The Komashi Shinkoku are an artificially created breed of the common komashi, brought into existence by Lord Benkei through powerful Dark Magic. Bred solely for war, they rank among the most feared creatures in the service of the Dark One, carrying his soldiers across the deadliest battlefields.
Unlike ordinary komashi, they possess crimson coats that resemble glowing embers, while their manes and tails are black as pitch. Their hooves have been replaced by long, horn-like claws capable of tearing through earth and armor with terrifying ease. Thick black smoke constantly billows from their nostrils, and they can unleash devastating streams of fire from their mouths to incinerate their enemies.
Komashi Shinkoku do not form the mystical bond that exists between ordinary komashi and their caretakers. They can be ridden without any magical connection, but they obey only the servants of Lord Benkei or those powerful enough to subdue them by force, making them as dangerous to would-be riders as they are to their enemies.
Beyond their extraordinary endurance, they can travel vast distances without tiring and possess a surprising degree of intelligence, making them exceptionally effective in military campaigns. Their demonic appearance, combined with their mastery of fire and absolute loyalty to their master, has made them one of the most recognizable symbols of Lord Benkei's armies.