Original Submission: Fauna: Constellion
Constellion
Developed by Amaris
Price: Pelt -- 2 onHabitat: Scaltoth Jungle
Lifespan and Development: Constellions are not much larger than regular lions. The only distinguishing features are the pale colorings of both their pelt and hair, as well as the faint constellation like markings on them. These markings do not appear until maturity, which is achieved after two arcs. The species is said to live anywhere from 15 to 45 arcs. As pack animals, they maintain the same family dynamics as their brother species of lions. Each group is headed by an alpha male that will chase off all competing males, or if defeated will leave the pack and search for a new one.
Constellions maintain the same mating pair for all of their life, and are said to reproduce once every five arcs. Their young remain with them, mostly the females, until they reach maturity and find their place in the pack dynamics. Male offspring are left on the fringes until their first challenge for dominance. Should they lose, they are promptly chased off and left to find another pack to integrate themselves into. These challenges are most often done in Ymiden or Saun, and can take up to 10 arcs before the first attempt is made.
Upon death, Constellions are said to produce a soft glow until their body fully decays. Afterwards, the imprint of their markings are noted to be left behind in the ground, glowing every night as a beacon for several cycles. The pack will remain around the spot until it fades and move on to another territory if the deceased were the patriarch or matriarch.
Diet: Carnivores
Temperament: Despite solemn appearances, Constellions are playful and sociable. They, however, are not gentle and as such are considered dangerous. They would not hesitate to treat a stray explorer as a chew toy, though it would seem more like friendly play to them. Serious threats are treated with equal amounts of hostility. Should one of their pack be downed, the surviving members will go as far as hunting down the perpetrator outside the reaches of the Scaltoth Jungles.
Abilities: Constellions glow at night, reflecting constellations into the night. This is used as beacon to direct members of the pack to them, but is also a beautiful sight.