Manticore
"Ahh a classic wyrid, the lion with a snake for a tail, bat wings and human arms.....no wait that's not right. Its....hang on I'll get this right. Lion body, bat face, rat tail? No wait......ahhh its lion body, human face, bat wings and a spine and spiked tail! A mutant regardless, I am not worried about remembering all the details, Leona!"
Carzic Alexander, an ill-fated mercenary to one of his companions at arms.
Manticores, like all Wyrids, are not originally naturalized entities upon Valerick, however they are no longer extraplanar creatures, they are natives to this plane now. The origin of the creature, like many such wyrids, is not fully understood, however they are quite old, with records referencing them going back at least to the time of the Ascension, near the tail end of the Sundering. They are twisted and cruel entities, wilfully malicious. Their anatomy is a twisted thing, unnatural, abnormal, yet their existence somehow is stable, becoming a part of Valerick's strange, diverse and complex ecology.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Manticores are a rather standard example, should such a thing truly exist, of a Wyrid. Wyrids are exactly what they sound like, a creature that defies logic and reason on some level. In many cases it is a decidedly human-esque element that sees creatures given this classification, as well generally they must be an amalgamation of at least three creatures, including the human/humanoid element, or that they are a new species born of the utter mutation of sapient entities. For the Manticore, its way of getting on this list is the former not not the latter.
Manticores can come with some noted variety, however they all have a feline body, that of a lion, tiger, or jaguar specifically, this diversity comes about through evolutionary pressures over time based on biomes, and their heightened mutative rate due to the Void corruption within their very genetics. They generally have bat like wings, though these wings can be like that of a wyvern or a massive bird of some kind. These are far more rare however. Ultimately the truly defining characterstic is the clearly human/humanoid face and visage, though its proportions are often disconcerting. They are capable of speech, which only truly adds to the objective disconcerting nature of the creatures.
Manticores can come with some noted variety, however they all have a feline body, that of a lion, tiger, or jaguar specifically, this diversity comes about through evolutionary pressures over time based on biomes, and their heightened mutative rate due to the Void corruption within their very genetics. They generally have bat like wings, though these wings can be like that of a wyvern or a massive bird of some kind. These are far more rare however. Ultimately the truly defining characterstic is the clearly human/humanoid face and visage, though its proportions are often disconcerting. They are capable of speech, which only truly adds to the objective disconcerting nature of the creatures.
Biological Traits
The average adult manticore is notably large, as one might expect, and will have a wingspan from tip to tip of around 8 meters (26'3") which is absolutely massive. These wings have an interesting membrane to them, and are much like bat wings, but seem to lack as much of a nervous system, for they can fold over themselves along multiple ridged lines of muscle that are not placed unlike fingers, folding in an accordian like fashion and laying flat along the creatures shoulder and back, almost touching its rump. This membrane seems quite tear and wear resistant, as well as resistant to drying out. A manticore can unfurl its wings at impressive speeds, and with a notable and buffeting force, which is a trick it can use if threatened to help push attackers to a distance.
Their strange and thick tail, with the near javelin like protrusions, is a deadly weapon. These arm length protrusions, though seeming awkward in shape and like they would be quite heavy and create an issue with drag, are actually more like massive needles, they are mostly hollow and shaped for flight. The manticore, with a snap of its tail can fling one or both of these in an arc like trajectory, not unlike that of a javelin or arrow.
Their strange and thick tail, with the near javelin like protrusions, is a deadly weapon. These arm length protrusions, though seeming awkward in shape and like they would be quite heavy and create an issue with drag, are actually more like massive needles, they are mostly hollow and shaped for flight. The manticore, with a snap of its tail can fling one or both of these in an arc like trajectory, not unlike that of a javelin or arrow.
Genetics and Reproduction
Manticores do not seem to mate for life or have any such loyalty, and the mother does all the child rearing such as it is. Manticores give live birth, generally to only one offspring, though two is not unheard of. It is presumed the gestation period lies in a similar range to large hunting cats like lions or tigers, however this is not really known.
Growth Rate & Stages
Manticores grow to maturity within 3 years after they are born, and a mother will not go into heat or be receptive to mating so long as she is rearing a cub. In fact, despite their human-esque intellect, male manticores, like many species of animal, will kill cubs to attempt to force a female into heat if the cubs are not his own or they are male. Because of this, female manticores with cubs are viciously territorial and will outright attack and fight to the death if required any male manticore that enters their territory without warning.
Manticores are obligate carnivores, however for the first 3-6 months by best guess they are reliant on their mother's milk. After that they will begin eating meat, the mother hunting often, and bringing back the softest and easiest to tear and rip parts of her quarry to her lair or den for her young. She will also bring back larger bones, cracking them and helping her young get the bone marrow to help strengthen and grow their teeth and jaw muscles, since they lack a lions massive teeth or wider mouth, they need stronge jaws and healthy teeth.
This will remain the arrangement until the cub is at least a year to a year and a half old. By then its tail will have begun developing, and its wings will be developed enough to fly. Its tail spikes will not continue to grow and replace themselves as unnaturally fast as the mother's yet, for they are not a mature adult, however they will have tail spikes and be capable of flinging them. Over the next year and a half or so the cub(s) will travel with their mother whenever she leaves the den, learning of the world, learning of the various creatures in the region they live and learning how to hunt and what hunting tactics work well against different prey items. By the time they are about three years of age, a manticore will be physically and sexually mature, an adult, and they will leave to seek out their own territory, or be chased off by their mother, whom's biology will send her into heat that same spring. Alternatively in rare cases they might pick a fight, a territorial challenge with their mother, and try and force her to flee and claiming the territory for themselves.
Manticores are obligate carnivores, however for the first 3-6 months by best guess they are reliant on their mother's milk. After that they will begin eating meat, the mother hunting often, and bringing back the softest and easiest to tear and rip parts of her quarry to her lair or den for her young. She will also bring back larger bones, cracking them and helping her young get the bone marrow to help strengthen and grow their teeth and jaw muscles, since they lack a lions massive teeth or wider mouth, they need stronge jaws and healthy teeth.
This will remain the arrangement until the cub is at least a year to a year and a half old. By then its tail will have begun developing, and its wings will be developed enough to fly. Its tail spikes will not continue to grow and replace themselves as unnaturally fast as the mother's yet, for they are not a mature adult, however they will have tail spikes and be capable of flinging them. Over the next year and a half or so the cub(s) will travel with their mother whenever she leaves the den, learning of the world, learning of the various creatures in the region they live and learning how to hunt and what hunting tactics work well against different prey items. By the time they are about three years of age, a manticore will be physically and sexually mature, an adult, and they will leave to seek out their own territory, or be chased off by their mother, whom's biology will send her into heat that same spring. Alternatively in rare cases they might pick a fight, a territorial challenge with their mother, and try and force her to flee and claiming the territory for themselves.
Ecology and Habitats
Manticores generally prefer hilly and wooded areas, though these can be tropic (jaguar), sub arctic/temperate (tiger) or dry and semi arid (lion). They can succeed in most hilly woodland biomes of some kind, though like any wyrid and like any apex predator, their territorial claims are often quite expansive and as such they are pretty rare. The only region of the world where such a creature has never been confirmed is the tundras of Suranth, the extreme cold of and frigid arctic climes of the biome seeming prohibitive to these creatures.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Manticores have a voracious appetite, though they are no tainted creature, having no direct connection to the Void. They are simply a strange mutated species, and their voracious appetite is likely borne of the metabolic load of their strange bodies and near human-esque brain power all needing support. They are vicious predators, having a large cat's digestive system and thus unable to process plant matter of any kind. Most anything in their domain is prey to a manticore, however their nearly human-esque intellect shows itself here in interesting behavior. Manticores can speak Feriak, the ghastly tongue of the Bestial races, and though they have no direct connection to the Void or to Gulagor, they are quite willing to behave as if they do and accept the subservience of such creatures. It is not unheard of for a tribe of bestials to find their way to settling in the area around a manticore's den, enthralled by the creature, and to act as its agents, doing the hard work of hunting for it.
Manticores do have one other dietary quirk, though it is presumed this is not a matter of nutrition, but an instinctual evil based on their Void tainted origins as a species. Manticores do seem to take heightened satisfaction from preying on sapient creatures whenever opportunity presents itself. This fact, combined with the above mentioned unique potential relationship with bestial tribes, makes them a notable threat to civilization and as such whenever one is discovered to be living within striking/hunting distance of settlements, they can invoke either a military response, or just as likely, bounties being offered as well depending on the region and how remote an area it is.
Manticores do have one other dietary quirk, though it is presumed this is not a matter of nutrition, but an instinctual evil based on their Void tainted origins as a species. Manticores do seem to take heightened satisfaction from preying on sapient creatures whenever opportunity presents itself. This fact, combined with the above mentioned unique potential relationship with bestial tribes, makes them a notable threat to civilization and as such whenever one is discovered to be living within striking/hunting distance of settlements, they can invoke either a military response, or just as likely, bounties being offered as well depending on the region and how remote an area it is.
Biological Cycle
Manticores do not hibernate, however they are generally believed to be at their most active in the spring and summer, which does make a lot of sense considering mid spring to early summer seems to be the natural rhythm for their mating season.
Behaviour
Manticores are quite smart and are savage creatures, showing both a penchant for conniving and a brutal streak. They have a deep instinctual knowledge within them though their actual intelligence, their cognitive ability, is generally below human, though above a mere animal or beast. They can speak after all, and can to a degree, perhaps be reasoned with or bargained with, though such a thing is a dangerous concept. They are prickly solitary creatures after all, and are not known for any sort of friendliness or benevolence, even amongst how they behave towards any bestial entities that start to take upon them as followers, seeing them as some sort of champion of Gulagor, of the the Great Devourer. Manticores will not usually go out of their way to dissuade such beliefs, more than happy to accept the free meal tickets and extra territorial security.
Additional Information
Facial characteristics
Manticore's most disturbing feature is that of their face. Their eyes feline in nature, but with a hate and desperate hunger that always flickers inside them. Its nose, snout really, showing a feline-esque lion like structure, and its mouth, its lips, larger than a man's, to small for a lion, however it opens wider than any human mouth ought to, though again, not quite as wide as a lion or tiger, and reveals the sharp carnivorous teeth that match up well with the tooth structure and layout of whichever type of cat the the manticore shares traits with. The eyes though feline-esque in color, are human in shape, size and placement, and show that spark, though dulled, of human-esque awareness and intelligence. All in all, a manticore's face is a disconcerting sight indeed, doubly so if it starts talking to you.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Manticores are generally found in regions far from cities or large concentrations of any society as we know them, mostly cause our reaction to their presence is generally swift and....quite violent. That is justifiable however given their behavior and nature. They do not do as well in extreme cold, and generally prefer woodlands and hilly regions over flat and more open areas, craggy highlands, mountains or swamps. They normally make their lairs or dens in hillocks or long abandoned stuctures forgotten and left in the wilderness, or in sunken tunnels or the like. Manticores are highly territorial and require quite a notable sized hunting range, and as such they are in a numerical sense, quite rare, any given manticore likely easily hunting and dominanting a territory well over 60 kms (37 miles) in any given direction from its den.
Average Intelligence
Manticores are sharp, intuitively, they can read actions, body language and base behavior quite well. However though they can speak, they are not well spoken, and are infact illiterate most of the time in regards to the written word, though this is not always the case. In this way, though they possess near humanoid intelligence, they do seem more beast than humanoid.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Manticores, like all Wyrids seem to have some mutative resistance to and sense for magick, for the arcane. They do not possess Aether sight, however they seem to possess a sort of sixth sense that allows them to feel movement in the Aether. In manticores this sense is present, but not heavily honed nor is it their strongest. That would be their sense of smell by far, with their hearing and eyesight being second and third respectively, with their eyesight being about as good as the average human's, though they can see very well in the dark like most felines.
Civilization and Culture
Courtship Ideals
Trigger warning below in the spoiler. Violence and Sexual Conduct/SA.
Show spoiler
Manticores, despite their near humanoid intelligence and and sapience, are more beast than sapient being and no where is that more clear than in how their copulation and mating takes place. A female manticore in heat is a dangerous thing and yet of course males are driven to seek them out. They do not court so much as....establish dominance, sometimes very violently. This cannot be understated, given their sapience, some would perhaps see how manticores mate as....well rape. A female manticore simply will not submit to a mate. She seeks strong cubs. So if a male approaches her when she is in heat, she will attack him, and the pair will fight, and will do so violently and brutally until the male runs away, dies or until he manages to subdue, or perhaps kill or brutally injure the female and well...complete copulation, after which he will retreat as swiftly as possible. On the rare occasion the female dies, this does not break off the...copulation it would seem. This odd mating procedure likely sees its fair share of death and serious injury among both males and females, and would seem counter-intuitive to the survival of a species and yet despite this and many nations best efforts to aid in their demise as a species, manticores are still here, and though rare by nature do not seem likely to be in danger of extinction any time soon.
"I have borne witness to many a mating ritual, and some are more violent or aggressive than others. But this....this is far from normal. This is a strange anomaly, a perversion even. Its...henious. Would I feel that way if I did not know manticores are by all categorization sapient, if cruel, creatures.....I am unsure. But it isn't really a relevant question. They are sapient creatures. And watching this one cannot help but think of some of the darkest sorts of crimes people commit upon one another. I've only borne witness to this but once, for science. I shan't ever wish to see such a thing again."
Testimony from the famed Mochi, naturalist, biologist, zoologist, in regards the mating behaviors of manticores.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Manticores, due to their strange and unnatural sapience, can speak both Valarian and Feriak fluently.
Manticore Base Stat Sheet
Scientific Name
Mutawyrd Felidae Spinel
Lifespan
It is estimated that manticores likely can live some 200-300 years naturally.
Average Height
1-1.2 meters (3'3"-3'11") at shoulder
Average Weight
190-290 kgs (420-640lbs)
Average Length
3-3.6 meters (10'-11'10") from face to tip of tail.
Average Physique
An adult Manticore is quite strong, able to go toe to toe with even a grizzly bear should it come down to it, and they are surprisingly nimble for their size, definitely more agile than most people. They are suprisingly tough creatures, despite their feline build, able to shrug off physical attack, even high impact ones much like a bear would. Their muscled and sleek feline build is naturally broken up by their wings, even when they are folded down, the bump, the lumbs are notable and obvious.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
The majority of the beast's body will be possessed of a color palette appropriate to the type of big cat who's terrain its in. The wings are a little more unique. If they are the most common and ordinary, ("if such a thing can be said of a wyrid") the massive bat wings will generally be a soft black, deep reddish brown or some form of grey. If the wings seem as if almost draconid, if the beast has such a mutative gene, they will show a muted color palette as fitting the sort of Draconid in question. If they are more like massive bird wings, they will often take the form of some avian predator, like an eagle or, hawk, or other raptor, though these types of manticore seem to be a swiftly dying breed, likely because their wings do not accordion fold, and the advantages that gives the other two sub-types sees them dominant and the Aviaris Manticore swiftly disappearing.
Geographic Distribution
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