Prattlecat

A pretty good conversationalist and a chronic worrier. Knows the business of every local in the area.

He stared down at the dour little black-furred, catlike face with relief. "Thank Dexul! Can you tell me where the nearest road is?"
The creature sat up on its hind legs and pressed its front paws together pensively, tilting its earless head as it thought. "A road? Goodness, I was just at the road the other day! Do you know what I saw there?" Its huge lime eyes searched his face as if looking for an answer and fearful he would guess wrong. "I saw. A deer. Well, two deer. They were being very odd. More odd than deer usually are. Did you know, I once saw a deer wearing a bird's nest? An entire bird's nest! The bird must have been very upset."
"Yes, that's very odd. But what about the road?"
"Ah, yes, the road. I see it from the stream sometimes. It passes right overhead, like it owns the place. Doesn't look safe to me, all in the open like that. See, that's why the deer were so odd! Walking right down the road, where anyone could see!"

Basic Information

Anatomy

Resembles a munchkin cat, but lacks both ears and a tail. Its whiskers are less like cat whiskers and more like the barbells of a catfish. Its bright green eyes are large and add to its dour expression. It's chubby in build and not particularly fast on its feet.

Genetics and Reproduction

All that is known about prattlecat reproduction is that it requires at least one other prattlecat, and since they can't hardly stand each other (every other prattlecat spreads such slanderous gossip!), is only preformed when they deem it a "necessity". It is assumed that as soon as the young are old enough to talk, they are thrust out on their own.

Ecology and Habitats

Lives near the edges of the Wilds in riparian habitats, semi-aquatic.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Prattlecats cannot stand each other, and will do their best to avoid the territories of others.

Domestication

Occasionally domestic cats will mate with a prattlecat. The resulting litter will only have one anomalous kitten bearing some sort of mark of the Wilds such as barbells or duplicated or missing anatomy. These wildtouched kittens are still domestic, but can sense creatures from the Wilds and are both sought after and seen as bad luck. They are considered Wronglings.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Those who are lost in the Wilds can depend on prattlecats to-- eventually-- direct them to roads or settlements so long as they don't offend them in conversation. Getting directions from a prattlecat is a laborious, confusing, and frustrating process.

Facial characteristics

Expressive eyes and barbells. Mouth is always somewhat downturned.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Weird Wilds in the central bridging areas only.

Average Intelligence

Somewhat simple-minded, but good at small talk and masterful at gossip.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

The prattlecat's long barbells are extremely sensitive to magic, and this is the primary way it navigates, although it sees quite well in the dark.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

It is unclear to outsiders if prattlecats even have names. If asked, they will launch into a long, rambling story about how they came to be where they are at the moment, starting (in a roundabout way) with their earliest memories. To a prattlecat, this is as good as a name, although they will accept nicknames from travelers they run into. A prattlecat who encounters many travelers over time will hyphenate these nicknames together, forming a name like Blue-Fluffy-Whiskers-Bluecat-Chatterbox.

Beauty Ideals

Glossy fur, long barbells, and bright, clear eyes.

Common Etiquette Rules

Prattlecats consider small talk to be the height of manners. Interruption is acceptable as long as the conversant is clearly listening to the story. Those who shout, berate, or cut off a story while clearly not paying attention are not tolerated for long. Legends about prattlecats warn that lost travelers with short tempers or attention spans will be abandoned when the creature feels slighted.
Attacking or threatening a prattlecat will result in its immediate departure, and soon enough every other cryptid in the area will know where they offender is...

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Prattlecats consider themselves to be the cleverest of the cryptids, largely because they can actually grasp language instead of parroting it. (Of course, there are other cryptids that can do this too, but prattlecats will still insist they're the cleverest.)
They think humans are immensely interesting, but have difficulty understanding why every one they've met is in such a hurry to leave.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Cryptid

Average Height

1 ft.

Average Weight

14 lbs.

Average Length

2.5 ft.

Average Physique

Soft and round.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Markings are similar to cats in variation and color, though they tend toward the darker end of the spectrum and black fur always has a slightly blue sheen to it.