Cats

The Domestic Housecat:

Despite being classified as domesticated, housecats retain much of the wildness of their not-so-distant ancestors. These small and lithe predators are most active at dusk and midnight. When it comes to having a cat, most believe that it is actually the cat which chooses you. It is considered an honour to be chosen by one, as homes with cats often seem to have better luck than those without. But to be chosen and then abandoned by a cat is considered more than bad luck, and appears to foretell the doom of the owner and his home or livelihood.

It is believed that there are two distinct lineages of cats. One domesticated by farmers to help manage the rodent population, and one domesticated by magic users for use as a familiar, a tie to and an aide for harnessing the magical energies within the natural world. Those of the familiar linage appear to have an overall higher intelligence and magical connection than those of the rural lineage. But over time both became closely associated with magic.

Because of the unique associations between cats and magical knowledge, it is illegal to harm a cat in most cities. In fact, most cats will be revered in schools of higher magical learning. However, in areas where magic is banned, cats are often targeted first.

There are some people who have sworn to have heard wildcats and familiars speak, and indeed even the supposedly domesticated housecat appears to understand more than a normal-looking mammal ought to. They often gather in groups and watch large human events unfold as though amused by the social preferences of their humans.

For those within the high magical community, it is believed that cats are able to understand and speak dragon, and vice versa. Thus far no one has been able to prove this, but with how well the two species seem to get along, no one is up for writing it off completely.