Tsubasa (Sue-Ba-Sa)

The Tsubasa is a very powerful animal in Zhen Gho history and current culture. It is a winged tiger that is used quite extensively in the Republican Army for their mounted core. It is also highly sought after for adventureres, mercenaries, and other para-military organizations. For this reason they are protected from any sort of hunting or poaching. There are many trainers and breeders throughout Zhen Gho that pride themselves on being able to keep their ferocity while making them a managable mount for people. The crime for killing a Tsubasa outside of combat is usually a 25-50 years sentence in prison.This is not only because of their uniquness and value. It is also because in Zhen Gho lore the Tsubasa was the animal that Sheroth Xin, one of the Five Founders of Zhen Gho, struck a deal with as his mount.

The legend says that she tried to defeat the beast in combat but couldn't land a hit after 7 days. Upon the 8th day coming Sheroth realized what she had to do. As they began to fight again Sheroth did something different. He knelt down and gave a respectful bow to a surperior and waited. After a bit of time the Tsubasa came to her, and laid a paw on her shoulder. It then curled up next to her and gave her a lick and a push of approval. Sheroth rose and mounted the beast and felt the breeze of the high winds through her hair as they soared above. She learned the name of the beast was Yukana, which means valiant. From that moment on Sheroth made sure the Tsubasa were cared for and given the respect they deserved. Through the ages the Tsubasa have always symbolized great power and great respect. It is an honor to ride one and work with them as a profession.

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Tsubasa has characteristics of two distinct species. They have the powerful limbs, tail, and face of a tiger. On each leg is a set of powerful claws on their paws. It is safe to say that their fierceness and power is from this part of their ancestry. The other distinctive feature is the set of wings on their backs. They have two very large wings like that of a bird of prey. The size of these wings are enough to launce the Tsubasa into a low glide for powerful fast attacks in the wild. Those that tame and ride them use this ability to great effect in combat. With enough lift and momentum the Tsubasa can actually fly higher and maintain a higher altitude. This gives those that use them, especially the Republican Army, a tactical advantage for having a mount perfectly capable on the ground as the air.

Ecology and Habitats

The Tsubasa likes an environment where it can live in a higher rocky like spot. The best is overlooking a grassy plane or sparse forest. That way they can stalk their prey from above and come down upon them from the air. They will also use the height to gain a better attack point under cover and use their glide attack in this case. They live in family units with a mother and father and their kits. When the kits have grown they will leave the unit in search of a mate to create their own family.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Tsubasa is carnivore. They eat a diet strictly of raw meat from various animals. Their bodies in fact cannot handle any sort of plant or anything non-meat. It will actually cause a violent reaction in the Tsubasa where while the foreign food is inside them it will cause them to be feral until it is gotten rid of.

Biological Cycle

Through the different seasons the Tsubasa's fur will either shed or grow in thicker depending on the temprature. This allows them to live in the same spot all year long and only have to travel should they need better shelter or more food. If food is scarce the Tsubasa will go a great distance from their shelter in order to provide for them family unit. However it is too scarce they Tsubasas will move to a new location for better prey.

Additional Information

Social Structure

They operate in a social unit. This usually includes a father and mother and a number of kits. While the mother is carrying the young the father will go out and hunt and bring food back. Then when the mother has recovered they will take turns caring for the young and getting food for them. Usually the father will treach the kits how to hunt and use their wings, whie the mother will teach them how to build a shelter and stalk prey.

Domestication

Right now the process for domestication is quite lengthy but pretty well perfected. Caught in the wild the Tsubasa will be kept from others that are already domesticated. Once they have calmed a bit usually a druid or ranger will use a bit of magic to keep them calm as they introduce new habits, equipment, and other practices to get the Tsubasa used to being in a saddle. Eventually after time the Tsubasa will accept the training and be able to be ridden. However because they are never truly broken they are still a bit wild and can turn on their owners in very rare circumstances, usually ones born out of desperation.

Average Intelligence

Most would say that Tsubasa are of an elevated beast intelligence. There is much evidence for this in most Tsubaba. However there are trainers and riders that will swear to you that the Tsubasa have a greater intellegince that they unlock as they grow older, rivaling and even in some cases surpasing the sentient races.

by MidJourney

Lifespan

80-120 years

Conservation Status

The Tsubasa is protected in a sense. They are very valuable for mounts for the Republican Army as well as adventuring or mercenary groups. In this way they are very highly protected and cared for both in the wild, and those that have been trained for combat. There are many prestigious breeders who pride themselves on raising the best Tsubasa. Several only work for the Army and do very well for themselves.

Average Height

Shoulder height: 5ft Head height: 5ft 8in

Average Weight

350-600 lbs

Average Length

7-10ft

Average Physique

The average physique of the Tsubasa is very muscular. They are constant predators. Because of this they are in tip top condition. Those in captivity are put through vigorous daily training to keep that physique up so they are tip top for battle.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Most Tsubasa are a primarily orange color. Many different tints are found, usually relating to the differnt region they are found in. There are also the very rare white Tsubasas. They are not only considered valuable by Tsubasa standards, but said to be divine beasts from the gods as well.

Discovered by

Yuan Lin-Hi

by MidJourney

A common depiction of Sheroth on her Tsubasa mount Yukana