Luretails (Healing Cats)
Felines that have been domesticated by the sea-fairing catfolk that are highly dangerous. They are an apex predator that every wanderer and explorer should be wary of whenever they travel too closely to the coast.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Despite their terrifying potential to rip you a new one, Luretails have mastered the art of natural healing in a way no other animal has. Every luretail is capable of a specific purr that is unique to every cat-like a thumbprint of sorts. This particular purr has a healing frequency that promotes mental health in those who hear it.
Not only that, but their saliva contains healing properties that promote healing in the body. It's common for a Luretail to groom those they like along with their own wounds. When they lick wounds, they both clean it and encourage healing in the general area.
If you've been granted the honor of hearing a luretail's purr on top of being groomed, you have gained a worthy ally who wishes you well.
Their wings grant them the ability of flight. They can fly for hours without tiring.
Genetics and Reproduction
Mating can occur year round, however it is typically done during Spring. The female will be left in a gestation period for approximately eight months before she will lay a single egg-although rarely twins, triplets, and even quadruplets can occur. These eggs will need to warmed for at least a week before they will hatch into cubs.
Males typically stick around the female while she is impregnated and support both her and the children by hunting and defending them. He will also take turns warming the nest while the female leaves to stretch both her legs and wings.
A pair generally mates for life. Females and males that have mated together travel together, hunt together, and sleep together. It's rare for them to part ways, but it is rumored that forcefully separating a pair of Luretails will invoke the unending wrath of bad karma.
Growth Rate & Stages
It takes a week before the cub is able to open its eyes and another for it to become confident enough to wander. Once it has reached two months old, it should be able to fly. Once they're too big for the nest, the mother or father will shove them out of it and force them to learn to fly or die trying.
If the cub is in captivity, it will be given much more leniency and forgiveness on learning to fly. Among the sea-fairing catfolk, cubs are valuable assets that cannot be wasted.
Once the cub has finished facing what would likely be the toughest natural obstacle in its life, it's smooth sailing from then on. The parents will teach the young one everything they know and leave them on their own once there is nothing else to be taught.
A cub should be fully grown within the first two years of its lifespan.
Ecology and Habitats
Luretails are attracted to coastal and island habitats. They stick to territories and generally do not encroach upon another Luretail's turf unless hunger drives them to do so-even if prey flees into another's territory. They make their homes among tall trees and cliff-sides, but have been notably known for picking directions that either have open sky above them or face the direction of the setting sun.
Dietary Needs and Habits
They cannot dive and last long under the water, but they can easily pick off fish that dare swim just a tad too close to the water's edge. Deltas, river-ends, and waterfalls are notably seen as "no-man's land" for Luretails during the spring and become areas of social interactions should they ever crave them. There's often enough fish and prey around these areas to go around for everyone and it's here that singles will collect to find their soulmate.
Additional Information
Social Structure
In the beginning of their lives, luretails will remain solitary creatures. When Spring arrives, they flock to areas where river meets sea in order to socialize with others of their kind and find their soul mate. During these times, males and females will communicate and converse with one another. If a duo finds their match, they will leave the collection and start a family. If they fail to find their soulmate, they will return to their territory and try again next year.
Each territory only has one or two Luretails in them unless cubs have arrived. While they generally respect each other's borders, Luretails are viciously territorial. Not only of their land, but of their friends and loved ones. They are known for fighting to the death for their allies and have a tendency to attack anything that so much as looks at their friend wrong if they are not properly trained.
Domestication
It started as innocent fun of some children catfolk of an island tribe. Their curiosity got the best of them when they noticed a cool looking monstercat that looked kind of like them, so they threw fish at it. The beast accepted their offering and began to return again and again for more fish. At first, the adults were horrified for the children's safety, but quickly realized that this could be used.
The domestication process began and quickly the Luretails were adapted to be a part of their society. Mounts, companions, assistants, guardians, and even healers in some cases. The wild Luretails are wary of catfolk still, but are not as quick to immediately attack them as they would a normal traveler.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
The purring and saliva of a luretail is easily capitalized upon and used as a free healing device for the catfolk. However, getting the saliva from a luretail to sell to another is a dangerous task all together. It takes a highly skilled and confident trainer to be able to extract the saliva from a luretail without losing their life. Unfortunately, the purring cannot be harvested like the saliva can. No matter how much training you devote to the luretail, there has never been an instance where one could be trained to purr on command for strangers.
A tooth of a luretail is rumored to bring great strength and fortune upon someone who manages to get their hands on one. It's because of this rumor that luretails are greatly coveted and hunted by poachers who wish to harness that strength.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Anywhere coastal or islands.
Average Intelligence
Smarter than the average bear.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Exceptional sight, smell, and hearing. Capable of seeing in the dark, but prefer not to fly in it. While they are exceptional at hunting, they have a natural habit of tunneling their attention onto something and becoming oblivious to surrounding dangers.
Scientific Name
Luretail Terrors
Lifespan
30 years
Conservation Status
Abundant, no protection needed
Average Height
4-6ft at shoulder
Average Weight
Varies
Average Length
Varies
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