Cheprys
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Sometimes thought to be a legend even among Felaryan predators, Cheprys are a rare species of giant tauric beings with the lower body and horns of a goat and typically pale hair. They can be found in high attitude mountainous regions in the north of Felarya. There are persistent mentions of Cheprys adorned with wings but if they do indeed exist, they are even rarer. It could be a mistake due to the extraordinary natural agility of these beings and their strange gravity-defying magic that can almost make them look like they're flying. Indeed, the most remarkable trait of Cheprys is their ability to stand on any surface at almost any angle and in some cases even ignore gravity all together without uttering any spell. Their hooves do seem to briefly emit a shimmering band of light as they move from surface to surface while executing these impossible feats. They also possess tremendous power in their hind legs despite their light frame, allowing them to go airborne in seconds and landing with perfect control and grace. It makes them terrifying predator, able to chase their prey to seemingly anywhere. fortunately though, Cheprys aren’t the most focused predators, playfully going after a prey with excitement in their eyes one moment, only to turn around and decide it’s not worth their effort the next.
Cheprys are a tribal species often forming small but tight-knitted packs that can quickly band together to face a common threat. A rather introverted lot, they tend to interact little with others species, clearly preferring the company of their own kind. Despite being comfortably high in the food chain, Cheprys seem to be always on the lookout, carefully scanning their environment for any anomaly or potential danger. They only let their guard down when they are with their clan, where they turn to joyous companions, sharing stories, hunting tips, drink and food. They are nomadic in nature, not liking to stay too long in the same spot and they are deeply attracted by the unknown. Cheprys do not build permanent structures to live in, often preferring to camp under the light of the stars or in small caves if the weather get tough, although their body possess a natural resistance to cold temperatures.
Another remarkable trait of the Cheprys is their proficiency at using bows. While they don't posses the uncanny talent of Elves or nemesises for reaching far away targets with pinpoint precision, Cheprys are particularly skilled at firing while moving, sometimes in the middle of a leap. Their small, compact bows compliment well that skill. They typically don't shot for great distance but they are sturdy and deliver fast-travelling projectiles. They can appear crude at first, made of wood, vines or leather, but they are remarkably well weighted.
A Cheprys will quickly use it at anything deemed to be a threat or for hunting. When it comes to human-sized prey, Cheprys will typically turn to special arrows delivering soft balls of a kind of living, sticky organic mold that will ensnare and enclose upon prey, disabling the prey without any damage and allowing the Cheprys to either savor and eat them on the spot along with the mold, not unlike a living gumdrop, or to store them in a pouch for a late snack. The digestive tract of a Cheprys is ruminant based so if you have the misfortune of being swallowed by one, digestion can take quite a long time as you may find yourself brought back up to the mouth for a second or third round of a saliva bath before the Cheprys body decides your ready enter the next stage of digestion, deeper in its four compartmented stomach.
- Credits to David Dent for coming up with ideas to develop the Cheprys.
