Kabul
The kabul is a species of large, highly dangerous wildcat native to the jungles of the planet Eryn. The word "kabul" is the native rylak term for the beast; the ancient ellr mage Cariel (who considered it an ugly word) preferred to simply call them "wildcats".
Biology and Appearance
Kabul cats closely resemble Earth panthers. They are long, sleek, and black, with thick paws and unblinking yellow or amber eyes. They can grow to be exceptionally large, easily reaching five feet in length, and possess powerful, heavily muscled bodies armed with razor-sharp claws and teeth.
Ecology and Behavior
As apex predators of the Kalmansa and Sholorna Wilds, kabul are fiercely territorial. A single kabul can range for miles, controlling a vast circle of the jungle that is theirs and theirs alone. They are the natural enemies of the welak wolves, as both species compete for the same food sources.
Despite their fearsome size, kabul do not typically eat rylak or ellr. They are more fond of hunting smaller prey that scurries along the forest floor, such as weevils, mice, and rats. However, they will ruthlessly stalk and kill larger beings—including ellr and rylak—simply to cement and protect their territory. In combat, the cats are incredibly agile, preferring to leap high into the air to land directly on the shoulders of their victims, tearing wickedly at their throats.
Healing Saliva
A unique biological property of the kabul is their saliva, which acts as a potent coagulant and powerful healing agent. The saliva is capable of stopping extreme bleeding, even from wounds as severe as an amputated limb. Because of this miraculous property, rylak hunters have been known to seek out the deadly cats when they are gravely injured in the hopes of being healed.
Key Events
Cariel's First Soulbind
After the rylak of Skallgr brutally assault the ellr slave Cariel, blinding her and severing her leg, they leave her to die in the jungle. A kabul wildcat discovers her bleeding out. Instead of eating her, the cat licks her wounds, its coagulant saliva stopping the bleeding and saving her life. Forming a connection with the beast, Cariel initiates her very first magical soulbind, allowing her to see the world through the cat's eyes. Tragically, the cat is killed shortly after when it leaps to defend Cariel from a massive cavek. Millennia later, she brings a different kabul cat to Valaralda to serve as her companion and healer.
Lysa's Escape
While wandering alone and starving in the Kalmansa Wilds, the escaped slave Lysa (in her male demisoul persona, Lys) is relentlessly stalked by a territorial kabul cat. The wildcat eventually ambushes him in a tree, slashing his waist and calves. Unable to fight or outrun the beast, Lys flees to the steep embankment of the Kojo River and leaps into the freezing, turbulent water to escape being torn apart.
Jascyn's Pack
During his journey south, the rylak Jascyn and his companions are attacked by a kabul. Rather than kill it, Jascyn uses his unique souljoining magic to form a peaceful bond with the cat. Named Fang, the female kabul joins Jascyn's pack alongside a welak wolf named Kharad. Fang later leads Jascyn to another wildcat named Heng, who helps them recruit a total of six kabul to join the unified army against Calarel.
Notable Kabul
- Fang: A fierce female kabul who forms a willing souljoin with Jascyn. She is exceptionally fond of jumping, using her leaping abilities to lethal effect in combat.
- Heng: A lone kabul cat who, unusually for her solitary species, maintains relations with several other kabul in the jungle, allowing Jascyn to recruit them to his army.