Jakpiriĝ
| Jakpiriĝ | |
|---|---|
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| Fauna | |
| Official Name | Jakpiriĝ |
| Common Nicknames | Eronidas Griffin, Westafar Griffin, Lu Lion |
| Classification | Mammal |
| Habitat | Various |
| Domesticated | Yes |
| Current Status | Uncommon |
Jakpiriĝ are considered a symbol of protection in Eronidas society and originate from their distant homeland of Guldar. A feline with avian features on its feet, it is often ridden by Eronidas warriors from the Pols or rougher, wilder backgrounds, and it has great tenacity defending its rider in the field. The animal also exists feral in some parts of the world by escaping captivity, and now a challenge to be conquered by these same Eronidas like their old legends.
History
The Jakpiriĝ is perhaps the oldest animal alive to have been domesticated by the Eronidas. Part of their life back on Guldar, Eronidas myths speak of great heroes wrestling Jakpiriĝ into submission, and coming to ride them into combat against armored foes and great bestial serpents. Ancient Eronidas imagery supports this, as the icon of what the Ailor scholars call “The Guardian Lion” frequently decorates now-ancient armor and examples of old Eronidas pottery from the time of their great exodus from their homeland. However, it would appear that the Jakpiriĝ population was not spread evenly among the fleets, perhaps indicating how the creature was an animal of status or had grown rarer with time. It is unclear if it was part of the Eronidas fleets that ended up landing in Corontium and Southwynd for instance, but even if it was, it did not long survive these wayward populations’ exhausted landings. Instead, it was seen much more commonly in the Eronidas who landed in Altaleï and soon spread to Westwynd, a key Mount on the battlefield, retaining its role as a guardian. It has remained that way ever since, the animal often disliked by Elves, and commonly getting into fights with the big cats ridden by the Fin’ullen and Maquixtl due to a mutual feeling. They have also appeared in the ranks of Eronidas mercenaries, and continue to hold a fearsome reputation.
Physical Appearance
The Jakpiriĝ is an immense cat, reaching up to nine feet long, and seven feet tall, with a considerable weight at several hundred pounds. Their face is that of a female, with a triangular muzzle with slightly prominent teeth poking out, a large black or dark brown nose with multiple whiskers, a pair of bright yellow, orange, or amber-hued eyes, ending in two large pointed ears with a great deal of flexibility. However, their neck is where the avian features begin. Rather than being covered in conventional hair, thin, fluffy feathers coat all around their medium-length neck, and extend down along their underbelly. The rest of their body is covered in a thin coat of tail. Their body is supported on four limbs, not ending in paws, but each instead being a talon-like appendage with large claws and a broader foot pad. The leathery skin around these claws is a bright yellow hue, while the claws are often black and other times white, leading seamlessly to both the feathers and thin hair of the rest of their limb. Their body ends in a thick, medium-length tail, known for having a small feathered crest down the first half of its length on the top, before ending off and letting the animal’s body hair fully take over.
Diversity
Jakpiriĝs are known for their significant diversity in pelt, feather, and eye appearance. It varies based on region, but most Jakpiriĝ tend to have a tan or pale-brown hue to their normal coat of hair. However, black, gray, and pale blue have also been observed, and the same hues are all capable of appearing in their feather coloration. The rarest feather color though is gold, which seemingly occurs as the result of a random flux of Genos, and is not a trait that is retained by offspring of the golden-feathered individuals. Jakpiriĝs lack sexual dimorphism, but their population numbers are roughly equal.
Life Span and Development
Jakpiriĝs are born in small cream-colored eggs with gray and blue speckles, up to several inches long in a taller shape than an average egg shape. These tend to be in clutches of two or three, but rare four-egg clutches have been occasionally observed. After being incubated for several months, the Jakittens emerge, covered in soft, fluffy hair and fur. They can be quite shrill at this stage, but over the next three months, mature into shedding their first coat and developing the colorations they will have as adults. Another three months see them becoming adolescents, and they grow to about three feet in length. Two years later, they grow into young adults, with an additional two years seeing them become a full adult. Jakpiriĝ can live for up to forty years.
Mental Overview
The Jakpiriĝ is a very emotive animal, and extremely well-understood thanks to millennia of being raised, ridden, and fostered among the Eronidas. Commonly found flicking their ears, and making a range of vocalizations to express their feelings and desires, the animal is also notable for making scratches in the dirt with its claws to indicate certain things. Some have even been taught the concepts of counting or basic math, able to scratch out Eronidas numbers. However, they are also aggressive creatures, prone to fits of irritation or gloom, in which instances tenders should ideally stay away. Jakpiriĝ are omnivorous, and while many of their needs are met by caretakers, those found in more rugged environments such as the Eronidas camps and settlements of Westwynd, or the semi-feral populations also located here, are adept hunters. They also enjoy Stoor Roots as a horse might an apple or sugar cubes.
Territory and Groupings
Jakpiriĝs exist wherever there are Eronidas, each Pol having several, at minimum, often the property of military leaders or great warriors. They also exist elsewhere, either spread through trade where they exist comfortably with the Eronidas of Corontium, or through escaped members coming to populate the rugged landscape of Westwynd the Eronidas call home. These feral Jakpiriĝs are often conquered in a way befitting the old stories, and broken in for riding by rugged Eronidas warriors. These smaller nests number between six to ten individuals, while those in populated surroundings or among the Eronidas can number in the dozens.
Trivia
- Jakpiriĝs are commonly believed to have once possessed wings, only to have lost this trait sometime either just before or after the Eronidas Exodus. While examples of winged Jakpiriĝs exist in the earliest accounts of Eronidas-Elven relations (which is to say warfare), these few examples quickly died out, replaced by the species and its traits well known today.
- Some have noticed an undercurrent in feline-avian body unity found in or around groups or locations loyal or influenced by the Dragons.
- Jakittens love to play with string. However, they often get tied up much easier due to their narrower talons and ankles.
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