Megacat

Description

The Megacat was once a common sight across West Tykonia, now limited to a few forested enclaves and rocky outcrops where men are scarce. A Fanged Koposeran, they’re well-equipped to prey on a variety of game: armed with incredible strength to wrestle beasts as great as horses into submission, claws sharp enough to puncture chainmail, and a great maw which they use to wrap around the throats of their prey in order to suffocate them. Such abilities allow them to adapt to a great number of prey species and thus they can thrive wherever game is abundant enough to support them.

They’re best described as ambush predators, closing the distance before making a sudden bolt toward their prey. They are incredibly fast (40 mph) however they can only maintain this speed for a few seconds—so if they’re spotted early they won’t be able to catch their meal. Mitigating this are their flat paw pads which cushion their steps to the point where they move almost silently along with muted pelts which further conceal them from view. Some Megacats, like those of the open scrubland, even possess spots which serve to break up their outline to further complicate detection.

In a lifetime it’s thought a she-cat will have several litters of no more than three cubs. Cubs are born with an extra layer of dappled spots or stripes in order to conceal them from skyward predators while the mother hunts. The cubs grow quickly, doubling their weight within the first month, and will reach full adult size in less than two years. The cubs separate from their mother once the brothers amongst them begin to grow their manes—a sign of maturity in males.

Type: Creature

Life expectancy: 55 years

Height: 3'6"—4'6" ft. [1,06—1,37 m.]
· Length: 7'6"—8'0" ft. [2,28—2,43m.]

Weight: 520—580 lbs. [235—263 kg.]

Biome(s): Multi-regional (forest, evergreens, jungle...)

Tameable: No

Behaviour

Wild Megacats spend most of their adult lives alone, they’ll mark out territories with claw marks and scent posts* in order to inform others of their claim. They can be incredibly protective of their ranges and may attack anything they view as rivals--usually other predators or Megacats. While the males lord over a territory year-round, the she-cats will periodically abandon their ranges to adopt a life of nomadism. In these periods they are seeking a companion and prefer those of healthy territories. A male, should he wish to foster the next generation, must keep one of these ideal ranges or take one from an incumbent. Fights for prime territory can prove bloody, even lethal.
*While defending clearly marked territory, Megacats are PTK/PTC.

The job of rearing cubs is the exclusive role of the she-cat, the male quickly absconding once his purpose is served. She will find a den where she’ll keep her cubs safe from the elements and other predators while she hunts. While they’re still under her care she’ll defend them viciously from threats even to her own destruction*—Megacats are some of the most devoted mothers of the natural world. Once weaned, she will tolerate them only until they begin to show signs of maturity before finally chasing them off.
*While defending their cubs, Megacat she-cats are PTK/PTC.

History

Under House Forster, Megacats were viewed as the ultimate noble sport-game. It was popular amongst nobles to hunt the beast as a show of strength and because lesser creatures were viewed as too unbecoming for their heritage. As a result of this tradition their populations have dwindled across much of their historic ranges. This depression has been punctuated by the demand for Megacat pelts—used to create iconic dappled cloaks—which makes them an expensive commodity; only nobles can typically afford them; however, a black market exists to satisfy those of lesser birth with similarly deep pockets

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