Ullr

"Alvin, what the absolute fuck was that?!"
"The hell are you on about? It was just a bird, calm down."
"A BIRD?! IT'S TOO BIG TO BE A BIRD!"

— Alvin and their friend

A Quilled Panic

Through the shadows of the trees, wide eyes stare back at you. After a moment, the eyes turn to slits and slowly creep closer. As they slink into the light, you see a feline shape that has sleek grey feathers running along its spine and interspersed within its dark fur.
A snarling mouth faces you, its six incisors almost certainly sharp enough to pierce your body. As it approaches, a growl emanates from its throat, granting immediate insight as to why it was named the way it was: ullr.

A Growl in the Shade

Ullrs, most aptly described as a mix between an owl and a panther, are perhaps one of the few creatures in the Eight Lands that does not immediately wish to hunt you down after seeing you enter their territory. They are more inquisitive than hostile, however they don a hungry and malicious expression upon meeting new creatures. This is partly an attempt to freeze them in place, as well as scare them away from their territory, as either choice by the creature is acceptable to an ullr.
While their vocal capabilities are unique, they are not the only interesting trait that ullrs possess. Much like one of their comparison animals, their ears are just behind their eye sockets, however, unlike an owl, the position of their ears is indicated by ear tufts.
Their tremendous ability to see in the dark means that they are entirely nocturnal, often not waking during the day unless a major disturbance occurs, such as hunters approaching them. Ullrs are extremely difficult to hunt because of this, as attempting to hunt them in the dark is suicide and attempting during the day is nearly always fruitless. Only one ullr, named Napper, has ever been held in captivity, though they did not survive for longer than a few years before passing away.

Lifespan

15 to 18 years

Average Height

3 feet at the shoulder

Average Weight

180 to 200 lbs

Average Length

8 feet