Quendikin
Coalmane Lycans
Coalmanes are a proud and feared tribe of Lycans, lion-folk with black coats and heavy manes that vanish into the jungle shadows. Skilled hunters, they thrive on competition, stalking prey with silence and finishing with crushing force. Smaller in number than other tribes, they make up for it with discipline and relentlessness, often treating each hunt as both survival and ritual.
Their culture prizes strength, loyalty, and the pride above all else. Every hunt is recorded in scars, trophies, or song, a reminder that worth is measured in action. Outsiders who stray into their hunting grounds rarely return, for the Coalmanes see trespass as an insult to be answered swiftly. Yet even in their ferocity, they follow a code. They never take more than the land can give, offering respect to every kill as a balance owed to Skyland itself.
"I thought the jungle was empty, until the brush split and golden eyes locked on me. I froze as they came closer, certain it was the end. Instead, one growled and told me to turn back. I swear I never ran faster in my life."
The Identity
From the start, we knew the Coalmanes had to stand apart from other Lycan tribes. They are black-furred hunters, fierce and relentless, but not mindless predators. Their design took cues from black panthers and jaguars, with a touch of tribal culture that marks their kills with bones, braids, and trophies. We explored different ambush poses, leaping from branches, crouching in silence, or springing into a strike, to reflect their mastery of jungle warfare.
The Mood
The mood had to capture that tense heartbeat before the pounce. Rather than showing them from afar, we brought the perspective close, mid-leap, as if the hunter had chosen you as their prey. The details, like bones tied into braids or scars across their body, underline their ferocity and pride. Even in stillness, they carry the weight of hunters who live for the chase.
The Essence
The final touch was in the lighting and motion. We worked shadows through the dark jungle canopy, letting golden eyes pierce through the gloom. Leaves scatter around their leap, claw and mane highlighted with subtle patterns drawn from black jaguars. This balance of shadow, motion, and light is what gives the Coalmanes their life: jungle hunters born to strike, vanish, and remind you that the forest is never empty.
Final Design
We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the Coalmanes, the shadow hunters of Skyland’s jungles.
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