Leucrote

A **leucrote** is a fearsome creature that appeared in the world after The Conjunction of the Spheres. It is a formidable predator, with a body that is similar to a cross between a lion and a hyena. With its powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and claws, it can take down prey that is much larger than itself.

Like many other creatures, after the colonization of the Northern Kingdoms by the Nordlings, leucrotes realized that it was easier to get prey to feed on if it attacked human settlements. This led these creatures to earn their nickname "man-eater," as they began to prey on the unsuspecting settlers in the area.

Despite the danger they posed to humans, leucrotes have managed to survive and thrive throughout the Continent. Several subspecies of leucrote can be found in different regions, each with its unique characteristics and abilities.

## Subspecies

One of the most well-known subspecies of leucrote is the ofieri leucrote, which can be found in the territories of Ofir. Ofieri leucrotes are larger and more muscular than their counterparts in other regions, and they have a distinctive grayish-brown fur. They are known for their agility and their ability to climb trees, which they use to ambush their prey from above.

Another subspecies is the zangvebarian leucrote, which can be found in the territories of Zangvebar. Zangvebarian Leucrotes have a lighter coat than other subspecies, which helps them blend into the savannah surroundings of the isles of Aldabara. They are also known for their speed and their ability to run long distances without getting tired, which they use to chase down their prey.

The apubayu leucrote is one of the most unique subspecies of leucrote, found exclusively in the Apumayu Basin. These creatures have a distinct reddish-brown fur, which makes them stand out from other subspecies. They are known for their incredible endurance, and their ability to survive in harsh jungle environments that would be fatal to most other creatures. The Apubayu Leucrotes are capable of going long periods without food or water, and can even survive for weeks on a single kill. They have adapted to their environment by developing sharp claws similar to their ofieri cousins, that they use to climb trees and navigate through dense foliage. Their exceptional hearing and sense of smell make them formidable hunters, capable of detecting prey from great distances. Despite their impressive survival skills, they are highly territorial and will attack anything that enters their territory, making them one of the most dangerous creatures in the Basin.

And lastly the zerrikanian variant. They are considered the smallest subspecies of all the leucrotes, but don't let their size fool you, as they are still very dangerous predators. They have adapted to the harsh desert and rocky environments of Zerrikania, near the Korath Desert, by developing unique survival skills.

These creatures have a sandy-colored fur that helps them blend into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. They are similar in appearance to their ofieri cousins, but are less muscular, allowing them to move more quickly in the rocky terrain. They have sharp claws that help them to climb rocks and navigate through the desert landscape, and their acute senses of smell and hearing make them exceptional hunters.

Despite their small size, Zerrikanian leucrotes are known to be more aggressive than the other subspecies when threatened or cornered, and their jaws are incredibly powerful, capable of crushing bones with ease. Their bite can cause severe damage and lead to infection, so it's best to avoid them altogether.

## Vulnerabilities

Leucrotes, like many other monsters not native to the world, have a vulnerability to silver. This is one of their biggest weaknesses. Oils, like hybrid oil, are a good suplemment to fight this monster. Additionally, their eyesight is not as acute as other predators, making them heavily reliant on their sense of smell and hearing to detect prey and danger. This provides an opportunity for prey to evade them if they can avoid detection by their other senses.

Signs like Aard and Igni can be particularly helpful when fighting these creatures. A well-placed Aard can knock a Leucrote off its feet, leaving it vulnerable to attack, while Igni can be used to burn and weaken its tough hide. Witchers may also use signs like Quen to protect themselves from the Leucrote's powerful jaws and claws.

Furthermore, leucrotes can become extremely aggressive when wounded or cornered, which can make them reckless and easier to defeat. However, they have a high tolerance for pain and can withstand many injuries. Despite this, they do have a weakness to certain poisons and toxins, which may prove fatal to them. Witchers may be able to use this to their advantage by employing various toxins against them.

## Trivia

* Geralt of Rivia hunted one of these creatures in Cizmar.
* Art by Onehundred-Monsters - Monster No. 054