Wolf
So deeply founded into myth and culture and the sapient experience is that of our conquering of canine predation of our own kind, and the domestication and breeding of dog species of all kinds, something that did on some level, survive the Sundering and be born again, that culturally, linguistically, and even by name, one will be hard pressed to find any canine predator with a name that doesn't start with, end with, or have the word wolf within it. Jackals, coyotes and their scavenger ilk not withstanding, the true pack hunters, the ones that invoke healthy respect, admiration and fear the world over all have the name wolf in common somewhere in their full name, regardless of linguistic translation. It is that fundamental to the humanoid experience, that foundational to the societies we all now live within. Very few other creatures, if any, can claim such a deep and wide effect upon the sapient experience. Truely the most friend-shaped of the animal kingdom.
Montague Cuchilian Williamson Esq, better known as Mochi to his fellows and peers.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Wolves come in all sorts across Valerick, in various colors from an almost rusty hue, to white or grey, almost silver, a sort of creamy-almost gold and black. They vary in specifics of size, height and weight, however they all share a basic body shape, a very recognizable shape, though much larger. That is the first comment many whom have never seen wolves, and have only interacted with large dogs, even Wulfhunds, will make. They were caught off guard by just how large real wolves truly are. But barring their size, all wolves share the same basic silouhette, the very identifiable hunting canine, the rounded muzzle, extended from the skull, the large ears standing upright, always ready, always seeking information. The strong frame, sleek and agile form, and relatively lanky legs.
Biological Traits
Wolf Skeletal Diagram as laid out by Henri Lavalle Lewis the III by Keon Croucher Using Midjourney
Genetics and Reproduction
Wolves are as very social species, and amongst a pack child rearing does not just fall to the mother whom birthed the pups, but to the pack as a whole. However much is still not even remotely well understood about the reproductive cycle and habits of wolves in general, they are very smart, savvy and elusive animals, and clearly very protective of their young.
Growth Rate & Stages
Wolves reach maturity by the time they are 1 year old. The weaning period is estimated to be 6-12 weeks, though it could be longer, again there is so little observation data on these animals, so little successful field research that has been done that we simply do not know for sure. However we do know that wolves, depending on the region and subspecies, live anywhere from 5-15 years, with 10 being an academically accepted average for the species as a whole.
Ecology and Habitats
Wolves generally prefer somewhat temperate and wooded climates, though even in that you will find a wide variety. The woodlands of Durol are home to many packs and at least six subspecies of course, however even the likes of Waston and Mora, along the Skartor range within its clouded forests, have small packs of wolves, apex predators adapted to the unique biome the clouded forests present. Similarly places like Susma in the Greenback Spires mountain range, and Kang-Chorath along the Mist-side Ridge Range on its largest island, and of course Valewyr all about northern forests and hills within the deep valleys between its plateaus and karsks, wolves are without a shadow of a doubt the most ubiqitous and successful predator species and family on all of Valerick.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Wolves are noted omnivores, though they lean heavily to the carnivore side of things, to the point where it would be a disservice to ignore their obligate need for meat. They will eat berries and other fruits and some vegetables, depending on the pack and biome, however well over 75% of their diet will be meat, organ and bone/bone marrow from the prey that they hunt.
Behaviour
Wolves are uniquely smart, there is a reason orca are referred to as 'wolves of the sea'. Much like those whom borrow their name as a moniker, wolves are masterful adaptive hunters, and the packs are complex family structures where tactics, prety hunting methods and all manner of other information is passed down from elder to pup. Any given pack has unique prey items within the region they inhabit, and likely have unique strategies and hunting techniques that are very much behaviors born of experimentation some generations back, which carry on as taught and learned skills from generation to generation.
They are also very aware of the mutual threat we, that is humanoids and wolves, can pose to each other whenever there is direct interaction. Inevitably our habits of penning up somewhat fat and lazy cousins to some of their preferred prey items puts us and wolves in direct conflict in many rural regions worldwide, as one should perhaps expect. Given the centuries upon centuries of such experiences world wide, and perhaps previous ones pre Sundering which informed such instincts from an even more ancient timeframe, wolves do their best to avoid any and all direct or indirect interaction with sapient humanoids unless truly desperate for food, or if caught off guard or on the defensive by someone wandering their domain. Even if a pack strikes at livestock, they will often do so near streams or rivers when possible, eating their fill of the kill and then using the water and traveling the shallows likely for some distance before returning to land, just to insure they cannot be tracked even by hunting hounds.
They are also very aware of the mutual threat we, that is humanoids and wolves, can pose to each other whenever there is direct interaction. Inevitably our habits of penning up somewhat fat and lazy cousins to some of their preferred prey items puts us and wolves in direct conflict in many rural regions worldwide, as one should perhaps expect. Given the centuries upon centuries of such experiences world wide, and perhaps previous ones pre Sundering which informed such instincts from an even more ancient timeframe, wolves do their best to avoid any and all direct or indirect interaction with sapient humanoids unless truly desperate for food, or if caught off guard or on the defensive by someone wandering their domain. Even if a pack strikes at livestock, they will often do so near streams or rivers when possible, eating their fill of the kill and then using the water and traveling the shallows likely for some distance before returning to land, just to insure they cannot be tracked even by hunting hounds.
Additional Information
Social Structure
The complex structure of wolf packs is only just really being looked into, and does seem to possess a deep nuance and complexity to it that in many ways society has always poorly portrayed in our discussions and idealizations of wolves in culture. We've a lot to learn from and about this common neighbor of a species, a great deal indeed.
Domestication
Wolves are the ancestor, it is believed, to the Suranthi Wulfhund and most other, if not all other, dog breeds. The similarities are uncanny, particularly in dog species like the Suranthi Wulfhund, or the Raechin Howler.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Wolves possess keener senses than us, yet possess no true ultra keen sense like many other apex predators. In fact in the opinion of many well versed individuals in the field of wildlife study, their senses are quite average amongst fellow apex predators by comparison, though that is to say, dear reader, they are all a damn sight better than your own to be clear.
Wolf Base Reference Stat Sheet
Scientific Name
Canidae
Lifespan
5-15 years depending on which subspecies and biome.
Average Height
0.75-0.95 meters (2'5"-3'1") in height at the shoulder
Average Weight
32-60kgs (71-130 lbs)
Average Length
1.5-2 meters (4'11"-6'6")
Geographic Distribution
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