Great Lion
Native to the Northern and Central parts of Lu Ven, as well as some southern areas of Yellen Flat, these massive lions are feared and sometimes revered by the common folk of their lands.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Standing more than twice the size of a regular lion, these massive predators dwarf most other predators and prey in their territories.
Aside from their impressive size, the main thing that distinguishes these powerful predators from regular lions are their flowing manes. While a regular lions mane is a sandy blonde or light brown, the manes of Great Lions are stark white and silver for males, and silver with golden curls for females.
Both male and female Great Lions have manes, but females tend to lack the 'beard', a tuft of silvery fluff on their chin.
Great lions typically have Light Blue or Silver eyes, and the eye shine reflected from these eyes is a vibrant yellow-green.
Aside from their impressive size, the main thing that distinguishes these powerful predators from regular lions are their flowing manes. While a regular lions mane is a sandy blonde or light brown, the manes of Great Lions are stark white and silver for males, and silver with golden curls for females.
Both male and female Great Lions have manes, but females tend to lack the 'beard', a tuft of silvery fluff on their chin.
Great lions typically have Light Blue or Silver eyes, and the eye shine reflected from these eyes is a vibrant yellow-green.
Genetics and Reproduction
Great Lions reproduce like most lions, through typical mammalian coupling and sexual reproduction.
Great lion gestation is around 10 Months, and always births a single cub.
Females can produce and raise 1 cub every 2 to 3 years.
Great lion gestation is around 10 Months, and always births a single cub.
Females can produce and raise 1 cub every 2 to 3 years.
Growth Rate & Stages
Great lions are live born, and can see, walk and cry within 2 days of being born.
They reach early adolescence by 2 years, and will typically leave their parents at this time to strike out on their own.
The Creatures tend to reach sexual maturity by 5, and once they find a suitable partner will breed for life, staying with that mate until one or both die.
Any Cubs born to the pair are raised by the female for the first year, while the male hunts and scouts.
After the first year, the male takes over rearing the cub and teaches them to hunt and fight,while the female takes over hunting for the family and patrolling their share territory.
While these small family groups will travel together, they do not hunt together until after the cub has left to be on their own, then the parents will resume hunting together and bringing down prey as a team.
They reach early adolescence by 2 years, and will typically leave their parents at this time to strike out on their own.
The Creatures tend to reach sexual maturity by 5, and once they find a suitable partner will breed for life, staying with that mate until one or both die.
Any Cubs born to the pair are raised by the female for the first year, while the male hunts and scouts.
After the first year, the male takes over rearing the cub and teaches them to hunt and fight,while the female takes over hunting for the family and patrolling their share territory.
While these small family groups will travel together, they do not hunt together until after the cub has left to be on their own, then the parents will resume hunting together and bringing down prey as a team.
Ecology and Habitats
Great Lions stalk the grasslands, semi-tropical forests of the coast, and the hill country of Lu Ven, as well as the southern marches and coasts of Yellen Flat.
While they have been seen living or hunting in the denser forests of the Lu Ven interior, this is very rare, as these large predators have trouble blending in and stalking in the dense foliage of a tropical or semi-tropical rain forest.
While they have been seen living or hunting in the denser forests of the Lu Ven interior, this is very rare, as these large predators have trouble blending in and stalking in the dense foliage of a tropical or semi-tropical rain forest.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Solitary or small family groups.
Mate for life, traveling as a hunting pair.
Mate for life, traveling as a hunting pair.
Domestication
Has not been successfully domesticated or trained.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Hunted for meat and it's fine furs, but rarely.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Unlike most felines, Great Lions do not hunt at night and as such do not have dark vision.
However they do have incredibly acute hearing and sense of smell, which they can use to track prey without sight if needed.
However they do have incredibly acute hearing and sense of smell, which they can use to track prey without sight if needed.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Some people believe that these massive cats were actually created, or originally from, the Forest of Infinite Stars.
This common myth is likely due to the creatures unusual appearance, and it's innate ability to ignore or even reflect certain magic back at attackers.
This common myth is likely due to the creatures unusual appearance, and it's innate ability to ignore or even reflect certain magic back at attackers.
Scientific Name
Malik Asada Alnujum
Lifespan
25 to 30 years
Average Height
6 to 7ft. at the shoulder
Average Weight
600 to 800lbs
Average Length
8 to 9ft. from head to tail
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Sandy Blonde, Light Tan, Silver, White, or Golden fur.
Manes are Silver-White on males, and Silver with Gold tips or curls on females.
They occasionally have small Gold or brown spots, but this is very uncommon.
Manes are Silver-White on males, and Silver with Gold tips or curls on females.
They occasionally have small Gold or brown spots, but this is very uncommon.
Geographic Distribution
Comments
Author's Notes
Original lion art property of Wizards of the Coast.