Baihu Tiger (Buy-Who)

Also known as the alabaster tiger, these are revered and respected beasts which reside in the wilds of Zhongguo. The Baihu is also the icon of Baise Wangchao, the Alabaster Dynasty, belonging to the Si Xiang. Members of this dynasty manifest features of a Baihu as half of their Kaithur, granting them physical and magical attributes of this fearsome tiger! They are highly regarded as mighty warriors, the iron fist of Ralgotar's court, very much living up to the Baihu they resemble. The Baihu itself inherits kaithur which makes this already mighty creature even more powerful and sturdy. Between total immunity to metal weapons and magic to Gokrilvek manifestations which amplify or manipulate strength, gravity, inertia and potential energy, a Baihu is a force to be taken seriously. They are capable of immense feats of strength, unwavering steadyness and durability, creating their own gravity and even becoming unmoveable or unimpedable! As such, they have become an even more powerful symbol of strength, patience and toughness in Yaxiya than they already were. Apex Predator Carnivore Nocturnal Strength Camouflage Solitary

Kaithur

First Ability Martor's Shield Baihu with Martor's Shield are immune to negative effects and/or damage from all metal magic and naturally occurring metals. This includes metal weapons. Second Ability Gokrilvek's Aura Tigers with Gokrilvek's Aura are able to generate effects tied to Gokrilvek over short burst. They can do so for themselves or for those arund them though they are solitary beasts. Some of these effects include increased or decreased gravity, strength, steadying of movements, cause people or objects to be unmovable, disabling flight, enable themselves or others to walk on any surface, allowing one to endure bludgeoning force with no damage, and even brief moments of increased size. This easily eats up a lot of energy. Gokrilvek's Movement Baihu with Gokrilvek's Movement are able to retain footing and balance despite whatever force, enduring and maintaining movement despite normal physics. Their strikes always follow through, their balance is always steady and sturdy, they can maintain this on any surface even upside down, have increased strength and remain unmovable against their will. Finally, they can endure damage unusually well and they are heavier.

Anatomy

Original Ancestor Lifespan Panthera tigris amoyensis Xiamen Tiger 18-25 years Weight Length Female 100-115 kg 220-254 lbs Male 130-175 kg 287-386 lbs Female 220-240 cm 87-94 in Male 230-265 cm 91-104 in Coloration Unlike it's ancestor, which had an ember coat, the alabaster tiger's fur is primarily white with black stripes. When activating it's magic form, their stripes take on different tints. The majority of their stripes and the fur of their legs takes on dark brown hues while other Baihu's stripes take on a metallic sheen instead. Which kind differs by individual.

Senses

Hearing Vision Touch Smell Like many other tiiger species, Baihu have powerful senses to aid them as an apex predator! These include enhanced senses of sight, touch, hearing and smell. First, they have forward facing eyes and binocular vision. They even have a tapetum lucidum, granting them excellent night vision and rendering their eyes reflective. Finally, these cats have excellent peripheral vision. Yet a tiger's most acute sense is their hearing. Their rounded ears can rotate towards the source of a sound and are more sensitive to high-pitches--they can hear sounds up to 60 kHz where humans can only perceive about 20 kHz! Like many felines, Baihu make use of whiskers intterspersed around their body to navigate in the dark, detect danger and attack prey. There are five different kinds of whiskers which are found on their muzzle, above their eyes, cheeks, back of their front legs and more. Numerous sensory neurons in their facial whiskers can detect even the slightest change in air pressure when passing by an object too! A Baihu's sense of smell is not as acute as its other senses and is generally not used for hunting. Instead, Baihu use smell for communication whether marking territories or signalling reproductive status. Tigers also have a Jacobson organ, a pouch-like structure behind the front incisors. Scent particles from the air are directed through two small openings when it inhales, these signals then transmit to the olfactory region of the brain that identifies scent.

Habitat

Montane Temperate Forest Boreal Forest Tropical Forest Baihu Tiger ideally roam the mountainous, verdant bamboo forests of Xizhulin Shan but they can might also make their home in Kunlun Shan and Dizhenbei Dong, unperturbed by the seismic activity. The tallest reaches of these mountains are quite frigid but the Baihu's white fur blends in perfectly amid the craggy, alpine peaks. They are the apex predators of both biomes, not to be taken lightly. They might also be found in Joseon and a cousin species resides in Nippon.

Diet

Carnivore Mammalivore Avivore The tiger is a strong, fast and a keen hunter of other large mammals like deer and wild boar. It will supplement it's diet with smaller prey at times. Much of their prey inherit aggressive metal or earth magic which is why their own kaithur is so vital to their survival. The Baihu's hunting style combines patience, timing and speed. They stalk their prey, hiding in vegetation or snow until an opportunity to attack arises. When they finally make their move, they try to bite through the neck of the victim, ruthless and swift. They hunt alone and are even able to hunt in water just as easily as on land.

Life Cycle

Viviparous Promiscuous Maternal Baihu don't often interact, solitary and territorial. But when mating season rolls around, male tigers roar in order to attract mates and if females are receptive they respond with their own calls before either approaches the other. A Baihu's pregnancy will last 3 to 4 months before she gives birth to a litter of up to 5 cubs. When born, tiger cubs are blind and weigh a tiny 1kg (2lb). Cubs stay with their mother for around 18 months, gaining strength and learning the skill of hunting before they can prowl the forests alone and assume the solitary life of a tiger.

Behavior

Territorial Communication Agonistic While solitary, Baihu are highly communicative with each other using sounds such as roaring, grunting, and chuffing. Roaring is a sign of aggresion which is loud enough to be heard three kilometers away! Chuffing on the other hand is usually a sign of contentment. It is by these vocalizations and through scent marking that Baihu mark and maintain their territories. Thanks to their size, strength and hardiness, Baihu are extremely confident and steadfast. They know the lands they tread belongs to them and they fear no human. It takes considerable magic or power to defy these beasts and they command equally lofty respect. Baihu are noble and fearless if not stubborn, a natural symbol used by Ylithuum herself and one of her favorite animals!

History

Before the Birth of the Erlithmanil, this subspecies of tiger was on the brink of extinction. However, as the elements walked and reshaped the world into Emynea, Ylithuum became enamoured with these beasts and granted them favorable magic to aid in their survival. With these gifts and her favor, they were able to reestablish themselves as a species and thrive. Now they are the apex predators of their habitats and none threaten the survival of these mighty beasts. The Alabaster Dynasty of Zhongguo have inherited the features of these beasts and use them as an icon of their clan. Thanks to their divine blood, descending from Ralgotar the Volcanic, they are able to manifest all of the Baihu's kaithur as well!