Meep
A cute furball that detonates when harmed.
Crepitus Magus. The meep is a cute furball. It has huge eyes, triangular ears and is covered in red fur. Around its back it has vibrant yellow-green spots and a white to yellow mane and short orange fur around the stomach and chest. The tail that comes out of its back is long and puffy. The arms and legs of this creature are short and stubby and are barely functional. The antlers that extend from its head make it almost impossible to miss.
Meeps are known for their tender and fatty meat. They are delicious and in their chest sits a valuable fire spellcasting focus. As an added bonus their colorful fur makes for nice hats and boots. If you can get your hands on it.
Explosive Demise. Meeps crawl along the ground and, using their long tongues, they eat normal and evergreen leaves, fruits, flowers and anything else their huge eyes can spot.
After filling its stomach a meep will sit with its back against a tree or rock, digesting and watching. Their small limbs make them one of the slowest creatures in existence and sadly cuteness is not a good defense mechanism.
Instead of strong jaws or legs, the meep has another defense mechanism. If the meep spots a potential predator with its eyes, it does two things. First it charges a magical organ under its heart with energy, then it starts to scream. The high pitched "MEEEE" they emit is audible all around and a warning. Should the meep be killed now, the magical organ inside it will explode in a massive and lethal fireball. The only way to kill the meep without being blasted into pieces is to surprise and kill it before it can prime. No easy task with those huge eyes keeping constant watch.
Life. Meeps breed quickly. A female gives birth to between 4 and 6 cubs. For a year they rely on their mother for sustenance and protection, after which point they are fully grown and wander off. They live for up to 10 years.
Meeps are passive animals and not very active. As long as they are not harmed its possible to keep them around as pets. For heartless folk its also possible to turn meeps into living bombs that can be chucked at foes.
Home. Meeps inhabit any region with a cold to moderate climate. They dislike warm temperatures and are mostly found in northern pine forests and sometimes in moderate woodlands.
