Jackalope
Traits
Despite their names, Jackalopes are not much physically different from a typical anthropomorphic rabbit save for their key defining feature-- their antlers. Jackalope ancestors used to be extremely powerful, but as their lineage progressed, their magical abilities have since weakened.
Antlers
Jackalope antlers resemble that of a cervidae's, and are anatomically similar as well. A Jacklope's antlers may resemble that of a deer, moose, and elk. Jackalope antlers can vary wildly in size and length, and may have multiple branches. Both male and female Jackalopes grow antlers, although it isn't uncommon for male Jackalopes to grow larger antlers than their female counterparts. [source]
Jackalope antlers are attached directly to their skulls. However, unlike cervidae, Jackalope antlers are not coated with velvet and do not need to be shed. Instead, their antlers are covered in thick keratin. Jackalope antlers do not go through osteoclast, so their horns do not fall off in any natural process. [source]
The keratin material coating Jackalope antlers is thick and stiff. As Jackalope antlers do not fall off naturally, a damaged or broken horn will not grow back. They are repairable by surgical processes, however. [source]
Jackalope antlers begin growth shortly after birth. Infant's antlers start with a small nub of cartilage, later forming a hardened keratin coating, that continues growth into full fledged antlers. By the age of puberty, the Jackalope's antlers have reached full size. The process of antler growth can be uncomfortable, much like an infant experiencing a teething phase.
Rabbit Anatomy
Aside from their antlers, Jackalopes are similar physically to other anthropomorphic rabbits.
Jackalope ears may be perked or lopped. Naturally, due to their ear size, Jackalopes have exceptional hearing. The Jackalope's outer ears bend inward towards the base of the skull, which amplifies hearing. Additionally, Jackalopes use their ears to maintain their body tempature. [source]
Jackalope fur patterns are similar to that of any other rabbit's, although they differ in a genetic way. Typically, Jackalopes are born with solid colored fur-- a solid coat is a dominant gene in the Jackalope gene pool, as a result of selective breeding. Jackalopes born with a broken fur, color points, or spots, are rare as these patterns are recessive genes. Jackalopes can be born with any naturally colored coat, though brown and beige are most commonly seen. Additionally, Jackalope fur texture differs; some have long and soft fur, while others have short and wirey fur. [source]
Rabbits have special teeth that continue growth throughout the entirity of their lives; Jackalopes are no exception. A Jackalope with poor dental hygiene is more likely to experience problems with their teeth than a mortal or a human. As a result, Jackalopes in general have a tendency to gnaw and often file their teeth down. [source]
Diet
Being a hybridization of two herbivorous animals, jackalopes more often than not live on vegetarian or vegan diets. Jackalopes are capable of eating meat, though many find it rather repulsive.
LORE
Jackalopes throughout Abirelle's history have been noted for their unqiue abilities to foretell events via their dreams. Jackalope ancestors had a better grasp on their abilities than their modern counterparts; as their lineage progressed, their grasp on these extraordinary abilities slowly faded. Many Jackalopes today have no magic capabilities at all.
Elderly Jackalopes are convinced that their loss of magic came from interbreeding with other species. As a result, the previous few generations chose to only start familiies with other Jackalopes to ensure a "perfect" ancestry for their descendants.
The selective tendendies of Jackalopes have only increased over the course of the previous generations; they are a species obsessed with perfection and purity. Jackalopes with spots, freckles, and other markings are typically seen as unattractive. Additionally, many Jackalopes dislike broken or stubby antlers, and frown upon physical disabilities. These Jackalopes are often shunned from their communities. Male Jackalopes naturally take pride in the size of their antlers.
Arranged marriages are unfortunately not uncommon within the Jackalope community, as a means to maintain lineage.
Notable Jackalopes in Abirelle
Abilities
Jackalopes' source of magic is their antlers, via projection. In other words, jackalopes do not need totems, such as a spell book or wand, to use their magic. A jackalope's magic can function with one intact antler; however, if both are broken or damaged, their abilities will disappear entirely.
Prophetic Dreaming
Jackalopes throughout Abirelle's history have been noted for their unqiue abilities to foretell events via their dreams. Jackalope ancestors had a better grasp on their abilities than their modern counterparts; this species used to be capable of changing the outcomes of their predictions while still within their dream, using the method of lucid dreaming. Most jackalopes in Abirelle today cannot do this, although once they are aware of what the future holds, they are able to change the outcome while awake. Their prophecies are not set in stone, and simply show an event of high probability.
Jackalopes are incapable of choosing their specific dreams, or who they dream about. They can also not choose when these dreams take place; a jackalope may experience a prophetic dream multiple times a week, or once a month. A jackalope's dream may foretell a negative event, a positive one, or something in between.
Telepathetic Shared Experience
A telepathic shared experience is when one is able to view events from the perspective of another. Jackalopes are capable of this process while asleep; during these dreams, live events take place from a specific individual's eyes. The jackalope is not able to hear their host's thoughts or influence their actions, though they are capable of hearing and seeing what their host does.
Shared Dreaming
Jackalopes are also capable of sharing a dream with another individual. Ancient jackalopes were able to preform this task at will, and link with anyone within a specific radius. Modern jackalopes, while still capable of this ability, are far more limited; shared dreams happen at random, although they may only take place with an individual the jackalope has a close bond with. In order for this event to begin, the jackalope must be asleep and physically near the host.
Shared dreams cannot be lucid from either person. These dreams are somewhat similar to reading one's mind.
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