Withered Wolf
“These poor creatures remain a mystery even to one such as myself. I can see no reason why they can eat and eat and eat and yet remain so scrawny and shrunken. It breaks my heart to see so noble a creature reduced to skin and bones and interspersed with sticks and vines.”The Withered Wolf seems to be a smaller and rather unique and isolated subspecies of wolf. They are only found within the “Withered Forest” of the Marcidus Silva. Despite their gaunt and weakened appearance they are rather strong, swift, and extremely cunning. For reasons unknown, these wolves have a mysterious bond with the twisted forest itself. They draw not only their very energy and fortitude from this emaciated land, but also physically incorporate some of the forest into their bodies as well. How this has come to be and what are the potential ramifications, are subjects of much debate. Many believe that the answers must certainly rest with the ruler of the land, the Prince of Marcidus, as these wolves seem to answer directly to him.
Basic Information
Anatomy
This species resembles a huge Timber Wolf with piercing green eyes, but with an emaciated body and starving look. Its tightened skin often reveals the rib cage and bone structures of the wolf as well as seaming to blend roots, vines, and tree branches into its musculature and appearance.
Genetics and Reproduction
These wolves mate and reproduce similar to that of a typical Timber Wolf.
Ecology and Habitats
The Withered Wolf is only found in deep, old growth forests that it has become bonded to. Rumors say that there has to be something wrong with the forest itself in order for these once majestic animals to become such a twisted version of themselves.
Dietary Needs and Habits
The Withered Wolf is known to feed upon a variety of forest animals and even lost humans. Their preferred food items include deer, sheep, squirrels, dogs, cats, groundhogs, snakes, grouse and turkeys. They will also hunt anything that is not originally from their forest and anything that seems weak, isolated, or tasty.
Behaviour
These animals live in large social packs with a strict hierarchy and pecking order. Everything and every decision is determined by the pack leader and all members of the pack are expected to fully comply.
Living amongst this strange forest has driven these wolves to point of starvation madness. While their mysterious bond to the forest maintains their physical bodies, they have an overwhelming and maddening desire to hunt and eat whenever and whatever they can. As a result, most of their time is spent in pursuit of prey.
Additional Information
Social Structure
These creatures are strict pack animals, living within a very structured and orderly system. They are very social and cooperate and coordinate everything that they do, from hunting to defense to searching for dens. They are led by an alpha male and mate for life.
Domestication
This species of wolf is extremely resistant to any kind of domestication and will fight to the bitter end. The only know exception to this is the Prince's Pack. This relationship between the Prince of Marcidus and these particular wolves seems to be more of a collaboration as opposed to that of master and servant.
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Several of these wolves are being used by the elven kingdom of Marcidus as free roaming attack dogs of the forest. Their task is to kill any intruders found within the borders of the Marcidus Silva.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
These wolves have only been encountered within the so called "Withered Forest" of the Marcidus Silva in the elven kingdom of Marcidus.
Average Intelligence
These wolves are considered to be very intelligent and beyond that of a base animal. They exhibit a complex communication system through sounds, facial expressions, body language, scent markers, and howls. They are cooperative and follow their alpha leader and are known to frequently coordinate tasks and hunts together.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Aside from their incredible senses of sight, hearing, and smelling, the Withered Wolf also has the capability to move through its home forest completely unencumbered, even through the heaviest brush and completely silently as well, often surprising unwary intruders.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Surviving witnesses claim to see a strange interweaving of subtle plants structures within the bodies of these wolves. They speculate that the forest roots, vines, and branches have somehow become a living part of the wolf itself. Whether this is symbiotic, parasitic, or a trick of the light is yet to be determined.
Scientific Name
Canis Lupus Calamentum
Origin/Ancestry
It is believed that this wolf was once a magnificent Timber Wolf that has somehow become tainted or transformed into the Withered Wolf.
Lifespan
The aveage lifespan is between 6 and 8 years but may live up to 13 in very favorable conditions.
Conservation Status
The elven prince of Marcidus has imposed a strict ban on any harm coming to these wolves. Anyone who is thought to be responsible for hurting or killing these creatures is subject to immediate arrest. The penalty for all transgressions against this animal is death, often by public execution.
Average Height
Standard heights range from 26 to 33 inches at the shoulder.
Average Weight
The usual weights vary from about 60 to 90 pounds, but much larger wolves have been observed in the past.
Average Length
Typical lengths range between 4 to 5 feet long with some even reaching 6 feet in body length.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Color variations do occur between members of this species with most showing some shade of wooden grey or sometimes even a wooden brown coloration. This is in stark contrast to their piercing green eyes.
“We don’t go in the forest, no matter what. Understand what I’m saying here. The Prince’s Pack is in there and they’ll hunt you down and eat you before you can even let off a scream. We never go in the forest. Got it!”
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