In the southern steppes, where the Huyars live and where Ashwad arrived to study the spirits of wild animals, lives the Dune Dogs tribe. They are dangerous warriors who hate outsiders. These steppe warriors are so dangerous that even the Huyars bow before them and allow themselves to be ridden.

And when they encountered Ashwad, they attempted to destroy him. But the shaman proved too powerful. First, he slew their best warriors, then came to the tribe and completely destroyed them. And he took all their animals with him to a canyon, where he began to study their souls.

Besides the animal souls, Ashwad took other trophies. The most memorable were the Dune Dogs' unusual helmets, fashioned in the shape of the beasts' snarling jaws. And after Ashwad imprisoned the beasts in the mirror and sealed the passage to the canyon where the artifact lay, he took the helmets to Tir Twaid. Since then, some demons have been seen wearing the beasts' mouths on their heads. But they are unaware that they bear the remnants of the culture of a tribe exterminated in distant lands.