Common Cats

The magic hunters of Nature

Found at nearly every farm and village built above ground. Cats are hunters of rodents, brides and strangely demons. We do indeed not know why, but cats are immune to most forms of magic. Only elemental magic seams to have any effect on them. But all attempts to bind a cats spirit to a shaman ends in... Well noting happening. The cat normally just gives the mage that look of contempt only a cat can give, licks its paws and leaves.
This immunity is one of our worlds great mystery's. And has lead to the cat being seen as a holy animal by many cultures. Which in turn has made said cultures weary of magic. Cats tend to not like magic being used on them, even if its done whit their own welfare in mind. It is this dislike of magic that is believed to be the root of cats hunting djins and maras.
Which both seam to be utterly defenseless against cats. As a result both djins and maras hate cats above all ells.

Behavior

Cats behavior is hard to predict whit any accuracy. They are in essences beings of controlled by their mood swings. One moment a cat is utterly content whit being patted and the next it will bite its owner's fingers. But there are somethings that we can say about cat behavior.
Cats spend most of their time sleeping or resting. It is believed by most scholars that they do this to preserve energy, as many predators tend to do. When they sleep you can tell a lot about how they lie in the ground, table or roof. If the cats body is in the shape of a line said cat is warm. If on the other hand the cat curls itself in to a ball its cold. Some old wife's wisdom also says that if a cat lays down on a elderly person said person will soon die. This probably has more to do whit said elderly persons having mild fevers and those creating extra heat which the cat finds nice.
Cats are also known to spend much of their time hunting. This being the behavior that we mortals like, and the main reason why we keep cats. As cats stalk rats, mice and other vermin that threaten our food-stocks. When hunting cats are very graceful and silent. Often hiding and slowly moving into position to ponce.
Cats are social animals and see themselves as part of their mortal owners "pack". Therefore many cats will leave their kills where owners will find them. This is somewhat irritating to mortal beings that has no intensest in dead half eaten rats. But in the cats mind it is showing that it to contribute to the packs food supply. One can also see their need for social interaction in their grooming of one another, and mortals if they are very liked. As well as their tendency to seek affection from their owners, tho only on their terms.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Cats have four legs that end in paws whit retractable claws. They have slim bodies whit long graceful tails. Triangular heads whit whiskers and large jaws full of sharp teeth

Biological Traits

Cats have a tendency of landing on there feet and seam to having good luck.

Genetics and Reproduction

Cats become sexually mature whit in the first year of their life. Female cats go into heat somewhere in between early spring or late summer. During this time the female will mate whit a number of males and after roughly two months the mother gives birth to three to nine kittens.

Growth Rate & Stages

The first two weeks of their lives kittens are blind and are fully dependent on their mother. The kittens will suckle their mother until their 6 to 5 weeks old. At this time they should have learned to eat solid food. During this childhood period most cats spend most of their time playing whit siblings, being taken care of by the mother and sleeping.
Around 6 to 10 weeks after birth the kittens can be seen as young cats rather then kittens. A stage they will stay in for the rest of their lives.

Ecology and Habitats

At one time they most have mostly lived in forests hunting the wild rodents living there. Today however they live where ever mortals that build settlements live.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Carnivores

Biological Cycle

The common cat can hunt all year around. But most cats chose to not go outside when it's raining or very wet outside. Not because cats can't swim, but because they don't like getting wet for some reason.

Additional Information

Domestication

Cats are not domesticated like most other animals that are. They are not our partners, like dogs or horses. Nor are they living resources like cows, sheep, pigs or chickens. Instead they chose to live whit us, hunt and eat vermin that plague our food stocks. In many ways their wild animals that have chosen to live in our homes because it is comfortable for them.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Anywhere there are people

Average Intelligence

Animal instincts

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Cats see better then most mortals in the dark. They can also see through illusions and have a strong sense of smell.

Lifespan

9 - 11 years

Average Physique

Very good for their size

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Cats come in a great number of colors and fur patterns. From white and black, shades of brown, reds, yellows and shades of gray. Whit strips or spots to more random patterns.

Inborn Magic

High

All wizards should get a cat! Why, you ask? Well there are two very good reasons.
Firstly, it will prove to the common folk that you are a good wizard. Cats hate both the undead and demons. Those a wizard that owns a cat is not dealing in such dark magic.
And secondly, said cat will remind you of the more mundane things that are important for a good life. Such as sleeping, drinking and eating.

/Albrecth the Arkivist