Wolves (Canina) 

The common wolf is a remarkable and highly intelligent carnivorous mammal, renowned for its social behavior and distinctive appearance. Possessing a sleek, muscular physique and a dense fur coat, wolves rely on their acute senses and robust legs to excel as skilled hunters and survivors in diverse habitats. Their haunting howl resonates through the wilderness, signifying their status as predators. Across the continent, several distinct wolf subspecies exist, with the Brown wolf being the most widespread, and Black and Silverbacks being more regionally distributed species.

Wolves are fascinating creatures with a complex social structure and impressive adaptations that make them formidable inhabitants of their ecosystems. For adventurers, understanding the nuances of these different wolf species and their behaviors is essential when venturing into wolf territories.

Brown wolves (Canis brunneis) 

Brown wolves are the most abundant and widespread members of the Canina family, establishing a ubiquitous presence in every forest they inhabit. Despite their average size, their strength lies in their sheer numbers. They form packs, often comprising up to 50 individuals, orchestrating coordinated hunting endeavors. In these packs, approximately 15 wolves actively pursue prey, while the remaining members, including older individuals, youngsters, and nursing mothers, remain nearby, ready to join in the hunt when the time is right.

These wolves are renowned for their hunting prowess, engaging in relentless pursuits and targeting creatures of various sizes. Unfortunately, their presence extends beyond the wild, as they sometimes venture onto trails and roads. Open spaces along these paths provide ideal vantage points for spotting potential prey, occasionally leading to encounters with humans traversing these territories.

Appearance: These creatures stand at approximately 3 feet (90 centimeters) in height and measure about 5 feet ( 1.5 meters) in length. They have a narrow posture and are known for their quick movements. Their fur is primarily brown, with varying patches of darker and brighter gray. The coloration of their heads can range from darker to brighter. They feature small eyes, sharp fangs, a long snout, and a distinctive black nose, giving them their signature look.

Statistics: B2 S2 M2 W2 L8 Ev8 D8

Skills: Stealth +2, Athletics +2, Perception +2

Abilities:

• Pack – These creatures exhibit a coordinated hunting strategy. Operating in packs, they can stage ambushes. If they manage to remain undetected by their target, they synchronize their attacks to strike simultaneously.

Noctis wolves (Canis nocturnus) 

The Noctis wolves, colloquially known as the black wolves, primarily inhabit colder regions of the continent. Unlike their counterparts, these wolves are not ambush predators; instead, they actively seek out prey under the cover of night, becoming adept nocturnal hunters while other creatures slumber. Their fur is expertly adapted to the darkened forest, providing exceptional camouflage that renders them elusive and difficult to detect.

Packs of Noctis wolves typically consist of no more than 10 individuals, all engaged in cooperative hunting endeavors. These wolves are renowned for their strength and tenacity. They are known to confront rival groups and assertively deter larger animals from claiming their hard-won prey, exemplifying their dominance in the nocturnal realm of the wilderness.

Appearance: These canines stand at approximately 4 feet (120 centimeters) in height and measure about 6 feet (180 centimeters) in length, making them the largest among all wolf species. They possess a wide and robust body with muscular necks and legs. Their thick, long fur is as black as the night, providing them with warmth and protection in colder climates. Their necks and jaws are unnaturally large for wolves, although this feature is concealed by their fur. They have silver-colored eyes that aid them in seeing during the night.

Statistics: B3 S3 M2 W2 L10 Ev10 T2 D10

Skills: Stealth +3, Athletics +4, Perception +2

Silverback wolves (Canis mesomelas) 

Silverback wolves are captivating yet formidable pack animals found in the lands east of the Midland Mountains. These creatures possess exceptional hunting prowess, primarily preying on herbivores such as deer. However, what sets them apart is their surprising willingness to consider Humans, Beastly, and even Virdis as potential prey. Intriguingly, these wolves display a unique ability not only to consume flesh but also to absorb the inherent magic of their prey.

Cloaked in a striking silver-white fur, they possess an uncanny ability to elude detection in the forest, appearing almost invisible to observers. This remarkable attribute, combined with their pack strategies, makes them highly effective and deadly hunters, often escaping the notice of other creatures unless they deliberately reveal themselves. Within their social structure, an extensive hierarchy prevails, with the Alpha wolf unarguably leading the pack. Disrupting this leadership can sometimes lead to the retraction of the entire pack.

Appearance: These creatures are relatively small among the continent’s wolves, measuring less than 3 feet (90 centimeters) in height and about 4 feet (120 centimeters) in length. Their bodies are adorned with perpetually shining silver-white fur. They possess a lengthy skull with many sharp teeth and forward-facing eyes. Their ears are highly mobile, capable of moving from front to back, which allows them to stay acutely aware of their surroundings. Their paws feature surprisingly sharp claws for wolves, although these are rarely used for hunting.

Statistics: B2 S2 M2 W2 Mag1 L10 Ev8 D8

Skills: Stealth +5, Athletics +3, Perception +2 

Abilities:

• Imperceptibility – The creature can render itself imperceptible to others at will (free action, 6 Magic points, every 2 turns). When activated, those engaged in combat with it must pass a Perception check with a difficulty of 8 to detect its presence. If they fail, they are unable to see the creature for one turn and can attempt to spot it again on the following turn. During this concealed state, the creature gains a +3 bonus to their Attack checks and remains immune to being attacked until they are spotted by their opponents.