Scythetail

Hailing from the desert continent of Ti'lah, Scythetails hunt smaller prey and cut fruit with their namesake tail. They have been known to be good pets due to their feline origins, but having one is still a dangerous, and many would say stupid, idea.

Appearance
Sporting canine like features, like a tail, fur and four clawed paws, Scythetails average between 100 to 150 centimeters in length and 45 - 60 centimeters in height. Their bodies are covered in short, colored fur, though the color of which changes depending on their diet and age. For example, Scythetails that feed mainly on bloodberries sport a rust colored coat, while older Scythetails tend to have more 'whitening' among their fur tips. They spot two ears, which they use to track predators and prey and excellent night vision to hunt in the midst of the icy cold Ti'lah evenings.

Yet, there is one thing that Scythetails are known for. Their namesake. When unprovoked, their tails resemble that of other felines in Laryia: long, slender and unassuming. However, in times of danger or when they are hunting, Scythetails are able to cover the end of their tail in a metal and bone like ore. It glimmers under the sunlight like sharpened iron and takes the shape of a sickle/scythe. Both the back and front parts of this new material meet where the tail curves in, angled exactly to allow for a brutal cutting blade. This tail can then be swung at high speeds, cleaving rock, cutting trees and ending prey with a single swipe.

This razor sharpness is not without its weakness though. A Scythetail needs to throw its entire body weight and do large maneuvers in order to gain enough energy for a lethal slice, making their telegraphs large and their energy expenditure even more so. This also means that limiting where their tail can swing (like in closed corridors or tight places) gives one an advantage towards the animal. Extended fights are not a Scythetail's speciality, and if one can weather the storm, you can find yourself looming over an exhausted Scythetail, whose blade, though sharp, poses no threat if then restrained.

Behavior
Though rumored to be aggressive, Scythetails are only territorial. They protect the land they believe is theirs with impunity, and are only truly aggressive against their prey or those they perceive as a danger to their lives. In most times, Scythetails travel peacefully in packs, hunting together and sharing their meals.

As a pet, Scythetails are known to be fiercely loyal, though at times aloof. They seem to both have a sense of duty to their owner(s) but also an individuality that cannot be suppressed. They are both independent and dependable in equal measure, showing affection without restraint and yet avoiding contact the next. Unpredictable, pet Scythetails are at least known to not hunt other people around them if trained properly, and are an uncommon (but not completely rare) sight to see in Raptured Falls.

Uses

 * A Scythetail's coat is sought after, providing excellent warmth and heat retention, along with defense against small blades if worked properly.


 * As is expected, the material that forms from a Scythetail's angered blade is also sought after. It is used to make hunting blades and other sorts of weapons that are able to slice through stone with ease, though such items have only average durability and is extremely difficult to repair (needing more Scythetail tail-stone in order to attempt a fix)


 * A Scythetail's meat is not the most tender, as their speedy movements and constant movement makes a meat that is quite tough. Yet, when mixed with fat from other animals, Scythetail Jerky is a delicacy that is appreciated strictly in the lands of Raptured Falls.