in order to return to the strength they once had. While Lancers could carry out this sentence, they were not as precise and controlled as Ixioms or a Gallows Leech. The others could remove measured amounts, making punishments heavier or lighter to fit the crime. When Lancer's fed, it was more crude and messy, often damaging the muscle in painful ways. With this, Lancers were often called to drain when one needed to incapacitate attackers mid-battle. Those who fought back against the Akristikos were immediately given a heavier sentence, meaning that the Lancer's damaging proboscis was a fitting tool. Using their speed, the Lancers would outmaneuver an opponent and pierce their neck. With a quick drain, they would weaken the foe and remove their mana source. From there, their hunter could come in and decide the violator's fate. Even if they were not needed to drain, the proboscis of a Lancer was a deadly weapon. At a standstill, they could peck with enough force to pierce skin and leather. They could also jab through armor if they aimed for a weak point. At full speed, Lancers could impale attackers and carry their corpses away without missing a beat. Covens who tried to take down a hunter and their companions would be surprised to find their members vanishing in thin air. While they would suspect magic or teleportation, it was often a Lancer running at full speed to turn their entire body into a living ballista bolt.

Even with their blinding speeds and deadly proboscis, Lancers had more ways to aid their hunting partner. With their size and strength, they could serve as mounts for the Akristikos, which they often did. With specialized saddles, their hunter would ride them across the countryside, running from town to town in search of violators. Even when burdened with an armored warrior, Lancers were capable of running faster than horses, which was important when offenders tried to escape this way. They would chase down the fleeing target, while their hunter used their blade or bell to deflect incoming spells. When they closed in, the Lancer would use their proboscis to stab into the horse's legs and drop them. This often resulted in a messy crash for the fleeing mage, but it did mean that the Lancer would have a tasty horse carcass to feed on when all was done.

Hunters who bonded with Lancers would always keep two of them at their side. Since Lancers worked well as a group, the Akristikos thought it was important for them to have brethren to help in the hunts and a playmate on the off hours. Like the other companion creatures, Lancers were well loved by their Akristikos. When not on a hunt, their companion would be more than happy to play with them, or let them run wild in the fields for a bit of fun. If the hunter had some coin, they would buy fresh fruits and juicy meats for the Lancer to suck on, often feeding them first before getting a meal for themselves. During travel, the Akristikos would always alternate between mounts, making sure each had time to rest. In some cases, their hunter would choose to go on foot, refusing to overwork them if they were exhausted. With the bond between them, Lancers and Akristikos were efficient hunters and devoted friends. The team would often have a special series of whistles and tunes they would sing in order to communicate and coordinate a strike. This personal code allowed the group to perform takedowns and hunts in even the most crowded places with ease and efficiency. Though Lancers were built for battle, their hunting companions would do anything to keep them from being injured. If given the choice, their hunter would not hesitate for a moment to throw themselves between their Lancer and an incoming spell. The love between the Akristikos and their companions was unbreakable, even when the tides began to turn for the order. When the kings grew greedy and the system began to be dismantled, they continued to work side-by-side, regardless of orders and dismissals. Even as their own kingdoms turned on them and began their own hunts, they refused to part from one another. In the end, when the great armies came and the arrows fell upon them like rain, they charged into battle together, ready to fight alongside their companion for one final hunt.

To this day, no Lancers have been seen. Like the others, it is believed that they all perished alongside their hunters.

Description
After the fall of the Scourge of Steel, the many kingdoms came together to discuss the future, and danger, of magic. The immense Mancer had nearly destroyed their civilization, and the people now realized how devastating the unchecked practice of magic could be. Calls and demand for regulation were made loud and clear, as the public now feared the Mancers and the mages they were born from. The response to this outcry was the Akristikos, a powerful, yet odd, order of warriors who monitored and hunted mages. These humming hunters patrolled the cities and wilds, making sure the rules and regulations were followed. Those who grew past their limits were tracked down and drained, while those who defied the system and endangered the public were swiftly terminated. The Akristikos were unmatched when it came to taking down unruly mages and illegal sorcerers, their loud blades and bells turning omnipotent warlocks into powerless fools. Though their unique weaponry and unnatural skill made them incredible warriors, what made them nearly unstoppable was the fact that they never worked alone.

Born through experimentation and mutation, the Lancers were one of the species that aided the Akristikos in their duties. Like the Gallows Leech, Pharyngollus and Ixioms, they were created to serve these hunters and designed to take down magic users. The Lancers were made for speed and agility, resulting in a creature that could run down fleeing offenders and dodge the spells of desperate attackers. Though their legs were thin, they were capable of great bursts of speed and powerful leaps. Those who tried to escape from judgement could possibly outrun one of the hunters, but they would never outpace a Lancer. Even when violators fled to rooftops or crowded city streets, the swift creatures would remain in pursuit, expertly dodging traffic or leaping from building to building with ease. While they excelled at chasing down escapees, they were also often used to ambush and surprise. While their hunter barged into a mage's study, they would be waiting outside the exits, ready to nab the offender if they tried to sneak out. In other cases, it would work the other way around. The speedy raptors would dash wildly around a sorcerer's dwelling, drawing their attention as the Akristikos crept in to incapacitate them. Many violators would take aim at the Lancers, oblivious to the thunderous sword that was about to bash their head in.

When it came to dealing with a defiant magic user, the Lancer's approach was a simple, but efficient one. Their quick bodies and strong legs allowed them to move at incredible speeds and gave them a surprising amount of agility. Spells, swords and arrows found it difficult to hit one of these creatures when they were on the move. Their thin legs were also capable of delivering withering kicks, often sending foes flying back from the force. With sharp talons on the end of these appendages, they could easily turn one of these blows into a gutting attack. Their primary weapon, though, was their proboscis. This weapon could be used to pierce, slash, but most importantly, drain. Like the Ixioms, Lancers could feed on raw mana, which was extracted from a mage's Splenius magus. Low-tier offenders were pinned down and the Lancer would use their proboscis to pierce and drain this muscle. By feeding, they would greatly weaken the Splenius magus, knocking professional sorcerers down to the strength of novice. Though this would not permanently cripple the muscle, the magic user now had to rehabilitate and retrain in order to return to the strength they once had. While Lancers could carry out this sentence, they were not as precise and controlled as Ixioms or a Gallows Leech. The others could remove measured amounts, making punishments heavier or lighter to fit the crime. When Lancer's fed, it was more crude and messy, often damaging the muscle in painful ways. With this, Lancers were often called to drain when one needed to incapacitate attackers mid-battle. Those who fought back against the Akristikos were immediately given a heavier sentence, meaning that the Lancer's damaging proboscis was a fitting tool. Using their speed, the Lancers would outmaneuver an opponent and pierce their neck. With a quick drain, they would weaken the foe and remove their mana source. From there, their hunter could come in and decide the violator's fate. Even if they were not needed to drain, the proboscis of a Lancer was a deadly weapon. At a standstill, they could peck with enough force to pierce skin and leather. They could also jab through armor if they aimed for a weak point. At full speed, Lancers could impale attackers and carry their corpses away without missing a beat. Covens who tried to take down a hunter and their companions would be surprised to find their members vanishing in thin air. While they would suspect magic or teleportation, it was often a Lancer running at full speed to turn their entire body into a living ballista bolt.

Even with their blinding speeds and deadly proboscis, Lancers had more ways to aid their hunting partner. With their size and strength, they could serve as mounts for the Akristikos, which they often did. With specialized saddles, their hunter would ride them across the countryside, running from town to town in search of violators. Even when burdened with an armored warrior, Lancers were capable of running faster than horses, which was important when offenders tried to escape this way. They would chase down the fleeing target, while their hunter used their blade or bell to deflect incoming spells. When they closed in, the Lancer would use their proboscis to stab into the horse's legs and drop them. This often resulted in a messy crash for the fleeing mage, but it did mean that the Lancer would have a tasty horse carcass to feed on when all was done.

Hunters who bonded with Lancers would always keep two of them at their side. Since Lancers worked well as a group, the Akristikos thought it was important for them to have brethren to help in the hunts and a playmate on the off hours. Like the other companion creatures, Lancers were well loved by their Akristikos. When not on a hunt, their companion would be more than happy to play with them, or let them run wild in the fields for a bit of fun. If the hunter had some coin, they would buy fresh fruits and juicy meats for the Lancer to suck on, often feeding them first before getting a meal for themselves. During travel, the Akristikos would always alternate between mounts, making sure each had time to rest. In some cases, their hunter would choose to go on foot, refusing to overwork them if they were exhausted. With the bond between them, Lancers and Akristikos were efficient hunters and devoted friends. The team would often have a special series of whistles and tunes they would sing in order to communicate and coordinate a strike. This personal code allowed the group to perform takedowns and hunts in even the most crowded places with ease and efficiency. Though Lancers were built for battle, their hunting companions would do anything to keep them from being injured. If given the choice, their hunter would not hesitate for a moment to throw themselves between their Lancer and an incoming spell. The love between the Akristikos and their companions was unbreakable, even when the tides began to turn for the order. When the kings grew greedy and the system began to be dismantled, they continued to work side-by-side, regardless of orders and dismissals. Even as their own kingdoms turned on them and began their own hunts, they refused to part from one another. In the end, when the great armies came and the arrows fell upon them like rain, they charged into battle together, ready to fight alongside their companion for one final hunt.

To this day, no Lancers have been seen. Like the others, it is believed that they all perished alongside their hunters.