Creature made from a hybrid of Mesoamerican mythology and manitcore lore
Real world lore, my own lore, and design details below the cut if you dare
Design details:
Mayan profile (nose, specifically)
Jaguar cheek fluffs
Red on face/paws since they eat pple
Mostly rounded design except for large teeth/claws
big goofy limbs
generally chubby (gotta imply that they eat a lotta pple)
Slight jaguar facial markings
Very simplified spots
In orange I put the real world mythology, and then how it connects to my lore in pink. Mesoamerican culture is underrated so I personally think you should check that out, but no pressure to read my stuff. Note that jaguar manticores are actually just symbols for my story's version of demons (like its a 'national animal' or smtn like that).
Context that I swear is relevant just bare with me here: ok so souls are odd magic intertwined into every part of a living person. Others can consume more soul to get physically/supernaturally stronger. Its like a drug tho and becomes very addictive. When deprived, the body withers and the mind turns rabid. The more consumed, the more dangerous it can get. Anyone dependent is called a demon, and demons who consume souls by chomping on flesh n blood are specifically flesh demons. Its not a specific 'race' or species that can become demons, so jaguar manticores are used to represent the wide range of people as a whole.
Real World: Sacrifice was crucial in Mesoamerica to keep the world functioning. The deities sacrificed themselves to create the sun, so humanity must sacrifice themselves for the deities. Blood was kinda like god food. For this reason lots of sacrifice was done and some ritual cannibalism by nobles too.
Connection: Since sacrifice/cannibalism wasn't inherently bad, flesh demons aren't seen badly either. If anything, they are acting like the deities. Idk maybe the deities are even possessing them to intentionally go out and eat souls. Religious leaders/nobles end up becoming demons to be like/get possessed by their deities.
Real World: Jaguars were revered, feared, and heavily connected to deities. The werejaguar motif was major w/ the olmecs and became other rain deities over time. Jaguar pelts could be displayed as power assertion for leaders, and the living were ritually sacrificed.
Connection: Demons are similarly seen as dangerous and have deity connections. Demons who are too far gone and loose their minds are similarly sacrificed, specifically to send them back to the deities that possess them (also for public safety but ya know). Jaguars are also the central american version of lions in a way, so used them instead for the manticore body.
Real World: (moving away to Europe here) Manticore means 'man-eater'. Also was said that they mimic speech. Maybe unintended, but I read that as not actually understanding language, but mimicking it for convenience/as a lure.
Connection: Demons eat people, so are 'man-eaters'. Also in later stages of soul dependency, are more animalistic? Like how when someone has rabies they're a shadow of themselves. They can speak, more don't necessiarily mean it - its just a good way to keep prety close.
Real World: Back, to mesocamica (the maya specifically) uay were sorcerers and form-changers were feared people. The term could also mean a soul-like spirit companion that lords and even deities could have. Like a co-essence almost?
Connection: Kinda a stretch but I think it makes sense? Demons are seemingly possessed by hungry deities. They're almost like a uay body for the deities. The jaguar manticore can represent that since its an animal body w/ a humanoid head and perhaps even mind. Jaguars are also just so revered that I imagine having a jaguar body/uay would be especially good.
Go say hi to Aunt Braxie! What? No no she's definitely not a giant alien robot! Hmm? Of course she's harmless. She loves people! Now give her a good hug :)
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