Scufflepaw

Scufflepaws are a sentient, feline-esque species, native to the planet Fungaia.

Having lived in kuparkuke-adjacent lands for generations, and being highly territorial in nature, they are the kuparkukes’ ancestral enemies, and a constant source of raiding, warring and annoyance for their peaceful, mushroom-dwelling neighbours.

Biology and physical appearance

Broadly-speaking, scufflepaws resemble cats, though with prominently large, rotund bodies and heads. They have short fur which covers their entire bodies, and ranges in colour from vibrant pinks and yellows to earthly browns and greys. They walk upright, but they often drop to all fours for speed or stealth. Despite their vaguely feline appearance and cattish nature, however, they possess precious little else of the cat’s trademark grace and poise.

Society and culture

Like their natural enemies, the kuparkukes, scufflepaws live in tribal societies. These tribes are larger than kuparkuke tribes, however, and their leaders prefer the title of ‘king’ and all the grandeur that entails, rather than the decidedly less impressive title of ‘chief’ as worn by their rival kuparkuke leaders.

Unlike kuparkukes, who adapt well to all environments, scufflepaws have a more rigid preference for Fungaia’s fungal forests. They live in their depths in villages built of timber and make their dwellings in the tall trees, natural perches from which they can scout for prey and protect their territory. The largest and most comfortable dwelling is invariably the one lived in by the king, who also, unsurprisingly, claims the lion’s share of whatever resources his tribe have farmed, hunted, and raided.

As their name suggests, scufflepaws are known for their love of a scrap. They’ll fight for food, for dominance, and even just for fun. In a battle, they favour simple but effective weaponry like hammers, spears, and battering rams. They claim large territories and hunting grounds; they venture outside them rarely, and defend them fiercely, but they occasionally raid kuparkuke villages for supplies if they look like easy pickings. They’re more cowardly than they let on, preferring to pick on things smaller and weaker than themselves, and flee readily when confronted by anything larger or louder.