Nemegral

In Silvic perception there is no creature more despised than the Nemegral; branded as a feral, unredeemable monster. They have a reputation for being unpredictable and extremely volatile. A front to the perfect forestry the Silvic claim to foster. The origin of the Nemegral is something of a mystery- they don’t appear in the fossil record until a few thousand years ago. This notion has led some to believe that the Nemegral was created or is in response to the actions of the local population. What force or entity behind this retaliation -and to what- is up for debate. Given their reputation, Nemegral have been largely eradicated bar a few strongholds in the deepest parts of the forest.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

A large marsupial, the Nemegral is a large relative of opossums. Despite their heritage, they have more in common with canines and other larger marsupials. Their long hairless tails act like stabilizers for sudden movement. A Nemegral’s bipedal gate allows them to make leaping strides at speeds comparable with dogs. In these stints, Nemegral can maneuver between the trees with surprising agility on account of their muscular tails, throwing its weight in one direction to make a sudden turn in another. They use these incredible bouts of speed and agility to hunt- though they cannot maintain them for long. When they’re not hunting, Nemegral chose to walk largely on all-fours to conserve energy.

The killing apperatus of the Nemegral lies at the front of the animal. By running and leaping on their hind legs, they can use their forelimbs for more appropriate tasks. Their arms are incredibly muscular and tipped with razor sharp claws. A strike is enough to tear open chainmail and they can restrain animals smaller than themselves with ease. Nemegral rip into and restrain their prey to allow their jaws to do the work. Nemegral jaws aren’t particularly strong but are lined with a series of puncturing teeth to punch deep wounds into their victims. Nemegral ideally kill by puncturing the windpipe or major arteries- wounds that often prove too grievous to conventionally stitch up.

As a predator, Nemegral are equipped with strong senses. Though their sense of smell is comparatively weaker than its other senses, it is quite effective at picking up fresh blood. It isn’t uncommon for a Nemegral to cut into a victim and simply follow the odor of its blood as it flees. Where the Nemegral does excel is in its sight and hearing. Its sight is elf-like, able to see in low-light conditions to a greater extent than most predators. A Nemegrals’ hearing is finely tuned to identify minute changes in pitch and tone. All Nemegral have a unique call which they use to identify each other- particularly important for joeys who escape their mother’s pouches.

#### Psychology

Nemegral are mostly solitary but do on occasion form monogamous pairs. They dwell in small territories which may be moved depending on the availability of prey. Being nocturnal, they avoid confrontation during the day. At night they leave to hunt, preferring Pine Stag, Olfene, and Elka’Bird. Naturally they do not view sapient races as food- with but one exception. Every shift of the lunar cycle -roughly every month-Nemegral exhibit a sudden hormonal and behavioral shift. Nemegral become increasingly hostile and destructive beyond the normal, rendering their pain receptors inert through the night that it occurs. These bouts of sudden aggression only last a day -and given the pain and clear discomfort it causes to Nemegral afterward- it doesn’t appear to be voluntary.