Pediophobe

Name	Pediophobe
Race	Undead
Type	Shadowlander
Faction	Shadowed
Premiere	The Anax: Call of the Cursed One
Relative(s)	None Applicable

The Shadowed are a type of undead or demon in the Anaxverse. When existing in the physical world, they manifest as undead, yet also hail from demonic realms, placing them in a unique category. As seen in the novel, The Anax: Call of the Cursed One the Shadowed are a faction of the Outer Darkness, a dimension rife with unholy, dark aberrations. These beings specifically come from the frequency known as the Shadowlands, the lowest frequency of existence itself. The Anax leads these creatures after he takes away their free will, minds, and souls. In most cases, the victims (either corporeal or incorporeal) become twisted, evil versions of their old selves, retaining whatever knowledge they once held. However, in cases of phobia, the afflicted become mockeries of their intense fears. Thus, turning their fears into a strength, perverse joy, and even a sexualized fetish.

Pediophobes are shadowed, who irrationally feared dolls in life. When faced with the Anax or one of his minions, the victim was forced to endure dolls or having themselves being nothing more than a doll an infinite number of times, until their minds broke and they exchanged their souls for peace. Like all shadowed, they have sharp, glowing claws and swarm with black ink-like shadows on their bodies. However, pediophobes generally have plastic, wooden, or porcelain flesh. Their joints are artificial and they are generally silent, though occasionally one may have a mouth like a ventriloquist dummy. They can attach shadow strings to a mortal to control them like a marionette puppet in order to terrify and take their souls.