Asteran

"Found in the plains to the south of Kirchwal and the north of Kubicha, the asteran is able to sprint long distance to catch its unsuspecting prey..."

— An excerpt from The Poacher's Publication on Predators

Sharp-willed, sharp-toothed

Able to sprint and kill from birth, the asteran is an incredibly dangerous animal. They stand slightly smaller than a cheetah, with a matted coat of thick straw coloured fur and pure black eyes. While smaller than a cheetah, an asteran can live for a much longer time without food or water, providing them a signifcant advantage over other predators in their hunting grounds.
While they aren't needlessly aggressive, their behaviour towards unwelcome or sudden visitors to their territory is often terrifying enough to ensure that the trespassers never return. Due to their particular ability to hunt from a distance and to close that distance extremely rapidly, it often isn't until it's too late that you might realize you have angered one of them.

Hidden amongst the brush

Mating every few years, asterans produce litters of anywhere from three to six kittens. While some entire litters survive their growth into adulthood, taking upwards of five months, it's more often that at least one kitten does not successfully reach adulthood. Grown asterans move to the edge of their parents territory, usually with at least one of their own litter alongside them, to begin the process of cultivating their own territory and produce their own litters.
Due to their danger, asterans are not commonly hunted, however their pelts are prized amongst the wealthy. Once cleaned and properly washed, those who can afford the pelt of an asteran use it as either carpeting or clothing, though the sheer weight of its fur can be a hindrance to those with a delicate frame.

Lifespan

Approximately 10 years

Average Height

0.6 to 1 meter

Average Weight

100 to 150lbs

Average Length

1 to 1.5 meters