Auburn Deer

"How does it feel, knowing the symbol you fought so hard to protect just ran headfirst into the sandstorms, there, Terin?"
"It feels like you need to get the hell off my property, Jek."

— An average interaction at the edge of the Leovan estate

The auburn deer is a cervid species native to Kingdom of Arsavela, originally found throughout the entire region, all throughout its history, but is now believed extinct.

High-End Hunt

These ruddy-toned deer were known for their warm red furs and hides, a trait which made them a prime target for hunters in need of material for clothing and armors. The red hides of the auburn deer made up a majority of Arsavela's high-end leather goods throughout history, resulting in a gradual increase in the hunting of these deer.
Taking off in the Savelan Northlands, these deer were hunted in mass quantities for decades before their populations began to suffer, and the hunts gradually moved from the northlands to the forests of the west. These hunts whittled down the auburn deer population in the west the same way, leaving only the southern regions of Arsavela populated with the creatures.

Preservation Efforts

There were many who advocated for regulations barring such extreme hunting practices, in the interest of preserving the auburn deer populations in the kingdom. These ideas went unaddressed for years before more influential people began speaking on the subject, namely the Leovan family of Arsavela. This family, which resided in both the Northlands and in what is now the Melocazh Barrens, began to implement hunting bans in lands they owned which, at the time, encompassed a large portion of the southern lands.
The Leovan family would continue to advocate for the preservation of this animal for years, slowly turning public opinion into one of support for the cause, with auburn leather slowly becoming less sought after, except in the case of antiques which would only explode in popularity as new products were made less frequently, and for higher costs.

Efforts Turned Futile

The auburn deer populations flourished in the south, only to face a new threat; the sands which began overtaking the Melocazh Barrens quickly ate away at the deer's new habitat, causing a mass die-off in short time. Rather than migrating north, the deer seemed inclined to maintain their southern territories no matter the dangers.
The auburn deer remains the symbol of the Leovan family, despite the creatures remaining unseen from the beginning of the destructive sands' onslaught.

by Strixxline via Midjourney

Status

Believed Extinct

Location

Kingdom of Arsavela
Savelan Northlands