these are guys i've had kicking around my head for a while

they are from my fantasy world worldweave, let me see what my notes say

Description: Harlequins are a strange group of deer-like creatures that roam the once-wide plains of Concord. They're the main prey of the plains predators, though Harlequin are fearsome creatures in their own right. Their build is always gangly and anorexic, with legs so long and thin they look like something out of a Dali painting. Their black antlers are impossibly twisted and gnarled, their neck long and serpentine, but they're most famous for their strange faces. Their heads are red, and strange 'false eye' markings cover their eyes, resembling long black slits. The lower half of their muzzle is covered in crooked stripes, which to the human eye, look far too much like a twisted, exaggerated grin. The rest of their body is usually black or grey, with the stripes continuing down their neck and underbelly.

Their most notable features are their bizarre eye structures; their eyes are on thick, mobile stalks emerging from the top of their skull, varying from 3-8 separate eyes.

Varities: There are tiny, miniature Harlequins and larger, bulkier varieties that roam the northern mountains. The style of their spiraling horns and gnarled antlers varies from species to species.

Habitat: With the plains and forests disappearing, most of these creatures have moved out of their homeland and to the Steppes in the east. This is a problem, since they can primarily only feed on the black grass and briar of Concord.

Uses: Their dark antlers and heads are sometimes valued as trophies, but other than that, they have little practical use. Smaller demons sometimes use their spirits as mounts.

Intelligence and Behavior: Harlequins aren't that intelligent and somewhat skittish. The larger they get, the more solitary they are, with the smaller species traveling in herds and the larger, stag-like varieties wandering alone. In addition to its mask-like face, the Harlequin has a warbling, high-pitched cry that sounds like eerily distorted human laughter. They make this sound whenever there's danger; in addition, when panicked, they tend to buck and dance around in an attempt to scare off the predator. However, to early observers, it looked more like as one of their own was taken by predators, they started laughing and cavorting.

Cultural Significance: Because of this behavior, Harlequins have come to be associated with Necrophos's sick joys and pleasures. They're said to dance to the sound of killing and laugh at the sight of death, and take joy from all tragedies that befall others. Those with sick or black senses of humor are often called Harlequins.