Himuas and Kaphras

Himuas, are horse-typed animals, whose body grows an armor of pure gold. Below the gold is no skin, so when removing the gold by force, the himua will die.

When himuas are born, the gold is very thin and therefore really soft. It becomes harder and thicker by time, but does not grow, so the himua usually rubs it off when it becomes too tight and a new soft gold-skin has grown underneath (similar to snakes).

On each side of their heads is a long hornswhich is slightly curved backwards. When fighting, they bow down the head to the ground, rushing to the enemy and trying to stab them with the horns.

A smaller horn is on their forehead.

Mares usually have less gold than stallions which makes them less heavy and faster. Stallions' horns often have  edges at the ends and the horn on their forehead is larger. As is the neck frill.

The eyes glow slightly and don't have eyelids, because himuas are incredibly fast runners and even blinking could cause them to oversee an  obstacle and stumble (which is dangerous at this speed). Their eyes are coverd with a thick skin that protects them.

Guardian elves live together with himuas, using them as a means of transport and protect them. Himuas are intelligent creatures so it's possible to build a long lasting friendship with them and become a team that acts in union. 

Once, even silver-himuas existed, but they got extinct a long time ago. Guardian elves say it was the humans who hunted them down until none of them was left. They were slower than gold-himuas so it is possible.

Kaphras are carnivorous horse-like animals. Some even call them "the demons of the swamps". 

Kaphras inhibit wide areas of Shadow Arindia and are especially often found in swampy areas. Their big horns and slender bodies enable them to walk on soggy ground without sinking in too much. 

They ambush their pray and stun it with their feelers. Then they carry it to their special feeding space and devour it there. Kaphras are rogues or live together in small groups with at least five animals. Mostly those unions are a stallion with a couple of mares. Kaphras occupy territories and patrol the borders every day. Intruders will be ripped apart unless they escape quickly enough. Kaphras devour everything that moves and they need a lot. Thus, the swamps are a dangerous place for everyone who doesn't know their way around. 

Kaphras are considered aggressive and obtrusive. Once chosen a target they won't let go of it and pursue it until they get it.