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| Mantavaar | |
|---|---|
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| Fauna | |
| Official Name | Mantavaar |
| Common Nicknames | Genosyolkatl, Zuraah Beast |
| Classification | Mammal |
| Habitat | Jungles of Westafar and settlements of the Maquixtl |
| Domesticated | Yes |
| Current Status | Uncommon |
Mantavaar are large, tiger-like creatures with six legs and striped bodies. Where they differ from the base feline appearance is having a humanoid face for their visage. This is accentuated by a truly breathtaking diversity within the species, as they evolve visual traits based on their diets. The animals were likely known to the Eronidas, but it is the Maquixtl who have tamed them into rideable beasts of warfare. They are also known for their love of climbing, and for forming bonds with others of a similar age rather than groups based on family units.
History
The Mantavaar is an animal shrouded in mystery, given the distant land of Guldar it tends to dwell in, and the secrecy or lost knowledge associated with those Heritages from the region. The Eronidas were the earliest to encounter a creature similar to the Mantavaar, though some doubt they are the same creature. Fragmented references in Eronidas tales speak of a many-limbed “devourer” with a striped body that lurked in the darkest jungles. Its skin was sometimes taken and worn by the Avarr as a trophy, while they were even said to sometimes be tamed and used as creatures of the hunt against the Eronidas. When the Eronidas fled, these tales remained of the beast, until the Maquixtl reached the area. Due to their secrecy, the animal they called the Mantavaar was unknown to others. When groups of Maquixtl left their second homeland to return to Altaleï, the first reports of these terrifying creatures accompanied them. Huge, with three pairs of legs, and used as Mounts by the Maquixtl, the creatures had a face like a man's, while their bodies were capable of enormous visual diversity. Many were, and still are, repulsed by such a creature, with ghastly stories rapidly spreading about its origins. Today, the animal remains well-liked among the Maquixtl, as they cannot see the unnerving traits other Heritages view in the animal. Some, ironically like the Kathar, find the big cats fascinating, but they may never possess a living one, solely its skin.
Physical Appearance
The Mantavaar is a large feline, but it also has a highly variable appearance due to its unique process of maturation and development. The average of most Mantavaar is a height of six feet, a length of ten feet including their tail, and around 850 pounds of weight. Their heads are the most striking part of their bodies, with a highly humanoid face composed of pale, hairless skin, and large humanoid eyes in a range of colors, while their mouth is more like a muzzle, set forward from the other features of the face with a broader shape as well. Their noses are also a mesh between humanoids and felines, with a wide structure. Their mouth is full of sharp teeth suitable for a carnivore. Their head ends on a “beard” that faces the face, similar to those a tiger might possess. The animal’s ears rise above their heads and are slightly elongated, but still rounded and shaped like those of a feline of its size. The rest of the Mantavaar’s body is more of a puzzle. Their body generally rests on three sets of evenly shaped athletic legs, each ending in large paws with shredding claws. Their form then ends in a medium to long tail. Their bodies are largely covered in a thin layer of fur, which normally has distinctive vertical striping.
Diversity
Mantavaar are theoretically capable of near-infinite visual diversity due to their unique ability to visually adapt traits of the creatures they eat. For instance, a Mantavaar constantly fed the flesh of horses will adopt the common body colorations of that breed. This can go even further, and it is commonly noted that a Mantavaar’s tail most heavily adapts to its diet. Thus, if one were to feed them a diet of insects, their tail would gradually develop leathery plates and segments. Their faces can also change appearance, with food sources from avian stock allowing feathers to grow and to form the “beard” around their head. However, they will not develop a new set of legs, or alter their existing one, and while some entirely lose their natural striping, this is the furthest their visuals can take them. The Maquixtl know a standard diet that keeps the animal appearing young. These colorations are dark orange with a white underbelly, and the stripes are dark blue or green. Mantavaar also possess sexual dimorphism, in that their faces can be distinguished between male and female due to slight structural differences. Their population numbers are also equal.
Life Span and Development
Mantavaar are born in litters of three to six and emerge from their mother without any of the traits that individual has adopted through their diet. They appear like most other feline kittens, save for their faces, which are oddly mature in appearance, not like that of a humanoid baby. As a result, they can be fairly unnerving to look at for those unprepared or unfamiliar with the animal. Their bodies possess the natural fur tones and patterns discussed earlier, and for the first six months of their life, they remain relatively small in size and slender in build. By their second year, they grow and acquire more mass in their bodies as they reach adulthood. This is also when their diet begins to affect their appearance. The time between young adulthood and full adulthood is another two years. Thus, by the age of four, they will be at their peak physique and mental state, and will likely have one or two alterations to their form depending on their owner's preference. This stage is also when the animal can be properly ridden, as before this stage, weights and saddle preparations are all that can be done since the muscle mass of an adult is required to hold the weight of a rider. Mantavaar can live up to seventy years old.
Mental Overview
The Mantavaar has a caring and compassionate side, despite its ferocious appearance. While its family groups are rather loose and young Mantavaar rapidly find their independence, they tend to group with others of a similar age and create a pack on a social level rather than a family level. These age groups commonly perform grooming amongst each other, as only the youngest stage of Mantavaar allows their parents to clean them. Mantavaars also get along quite well with the Maquixtl and many other animals. While there are rumors of wild members of the species, significantly altered by their eating of uncoordinated meals in the wilds, the only ones known to exist instead see Maquixtl tend to all their feeding needs. As a result, fowl, such as small as ducks, and animals as large as horses are gently or easily played with by young Mantavaar when they often have boundless energy. This allows the Mantavaar to be bunked next to other steeds and mounts, often at ease with the scent of what would otherwise be a predator. The Mantavaar react negatively to most other Heritages, but not so severely that enough routine interactions wouldn't establish trust.
Territory and Groupings
Mantavaar prowls are groups of roughly thirty to sixty members kept in Mantavaar “mini-jungles,” spaces that foster environments similar to the homeland of Guldar when the animals are not there directly. This is done even in urban cities where environments mimic the jungles for these predator animals. Tall steps and ledges promote jumping, with each level signifying rank in the group hierarchy. Young and parenting Manavaar are on the levels closest to the ground, followed by the young adults. Ages four to sixteen often coalesce, while those sixteen to thirty group up, with all others above that age living together at the peak of such structures. This is believed to mimic the Manavaar’s ancient hierarchy that saw them live and rest in trees.
Trivia
- Mantavaar skins are extremely rare, as the Maquixtl treat them with great respect, and bury them in crypts beneath their faux-jungle homes. What specimens do exist are often the result of lost battles, and the butchery of Eronidas or Kathar who prize the unique pelts these creatures often grant them.
- A common Maquixtl children’s story is of Cozamalotl the Chameleon-skinned, a Mantavaar of rainbow hues who lurks in various places with her color-changing coat. The myth is, however, a tale meant to prepare the young for hidden threats lurking in even seemingly safe spaces of the jungle, plains, and even cities.
- Some believe that the Mantavaar are the result of over-Genosed Maquixtl, reduced to an animal state in the past and now cared for in the modern day.
- It is said that there are Asha-like Mantavaar lurking in the jungles of Guldar, of enormous size and power.
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