Mardykhora (Sg. Mardykhor, Mardykhor faevorus) are a species of hyper-predatory Chimera.
.anatomy
Mardykhora have a body plan resembling a mix of large feline and baboon, are quadrupedal, and reach ~7 m in length. Their legs are very flexible and muscular, and their feet possess opposable thumbs and toes, along with sharp, retractile claws. Along the length of their limbs, sharp scales are located. Their fur is cinnabar-red. Their muzzles are elongated, and have a baboon-leonine appearance, further compounded by the thick mane around their head. They possess a double set of jaws, one horizontal and one vertical, separating their head into four quadrants, each able to move independently from the others and each possessing a front-facing eye. Their tails are long and flexible, possessing spines at the tip. The colour of their Phlogiston is green.
.behaviour
Mardykhora are apex predators, and are the natural predator of Fae. They will stalk Fae groups for days, taking down 2-3 individuals at a time. Despite being mostly solitary, they are highly emotive and communicative, capable of displaying a very wide range of emotions.
.abilities
Mardykhora secrete a neurotoxin all throughout their body: glands in their skin coat their fur with it, the spines on their tail, claws fangs and limb scales inject it, and their breath constantly releases it. This toxin can induce shock within Fae in mere seconds. However, the main active ingredient of this substance is iron, which makes it treatable for other species. Mardykhora are themselves fully immune to it.
The primary Pyrokinesis technique of Mardykhora involves shooting out multiple high-impact bursts from their mouths, and shooting out their tail spines omnidirectionally, with a regrowth period of mere minutes. Their legs allow them to easily overpower beings smaller than themselves, all while remaining entirely silent, and their opposable thumbs and toes allow them to manipulate objects and climb with ease. Their multiple jaws permit a greater range of biting directions, along with increasing their bite force, as the intersection of all quadrants can easily reach 5.000 PSI.
.reproduction
Mardykhora reproduce sexually. They don’t display any sexual dimorphism, and do not have any set mating season. Females lay 2-3 eggs/clutch, and the cubs remain attached to their mother until they’re able to hunt independently. The eggs will release a gaseous form of their neurotoxin if the egg shell is in any way damaged. The average Mardykhor life span is ~40 years.
.diet
Mardykhora are omnivorous, although their diet is overwhelmingly carnivorous.