Eule

"To hunt such a beast is foolhardy. An eule is no animal of this realm- it is a creature of nightmarish strength and power. One that toys with its prey and feasts upon those it finds. It exhibits a terrifying intelligence that is almost human- although this creature bears no such emotions." -From the research notes of Master Hunter Xion
Eule are carnivorous, cannibalistic creatures that roam across the western mountain ranges of northern Isolia, southern Bn'ergia and the far north-west of Fiorire. The creatures prefer the mountains and forests of the area and rarely stray into lowlands or from the cover of trees. The origins of the eule are mysterious, there are rumors they are the offspring of cannibalistic humans but such things are just stories- the eule are a species all of their own. Eule prefer the flavor of human flesh, but will eat nearly any creature with meat upon its bones. Eule are considered to the be the most terrifying of creatures that can be encountered within the mountains- even dragons and wyverns avoid that particular area of the mountain range- only the rumors of the mad hedgewitch Bestemor Doven persists. Eule heads are displayed with pride and their claws are incredibly valuable amongst weapon makers for their incredibly hard structure- although few hunters are mad enough to hunt them. The few hunters who do are usually from the northern Hakon tribes- although there are a few notable exceptions such as an Arlathian knight and a mercenary mage- and even more remarkably a twelve year old girl alongside a young dragon.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Eule are tall, females usually standing around nine or ten feet tall, while males sit easily over twelve. They have a vaguely humanoid build with gaunt white skin that is stretched eerily across claws and bone and a fragile appearing frame. Their faces are skull-like with over a hundred sharp teeth and several layers of long, growing horns. The eule has four "arms" or six limbs in total, with their primary forearms acting as their primary weapons, each of their five digited fingers long and tipped with sharp claws. Their second set of arms are shorter and set into their waist with similar claws- mainly used to gut their prey. Although they are horrifying to behold- they are deceptively fragile looking. The marrow within their bones expand whenever it is damaged. Their skin is thin but leathery and difficult to penetrate with conventional weapons. In addition, their internal organs bear a strange magic that is impossible to break without the aid of fire or magic. Eule are blind and hunt according to their smell and sensitivity to heat, able to track the heat signatures of other creatures- hence their preference for the colder mountainous areas. Eule are nearly always a shade of white, black or gray.

Genetics and Reproduction

Eule are solitary creatures and fiercely protective of both their territories and their kills- known for attacking and killing other eule just for wandering onto the edges of their territory. However, males and females will briefly come together and mate when a female goes into heat in late summer and will hunt together during that time. Roughly four months later, the female will give birth to a litter of two to three eule. Immediately following the birth of her children, the eule will decapitate her mate so the children can feed off the father's body while the mother finds another meal. The mother will provide for the children until they are able to hunt- which usually occurs within a month of being born. It isn't uncommon for small mountain villages to have cats, dogs, chickens and other small livestock to be brutally torn apart and eaten when there is a young eule in the area. The mother is not particularly protective of her children and will eat them in times of hunger. When the child and mother part ways at six months of age- the small family will part ways and have not been observed to acknowledge their bonds at any later date.

Growth Rate & Stages

Eule mature rather quickly, able to hunt within a month and entirely able to be sufficient for themselves at six months old. By two years they are technically mature- although they are capable of taking down and devouring large prey at a much younger age. Eule rarely die of natural causes- so it is difficult to get a true lifespan on them, although the few experts on the matter guess they often live to about fifty or sixty years.

Ecology and Habitats

Eule are located solely within the northern mountain ranges of Ophidia. Occasionally they can be found in some of the forests closest to the mountains and even some of the surrounding hills- but they rarely approach any form of true civilization. Due to their heat sensitivity, they prefer the coldest areas available.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Eule are carnivorous. They hunt almost any game that draws near to them, although they usually avoid small things like squirrels or rabbits and prefer larger prey. They are particularly fond of hunting and killing other predators although their favored prey seems to be humans.

Biological Cycle

Eule are not strongly bothered by shifts in weather due to their preference for perpetually cold climates- however warmer temperatures can cause the creatures to become sluggish and less efficient in their hunting.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Eule hunt through their sensitivity to heat primarily, although they also have excellent hearing and senses of smell- which are heavily relied on as well. They are also skilled in mimicry and often will learn the calls of other creatures or even humans in order to draw in new prey. Lacking the proper vocal cords- eule can't mimic actual words but instead will mimic the sounds of distressed humans in order to draw in or split others. The saliva of a eule bears a potent neurotoxin that has been nicknamed hoarfrost which causes intensely painful muscle spasms, numbness and temporary paralysis in the area surrounding the injury.

Geographic Distribution

• Barrelbottom Bog
• Bn'ergia
• Fiorire
• Isolia