The Dyab and Zanj Lan



"'An angel once found a demon broken and nearly dead. The angel held out his arm to help the demon. The demon looked at the angel and asked 'why would you save an evil demon like me?' The angel answered 'because without you there is no me.' '" The Dyab and Zanj Lan, known as the devil and the angel, are a pair of mythological creatures, said to be found in the northern mountains of Pèlen. They are worshipped by the Imen, who believe them to have been created by the God, Ordon. Theories speculate that the pair are somehow bonded, and that if one should die, the other would, also.

Many Imen claim to have seen the pair, and all sightings that have been recorded note that they are always together, with The Dyab being protective over Zanj Lan; contrary to the popular belief that angels and demons do not get along.

"'Understanding as had the ancients that angels and demons were identical- interchangable archetypes- all a matter of polarity: the guardian angel who conquered your enemy in battle was percieved by your enemy as a demon destroyer.'"

Appearences
All accounts of sighting of The Dyab describe him as a large feline; the head and upper body of a lion, tail of a snake, horns and hind legs of a goat, and wings of a bird of prey.

Sightings of Zanj Lan describe him as a small canine; the head and body of a dog, ears of a rabbit, eyes of a spider, and tail of a fresh water fish.

Mythology
The mythology of The Dyab and Zanj Lan state that the two were friends serving under their God, Ordon, as angels. In war, The Dyab was badly injured, and fell to Umbra. On the brink of death, he fled to the mountains of Pèlen. Zanj Lan, in an attempt to save his friend, followed The Dyab down to Umbra. However, his voyage to Umbra cost him his place alongside his God, and the two have been wondering the lands ever since.

Not much else is known about the pair, as sightings are rare, and usually unreliable.