Yptara

Summary

The Yptara, also called Stone-Leapers is a bipedal marsupial native to the mountains of the Wilderun region at the heart of Tor'Saarn. They are used as mounts across the rocky terrain of the Wilderuns where the terrain has proven to harsh for most other beasts of burden. They are not as fast as many other mounts on the continent, but there superior durability and ability to climb steep surfaces with ease make them the optimal choice for traversing the mountain ranges that break apart the Wilderun regions.

Description

When standing upward the Yptara stands between 2.4-3.4 meters tall, or 3.6-5.1 metres when its body is fully outstretched (excluding the animals ears, which can be between 30-40cm or more in length). There face is comparable to a rats, however its snout is broader, like that of some sort of dog. At the back of the creatures head are two pairs of ears, a front facing pair that can swivel inwards, outward and forwards and a smaller back facing pair that can swivel backward rather than forward. These ears are usually erect and quite tall, not dissimilar from those of a startled hair.
The animal is typically hunched forward, it's back curved. The Yptara has a long, weighty tail that is coated in black or duck grey fur, which contrasts with the brown or grey fur of its body. The beasts upper legs are muscular and their thighs are usually brought up to its side when it grazes, however their full length can be seen when they move across flatter ground in a hopping motion. The creature keeps itself balanced during its hopping sprint by using its heavy tail and long, thin flat soled feet.
The creatures clawed hands are often tucked close to its torso, however they are instrumental in assisting the creature traverse steep terrain. Its powerful jumps allow it to clear large gaps, however its claws prevent it from losing its grip on uneven footing. To prevent its offspring from being battered as it climbs the steep terrain the beast's two pouches are located slightly off to either side and are held close to its body, and kept from getting in the creatures way by their small size. Due to its small pouches the Yptara can only carry two offspring, called Ypts, at any one time, so if startled the Yptara will abandon any offspring it cannot carry.

Uses and Relevance

The Yptara serves as a mount to natives of the Wilderun regions.

History

The Yptara has been the primary means of mounted transport within the mountainous Wilderun Regions.

Size

3.3-3.8m

Animal Family

Mammal

Diet

Herbivorous

Preferred Biomes

Lush Grasslands, Jungles

Regions of Habitation

Native: Upper Wilderuns
Introduced: Lower Wilderuns, the Vassrun tail
Domesticated: The Wilderuns