Faehound

"On cold, misty late autumn nights, if one listens carefully, they might hear the eerie baying of the fae's hunting hounds in the woods, looking for unfortunate lost souls..."

— Náian Stories

Faehounds, natively known in Nuríian as lathoq mú (/laˈθɔq mˠuː/), or "hunting dog", is a large wolf-life creature native to Nurí. Though rarely seen on Aanrah itself, they are known for accompanying fae who find entertainment in hunting the mortals of Aanrah for sport.

A Deadly Hunter

Biology

Faehounds are known to live a average of 350 years, provided they are not being used to hunt or exposed to dangerous situations. They stand between 4'4" and 5' at the shoulder, with a wolf-life body accented with two pairs of eyes and a row of spikes adorning each shoulder blade. Faehounds tend to be more nimble and agile then the average wolf or dog, and their longer toes have been known to allow them to climb ladders and the likes much more readily. Their fur usually comes in shades of blue-grey, with some selective breeding allowing for a wider range of colorations and patterns - including white, black, and even some shades of purple.
With a long life span and limited food sources, faehounds do not reproduce often, and produce small litters of 2-3 pups. They are nearly impossible to train if not gotten from birth, and will imprint on those who interact with them most young. They are obligate carnivores with the capacity to eat and digest some bone.

Ecology

Faehounds are found in the wooded wilderness of Nurí quite readily, largely one of the most common and prolific predators of Aanrah's pocket. They are often kept away from fae cities by domesticated faehounds and guards, but are common sights one one leaves sight of civilization. Stray or feral faehounds are uncommon in cities - they are culled to prevent harm to civilians.
Faehounds thrive on Aanrah if left to their own devices - they easily can fair for themselves against many of Aanrah's more dangrous predators, and make easy prey of deer and other common food sources. However, they rarely survive long, as they are quickly dispatched by monster hunters and the likes.

The Fae's Favorite Companions

History

Faehounds were brought over from the original pocket of Nurí that the fae left long before Aanrah existed - the faehounds of today are the descendants of those who survived the harrowing journey. While not 'native' to this area of Nurí, faehounds have settled in as if they have always been there, both at the side of the fae and in the wilderness. They are remembered by the fae as companions as far back as their history goes, both as hunting aids, guards, and family pets.

In Nurí Society

Faehounds are more commonly kept by those fae who have jobs and duties that allow atequate activity for a faehound - often hunters, guards, shepards, or travelers. They can also be often found as pets of the upper class, who are known for having often the more unusual looking faehounds with rarer morphologic traits. Though widely loved, faehounds are treated with respect, and it is considered poor manners and often outright dangerous to try to interact with another person's faehound without their explicit permission.
Some Nuríian hunting parties keep small packs to assist them - a trend so common and effective that it has been burned into the ghost tales of Aanrah's Náian population in particular. Ort, the King of the Fae, is known to have his own personal hunting pack, which on rare occasions accompanies him to Aanrah.
It is highly illegal for faehounds to be sold or raised outside of Nurí - Nurí law states that stealing pups or attempting to establish faehounds in Aanrah is a crime punishable by death. That said, though mortals on Aanrah have tried, mortals do not seem particularly well versed or capable of raising and bonding with faehounds - all attempts to establish them outside has been a failure, fae help or not.

As Quarry

Though adored, Nurí do make sport of hunting wild faehounds from time to time, and those faehound that find their way to Aanrah are hunted first and foremost for the safety of mortals and secondly for the thrill. Faehound fur is considered a luxury - while being exceptionally soft, it is also known for being fairly water repellent and generally lacking some of the worst smell and oils of a mortal wolf's pelt. Their spines are coveted as tools for enchantment, both taking to holding magic very well while also being incredibly sharp and durable. Faehound bones are popular among necromancers, both for the show of having one and for how well they hold necromanic energy.

Lifespan

350 years

Average Height

4'4" - 5' at shoulder

Average Weight

170 - 250 lbs.

Average Length

10'2" - 11"

Geographic Distribution

• Nurí