Adult Female
Name: unnamed
Species: Chikumba Bruje
Birthday: Friday, September 15, 2023
Owner: MakiMagus
Element: Neutral 
Smaller still than the other brujes, the chikumba is just as fierce and loyal. Maybe not as bright as its relatives, your chikumba bruje can have its moments of silliness, especially when around you. Trusting you enough to know no harm will come, the bruje will lay on its back, with its belly ready for scratches. The bruje is not interested only in your attention. It will also protect you with all of its might. Although it enjoys being fed by you or anyone else at the Keep, the bruje will be absent for several days taking its time to scavenge on its own or even hunt. There are a few months each year when the bruje leaves your side to venture into the Scarlands, but you know, without doubt, it will return to you. You suspect one day your bruje will return with a partner of its own, chirping and giggling with joy. Then again, the chikumba bruje is more solitary compared to the mafupa or nyama, so finding a partner in one of the brujes living at the Keep is just as probable.
While some of their relatives are found in less ashy environments, the chikumba brujes prefer the desolated Scarlands. The cracked solidified lava offers them protection, often serving as camouflage too. There are a few legends about these creatures, all depicting the brujes as fierce and loyal companions. It takes years to tame a chikumba bruje, as the creature's vile nature can lead to many unpleasant experiences. However, once the beast is tamed, it will be forever loyal to its master. Ancient paintings show many great warriors with brujes at their side, symbols of power and cunning. One of the legends in particular mentions how great warriors were able to turn into chikumba brujes, but there are no writings in any history books that prove this. Some have attempted to bring the beasts into larger cities, but the brujes have proven time and time again that they prefer the freedom of the Scarlands over crowded places. Over time the brujes became more accustomed to people, and nowadays, people speak of the chikumba brujes as loyal companions, useful in tracking those who are lost.
Sprite art: Tekla (adult) | Description: Real