Jorlseeri

Among the Taigas orders of carnivores, none are more curious than the Jorlseeri. In monic legend they began as mere stoats. Puny but powerful enough to bring down prey larger than themselves. The ancestors looked upon them fondly and granted them a great boon. It is said that this boon caused the Jorlseeri to erupt in size and become the top predator of their domain. It’s believed that the Jorlseeri initially arose in the mountains before venturing into the taiga, ousting the Wrenth population as the apex predator. They’re partially domesticated by Nix-Mons, though the process of taming one is arduous and filled with peril.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Jorlseeri are enormous mustelids but are closely related to the stoat. They have short yet gracile legs for leaping and gripping onto prey. Jorlseeri, impractical for marathon, like to lie in wait and burst out at their victims in sudden high-speed ambushes. Given these leaps take considerable energy they cannot maintain them for long; but can easily close the distance between even the fastest of horses. After these sudden chases a Jorlseeri needs rest. A Jorlseeri need not worry about a comfortable sleeping spot as their fur is both insulatory and cushioning, letting them rest without disturbances. It is often used as a filler for pillows and mattresses due to its supportive and heat-retaining nature.

Carnivores, Jorlseeri prefer fresh meat. Once they’ve secured prey with a leaping pounce they can reliably restrain even female Shaedaks. They deliver crushing bites able to punch through the chitinous plates of Shaedak and break bone to disable their prey. A Jorlseeri’s killing method allows them to hunt prey several times their own size like their stoat cousins- albeit at a much, much larger scale. Jorlseeri can’t stomach carrion or frozen meat so must continually be on lookout for opportunities; and while corpses freeze quickly in the taiga the Jorlseeri’s long flexible neck lets it plunge its head deep into the center of a kill to feed on the choice parts before they freeze solid.

Jorlseeri have two obvious morphs dependent on males and females. Males have a large light mane to advertise their fitness. Females are receptive to males who have larger and more well kept manes over those who do not. Males expend a significant portion of energy to maintain these manes so may often rely on bullying other predators to get their meals. Contrasting the showy males, females do not have manes and hunt largely for themselves and any pups they may have. Jorlseeri have pups year-round but typically only one or two at a time. Pups are wholly reliant on their mothers for all of their needs for upwards of a year by which point they’re ready to fend for themselves.

#### Psychology

Solitary yet socially sophisticated. Though they spend the vast majority of their lives alone, Jorlseeri can communicate and recognize others of their own species. Jorlseeri leave scent markers which can communicate the health of another. Males in particular frequently advertise their recent victories either through aforementioned scent markers or through chirping calls. To an onlooker these calls may seem pathetic but can convey considerable power to other Jorlseeri. Their acute sight also comes into play as they angle their large tails into different positions to convey intent at a distance. Curls may indicate greetings while arching a tail may be seen as a warning; these gestures vary between individual populations.

Jorlseeri can be tamed though it is an arduous process. A pup must be caught as an adult will never trust man. The pup is a tall order to keep as they require the dedicated nutrients of their mothers’ milk. Most newly tamed pups come from programs started by Nix settlers earlier than anyone alive could remember; how they did it in the first place is a true mystery.