Imp

The imp is a creature of myth specific to the Barony of Vis, when it existed. There are accounts of sightings dating to that time. These accounts were collated and extrapolated upon by the third epoch naturalist Bershy Greogor. Existence of such a creature is only recorded by him, either because he was the only one to remark upon it, else all other mentions of such a creature have been lost.

According to Greogor, the imp exists in two sub-species; the wood-imp and the rock-imp. The wood-imp is described as being small of stature, no larger than a child in its first year, with large, forward-facing eyes, two rows of sharp teeth, pointed ears and pot bellies. They are also described as having hair of fantastic colour, ranging from violet and pink, to shocking oranges, blues and reds. They are carnivorous, according to Greogor, and have been spotted working cooperatively to take down prey as large as deer.

Rock-imps feature less in Greogor's accounts, as they are said to be familiars of the creatures he calls "forest demons." In his accounts, the rock-imps were darker brown, or even grey-skinned, and slightly larger than their forest kin, 'coming up to the middle of the thigh."  They too, are carnivourous, though whether or not they hunted cooperatively is unknown.

Imps of either sub-species are considered intelligent, if entirely childlike, and are known for mischief rather than malice, though the former can become the latter if an imp is insulted or abused. Folk tradition states that imps are fond of soft cheeses, and will, in exchange for a meal, do all manner of odd-jobs around a home. Should they be observed, or payment not received, they will lose their tempers and destroy whatever they can before vanishing from sight, and never returning.

There has been some speculation amongst scholars of mythology that the fír frjál of the Southern Archipelago are the same creature as the imps of the eastern unknown, or, at least, the existence of their myths originate from the same source.

Others argue that imps are more than mere myth, and that some of the skeletons in the archaeological record are not, in fact, deformed still-borns, but imps. It is true that their physical attributes, like larger eye sockets and oversized heads do align. However, the existence of imps is sorely called into question by the mere fact that no one on Doma has seen one. Indeed, no one living claims to have seen one of the free folk in Tíortha Briste, either.