Dream Tiger

General Description

The Dream Tiger is an exciting and newly discovered creature, with almost no information regarding it. And while many Firbolg legends do describe something akin to it, these had previously been dismissed as nothing but legends. Now, after countless hours of research and direct evidence, the Dream Tiger has been given its very own entry.

As for the evidence in question, it is thanks to the Giant Slayer Gild member, Lokstein "The Biggest Orc" Shagstone. Who, during a particularly erksom hunt of a Shadow Drinker (an impromptu name given by the Gild member Lokstein), that it was discovered. The hunt in question occurred when a rogue sorcerer made a creature entirely of his own creation. The Shadow Drinker was not only intangible, but possessed a plethora of other abilities that made its hunt less than ideal, especially given Loksteins unfamiliarity with magic. Such abilities included

• "Drinking" portions of one's shadow, causing the associated area to become numb and lifeless for the next 24hrs.
• Manipulating objects shadows, causing the associated object to equally be effected.
• A "Shadow Laser", in which a stream of darky billowy shadows erupts from its chest, syphoning the life from anything it comes into contact with.
• Possessing the "shadow" of an undead or otherwise lifeless corpse, and controlling its actions as if they were its own.
• Entering the dreams of the sleeping to physically assault the victim. Although this also makes the Shadow Drinker vulnerable to attacks, it has nearly unlimited power here.

Although forced to retreat, this last ability had been discovered by Lokstein in subsequent outings for intel gathering, building a profile of the creature before his next assault. And it was due to this that he had devised a plan in which he would consume a cocktail of herbs and ingredients taught to him by a "wandering prospector and his big bug". This would cause him to enter into a coma like slumber, but with the ability to enter into the dreams of another.

In this state, Lokstein describes traveling across several dreams, following some sort of "trail" (very little was elaborated on this). Somehow, Lokstein deduced a "trajectory" (once more refusing to elaborate), and "cut ahead" to wait in the dream of its next victim. Here, Lokstein describes the dream of a small child, who had been dreaming of a disproportionate and anatomically incorrect Gray Render, with Lokstein describing it as "whimsical".

Soon after entering the dream, Lokstein noticed the presence of the Shadow Drinker. But before he could make his assault, a "Dream Tiger", as described by Lokstein, appeared from nothing and pounced upon the Shadow Drinker. From here, it is said that despite the Shadow Drinkers absurd repertoire of abilities, the Dream Tiger seemed at times unfazed. Using its prehensile "stripes" to puppet limbs that had been rendered inert, and creating objects out of thin air to block attacks (all of which were described as "being in the kids style").

During the entirety of which, the Tiger is describe to "protect" the child from any harm, although Lokstein has since clarified that it wasn't so much "protecting" her, as it was insuring the dream stay "open" (although willing to elaborate, Loksteins descriptions and explanations were so baffling that researchers ceased asking). Eventually this Dream Tiger subdued the Shadow Drinker, and began to consume it.

After this, it begins stalkings towards Lokstein, but seemingly full from its meal opted instead to trot over instead, after which pouncing on Lokstein. Despite his struggles, the Tiger eventually subdued him, staring deeply into his eyes. After this, the next recollection he recalled was awaking from his self induced slumber.

Of particular note, Lokstein has since claimed this was impossible. As he had purposefully created a blend that not only put him to sleep, but incapable of awaking outside his own volitions. Additionally, he had awoken with a clump of orange fur in-hand, presumably from where he had attempted to grab and wrestle free of the Tiger.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Although descriptions vary wildly, the most common description is as follows.

"A large powerful tiger with living shadow stripes, and a shadowy mask that obscured its face. The eyes... They were to large. Disturbingly so."

Genetics and Reproduction

Unkown, possibly non-existent.

Growth Rate & Stages

While predictions abound on whether this creature even breeds, it is slowly being accepted that each successful "hunt" results in visible changes.

This was noticed during Loksteins subsequent investigation, after being assigned to study the Dream Tiger due to his bafflingly high familiarity with the dreamworld. In his studies, he had found that a Dream Tiger had its right ear torn away by a pair of Oni effecting a Firbolg Child. Although successful in dispatching and consuming one of the Oni, the other had managed to escape to the Firbolg childs father. The next morning, the father sought out the Giant Slayer researchers and began to describe his Dream Tiger. And although its ear was indeed missing, he noted how the shape of the "mask" had changed from what his daughter had described. Additionally, the length of the tail and thickness of the "stripes" had grown noticeably from his daughters description.

This has led to three plausible theories concerning the revelation. The first theory being the simplest, but least likely, proposing that this was a secondary Tiger, coincidentally missing its ear. The second hypothesis proposed was the idea that Dream Tigers appearance will change from person to person. Finally, the third idea was that the changes were in response to the newly consumed Oni from before, and that it had simply changed due to the energy received from the consumed Oni.

These theories, while relevant, have been reserved as a hypothesis. As such, Researchers on this matter are advised to keep the thought in mind, but to be aware that very few solid facts exist.

Ecology and Habitats

Although much is unknown, Lokstein has provided his theories. Of which will be provided below:

"I reckon their a dream predator. Eatin lil goonies* like Oni and hells, maybe even Moon Beasts. T'be honest with'ya, I'd be more surprised if Dream Tiger DIDN'T exist. Think bout it, you's got a buttload of goonies hangin round the dream world without a care in the world. Eaten what they wanna, glorking** wherever they please and prolly even repoducin en masse. In other words? An apex predators dream!

And it's my "theory" that Dream Tiger is that predator. It stalks around dreams, sniffing out neo-dreamers***, like Shadow Drinker or myself in that kids cute dream. Luckily it had had its fill on ol Drinky****, but had it been the dream of a dark alley, and all there was, was me? I'd reckon I'd be on the menu.

And by the gods is it equipped for this!! I personally seen Dream Tiger make a frying pan to redirect Drinky's shadow laser BACK AT HIM!!! Of course, not that I don't think Dreamy Tiger doesn't have a sense of humor, but it got me wondering. Ya think it chose a frying pan because it wanted to? Or because it fit the dream? Very few goonies got THAT level of manipulation. You'll run across the odd Oni or Demon, but they have to change the dream. That may seem impressive, but really it's the equivalent of manifesting a door to your house and opening it. But making something out of nothing like that? Only things I know of are Moonbeasts and similar neo-dreamers."



*A self invented slang word, used to describe anything and everything, most commonly a group of something's.
**When asked to elaborate on "glorking", Lokstein commented that this is his own word for a dream creatures equivalent to defecation.
***Apparently, this is an alternative name for what he calls "Dream Invaders".
****His pet name for the Shadow Drinker.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Although little known of this elusive creatures nature, it has been observed on numerous occasions to seek out those who have had consistent nightmares and/or being effected by a similar dream based creatures. Here, it will "battle" whatever creatures reside within the dream and "consumes" them.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Although it's true capabilities, should those even exist, are unknown. It has been noted that it appears to possess a near omnipotence within whatever nightmare or dream it has found itself in.

Artistic Representation by Lokstein Shagstone

Scientific Name

Draumr Ketti

Origin/Ancestry

Unknown

Conservation Status

Uknown