More Purore mons incoming!
Remember when I mentioned how the Pikaclone of the region relentlessly hunted Purore-region Meowth and Persian to the brink of extinction? Well, I decided to get my hands dirty and draw up said regional Meowth line!
Check out these literal cool cats! I based them upon the Carpathian lynx, a wildcat located in northern Italy. Lynxes are well-built for traversing snowy environments, so an ice-type lynx was a shoe-in. Like I mentioned when talking about the Pikaclone, this Meowth line isn't near as antagonistic as its Kantonian, Galarian or especially Alolan counterparks can be. Purore Meowth are playful kittens who wouldn't hurt a Cutiefly. Purore Persian, while they can be fierce predators, are generally non-violent towards creatures not in their diet and typically keep to themselves, both in the wild and in captivity.
And as rare as Meowth and Persian have gotten in Purore due to Kirashismu's cruelty towards them, Persian who are lucky enough to find an ice stone transform into guardian wizards of natural magic! In terms of inspiration, thaumaturgy - which has history written in with renaissance Europe, and was notably practiced by the Italian Gerard Majella - is a type of magic that is connected to the manipulation of natural forces and creating wonders. Heck, some people translate it to English as 'wonderworking'. Thaumapurrgy are brave magic kitties who have control over snow and ice via the icicle-wand on their tail, and are rumored to create just some of the glorious winter wonders seen during Purore's colder seasons. Even the spots on their back and tail are known to be iridescent, dazzling those who are lucky enough to see them in action. They are rarely seen in the wild but are said to be the protectors of the small populations of Purore's Meowth and Persian still remaining.
Not gonna lie, this is one of my favorite designs I've made so far.
