Baihu Tiger (Buy-Who)

Racial Magic
First Ability
Martor's Shield

by Lee Stepp

Immune to negative effects and/or damage from all metal magic and naturally occurring metals. This includes metal weapons.

Second Ability
Gokrilvek's Aura

Able to generate effects tied to Gokrilvek over short burst. They can do so for themselves or for those arund them though they are solitary beasts. Some of these effects include increased or decreased gravity, strength, steadying of movements, cause people or objects to be unmovable, disabling flight, enable themselves or others to walk on any surface, allowing one to endure bludgeoning force with no damage, and even brief moments of increased size. This easily eats up a lot of energy.

or
Gokrilvek's Movement

Able to retain footing and balance despite whatever force, enduring and maintaining movement despite normal physics. Their strikes always follow through, their balance is always steady and sturdy, they can maintain this on any surface even upside down, have increased strength and remain unmovable against their will. Finally, they can endure damage unusually well and they are heavier.

  Also known as the alabaster tiger, these are revered and respected beasts which reside in the wilds of Zhongguo . The Baihu is also the icon of the Alabaster Dynasty, one of the Si Xiang governing Zhongguo in Yanjing. Members of this clan even possess Racial Magic which grants them physical and magical attributes of this fearsome tiger thanks to their bloodline as Divine Descendants of Ralgotar. They are highly regarded warriors, the iron fist of Ralgotar's court.

The Racial Magic the beast itself possesses makes this already mighty creature even more powerful and sturdy. Their first blessing is Martor's Shield, granting it total immunity to metal magic and metal weapons. However, it is it's second blessing that makes it so formidable. It possesses either Gokrilvek's Movement or Aura. Gokrilvek is the aspect representing strength, gravity, inertia and potential energy. With Gokrilvek's Aura, they can increase in gravity, boosting physical strength, steadying or rebalancing movements, becoming immovable, disable flight, walk on any surface and even endure bludgeoning force without damage. A Movement manifestation is similar but revolves solely around their own movements. Whether these tigers inherit Gokrilvek's Aura or Movement, these various effects are potent with their already formidable body.

Basic Information

Anatomy

by Lee Stepp

Original Ancestor

panthera tigris amoyensis, Xiamen Tiger/South China Tiger

Lifespan

18-25 years

Weight

221-430 lbs (100kg - 195kg)

Length

7.5-9 ft (2.3 m - 2.8 m)

Appearance

Unlike it's ancestor, which possesses amber colorations the alabaster tiger's fur is primarily white with black stripes as its name suggests. However, when activating it's magic form, their stripes take on different tints. Some stripes and the fur of their paws and legs will take on dark brown coloration and some of their stripes will take on a metallic sheen instead. Which kind differs by individual. Physically, this beast is identical to any ordinary tiger and it's white fur is the only feature that sets it apart from its ancestor. This is a large and muscular feline, powerful and imposing.

Genetics and Reproduction

These tiger's pregnancy will last 3 to 4 months before giving birth to a litter of up to 5 cubs. When born, tiger cubs are blind and weigh a tiny 1kg (2lb). Cubs stay with their mother for around 18 months, gaining strength and learning the skill of hunting before they can prowl the forests alone and assume the solitary life of a tiger.

Ecology and Habitats

by Lee Stepp

The Alabaster Tiger roams the mountainous, lush bamboo forests of Xizhulin Shan but they can also be found in the mountain range Kunlun Shan and Dizhenbei Dong. These mountains are quite frigid and prone to seismic activity. Their white fur blends well into these craggy, alpine peaks and their racial magic gives them the hardiness necessary to survive the unstable landscape. They are the apex predators of both biomes, not to be taken lightly. They might also be found in Joseon and a cousin species makes its home in Nippon.

Dietary Needs and Habits

by Lee Stepp

The tiger is a strong, fast and a keen hunter of other large mammals like deer and wild boar. It will supplement it's diet with smaller prey at times. Much of the prey in their environment possess aggressive metal or earth magic which is why their own racial magical defenses are so vital to this creature. The tiger's hunting style combines patience, timing and speed. They usually stalk their prey, hiding in vegetation until an opportunity to attack arises. When they do attack, they try to bite through the neck of the victim. They hunt alone and are even able to hunt in water as well as on land.

Behaviour

Thanks to their size, strength and hardiness, these beasts are extremely confident and steadfast. They know the lands they tread belongs to them and they fear no human. It takes considerable magic to defy these beasts and they command respect. They are noble and fearless of not stubborn. They are a favorite creature of Ylithuum for this reason.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

They have forward facing eyes and binocular vision. They also possess a tapetum lucidum, giving them excellent night vision and their eyes will reflect light back when shined into their eyes. Finally, these cats also possess excellent peripheral vision. All of these are put to use while hunting.

Like many felines, these tigers also make use of sensitive sense of touch to navigate in the dark, detect danger and attack prey. They have five different kinds of whiskers on their muzzle, above it's eyes, cheeks, back of their front legs and a number are located randomly about their body. The facial whiskers have numerous sensory neurons that can detect even the slightest change in air pressure when passing by an object.

The tiger's most acute sense is it's hearing. Their ears are capable of rotating to locate the source of a sound. Felines are generally more sensitive to high-pitched sounds than humans are. They can hear sounds up to 60 kHz whereas a human's upper auditory range is about 20 kHz.

Their sense of smell is not as acute as its other senses and is generally not used for hunting. The tiger mainly uses smell for communicating information with one another such as territories and reproductive status. It does have a Jacobson organ, a pouch-like structure behind the front incisors. Scent particles from the air are directed through two small openings when it inhales to nerves within the structure. These signals are then transmitted to the olfactory region of the brain that identifies scent.

Civilization and Culture

Major Organizations

The Alabaster Dynasty of Zhongguo have inherited the features of these beasts and use them as an icon of their clan. Thanks to their divine blood, descending from Ralgotar the Volcanic, they are able to manifest all of this creature's racial magic as well. Much like the beast they use as their symbol, they are a powerful force.

History

Before the Erlithmanil were created, this subspecies of tiger was on the brink of extinction. However, as the elements walked and reshaped the world into Emynea, Ylithuum became enamoured with these beasts and granted them favorable magic to aid in their survival. With these gifts and her favor, they were able to reestablish themselves as a species and thrive. Now they are the apex predators of their habitats and none threaten the survival of these mighty beasts.