Tigrean

(tih-GREE-in)

At around 30 inches (76 cm) tall and ranging from 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) in length, the tigrean is one of the largest known felines on Subeta. Full of compact muscles, a long tail for balance, and paws with large, retractable claws, the tigrean is certainly not a cuddly cat. It is an old species, with evidence of its presence in its native Darkside dating back thousands of years. It is ideally built for rocky, unforgivable terrain, and was the main apex predator of the area before migrating South to the much more habitable Shadowglen.

Tigrean litters usually have one or two small, helpless cubs, and unlike many animals, they are born in fall rather than spring. Tigrean mothers will care for their cubs alone for two years, teaching them to hunt, stalk, and climb, before the cubs finally venture off on their own. It is not unusual for siblings, especially sisters, to stay together after leaving their mother until they are ready to find a mate and raise a litter on their own. Tigreans form wide territories, and they will leave scratch marks on trees and even boulders to let other tigreans know that an area is claimed. Not only are they known for their ability to climb trees, but they are also considered some of the strongest swimmers around! Although Shadowglen is not exactly known for sparkling rivers and crystal clear pools, it is quite easy to spot young tigreans at these rare spots, hunting fish or lazing around in a patch of sun.

One of the most unique features of the tigrean is its distinct markings. In a land associated with death, it seems only fitting that the tigrean sports what appears to be a horned skull on its forehead and bony wings on its back. Tales and stories about these markings exist all over Shadowglen and The Darkside. The most popular involves a tale in which a tigrean decided it had tasted enough flesh of animals and instead turned on the natives of Meneb. It created such havoc and left such a trail of blood in its wake that the goddess Shinwa herself appeared and gave the tigrean its marks of death, as a warning to the creatures that crossed its path. Some scientists laugh at the story, saying it is just imagination that makes the marks appear this way, but the residents of Shadowglen in particular will always argue otherwise!