ökats

Ökats are a fictional mammal species from the Mistwood region in the fantasy setting of Eldoria. The name is drawn from an ancient Eldorian root meaning to climb, reflecting their agile arboreal habits. They are commonly described in regional folklore and contemporary field guides within Eldorian fiction.

Ökats are medium-sized, with a body length of about 50-70 cm and a long, prehensile tail. They have dense, soft fur in shades of brown or gray and large rounded ears. A distinctive feature is a row of bioluminescent patches along the flanks that glow faint blue-green at night.

They inhabit the Mistwood forests at mid elevations, living in dense understory thickets and canopy gaps. Ökats are primarily crepuscular and highly social, forming bands of 6-12 individuals led by an alpha female. They communicate with trills, scent marks, and synchronized glows from their flank patches.

Their diet consists mainly of leaves, shoots, berries, and fungi. They are selective feeders but adaptable, moving seasonally to track fruiting plants. Reproduction occurs once yearly, with a gestation of roughly six weeks and litters typically containing one to two offspring.

In Eldorian culture, ökats symbolize nocturnal resilience and forest kinship. They are protected in conservation narratives within the setting, though habitat loss from logging threatens wild populations in some regions. Bioluminescent patches are used in jewelry and ceremonial motifs.