The Beast of Ildenwood - Worldbuilding: The Mussena

The Beast of Ildenwood 

Worldbuilding: The Mussena

The Mussena is a fearsome monster. A territorial beast at home in the darkness, it tends to make its home in caves. Its fur allows it to camouflage with the darkness, and it hunts its prey by night. 

Here's a portrait that I made:

This endangered animal is featured in chapters 21 & 22, where Lahab, the Wanderer, and Prince Shoja must survive an encounter with the Mussena when they enter the Starlight Cavern to grab some Glowing Cragenbacks for the Bandit King! They barely escape with their lives after the Wanderer takes the Mussena on in hand-to-paw combat (and almost dies himself).