AKA: Flying Men of Cabwaylingo

A winged, humanoid creature from the Appalachian region, Pipisanguisuge sleeps in the cool depths of caves during the day, and sucks the blood of unlucky victims at night. This dangerous species of large bat is most numerous in the plateaus of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. They settle in secluded areas with large food supplies, migrating to a new area if prey becomes scarce. In 2018, there were multiple reports of these ominous, dark forms flying high in the evening skies of Cabwaylingo State Forest.

Pipisanguisuges are smaller than an average human－ranging between 3 to 3.5 ft tall and 30 to 45 lbs－but have a massive, 10 ft wingspan. The creatures have muscular, squat, human-like legs and are completely covered in a curly coat of black fur; their arms are lanky and three times the length of their legs, with a thin, leathery membrane connecting the wrists to the spine. Their torsos are also thin and boney, with vertebrae and rib cages noticeably pronounced. They can nimbly scale a cliff-edge or mountainside with incredible speed, fly at 60 mph, leap 6 ft from a squatting position, and their powerful wings can create strong gusts. Most familiar, Pipisanguisuges have bat-like faces with large, pointed ears, pug noses, and small, short snouts; their eyes are a pale white, with little color present in the iris. They also have five spindly, 3- jointed fingers on each hand with a rudimentary grasping ability.

These bat humanoids do not live as long as their smaller companions; males live for about ten years, and females seven. White-nose syndrome － a disease killing large quantities of hibernating North American bats－also affects the Pipisanguisuge population.

Diet & Feeding

Pipisanguisuges are hematophagic (subsist entirely on blood) 1 and hunt only when it is fully dark; the creatures are mostly blind in environments brightened by light and their skin is sensitive to the sunlight, easily burning. Like other bats, they emit pulses comprised of low sounds to navigate and locate prey. Thermoception is used to identify the most efficient place on the warm-blooded animal to feed. The bats will prey on any nearby blood source－birds, livestock, or any other, warm-blooded beings.

If a small creature is located, the Pipisanguisuge will swoop down over the sleeping or fleeing animal, grasp it in its large, clawed hands, bite the head off, and lap up its blood, squeezing its carcass. Large targets require more time and effort. At first, the bat will utilize stealth to sneak up on a sleeping victim or surprise a cautious one; in an incredibly quick motion, the Pipisanguisuge will either mortally wound the creature with a series of bites or twist of the neck. Prey that fights back or attempts to escape are dealt with in a similar manner; instead of strength, the vampire relies on speed and quick reflexes to evade, pin, and slay an opponent.

Each Pipisanguisuge requires ¾ of a liter of blood per day (about an entire human body’s amount of blood per week) to survive; if overfed, it will skip a day or two of hunting. Before drinking blood, the creature will remove any fur or hair with their sharp teeth, then make a series of three, long, deep incisions with their front fangs; this process is typically carried out on the victim’s neck. In the upper mandible, the middle 9 teeth are not uniform or consistent across individuals. Each bat has 3 different teeth that protrude farther out of this section more than the others, called the offula (Latin for a bite to eat); each bat’s bite is unique, making its feeding patterns monitorable.

Pipisanguisuges’ saliva contains anticoagulants and other components that prolong bleeding and prevent clotting and the narrowing of blood vessels. It is extremely rare for any creature to survive an attack by one of these blood suckers, but in the unlikely case that they do, their immediate survival is still extraordinarily low. First, the vampires prefer to drink from dead prey, rarely feeding on a living host. If a living host is fed upon, blood loss and shock caused by trauma are the most notable killers, but paralyzation or immobilization coupled with dehydration and starvation are secondary killers. However, if the victim does not die from these factors, it will undergo an excruciatingly painful transformation; this metamorphosis is so agonizing, most victims commit suicide.

Metamorphosis

Most victims of the Pipisanguisuge die before feeding occurs, though 0.03% survive. Victims that endure this brutal attack are typically hosts of Pipisanguisuges that have already fed on smaller prey earlier in the night (they don’t consume as much blood); other cases include those that successfully escaped the flying creatures, but still suffered a grazing bite mark. Survivors are always human. Yet, these individuals are anything but lucky, for they undergo the most painful experience a Pipisanguisuge can offer－metamorphosis.

Within the creature’s saliva, a microscopic parasite resides (vermisuge), having a mutualistic-symbiotic relationship with the giant bats. The tiny parasites are provided with a food source from the bat’s fur, teeth, and dwelling, as well as a safe domicile on its body or cave; in exchange, the bats’ syringe-like teeth, body, and home are kept free of debris. On rare occasions, the parasites provide an even greater service－strong, submissive additions to the cavern-dwelling community. During feeding, some of these parasites are transferred to victims; there, they also feed. If the victim dies, the parasite dies soon after in the absence of fresh blood or flesh. Yet, if the host survives, the worm enters reproductive mode. The parasites are sexless, each having the ability to fertilize or lay eggs; fertilized eggs can be kept inside the worm for up to three months before laying is required. Once outside of a worm’s body, the eggs hatch in 24 hours; then, they follow their parent’s activities. The worms inject a toxin found within Pipisanguisuge blood and saliva throughout their victim’s interior, which mutates the host’s cells, body structure, physiology, and psychology to more closely resemble that of a Pipisanguisuge. If the host survives this transformation, the worms become a permanent symbiotic colony within the host.

A victim going through this transformation will already be suffering from mild to severe dehydration－feeling light-headed, dizzy, and nauseous. Soon after the attack, the host will develop a high fever, begin to hallucinate, and experience increased nausea, and intense, generalized muscle soreness; this will be followed by the expulsion of the stomach and bowels. This makes up the first day of metamorphosis.

The second day is characterized by widespread hair loss, stiff, aching joints, and loss of speech. On the third day, the victim loses all of their teeth, experiences profound muscle and joint aches, nauseating headaches, and begins to develop light sensitivity (bright light hurts eyes, causes worse headaches, burns skin, and greatly influences body temperature). The host will have some control over their limbs on the fourth day, but will experience memory loss. On the fifth day, muscle and joint discomfort are greatly diminished, fangs will begin to protrude through the gumline, limbs will thin and elongate, and most humanity will have been lost. On the sixth day, the host has a driving thirst and animalistic instinct that urges it to feed at sundown; after feeding, it follows the scent of nearby Pipisanguisuges and joins the bat community. These new creatures (Pipan) are part human, part Pipisanguisuge－not able to fly or move as agilely, but much stronger, larger, and under the command of the bats.

Cavern Life

Female Pipisanguisuges produce a sweet aroma from glands located on the neck during mating season; their fur efficiently absorbs and disperses the scent to the bat’s roost. A dominant male will respond to the scent by calling in high, sing-song tones. The creatures mate in the winter months and give birth to one young each year. These youths are nursed within the cave for a year, before partaking in hunting; they reach maturity at two years of age.

Pipisanguisuges have a fission-fusion social structure. Subordinate males and all females separate into factions within the colony. Each faction protects its own members and young, defends territory and resources, grooms one another, and alerts its group of food, and of danger. However, if disputes arise between factions, they may attack, or even kill, members and offspring of the opposing group. If a dispute continues for a prolonged amount of time, an alpha will kill offending members. Alphas are the strongest and fastest in the colony, which is established by violent encounters; alphas are often dethroned by younger opponents later in life. There are 1 - 3 alphas within a colony, who irregularly make contact with one another. Alphas have sole mating rights and will fight males who violate this law. Pipisanguisuges of different factions and authorities often hunt together and behave in a friendly to one another outside of the colony’s walls.

Pipan are not intelligent beings, having delayed reactions and little cognition. Like other bats in the colony, they respond to the calls and commands of alphas, usually pertaining to hunts and alerts of danger. Flightless animals, Pipans run agilely through the wilderness with superhuman speed and precision, often assisting in the takedown of large prey. Like Pipisanguisuge, they too carry parasites within them, transferring them to the bitten. The metamorphosed humans sleep on the cavern floor below the colony; due to this, their skin is coated in thick layers of guano, giving it a rough, cracked appearance in light, as well as a moldy, acrid smell. Pipans interact little with Pipisanguisuges, but may have relationships with other Pipans; these relationships are characterized by sharing sleeping space, food, and intimate moments. The stress of metamorphosis is extremely taxing on the human body; most Pipans lead short lives that last no more than five or six years. It is believed that once metamorphosis has taken place, humanity can not be regained.