Kith

Ancient cat ancestors of the Kithkin

Powerful hunters created by the Sha'rek'ta during the Age of the Ancients and went extinct during the Dark Ages. Like many of the sapient species created by the Sha'rek'ta, the magi saved them before they left the world by creating the kithkin.

The Kith were a cross between a big cat and upright humanoid figures. Like a centaur, the kith had the body of a great cat, but in place of their head was the upper torso of a humanoid. Possessed of exception senses (sight, hearing, and smell), muscular bodies, retractable claws, tails, and hands - the kith were created to be hunters. They can reach speeds in excess of 60 km/hour and jump nearly 8 meters (2.5 meters vertical) in a short hunting run. Their claws are hard enough to scratch rock.

Most of the upper humanoid bodies more closely resembled an elf rather than human as the magi created. Their upper body was lithe with cat-like ears on the top of their head, instead of the side as most humanoids. The upper body is devoid of fur, but the skin often slight colored in the same manner. Like elves, the humanoid body typically only has hair on the face and head, mostly straight and color-matched to the fur on their bodies.

Eye color is almost universally yellow or golden hued, occasionally a blue or green halo around the iris is visible.

An adult kith will typically weigh around 450 kg (~1000 pounds). Physically they are 4 meters (13 feet) long and 152 cm (5 feet) tall.

The kith are all carnivores; although they will eat grass and seeds to aid their digestion. They will never eat carrion.

Kith are born weighing nearly 2 kg after a pregnancy period of 5 months. Like all mammals they are feed from their mother's breasts - typically for a year following their birth. A kith is fully capable of hunting and feeding itself by the end of its second year. It will reach physical and sexual maturity during it 5th year.

A female kith is fertile for about 15 year (5-20 years old). She will typically go 3 years between pregnancies, giving birth 1 or 2 children. Should a pregnancy be lost before birth she is able to become pregnant again within 1 year. When a female kith becomes fertile males will come from surrounding territories to mate with her. The ritual is quite violent with males fighting with other males, as well as the female, to mate. While an adult kith is considered intelligent, mating instincts are more primal.

A female kith will live about 30 years, while a typical male will live 20.

Although many kith were solitary hunters, packs of related female kith (prides) would often roam across their territory. These prides would drive off or kill any unrelated females in territory they claimed. Males are far more forgiving of trespassers, frequently allowing weaker males and females to stay with them. Male territorial disputes where often settle more with posturing and threats that outright aggression.

Each species is denoted by the great cat from which it was created. It is very possible for the species to produce smaller sub-species, but their territory was divided and controlled by the Sha'rek'ta - so there was little opportunity.

Tiger The largest of the kith. Dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with a lighter underside. The most territorial and solitary of the kith. The only species of kith that enjoys swimming, often establishing territory on the grasslands or scrub near lakes and rivers.

Leopard The smallest of the kith, with longer bodies and shorter torso and legs. It fur is traditionally marked with small and densely packed rosettes. Far more of an solitary ambush hunter, the leopard expanded far beyond its normal territory and existed in far greater numbers than any other kith. 2 or 3 children per birth is the norm for leopard kith.

Lion The second large kith and the only one with thick hair on its upper torso. This hair covers most of the face as well as the neck and shoulders. It tapers to less dense and fine hair towards the stomach and hands. Lion kith are the most social of all kith, often living in large prides comprised of both males and females.

Jaguar While they do not enjoy the water as much as a tiger kith, jaguar kith often make their territory near the water. Accomplished swimmers, they prefer to stalk and ambush their prey in dense jungles and from trees - they are skilled climbers - with heavy claws on their hands. Although their territory is small and limited to warm and humid climes they are fully nomadic, traveling far more than any other kith species. Their coloration is a dark tawny fur with wide-spaced black rosette patterns.

Black Panther An melanistic variation of either a leopard or jaguar. The fur and skin are both black, while their eyes are a typically a bright green. The black coloration is rare even between the mating of two Black Panthers.

Kithkin Not a true species, but rather a descending line. They were created by the magi from the remnants of the kith that survived into the dark age. Far more intelligent but smaller and physically weaker. The kithkin are full upright humanoids.