Lumicat

Lumicats are small felines, nearly indistinguishable from normal cats save for a few key traits. They can have any of a wide variety of fur colours and types, body shapes, and facial features. Many lumicats have sharp claws, and while it is a difficult effect to explain, holding their gaze causes discomfort.
However, they are united by one shared feature: all lumicats glow a pale green light when in the presence of Thyic.

Magic of the Lumicats

It is clear that this effect is not a natural one, and was introduced to the species at some point. Best guesses of historians seem to indicate this change occured just before or during the War of World's End, though the reason for the introduction of this feature to the species is still unclear.

Origin Theories

The method through which the glowing was added to the cats is equally nebulous. There have been theories about genetic engineering, but the traits that would cause such a behaviour would had to have been magical, and the theoretical field of arcanogenetics has been widely determined to be a near impossible feat. Another idea was the introduction of a semi-biological disease to the population, but this is not something that would be passed along genetically, so this theory has been disregarded by most. Others believe that the cats are simply a gift from the gods, sent to protect them. This is unlikely, as the gods are not particularly active in interfering with mortal and worldly activities.

No one has ever actually seen a lumicat reproduce. They are capable of reproduction, as they do eventually die and new lumikittens are born, but somehow they manage to do so outside of any attempts at observation - and many have been made to attempt to solve this mystery. Lumicats also have a tendency to be able to escape nearly any environment, making any research involving them highly difficult if the lumicats don't want to be there.

Ecology & Habitats

While lumicats have no one preferred habitat, they do take a notable liking to cardboard boxes. To sleep in, to munch on, to hide in, and to play with, lumicats love cardboard boxes like nothing else in the world. It is considered essential for any lumicat owner to provide at least one cardboard box to their lumicat, replacing it whenever it is eaten or destroyed.

Biological Cycles

Lumicats annually go through a process known as phasing. During phasing, they shed all of their hair and become hairless (already hairless lumicats are not affected). This happens yearly during the summer regardless of climate, so lumicat owners living in colder environments are advised to provide warm clothing to their lumicats in the summers, to protect them from the cold of the environment.

Hey! No! Get off of there, that's my- ...favourite vase.

— Frustrated lumicat owner

Lumicats are empathetic creatures, but they are also troublemakers at heart. They refrain from causing trouble for people who are sad, but will purposefully mess with people who are agitated, which sometimes makes their agitation worse but most times, strangely, seems to lighten the mood. They enjoy knocking fragile things off of high surfaces, and clawing against doors and walls.

Uses, Products, and Exploitation

There are two jobs that lumicats can typically have. Therapy lumicats are fairly common, and they enjoy their jobs. However, lumicats can also be imployed as detector lumicats, travelling into possibly magically-dangerous areas near magical wastes or other high-risk areas. The lumicats are not harmed by this, and have proven incredibly valueable in preserving the lives and healths of researchers and explorers in such areas. Lumicats are the reason that such areas can be heavily explored and documented while still maintaining the safety of those travelling within them.

Average Intelligence

Lumicats are a highly intelligent species. Most of this comes in emotional intelligence, but it also manifests in an eerie level of technical intelligence as well. They are able to calculate lengths of jumps they want to make, infer reactions to their actions, and much more. They are also almost always able to tell the intentions of a person towards them. They will choose which people they want to stay with and which ones they do not like, and they are known to hold grudges against people who have wronged them - and often, these grudges are held for life.

Aside from their ability to detect Thyic, which the cats themselves don't actually seem to be aware of, these cats are perticularly attuned to the emotional states of those around them. They seem to be able to tell exactly the emotions of each person around them, as they respond to each of these emotions uniquely.

Caring Companions

Because of this ability, lumicats are often kept as household pets. It is also for this reason that they are often employed as therapy lumicats, providing comfort to those who may need it.