PENGAL, the Ice-Sliding Pokegirl

Type: Near Human (Penguin Animorph)
Element: Ice
Frequency: Uncommon
Diet: Piscivore (Fish Carnivore)
Role: Fishing, Refrigeration, Domestics, Combat
Libido: Low
Strong Vs: Dragon, Flying, Ground, Ice, Plant
Weak Vs: Fighting, Fire, Rock, Steel
Attacks: Rime, Ice Beam, Ice Wall, Mist, Ice Strike, Ice Slide, Snow Storm, Ice Floor, Quick Attack, Slash, Yell
Enhancements: Weather Tolerance (Cold), Enhanced Agility (x3), Enhanced Endurance (x3), Improved Respiration, Cold Aura, Enhanced Intelligence, Enhanced Senses (Vision)(x4), Sixth Sense (Mate), Pressure Resistance, Recovery
Evolves: None
Evolves From: None

Though used in the War of Revenge, Pengals were usually not seen in specific roles. Most of the breed would assist aquatic pokegirls or attack with other bands. In modern times, most members of the breed are seen in industries like fishing, where refrigeration is needed (even acting as air conditioning), or within harems. This penguin pokegirl's main claim to fame is their unwavering loyalty to their chosen 'mate', which is the subject of both praise as well as ridicule.

These penguin pokegirls are often described as plump, though studies show that the average weight for a Pengal tends to be only 30 pounds (66kg) greater than the average human female. Actual breed weights tend to run a bell curve, with standard deviations from underweight to obese. The breed also tends to be on the short side, standing between 4'4'' - 5'6'' (1.3 - 1.7 meters), with 4'11'' (1.5 meters) being the average height. Skin tones are typically two toned, with a lighter anterior and a darker posterior. Usually the colors are solidly black and white, though shades of grey are not unknown. Odd colors, such as normal human tones or blues, purples, and other hues are considered a rarity. These skin tones are covered either partially or totally by sleek waterproof feathers in individuals of more anthromorphic appearance, which is again typically black on the posterior and white on the anterior. Regardless of the degree of animorphism, all members have feather-like hair that may appear to be close cropped to the scalp or up to 7 inches (18cm) in length. Head feathering may include red or yellow plumage. Feet are universally webbed, though less animorphic individuals have more human appearing feet (though these are somewhat broader than the average human foot) while on the feathered side of appearance have avian webbed feet. The breed's arms have a hydrofoil like projection extending from their wrist and flowing outwards just past the elbow to a maximum width of 8 inches (20 cm), though this size is typically the width of the pokegirl's forearm. Hands are partially to fully webbed, with partial webbing being more common.

If you get a Pengal, you get one for life. This adage was coined quickly after this penguin breed was tamed, because even if traded away, the pokegirl would make their way back to their chosen life mate. These Ice types are unflappably loyal to the tamer or pokegirl they first tame with, seeing the other as their mate for life. Not even a level five can rid them of this connection, as this penguin pokegirl can sense their mate anywhere on the planet, memory of them or not. Even ferality doesn't stop a Pengal from following their mate, much to the embarrassment of any Tamer who has abandoned one in the wild. Only true death of either the Pengal or her life mate will break the bond, at which point a surviving individual is free to re-mate. Researchers suggest that this may be the basis of the rarely seen 'Omega Bond' (colloquially termed 'Recognition'), or that all members of the breed are prone to forming a bond that mimics the soul mate bond. Other than extreme loyalty, further personality traits are highly variable.

Though the breed typically waddles more than walks, they are still capable combatants. Most can slide along on their stomachs at incredible speeds using Ice Slide, perfect for high speed tackling or strafing with Ice Beam. Ice Floor tends to be liberally used in battle to aid in these sliding techniques. A common tactic is to cover their body with Rime and spin 360 degrees around a formed node of ice to topple and freeze unwary opponents. Countering with elements the breed is weak to, especially fire types, is the recommended method to defeat a Pengal.

Though surveys on favored taming positions typically yield scattered results with the breed, there is a noticeable trend of costume use during taming, the top five accessories have been noted as top hats, bow ties, canes, scarves, and umbrellas. Tamers need not worry about the breed being too cold to tame, as they are human average in temperature. The breed does like colder climates, however, and often uses their Cold Aura to make an area comfortable to them (which is usually a bit chilly to the average human) which is typically 45 - 60 degrees F (7.2 - 15 degrees C). The breed can easily survive temperatures as low as -40 degrees F (-40 C) or as hot as 70 F (21C) temperatures above this will cause their Cold Aura to automatically begin to cool the area as a survival mechanism.

Forming large flocks, feral Pengal tend to stay in familial colony flocks that can number into the hundreds. They are a passive breed, only attacking if attacked, and they only feed on fish, making their danger to humans low. Humans are able to walk up to ferals with only a low chance of being defensively attacked (though this is not recommended due to the danger). Ferals tend to be found in cold climates near bodies of water with fish, and any appearance of a Pengal away from water is a sign of a tamed individual who has gone feral.

Threshold into a Pengal is a fast affair, complaints of being hot (even during winter) start the process. Soon after, skin tone begins changing at a slow pace from the forearms. Feet and hands tend to numb as the physical changes occur, and the thresholder may actually lose a few inches in height. Hair loss as the scalp-feathers grow in (and body feathering for animorphic individuals) mark the final stages, and the new pokegirl is ready for trade or sale.