Theiron

There isn't an inhabitant around Veta Lake who isn't familiar with Theiron.

Though formidable in appearance, he puts his carnivorous skills to use only as a final mercy to those beyond even the Healer's aide. He will not waste food unless the unfortunate was in the final stages of disease. In this case, he burns the body and scatters the ashes to protect the rest of the forest.

Protection is his ultimate goal. He allows no poacher or developer to harm the plants and animals beneath his care. Woe to the fool who would make a threat against his family!

Most of his friends forget he's even a tigrean, so humorous is his manner and so gentle his interactions with his three cubs.

They are his pride and joy, a product of his marriage to his true soul mate. His wife is a mage of considerable skill who can see through the eyes of the birds and the bugs to guide her compassionate husband to those most in need. Through her guidance, he gathers baskets full of whatever foods the needy citizen cannot afford. These are delivered in the night hours when he is least likely to be seen. On those rare occasions when he is spotted, a smile and a wink are his only acknowledgment of the praise layered upon him. Then he is gone.

When times are prosperous, those he helped will often return the favor by leaving little gifts in the clearing where he is believed to make his home. The cave his family occupies is cleverly defended by a screen of thick water weeds at the edge of a waterfall, easily accessible for skilled climbers but well above the still pools that sometimes attract wild qrykees.

He is a devoted husband and very much a family man. He has something of a naughty tongue from his wild bachelor days of running with the Archan Feli Tigrean Trio. Every mutter of "That ** Rotten Rogue is a menace" gets the much-used Bow-E Panacea Swear Jar rattled under his nose. He's very good about it all...and especially gleeful when one of his half-grown cubs lets a naughty word slip and must forfeit a few of their own coins. These funds all go to the annual family vacation where all five enjoy a luxurious stay at the Lakeside Inn.

He won't admit to many weaknesses but you can get him to do just about anything for a bowl of buttered popcorn. The kids got him addicted when they were younger and going through their "watch the same awful children's movies every night" phase. Thassi is never far off, snatching a kernel here and there if he forgets to offer one. On cold winter nights, she will sometimes settle into the fireplace and nibble colored sugar so her flames will change the colors of the flames in the grate. The family gives her ample applause for these performances.

Sometimes his wife and Thassi will even come together to provide illusions while he tells funny stories that have them all rolling on the floor with laughter. There's never a dull or dreary moment in the household of Theiron.