Wolven | Tyrrapedia: Encyclopedia of Tyrra

Wolven are a canine scavenger sub-culture. They have the ability to walk like humanoids and have opposable thumbs. At the same time, however, they have retained many of the characteristics of their canine ancestors, including fur and markings, and small but noticeable fangs. They also have slightly keener hearing and smell than most other humanoids. Originally, they were bred and educated by elves as a protectors and as a force to defeat Panthergasts.

The social structure is that of the pack, and in most cases, everything in a Wolven's life revolves around the pack.

Major Bloodlines

There are many different packs, but nearly all Wolven fall into the following bloodlines.

Silverpaw: These are the descendants of Grandfather Wolf, the first successful mix of wolf and Quentari Elf. Silverpaws can actually trace the bloodline directly back to him. Because of this, most Silverpaws in general have a high amount of prestige. They live in the frozen wastes of the north. They are usually white with gray markings, or gray/white fur with darker markings. The symbol for this bloodline is a gray or silver rampant wolf on a white or dark gray field. Individual families add their crest to this, or incorporate it into their crest. They are patriarchal, but the females are looked upon more as partner in every aspect of running the pack. Many Silverpaws have more elven features than wolf. They have an almost fanatical dislike for necromancy. They can smell a Pantherghast well enough to attack it.

Darkstrider: These are the descendants of the Wolven created by the dark elves. They have dark elf blood, and were created to hunt the pantherghast. As a result, they can actually see the outline of the pantherghast well enough to attack it. They have dark brown fur with black markings. As they grow older, the black marking begin to turn white. The symbol is a brown wolf s head on a black field. They are patriarchal or matriarchal, depending on which wolven has the real power in the pack structure. The usually exhibit more wolf like features, and can be more aggressive than their Silverpaw counterparts. The main territory for the Darkstriders is in the Falcon Forest ? in the Kingdom of Quentari. This bloodline also has a high amount of prestige attached to it.

Desert Moon: This Wolven were created by the Desert Elves and as such live in the desert regions of the world. They tend to have light brown fur with black marking, with other muted coloring mottled in. They are nomadic and are often hired to guard caravans as they travel across the desert. The symbol for these bloodlines a light brown wolf silhouetted on a dune, howling at a crescent moon. This pack is matriarchal in nature. The females hold all the positions of leadership, and the males are used to produce children and guard the females. The males tend to be fighters, and the females either earth or celestial mages or templars. The females have a secret society, known only as The Moon Maidens. Their exact identity is secret, and the other packs believe this is just a myth. When females are born into the pack, they are immediately separated, and begin training in the magical arts, and preparation for leadership. Most of what other packs know about this bloodline is through legend. It is rumored that this pack has fey blood in their veins. They are rarely encountered outside of the desert regions, and might easily be mistaken for Darkstriders. Wolves with Desert Moon blood in their veins generally have a lower prestige.

Timber Howler: These are the descendants of the mix of Wild Elf and Wolf. They are more feral than the other packs, and tend to be even more aggressive than Darkstriders. They have a reddish-brown tint to their fur, with black markings.

Malamute: Malamutes are the Wolven who have many different mixes of bloodlines in their veins. Generally, if a wolf has at least 3 different bloodlines, they are considered Malamutes, regardless of their pack name. They usually have a mottled white and reddish brown fur with gray and or black markings. Most Malamutes have one blue eye, and one brown eye. They are even more isolated than the Silverpaws, living so far north that the nights last for half the year. Their pack structure is often times loose; with who ever is the strongest is the Alpha, regardless of sex. They are more wolf-like in looks and behavior, and seldom leave the territory where they were born. It is rumored that that in fact they are being kept isolated by the remnants of a great magic, which left a circle so large and powerful that, it causes the air to shimmer with colored light. For what reason, no one is sure. Their symbol is that of a white wolf on blue star field looking up at a shimmering light of colors. Of all the bloodlines, Malamutes have the lowest amount of prestige, despite the fact that many Wolven have Malamute as a minor bloodline.

Stoneclaw: The Stone Elf-Wolf bonding was a failure. It was impossible for the Stoneclaws retain their sanity. Emotion repression and instinct did not mix. Stone Claws have no Prestige in Wolven society, and in fact, the few Stone Claws created disappeared. They have not been seen since.