Manticore

Description

Manticore resemble large winged lions with a mane of barbs, most commonly found in North Africa and the greater Mediterranean. Much like lions Manticore prey in prides of 6 - 11 instances. One manticore will take ownership of the pride and will become a Royal Manticore.  

Morphology

Manticore exhibits an amazing level of sexual dimorphism with female and male instances displaying a variety of different forms and roles. Manticore are often compared in appearance to that of a large lion. Both Male and Female manticore have manes, with males having far larger manes than their counterparts. These manes are formed from barbs similar to that of a porcupine that act as a strong form of defence. Then barbs and spines can be found across the manticore's body, with joints usually holding a tuft of these barbs. This is seen no more than on the tails of the female Manticore. Female manticore tails are tipped with a bushel of roughly 100 - 180 barbs. These barbs can be used as a sort of thagomizer to decimate opponents. Some Female Manticore are also capable of throwing these barbs from their tails. In general female manticore are more slender than their male counterparts though often appear to be larger.   Male Manticore sport an overall different body format, though they still strongly resemble a lion. Male Manticore often sport armour like bone plates upon their face, back, and limbs. These plates have been found to be similar in construction to that of arachnids exoskeletons. Furthermore the tail of the Manticore is far more insect-like than that of the females. Instead of the tail being tipped with a bushel of barbs it is instead tipped with a stinger like bulb. The tails that often sport armour are most commonly compared to that of a scorpion. These stinging tails are capable of imparting venom unto victims caught by its needle. This venom is extremely deadly and capable of killing a fully grown human within 3 hours. All manticore hold a face and head that strongly resembles that of a lion. Large fangs are found within the mouth of a manticore, and are more than capable of ending even the sturdiest of prey.   It should be noted that many male manticore hold small wing-like appendages that jut from their back. These wings are in no way large enough or powerful enough to generate lift. Instead male manticore use these wings to signal to one another and make their own body appear to be larger. This is until a Manticore attains the rank of Royal Manticore however. These Royal Manticore are far larger than their counterparts and upon their backs sits a pair of large wings. These wings are large enough and powerful enough to grant a Royal Manticore flight. This flight can not be permanently sustained however, with flight only being used in acts of escape. Some females can also attain wings though only when their pride has been otherwise destroyed.   Manticore can rapidly become Royal Manticore, this is due to the pride always needing a leader. If a royal manticore is slain, the next strongest male shall undergo its transformation into a royal manticore. This will continue each time until no males remain. If the only remaining instance of a pride is female they will transform into an imperial manticore. Imperial manticore are far larger and more deadly than their counterparts. For more information please turn your attention to the Royal Manticore and Imperial Manticore subspecies.   Manticore often hold a reddish coloured furry coat that covers their entire form. The barbs however are often dark brown, or even black in many instances. This makes Manticore easily able to blend in with rocky or dusty terrains. Some Manticore have been found to hold coats with streaks of bright colour though this is often reserved for Royal and Imperial instances.  

Growth and Creation

It is not exactly known if Manticore were a creation of the gods or simply a prehistoric holdover. Manticore are however incredibly common in the realms of Mythic and the Preserve. Manticore are able to reproduce naturally with prides giving mating rights to the leading member of the pride be it Royal or Imperial Manticore. Manticore lay eggs similar in construction to that of non anomalous egg laying mammals. Manticore will remain as juveniles for roughly 1 year before their sex is determined. This will cause the juvenile manticore to undergo a transformation into an either male or female variant.  

Manticore Transformation

Manticore will undergo a transformation when they are either a juvenile or become a pride leader. In both instances these transformations cause the manticore to first enter a deep sleep. These transformations are complete in roughly one hour and start with a thick viscous sweat being expelled from all available pours. This liquid will rapidly harden and has been compared to spider silk when hardened. After roughly 12 minutes the Manticore will be cocooned, for the following 30 - 40 minutes the Manticore will begin to transform. In Royal instances this causes the Manticore to rapidly grow large wings as well as grow in size. Once the process is complete the Manticore will often burst forth from its cocoon ready to greet the realm in its new form.  

Abilities

Manticore possess a variety of abilities that are considered to be biologically anomalous. Though they possess no anomalous durability, the barbed manes and joints of the Manticore grant them an added layer of protection. These barbs are more than enough to deter any non anomalous predators.  

Barbed Tails

Female manticore have a bushel of long barbs at the tip of their tails. These barbs can be first and foremost used as a biological bat. If struck the barbs of the tail will often dislodge and remain within the victim. These barbs can also be thrown from the tail in a whipping-like motion. When thrown these barbs are often strong enough to pierce unarmoured prey and cause lethal wounds.  

Manticore Venom

Male Manticore tails are tipped with armoured stingers that are capable of imparting venom into their victims. This venom is strong enough to kill a human in around 3 hours. Most commonly Manticore use their potent venom during leadership challenges though will happily use their venom in self defence. Manticore are seemingly almost immune to the effects of their own species' venom. Manticore stung will often fall into a deep sleep for around 9 hours. This is however unless they are stung by a Royal or Imperial Manticore. The venom of these variants are far more potent, being able to kill Manticore and Mortal Human within less than 30 minutes.  

Flying Wings

Wings are only found of Male Manticore and are often considered to be vestigial in nature. These wings are commonly used to signal to other Manticore or enlarge their body to appear more threatening. This is however until they become a Royal Manticore. Royal Manticore are capable of using their wings to temporarily take flight. This is often used by Royal Manticore as a means to rapidly escape an area. Imperial Manticore also sport wings though are far more capable of flight than their Royal counterparts. Imperial Manticore will often use their flight in self defence method, in which they will rain down barbs from their tails from up high.    

Behaviour and Psychology

Manticore are always found in a pride of 6 - 17 members and are always led by either a Royal or Imperial Manticore. These pride leaders are often found basking in the sun atop an elevated rock. Other members of the pride, most often the females, shall venture forth from a den in search of prey. This prey shall be brought back to the Manticore den in order to be consumed. Male Manticore will often challenge their pride leader as well as one another for supremacy. Though if the pride is under attack all Manticore will attempt to protect their pride leader.  

Habitat & Diet

Manticore prefer warm environments and are rarely found in cold climates or on high peaks. Manticore can often be found in rocky or grassy terrain in which there is plenty of room to hide and make dens. Manticore will primarily consume deer and other medium sized wild prey though have been known to raid farms when food is scarce. Manticore prefer to dwell in caves or areas surrounded by steep cliff faces to offer protection.    

Combat & Containment

Manticore are difficult to combat as they often show aggression even when unprovoked. Manticore are also always found in prides which offer a further degree of danger. It is recommended that field agents attempt to retreat or shelter in secure areas. Fortunately Manticore possesses no anomalous durability which allows common firearms to easily terminate rogue instances. It is recommended that ASOs attempt to lure, herd, or force encountered Manticore prides into the preserve. This is often not an option however leading to ASOs instead terminating rogue Manticore prides.   It should be warned that in response agents should target other Manticore before the pride leader. This is in order to prevent the pride members transforming into Royal or Imperial Manticore instances. It should however be noted that often a pride leader will attempt to escape whilst aggressors are busy combatting lesser Manticore.  

Subspecies and Variants

 

Royal Manticore

- Winged and Horned manticore capable of flight, often found as the leader of a Manticore pride.  

Imperial Manticore

- Winged and Horned Manticore capable of raining down a torrent of barbs.  

Myths, Legends and Incidents

There are currently no myths or legends of note.  

Verified Incidents

There are currently no Verified instances involving Manticore available.  

Legendary & Famous Instances

There are currently no Legendary or Famous instances of note.