Suncrest's Bestiary: Caelith

Appearance

Caelitha are a feline species that stands approximately 70 centimeters at the shoulder on average, with fur coloration and patterning broadly similar to common domestic cat breeds. However, some caelitha are born with vibrant red, yellow, or even green or blue fur; current speculation is that these variations are caused by a mix of recessive traits and specific diets.

The most notable difference between a caelith and a housecat, other than the size, is the bristle-spires on their backs. The most common arrangements are a straight row along the spine, which can grow up to 15 centimeters, or a withershins spiral of clusters all over the animal's back and upper sides, with bristles reaching about six centimeters. Occasionally, they will also develop a mass of bristles at the tip of their tail.

 

Lifespan

Caelitha reach adulthood at approximately two years old, but will continue to grow and mature until eight to eleven years. Their average lifespan is approximately 20-25 years, though it's not unheard of for them to reach 30 or beyond.

Caelitha are born in litters of 1-3, and female caelitha will have at most one litter per year. Their gestation period varies but averages around three moons. 

 

Habitat

Caelitha favor dense forests, where they can easily ambush prey and, when the bristles grow too long to be comfortable, can grind them away on fallen logs. They have also taken well to the mountains, substituting rocks for logs for that purpose, and as personal companions can adapt to almost any environment, so long as their keeper tends to them properly.

 

Behavior

Many caelitha are solo hunters and foragers, neither needing nor desiring anyone else. Despite this, they can bond over time with another, whether a fellow caelith, another animal, or even a human. Many a tale tells of an unusual partnership, such as between a caelith and a glowwyrm, and while these are mostly folklore fables, they are rooted in truth; if a caelith finds a partner of another species that they get on well with, they will hunt, forage, and even nest together.

Thus, while caelitha are independent, the bonds they do make are very important to them, similarly to a pack of wolves or wargs. Surprisingly, however, this does not always extend to mating. A mated pair will remain together until their young reach adulthood, but often separate afterward; there seems to be an element of personal compatibility that determines whether they stay.

Caelitha will care for their young together, with the parents usually alternating hunting duties: one goes out for food, the other stays with the young, and then next time they switch roles. While adult caelitha will nest with other species, for them to do so while either has young is extremely rare. It is not unheard of, however, and most reports of such appear to be caelitha adopted into a wolf pack.

 

Diet

Unlike most feline species, caelitha are omnivorous. While they do need at least some meat in their diets, wild and domestic caelitha are quite content to eat fruits, vegetables, and flowers, and not only in desperation. Farmers, apothecaries, and witches interested in adopting one should be aware of this, and that each one will have their own preferences for what specific non-meats they eat; if you're growing carrots and your pet likes them, store them securely.

 

Human Interaction

Caelitha have lived among humans for a long time. Their domestication comes relatively easily, and if you're careful and respectful in your approach, even a wild caelith can be adopted, so long as they do not currently have young. They make loyal, affectionate pets, but they do require room to roam, to hunt, and to play. While domestic housecats are notorious for overhunting if they get loose, caelitha are much more restrained in their hunts, and as such prove less of an ecological danger.

Caelitha also make good travel companions, but only if you are not on a schedule; they will regularly want to leave the road to investigate something that catches their attention. If your travel situation permits this, such journeys can be a very effective way to bond with your companion.

Caelitha are also useful for their bristles. Cutting them, so long as it's not too short, does not distress them at all. In fact, for those that develop bristle-clubs on their tails, it's necessary to trim them regularly. These bristles can then be used to make hairbrushes, brooms, paintbrushes, and other such tools.