Glow Fangs

"When travelling through the deepest parts of the forests of Tordronnen, civilisation days away at your back, beware the lights that shine green. Don’t be tempted to follow the gentle glow, for as you do you’ll feel a watchful gaze upon you, and it will already be too late."

- Adventures through Forests: Imerathan, by Leopold Der Vitner

Overview

Glow Fangs are members of the larger feline family but are considered magical in nature. Unlike many other species of large feline, Glow Fangs live in small family groups and hunt using the soft glow at the end of their tails to lure prey. The tails of Glow Fangs are longer and more prehensile than would normally be found on a feline allowing them to hold the soft glow over and even above their own head.

Anatomy and Markings

Glow Fangs are similar in build to the Snow Cats found in the icy regions of the Channan Mountains, with a stocky build and short legs but they are still larger in overall build. Despite their compact build, at fully grown they can average between 45-55kg and typically reach between 30-34 inches at the shoulder. The length of head and body is between 51-59 inches with their tails being at least as long as their body length again. Their skulls are slightly domed in shape and they have a powerful bite with exceptional jaw strength relative to their size. 

They have camouflaging markings of spots and rosette patterning over their bodies, which can appear in various shades of brown, copper, black and even greens. The dominant colouration will be slightly different depending on the common flora found in their territory and Glow Fangs have been found to have a very swift evolution of colouration changes on changes to their environment. The very ends of their tails feature a fluffier tuft from which they can emit a soft glow, again in varying shades of green. The older the cat the deeper the shade of green will be. The eyes of Glow Fangs have slitted pupils and are typically shades of copper, green and gold.

Dietary Needs

Glow Fangs have a largely carnivorous diet and are not picky over the source of their protein. Young cubs have been known to practice hunting on smaller rodents, but full grown adults will have no reticence in hunting larger prey such as elk or sapient humanoids.

Behaviour

Glow Fangs mate for life and a group, or a Prowl, of Glow Fangs will typically consist of a mated pair and their young with some of the older siblings from previous litters often remaining with the family even after reaching young adulthood. These older siblings will take part in both hunting and caring for younger siblings until they choose to leave the Prowl altogether. A litter of Glow Fangs is typically 2-4 in size, and with the retention of older siblings, some Prowls have been recorded as having up to 12 members at a time.

Glow Fangs rarely live in isolation and when one leaves its family group there are typically 2-3 siblings at a time that will set out. They will remain as their own smaller group until they can either establish a territory to attract a mate or find one as they travel. 

Between their own family groups Glow Fangs are seen to be very affectionate with each other. Communal grooming and gentle play is a common sight and they will recognise former members of their groups even after years apart.

Hunting

Glow Fangs hunt in groups, typically at dusk or night time, using the light of their tails to lure prey into a trap. 1-2 will alternate being the main luring light whilst the rest of the Prowl will gather around, encircling the prey whilst remaining silent and out of sight. They will continue to lure and stalk their prey for sometimes days, remaining watchful and patient all the while. As a signal that the time for stalking is over, the hidden Glow Fangs will lift and light their tails, giving the prey a final moment to realise they are surrounded and have no path of escape.