Flenser

Also called Flesh-takers, the Flensers are monstrous spirits that have taken corporeal form. Their claws scythe cleanly through human flesh and their gaze is enough to cause madness. The greatest of them have natural protections against blade and bullet and so were hunters of humanity in the nights after the Long Fall. Humanity has since learned to strike back against them, but the stories, rituals, and nightmares of this horrific foe still persist. 

In corporeal form, they tend to have a skeletal frame draped in hides and skins. This is topped by an animal or human skull, though most often it is that of a deer skull. Templar superstition believes that they wear hides so that they are not instantly obliterated by the God-Empress’ holy presence, for so alien and blasphemous were they that she would immediately smite them upon her Holy Gaze. 

Though Flensers do not have the same societal hierarchy as humanity does, they are known to gather and have a pecking order. The stronger, larger Flensers appear to command the smaller ones and lead them on raids upon human communities.