Wrenth

Wrenth are elusive, cunning predators. Their range is widespread though their populations may have been put at-risk with the rise of urban advancement on their territory. Historically, they’ve plagued the minds of tribesmen with fear and terror. Their likeness can often be found painted onto the walls of ruins, depicted as either an unstoppable terror or a challenge for a local hero to triumph over. Their standing power in the cultural psyche has led them down a splintering path; some see the Wrenth as little more than another monster to be butchered while others see them as key to their ancestral practices.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Wrenth are generalists. Their reasonably thick coat of breathable fur lets them reliably stave off intense cold or heat- though not the extremes of more specialized creatures. Their ability to survive in a fairly broad set of climates allots them significant ranges across the north-central part of the continent, giving them a host of opportunities to act upon prey. Wrenth alter their diet based on whatever is readily abundant in their environment, having no particular prey preference beyond the ease through which it can be brought down. In urban areas this often means a Wrenth with select for livestock, or in rarer cases man-eating.

Though they have a comparatively weak bite force, a Wrenth’s grip is second to none. Their mouths can widen to envelop the snout or head of their prey so that they may suffocate them. Their forelimbs have mineralized keratinous spikes upon the knuckles to help restrain and pin prey. Their go-to hunting method is to simply hold their victim down and let them slowly asphyxiate. Due to their fairly weak bite they have to lap at a carcass with their sandpaper-like tongue to soften it for consumption. As this can take time, Wrenth often are subject to kleptoparasites seeking to take their prize. To deter other predators, Wrenth have a series of spikes similar to those on their knuckles running along their tail. These spikes are fairly sharp and may slice through skin and muscle should one get too close.

Wrenth have their cubs every dry season. A Wrenthess may have one or two cubs a season, each the size of a house cat. Writtens are born without their titular spikes and are solely reliant on their mothers for survival. Writtens mewl much like house cats but as they mature they’ll develop into growls and eventually roaring to communicate with their mothers. Usually a Written will leave the safety of their mother once their claw spikes begin to grow- about three years old.

#### Psychology

Wrenth are largely solitary along most of their range, too little food to form collectives. In the Taiga they may form small prides of up to five adult members. In these cases the pride will work together to bring down large prey and feed collectively. A large male will usually lead these prides though it isn’t unheard of to see all-female groups arise. These prides are shakily held together though, with males actively seeking to capitalize on present females and eliminate potential rival offspring.

Wrenth are unmistakably dangerous to sapient races. Though they rarely prey on them, it’s not uncommon to see a Wrenth attacking a sapient race under fear or panic. Wrenth will instinctively avoid areas with a high-density of urban noise and only come near rural areas to hunt livestock. Man-eaters only arise if the Wrenth has been crippled in a way that could debilitate it from hunting less intelligent prey; oftentimes it can be as simple as jaw or leg injury.