Cat
Origins and Evolution
Cats, presumably, came to Calmarendi with the humans as just plain old domestic cats. But, though this is no doubt true, it is not how things are now. At some point, they became very much less domesticated than they once were. They have not (yet) become entirely feral, of course, for, particularly in the harshest weeks of wintertime, they will seek shelter, food and comfort in the homes of humans. And, more often than not, humans are eager to oblige them though none, these days, may ever say they have cats as pets.
Geographic Distribution
Wherever there are humans, one is likely to find cats. Some more hardy breeds are known to have made home in the lonely places of the high mountains though whether they have migrated beyond the confines of the Western Provinces is less certain.
Folklore has it that cats have befriended unicorns and that many now dwell in the lands beyond the Sierra Nevada. Such is the prevalence of this belief that the “Cat and Unicorn” is a name bestowed upon many an inn and tavern throughout the Six Provinces. There is, however, no real evidence to suggest that this is in any way true.
Calmarendian Cat Society
In large, crowded cities like Port Victoria or Vienna, cats live together in sizeable colonies which jealously guard what territory they may. Fights are not uncommon, even pitched battles, as colonies contest with their neighbours every street and alleyway. All of which, as you might imagine (and you would be right to do so), can become something of a nuisance to the humans but cats know that staying cute in the eyes of the bipeds remains their best ticket to a free meal, so the worst excesses of cat behaviour go on unseen to the casual observer.
In the countryside, where there is more space and less competition, cats live in smaller groups and coexist with their neighbours in relative peace.
In the mountains and other desolate places, though no less territorial, cats lead solitary lives, seeking out other cats only to mate. So different, in fact, are the lives of the so-called “mountain cats” that they are popularly believed to be or to have become a separate sub-species.
Myths and Legends
Cats carry with them many of the legends and superstitions you may be familiar with, such as black cats being a portent of bad luck or good, depending on which tradition you subscribe to. And they have acquired some which you may not yet have heard, for many a Wanderer’s tale tells of the doings of cats, good and ill. But that is all they are, tales to pass a winter’s evening by the fireside. Except…
Why did they de-domesticate themselves? What part did the unicorns or the Fae play in that, I wonder?
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