CORE MATOPE FAMILIARS
These are the core pets at Matope. All of these pets are available to be commissioned at any time, and can be used as Legendary alt forms.
Anaconda- Anacondas are shy giants. They're amazingly adept at hiding and oftentimes can remain undetected in the waters until the very last second. Stealthy and sleek, they can cross long distances under the guise of the waves. While some kin can choose to wear them as neck adornments, their fickle minds make it ill advised.
Budgie- Budgies are intelligent and social birds that require lots of interaction and things to play with. They can also mimic speech, though it's clear they don't understand the larger context of what they "say". Fleeting in their affection, they're friendly though nothing ever really scratches the surface with them.
Caiman* - Given its close relation to the Kimeti's only predator, the caiman's alliance with its Kimeti owner is wary at best. Cold, calculating, and intense, it can be difficult to see what attraction there is to the caiman as a companion aside from its hunting ability--but to Kimeti with a certain mindset, the caiman's peculiar, patient way of viewing the world can be fascinating or even comforting.
Cave Worm - A large insect that can reach two metres in length. Unlike the smaller worms that dwell throughout the caves, the Greater Cave Worm has a multitude of small clawed appendages that carry it through the underground with a surprising swiftness. They can scale vertical walls and can sometimes be found hanging from the ceiling, weaving silken egg sacs.
Crane* - The crane is the most common Kimeti familiar, and is particularly revered, because the crane is said to be the shape most favoured by the Swamp when S/He takes a mortal body. The crane is majestic and intelligent, and its feathers are highly prized.
Eaglehound* - Strong, with an instinct for protecting those it considers its pack, the eaglehound is a prized companion. It can be by turns playful, affectionate, and aggressive, and of all the familiars is perhaps the one with the most variance in personality. Despite their bond with their owners, all eaglehounds retain an element of savage wildness throughout their lives.
Ermine - Ermines are friendly and cuddly with their chosen kin, but ruthless predators when left to their own in the wild, even considering their small size.
Fat Fish - These dimwitted creatures can live either in the sea or can survive for several days floating alongside their kin before they have to return to the water to rest. They are curious but distractable, and enamored with all the beautiful things in the world around them.
Foxbun - The foxbun is the ultimate in loyal company. It may not be brilliant, but it loves cuddling, and will follow its Kimeti owner to the ends of the Swamp. It's also not particularly helpful, having no talents, really, aside from a knack for simpering, but it's the best option for a lonely or loving Kimeti. It helps that they're awfully cute.
Giant Moth* - The giant moth is unlike a normal moth in ways other than its size. It has several pairs of wings, some with long fronds quite similar to a bird's feathers, and it sheds some of these occasionally. During these times it will ride about on its owner's back. The shed wings are worn as adornments by some Kimeti despite their delicate nature.
Giant Spider* - Many kin find these familiars chilling, perhaps even alarming, but those who grow to love them appreciate them considerably. The giant spider is watchful and cunning, seeing more than what is simply in front of it, and can produce a fine silk that they can weave into extremely simple accessories.
Giant Wasp* - Like having two familiars in one, the wasp is both fiercely protective and vicious and incredibly loyal to its owner. It would gladly sacrifice itself to preserve those it loves (although this is a difficult task given its sturdiness and the fact that most creatures keep their distance), but its mind is so alien to the Kimeti that its affections and motives can be difficult is not impossible to fathom, and it is not exactly a pet that enjoys a good cuddle. In the wild the wasp lives in huge populous nests, and no one is sure what makes some of them decide to replace their hives with the companionship of a Kimeti.
Humblebee - These fuzzy insects are hard-working and loyal, with a love for beautiful things, especially flowers.
Lynx* - The lynx is a powerful, agile hunter, and although it is unusually independent for a familiar, its aloofness should not be mistaken for a lack of affection. The bond between a lynx and its owner is among the strongest possible.
note that these were originally on a different template, which has since been retired.
Marine Iguana - Despite its fearsome appearance and aggressive behavior towards perceived threats, the marine iguana is actually fairly docile. It mainly eats algae, occasionally supplementing its diet with other plants and even crabs. It is also a powerful swimmer, using its flattened tail to dive quite deep. It isn't as affectionate as other animals, making some question why you'd bother bonding to one at all, but some kin find its squashed face and gnarled hide charming.
Marshfowl - Cock or hen, these wild birds are aggressive and territorial, but if you can manage to tame or capture one, their eggs are delicious and they can make a tasty snack.
Miniduck - These poultry are small all their lives, never growing larger than this size, and holding onto their downy feathers. They have a doting, loving personality, dedicated forever to one kin.
Mongoose - The mongoose is a clever and fiercely loyal animal, and is highly valued for its ability to retrieve tasty tree snakes from high in the canopy. A mongoose and Kimeti team working in tandem is an impressive sight, and some of the more well-trained mongooses can retrieve up to ten snakes an hour.
Nudibranch - Like Jellyfish and the various other Marine animals, these little sea slugs can exist both in the water and on shore, though they prefer a damp area. They make no sound, instead following their kin silently, often flickering with glow.
Owlcat - The owlcat is slinky, cunning, and sly, and although it can be quite useful for running down rodents, it can be a bit of a fight to get it to hand one over. Independent and aloof, owlcats are a subject of fierce division among Kimeti: you love 'em, or you hate 'em. That said, once an owlcat has had time to get accustomed to an owner, they can be quite affectionate--when they want to be. They make horrible noises somewhere between a cat howling and a barn owl shrieking, and one trained to Speak on command can be a fun prank to play on others.
Ray - Docile like the clouds that can swim through, these curious familiars are always up for foraging or participating in a playful game of chase with nearby familiars and kin.
Sea Turtle - These familiars must stay relatively near to the sea, where they lay their eggs, but can spend a certain amount of time on shore before they return to the water. They are serious and considered by many kin to be wise, due to their long lifespans.
Songbird - A popular pet. Although it is not highly intelligent, it can be trained to learn any number of melodies, so that it can sing in harmony with its owner. Some groups of Kimeti have become quite skilled at training their songbirds, and can create quite intricate songs. The songbird is also prized for its beautiful and highly-varied tailfeathers, which are used as decorations and bestowed as gifts of favor.
Snow Fox - Covered in silky fur, snow foxes can be cheeky and playful -- but be careful, because their fickle natures can make them turn vicious.
Sugar Glider - A highly social omnivore that thrives better when kept in numbers rather than singly. Their nocturnal schedule makes them ideal companions for insomniacs and night owls.
Swan - The swan is a lovely sight gliding alongside its Kimeti, neck arched up and wings held aloft. It is popular among beautiful or just vain Kimeti as a sort of living accessory--which is perhaps all for the best, given that its dignity doesn't indicate any particular intelligence.
Tanuki - The tanuki is a mischievous but good-natured ball of fluff. With stubby legs, it is surprisingly spry. As quick as it with speed, so are they masters of disguises, harmless pranks, and thefts.
Tea Dragon - Tea dragons are warm-blooded creatures with soft, supple scales. They are new to the swamp and seem to defy some of the natural laws of the world as they move through it. If a tea dragon dips its tail in any kind of water, it is imbued with a curious flavour that lingers for up to an hour after the dragon has departed, and is exaggerated if the water is warmed first. They seem to sprout with life, and where they nest kin can find new tea plants growing. Tea dragons love hot springs and shallow sunlit pools. They are able to levitate outside of the water and as such are very difficult to catch. If they decide to befriend a kin though, they are friends for life.
Tortoise - A sort of mouth on legs, the tortoise exists largely to eat. Their small-brained patience does, however, make them valuable pack animals if one is willing to walk very slowly, leading the tortoise along with a mouthful of greens. There is a certain appeal in the tortoise's trusting, slogging nature, however, and they are surprisingly popular pets.
Tegu* - Surprisingly social, this large lizard will often seek affection and interaction before food, making a loyal and loving companion. It is also surprisingly
smart, not to mention curious, which makes it a very troublesome pet - it's utterly impossible to keep it from getting its nose into everything. And then probably eating it, if it smells good.
Watersnake - The watersnake is also a hunting animal, used to drive small catfish from hiding places or to catch the swift fish stirred up by its partner's hooves. Although some can be quite affectionate, the watersnake is usually a more utilitarian pet than a cuddly one.
Other Familiars
With the other storied races coming to the Swamp come their familiars. As the new arrivals integrate, so too do their companion animals. All of these pets are available to be commissioned at any time, and can be used as Legendary alt forms only for their species of origin.
Bats* - Living on underground algae, on plants brought in from nighttime foragers, and on fish caught in underground streams can be strenuous, especially with the large numbers the Zikwa maintain. They are helped, however, by the giant bats that share their caves. These bats form mysterious and unpredictable bonds with individual Zikwa, and will independently bring them food from the outside. They are affectionate creatures, and often rest on their chosen's back, wings draped over the Zikwa's ribs and nose buried in the Zikwa's wrinkled, hairless neck.
Cheetah* - Until recently the cheetah was the exclusive domain of the Kiokote. Time and lessons, however, have made them trainable by Kimeti as well, and as the cheetahs of the farflung plains romance among the mangroves, kittens are frequently available for curious Kimeti--or anyone else who's interested. Cheetahs are bred to hunt and also to provide pace for footraces, and are savage but loyal, tending to bond strongly with only one other creature (Kimeti or otherwise) at a time. To strangers they can be aloof or even violent.
Golden Eagle* - The Totoma's familiar is the Golden Eagle, a huge, vicious beast. Their bond with the Totoma is mystical and celebrated, and it is considered a pinnacle of accomplishment to catch and subdue a fully-grown adult. Some prefer to rob an eagle of its hatchlings as soon as they start to fly from the nest and fall to the ground, but this route is generally frowned upon as cowardly. One can offset this idea by doing it when the mother eagle is supervising, if one is suicidal.
Sand Dog* - The sand dogs are also hunting animals, brought down with the Acha, but their designated purpose doesn't keep them from being as snooty and vain as their owners. Dainty and a bit timid, sand dogs are valued more for their beauty and usefulness than for their affection, although some do come to be quite attached to their owners or to other dogs.
Kincaller birds appeared in Matope only after the Obelisks opened -- strange creatures, their affections are reserved for those kin who have travelled through the Obelisks or participated in any Obelisk meta event. Their affinity for these mysterious structures must be shared by the kin they bond with. They are not available as Legendary forms.
Kincallers* -These beautiful birds speak in strange voices -- the sounds they make echoes of Kin speech, repeating words or phrases or sound that Kin make most frequently. Sometimes, the sound of a Kin crying out for help in the darkness turns out to be a Kincaller bird; sometimes a grunt of pain; sometimes a foal crying out for its mother. Some may find them alarming. Others may work to train them to repeat phrases they can use to their advantage. Even then, though, sometimes the birds speak cryptic messages, asking Kin to do strange things or to bring sacrifices to the Obelisks...
