metrat

Metrat is a fictional species of small, rodent-like mammals that appears in fantasy literature and role-playing games. They typically measure 15 to 22 cm in body length, with a 10 to 15 cm tail, and weigh 120 to 180 g. They have soft gray-brown fur, large dark eyes, and bioluminescent markings along the spine that glow at night, used in social signaling within colonies.

Habitat and behavior: Metrats inhabit temperate forests of the imagined world of Eldara. They live in tree hollows and dense undergrowth, forming social clans of 5–40 individuals. They are nocturnal and omnivorous, feeding on seeds, nuts, fungi, and small insects. A recurring feature in fiction is a telepathic bond among clan members that aids coordinated foraging and defense, though its presence and mechanism vary by work.

Reproduction and development: Breeding is seasonal, with litters of 2–5 pups. The young stay with the clan for several months and mature within a year. Lifespan is usually 3–6 years in the wild, longer in captivity. Metrats are often depicted as clever nest builders; in some tales they can use simple tools or imitate sounds.

Taxonomy and cultural role: In-world taxonomy varies, but most sources place metrats among mammals in the order Rodentia for simplicity. They are common in fantasy settings as sympathetic, enigmatic creatures that serve as companions or symbols of stealth and cooperation. The name is attributed to an ancient in-universe language, meaning roughly “shadow-gleaner” in some texts.