Dark Sun: The Scorched World of Athas
Tembo
A horrific beast, roughly the size of an erdlu, this quadruped is covered in a rock-like hide with jutting spikes of stone and crystal. It has a cat-like head with large ears, reddish eyes and a wide jaw filled with dagger-like fangs. The malign intelligence behind its glowing eyes is the most horrific aspect.
Nothing ends a disagreement in a settlement as quickly as the rumor of a tembo approaching. Everyone, regardless of race, culture, or prejudices, despises tembos. A real-life bogeyman, the tembo creeps under the balnket of night to steal away the beloved – brides and beaus, mothers and brothers. Even animla companions have been taken. A tembo kills for food and pleasure. Though intelligent and capable of speech, it shows no remorse, and its chilling laughter echoes through the soul.