Feeders

Feeders only appeared when the magic was out of balance.

Lantern eyes.¹Running with the Demon – p 15 Flat-faced and featureless, squat caricatures of humans.²Running with the Demon – p 16

After the Great Wars they evolved into something almost entirely devoid of substance. They still fed on human emotions and savaged those who were consumed by their darker instincts, but they had become as empty as wind.³The Measure of the Magic – p 17

Did not eat or sleep.

The Feeders were created by the Word when he made everything else.

Were not visible to humans, until it was too late. Instead they would hear them as an invisible presence in the back of their minds, insidious voices taunting and teasing.⁴Running with the Demon – p 17

The Feeders in Hopewell lived in the caves under the cliffs near Sinnissippi Park in ever-expanding numbers. Their increasingly bold behaviour was shown by them starting to appear in the day time all over Hopewell, whereas previously they had only come out at night and only in the park. Pick knew this was a result of a shift in the balance of things, but did not know what to do if the balance wasn’t righted soon.⁵Running with the Demon – p 13

They would not attack Nest Freemark when Wraith was around⁶Running with the Demon – p 16, however they knew not to meet her gaze and what would happen if they did.⁷Running with the Demon – p 17

Running with the Demon

When Bennett Scott wandered off the Feeders got a hold of her and enticed her out to the cliffs. Bennett was the seventh child in a month they had done this with.⁸Running with the Demon – pp 9-15

One of the Feeders broke away from the others when it looked like Nest was going to be successful in rescuing Bennett and was destroyed with a single chilling glance from Nest – her magic taking over the instant their eyes met.⁹Running with the Demon – p 17

The Feeders were attracted to John Ross because of his staff.¹⁰Running with the Demon – p 197

The Measure of the Magic

The Ragpicker noticed there were Feeders around, not long after he had sensed the presence of magic.¹¹The Measure of the Magic – p 17

Running with the Demon

Appeared in John Ross‘ nightmare as he was travelling towards Hopewell.