Tikbalang

The tikbalang are the companion animals to the diwata. When a diwata reaches the age of seventeen, they undergo an intense ritual that binds them with an infant tikbalang. The tikbalang’s soul is intertwined with their diwata. If the diwata falls sick, so does their tikbalang, and when the diwata dies, their tikbalang dies as well. The bonded pair are perfectly in tune with each other’s mood, and while a tikbalang can’t speak, their diwata perfectly understand their thought processes.

The tikbalang can feed off their diwata’s aura through their connection. This aura can enhance the tikbalang’s speed and strength. The tikbalang can also use the diwata’s aura for enchantments of their own making. With the tikbalang’s high-pitched cry, they can confuse the mind of their enemy. It causes intense feelings of fear in disorientation.

The tikbalang are pretty intelligent on their own. They can understand complex commands and comprehend a number of keywords and phrases. They are highly sociable and have a general understanding of the moods and emotions of other beings around them. They are highly devoted to the diwata they are bonded to and will do anything to protect them.

Basic Information

Dietary Needs and Habits

Tikbalang are omnivorous. They prey off rodents and other small animals but primarily live off vegetation of Bhur-loka’s Gate. They also have a sweet tooth and love fruit. The diwata often reward their tikbalang with sweetened treats after they do a job well done.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Tikbalang can’t see aura but can sense heat through a separate organ. This organ is highly developed so they can feel minor changes in mood and sense when a being activates their aura. They have an acute sense of hearing and can hear sound in the range of 16 Hz to 110 kHz. They also have an incredible sense of smell. With the tikbalang’s heightened senses, their diwata mostly rely on them to spot any danger in their surroundings.

Appearance

Tikbalang have a slender physique. It's normal for them to have a visible rib cage. They have elongated forearms with fully developed hands and fingers. Each of their fingers ends with sharp claws. Their shorter hind legs end in cloven hooves. Sleek fur covers their body that is usually white but can be dappled with light grey patterns. They have a long main of black fur that runs down their neck and back. Their faces are horse like and their teeth are razor sharp.

Average Height

120-140 centimeters

Geographic Distribution

• Bhur-loka‘s Gate

Related Ethnicities

• Diwata

Tikbalang From Filipino Lore

The tikbalang is a horse-like humanoid with the head of a horse and very long bony limbs and a human-like chest. They live in forests and mountains and scare travelers or play tricks on them. It will Often make travelers walk past the same path over and over, no matter how far they go off in a different direction. To confuse a tikbalang, a traveler can start walking backwards or put their shirt on backwards.