Shadow Panther
A large feline that uses shadows to conceal itself and create illusionary copies to distract it's prey.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Shadow panthers have 4 power legs and a short tail. The neck and head are angled down slightly so while walking the head rarely rises about the level of the shoulders. Thick dark grey and black fur covers their body. The shades are difficult to make out and to most people they will look entirely black, though in reality the fur has a mottled pattern.
The panther's retractable claws are used for both hunting and climbing trees.
Ecology and Habitats
These creatures dwell in Griboli Forest where they stalk prey through the undergrowth or lie in wait atop tree branches. The panthers require an abundance of prey and will claim a large teritory which they will fight other shadow panthers to maintain.
Shadow panthers dislike competition so they will target other predators before hunting easier prey. A lack of predators in an area can be a good indication that a small pride of shadow panthers has made their home there. Humanoids are viewed as prey and competition by the panthers and a poorly defended settlement may find itself attacked by a pride. If a settlement is fortified beyond the abilities of the panthers to attack then they will move on to another area.
Behaviour
Depending on the availability of food shadow panthers may form a small pride containing up to 6 adults. These prides will make use of their numbers to hunt larger prey than a single panther could manage. If food is scarce then a pride may break apart as the panthers turn on each other.
These panthers use a varierty of methods for hunting, including setting ambushes for their prey. When working as a pride one panther is sent out to chase or lure potential prey to a location where the rest of the pride is waiting. The one sent out is usually the youngest or weakest of the group so that it can tempt other predators into following it.
With their dark colouring these panthers can be hard to see at the best of times, but they also have an ability to use shadows to fully conceal themselves or to an create illusionary copy. These illusions give the panthers a few extra moments to attack their prey as the target either flees in the wrong direction or attacks an illusion rather than a panther.
Lifespan
70 years
Average Height
4ft
Average Length
6ft
Geographic Distribution
Discovered by
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