Foxlings

A race of Beast predominantly found in Impathatika, the Foxlings are the fourth race to have encountered the Overlords. Their Magic Level is Green, Flank Silver.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Foxlings are a woodland race, with most possessing a mix of feline and canine features. They all walk on two legs and can speak, albeit rarely as they prefer to communicate through growls and squeaks. They each have 5 fingers on each paw (including an opposable thumb) and three big toes on each foot. Their furry serpentine tails are long and covered in black, brown and white stripes. The most common types of Foxlings are the Barkskin-Warchants (Foxlings with similarities to squirrels or wolves, these small creatures make up for their size with their incredible screaming-power which they can use to summon other Foxlings miles away), the Woodkin-Bruisers (massive Foxlings with features of bears and badgers, these massive brutes can tear down walls and punch through layers of concrete if angered. They can harden their flesh into various weapons and structures such as claws and arm-blades which they use for attacking) and the Mouseling-Duelists (the smallest of the Foxlings, these tiny creatures possess features of dogs and mice and can sense things that other Foxlings can't. They also possess gifts of precognition and magic).

Genetics and Reproduction

Foxlings are mammals, although they reproduce through eggs the size of rocks. These eggs hatch within 13 months, and form baby Foxlings known as "Fledglings".

Growth Rate & Stages

Depending on the type of Foxling, growth-stages can last for 2 weeks (if Duelists) or 2 years (if Bruisers).

Ecology and Habitats

The lands of Impathatika.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Foxlings are omnivores and live on leaves, birds, lizards, fish and whatever fruits they can find in the forests.

Biological Cycle

Although all Foxlings have fur, their appearances will change depending on the season. During winter, their skin will exclude a thick hypersaline slime cooled through biochemical means. This slime causes their fur to crystallize into "scales" and form a "shell" around the body, covering them with a hardened armor-like layer of scales with only areas necessary for movement being unprotected. This new shell-armor will keep them warm during the winter, and will also protect them from attacks during this time.
After a few weeks, during summer, this shell is shed and replaced with an all-encompassing layer of plated, armor-like segments of hardened skin known as "leaves" that resemble tree-bark in a way. This leaf-armor is capable of protecting Foxlings from significant amounts of damage, even a direct hit from a cannon or gun. The armor also provides camouflage in the forests. One disadvantage of the leaf-skin is decreased speed. Due to increased weight and restrained movement, a Foxling with leaf-armor is only capable of maintaining moderate running speeds when completely armored; however, this can be alleviated if the Foxling chooses to shed segments of the leaf-armor to increase movement, such as the armor behind the knees and elbows, enabling the Foxling to move with incredible speed. After a few more weeks, the Foxling sheds its leaf-armor and develops its normal soft fur again. The fur will remain until winter.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Certain Foxlings, like the Duelists, possess the ability to see through solid objects, detect movement from miles away through their hearing and smell threats from a distance of at least 2 miles.

Civilization and Culture

History

Foxlings have existed even before the Abra-Comanches first arrived to Ka'a'. They encountered the Overlords after the Mountain-Elves, and used the knowledge of the Overlords to improve their living-spaces, clothing and tools. They also found the uses of fire thanks to the Overlords. Foxlings all across Impathatika now live in small houses high up in the trees to avoid larger predators, thanks to the knowledge of ropes and production of glue given to them by the Overlords.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Beasts

Scientific Name

Homo-Bestes