Vaicora, meaning “feather-tailed”, are large, carnivorous mammals native to colder climates such as alpine, coastal cliff, and highland regions. While an individual’s features vary depending on their origins and elemental alignment, most vaicora can be characterized by their large ears and horns, thick manes, tusks, and long, feathery tails. Some vaicora even bear large wings, while others are restricted to land.

According to traditional folklore, passed down primarily through oral storytelling, the ancestors of modern-day vaicora were once blessed by a plethora of lesser elemental deities. Some hordes were claimed by the patron god of fire; others by the gods of wind, ice, or lightning. Today, all vaicora are born with an intrinsic elemental alignment, which can be justified to explain their rich, sometimes vibrant coat colors, and natural inclination toward specific elements - or so the legend goes.

A species ostensibly blessed by minor gods, vaicora seem to command a certain respect in the animal kingdom, though this can perhaps be attributed to their role as apex predators within their ecological niche. Vaicora can be violent creatures - their sharp claws, teeth, and tusks are intended for taking down large prey, defending themselves, and even harming each other. In the wild, vaicoran societies are diarchical; meaning that each horde is led by two individuals, equal to each other in rank. Scientists have often noted that any two given vaicora seem to rise to the top of the diarchy, with some degree of predictability, based on desirable traits like combat prowess and intelligence - one leader is usually the strongest vaicora in the horde, and the other is typically the wisest. These animals have also been known to exhibit grieving and burial behavior when family members or companions die, relatively advanced problem-solving abilities, and excellent long-term memory.

This is a growing species I'm currently developing more lore, variations, and bases for. Stay tuned for more!