Sorry about my lack of appearances. At this point Im taking a much needed hiatus from here after 5 long years. Not sure when I'll be back, but it won't be for awhile... sorry about that... : (
3
likes
5 yrs ago
Revenge of the 5th has always been a thing tho...
7
likes
5 yrs ago
Do not forget about the GOD DAMN bacon.
3
likes
5 yrs ago
Once upon a time, I used to cheer for May the 4th... now I cry with disappointment. *Except Clone Wars S7 and the Mandalorian - they are awesome*
As the Slayer pondered openly at the ground, he wouldn't fail to notice the red-coat throwing him back his own shotgun. The armored marine caught the shotgun with his left arm without even looking at it, before slowly turning to face him. For now, his anger has resided into relative dormancy, but it won't certainly remain this way for long. As his armored visor peered into the fellow demon slayer's face, the artificial voice of Vega proceeded to break the silent tension.
"Hello." the voice spoke audibly towards Dante, "I am Vega. The sentient intelligence originally assigned to Mars by the UAC. The figure that stands before you is known by UAC records and testaments recovered from Hell as "The Doom Slayer". He has allowed for me to speak upon his behalf, using his Praetor Suit as a vessel for my conscious before I may be transferred to a more suitable power source."
The Slayer said nothing as he began to slowly walk back and forth, inspecting the white-haired figure cautiously. Despite this figure having allowed himself to help the Slayer with the demonic invasion, he still couldn't trust this individual completely - especially with the fact that he claimed to be a half-demon. His visor shielded most of his facial features, save for a few instances where the light hit his visor just right to reveal his stern gaze from underneath.
The large figure grunted at Eltariel's response in not being human either. Yet as he inspected her closely, he could see characteristics within her that he hadn't seen in regular humans before - such as her spear-shaped ears, her outfit, and others. While he too shared some characteristics, such as similarly shaped ears, he had never seen anyone who called themselves as an "elf", let alone have heard of such a term.
"An elf...?" the beastly man wondered as he rose his head up with a muted sigh, "I do not know of these "elfs" you speak of. Still..."
Eltariel proceeded to thank him for saving The Silver Tower and scaring off what she believed to be a warlord and his minions. She even claimed to owe the creature everything. The creature simply grunted in indifference.
"You do not need to," he modestly replied, "It was merely a coincidental incident. I stumbled upon here after I heard the commotion, in which I was challenged to fight. I would've not noticed you had you not made noise that alerted me of your presence... I could've easily squashed you or flung you away by accident."
He then proceeded to glance at the tower, studying its pristine walls save for the large gash near the base.
"Hmmm... you seem to value this tower more than your own life." the man said as he placed his hand upon the structure, "Yet you've managed to resurrect a new vessel for yourself. Does this tower allow you to achieve this?"
Creature Notes: If you hear an alpha male Cockatrice announcing the morning sun with its booming call, then it's best that you run for cover! An elusive yet revered creature, the Greater Cockatrice is a ferocious beast having the body of a wyvern and the head of a rooster. While they are not the largest wyverns - standing at 5 meters tall at the shoulder, with a length of 15 meters, and an overall wingspan of 12 meters - they have been reported to be notoriously aggressive. They are infamous for chasing or eying their aggressor for miles, making sure that they won't be coming back anytime soon. Some have reported that a Cockatrice's gaze as being so intimidating that it often leads to its victims being frozen in fear.
Male Cockatrice roosters sport a large red wattle used for display and to attract mates. Each individual also has tiny needle-like teeth within their mouthes, with yellowish-tan neck feathers, and dark cyan feathers upon the rest of their bodies and bat-like wings. Their tails are long yet featherless, with a ball of needle-like spines at the tip. And like all raptors, Cockatrices also have a sickle-shaped claw on their feet that allowed them to slash and tear at their prey's flesh.
A Cockatrice's territory is enormous, with estimations capping in of ranges in between 3 - 5 miles per individual. Thus it's not often you would see one of these magnificent beasts, let alone two of them outside of breeding pairs. Many natives had reported seeing grand fights between two individuals (mostly males), possibly over territory or food. At least 1 Cockatrice has been seen dwelling in the northern mountains just a few miles from Hillhaven.
As their name implies, Greater Cockatrice are only one of a few species of Cockatrice, although they are considered to be the largest. The Lesser Cockatrice (Basilisk cocatris minoris) have been reported in the southern regions of Astraia, being far smaller then their Greater cousins, as well as more commonly distributed, and are often found residing in swamps and wetland environments.
Location: Hillside Haven Inn Interactions: N/A (Open)
With the beginning of a new summer season, comes for a time of joyous celebration. And if you were to ask nearly any villager or traveler familiar enough with the landscape, many would agree that there was no better place to grab a drink than at the Hillside Haven Inn. Not like there were any other inn or tavern around anyways, for it was the only one currently around. Nevertheless, many locals and occasional travelers alike had many positive experiences within the cozy and merry atmosphere of the ever lively inn.
Hillside Haven Inn was comprised of two levels: the first representing the tavern level that was available to all guests, while the second level housing small yet comfortable accommodations for weary travelers. The tavern portion was always alive with the sound of chattering guests and music playing by the local, all-female, bard group known as "The Tavernistas". Its alcohol was also exceptionally diverse, with a large variety coming from all over Astraia in different beers, rums, liquors, wines, cider, and the like. However, the Inn was famous for one drink in particular known as "Dragon's Head Ale" - a spiced ale fermented in a variety of strong, local herbs that give it its sweet-and-spicy taste. This was it's most popular drink and given the area's history as once a hotspot for dragons it was quite fitting too.
As the jolly customers talked and brawled downstairs, upstairs housed weary travelers who slumbered long and deep from within their rooms. These rooms were rather small for most inns, yet were able to fit all the necessities that one needed to remain content and comfortable. They had a bed - single or double depending on the room - with a desk, an oil lamp, a rug, and a small cabinet for one to place their belongings in. Small yet efficient.
And at the very end of the hall, was a room belonging to the Inn's owner - one Vera Byrnfield. A hardy yet beautiful scarlet-haired woman, she lurked quietly within her quarters as she sat by her desk reading the weekly mail she received. Her room had a window just above the desk, which shined a warm light down upon the woman's face. As the light shined upon her right side, it would reveal a face seemingly untouched by age. She sported very fine skin, with light brown freckles dotting her pale-like canvas, alongside a smooth nose, pale-lips, and a warm peridot-green eye that radiated a friendly warmth that would melt even the coldest of hearts. She had what many believed to be the face of an angel.
Yet when Vera rose her head to bask in the light's warm glow, it would reveal a completely different portion of her face - one she considered as a wound to her beauty. A large mass of dead tissue permeated across her maxillofacial regions, which had also rendered her blind on that side, with it crawling down towards her upper neck. She would often caress that side of her face, running her fingers against the rough and coarse scabs that will remain immortalized upon her skin. Even her hair on said side was different ever-so-slightly, being braided instead of loose and outgoing. Her reddish hair was curiously blended in with snow-white strands, which she also received shortly after the incident. Why it turned such a way may most likely remain a mystery.
It had been several long years since Vera had come to relative terms with her condition. No longer had she allowed herself to become a victim of teasing or spite, or let wondering eyes make her feel like a complete freak. And no longer did she even actively try to hide it either. Now her presence had often prompted cheers from the guests within her Inn, as well as the happy laughter of children who enjoyed her stories. But even with all that positive energy, her wound was still a very sensitive topic for her to talk about. Vera had told very few the true nature as to how she received it, being either close friends or her own family members, but never to anyone else. She had a plethora of alternative stories and made up tales prepared, but she never seemed to have the courage to tell them. All she would do was simply frown, before leaving to sulk in her room over her own self-conscious image.
Vera sighed softly as she watched the fellow villagers running around below with curious intrigue for a minute or so. Daydreaming or simply watching time go by was one of her favorite pastimes if she wasn't doing anything in particular. It helped her to relax and take the burden of life off her shoulders for a bit. Then her train of thought quickly vanished as she heard someone knocking on her door. Vera blinked back into reality as she slightly tilted her head back.
"Come in!" she called out in an almost sing-songy tone.
"Ah, hello Adelaide." she welcomed her kindly, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
The tiefling approached her boss with something in her hands.
"Nothin' in particular, Miss Brynfield." Adelaide replied in a light frontier accent, as she handed her an envelope, "Jus' wanted to deliver this 'ere letter. It's from the mayor 'erself."
Vera took the envelope with a nod as she looked at the signature. Indeed, it came from Mayor Dustwallow herself - with her official stamp and all.
"Thank you, Adelaide." the owner thanked with a nod, before the bartender left her room.
Once alone, Vera proceeded to open the envelope and read the note that laid within:
People of Hillhaven, The Celebration or Stars is on the third day of Aburand. It is a day with origins of celestial worship first adopted by the humans of Astraia. To those who participate, you may take a break from any labors of the day to express the love of life and others under the great star Solaris. And during the night, friends and loved ones gather to admire the many other stars within the sky to admire their beauty and mystical wonder. To those who wish to help with the town’s celebratory preparations, the scheduled meeting time is sunrise on the second of Aburand, tomorrow.
Sorry for the short notice, Hillhaven Town Staff
P.S - Volunteers will be given extra cheese rations next week!”
Ah! She almost forgot about that holiday coming up. It was a good thing that Vera was reminded of it ahead of time. She'd always loved going to festivals when she was little. However, she would be absent from said festivals for a long time due to her enlistment as a knight. And even after, she always found herself forgetting or simply too busy to fully engage in them. Perhaps now will be her chance to finally and properly experience one after so long. She could feel her heart flutter in heavy anticipation!
All this pent up excitement has already prompted Vera into wanting to do something fun. The innkeeper placed the envelope on her desk as she exited her room and made her way down to the bottom floor. Once there, she would receive many friendly greetings from the usual crowd while she walked beside the wooden bar table. She soon took notice of Adelaide and waved at her.
"I'll be out for an hour or so!" she called out to her happily, "Keep our guests nice and satisfied while I'm gone."
The tiefling flashed a toothy grin with an acknowledging salute.
"Already know, boss," she called back while serving a pint of "Dire-Fang Beer" to a hefty barrel of a man, "Take care now!"
Once the innkeeper exited the building, Vera took a deep breath as she planted her hands across her hips. Today was indeed a nice sunny day and one she intends to make the best out of.
Biomes: Grassland Plains, Woodlands, and Scrublands
Creature Notes: Known as the bullies of the plains, the infamous Dire Boar have rightfully earned their fearsome reputation, taking the title of being the largest species of boar in Astraia. Usually seen farther north in cooler, more open environments, a small population had made their home near Hillhaven and have no intentions of leaving anytime soon. An average boar can grow up to 1.35 meters (4.5 feet) tall at the shoulders with 65 cm long skulls, however the largest specimens have been known to grow as big as 1.82 (6 feet) meters tall with 90 cm skulls. They are highly aggressive and will chase anything that gets too close within their territory with surprising speed.
However, much like their smaller relatives, Dire Boars are omnivorous. They often eat hard fruits, stems, and roots, while usually scavenging off dead animals and chewing their bones for marrow. They rarely hunt anything bigger then an adult Navik, however they have been known to prey on smaller or juvenile animals if given the chance. Human interactions are rare, yet there had been reports of vicious maulings by lone males or defensive mothers. Dire Boars usually resort to violence as a last resort, as they usually scream loudly at their opponents as effective intimidation efforts. Still, one wouldn't want to wrestle with an aggravated boar.
Only one death had been reported, being that of a trapper who shot into a group of boars and caused them to attack and rip into his flesh. They ate him soon after.
"Woolly Raptors"
Full Name: Lanivenator horridus (Horrible Woolly Hunter)
Creature Notes: Founding prowling in the alpine forests of the Mosscrag Mountain Range or scouring the lower grasslands, woolly raptors are cunning as they are vicious. Standing at 2 meters tall and 5 meters long, these carnivorous creatures are essentially wolves in sheep's clothing (or raptors in llama clothing) and often hunt in pairs or in small packs. They have long powerful forearms tipped with three sharp claws, with powerful back legs each sporting a sickled claw. They are unusual creatures in Hillhaven, being considered as dangerous pests by farmers and ranchers as they've been known to kill adult livestock and snatch vulnerable calves who've strayed far from the herd. Woolly raptors are surprisingly intelligent, often having individuals distract adult animals or human ranchers away while the others go in to pick their meal of choice. One way they can distract or disorient their quarry is by spitting at their eyes, attempting to blind them before initiating their next move.
The evolution and taxonomy of these particular predators has been highly debated in the scientific community. Some consider these creatures as a branch of highly-specialized, carnivorous descendants of ancient llamas, while others believe they are bird-like creatures having undergone convergent evolution, yet being in no way related towards their mammalian relatives. Considering they are not native to the continent of Astraia, many suspect that the neighboring continent in the south is the catalyst of the woolly raptors and their alikeness. This debate still rages on to this day.
While these creatures have not yet been domesticated, local natives often kill these raptors for their precious wool which in turn are made into fine warm clothes and blankets to survive the winter seasons. Their wool can come naturally in white or grey to reddish-brown, golden-brown, brown, dark brown and black.
With approval from the discord, here's two more that I've came up with - these being ungulate animals that Hillhaven could probably hunt for meat, hide, and other properties.
Navik
Full Name: Ulmus rhinodensis (Thick-Nosed Elk)
Nicknames: "Big-Nosed Elk"; "Navik"
Biomes: Grassland Plains and Light Woodlands
Creature Notes: Usually seen roaming in big herds on the northern plains, Naviks are a common sight for the natives living in Hillhaven. They are known for their large nasal cavities that blare up when they initiate their deep resonating bellows, as well as allowing them a very keen sense of smell. Elks can grow up to 1.6 meters tall at the wither, with bucks weighing in at 450 kg and cows being significantly less at 235 kg. A navik's diet shifts between seasons, with its main diet consisting of grasses and shrubs during the warmer periods, or woody shrubs and berries during the winter. Their meat is an essential part for the surrounding natives, being rich in nutrients and low in fat and is commonly served cooked, grilled, or as jerky. Their skin is also utilized in warm coats, hats, and boots during the winter.
Droger
Full Name: Hicerotherium valliensis (Hairy Horned Beast of the Valley)
Nicknames: "Maned Rhino", "Hairy Rhino", "Droger"
Biomes: Strictly Grassland Plains
Creature Notes: A huge horned beast, the droger is a magnificent beast that rules the prairies with its presence. They stand at roughly 2.5 meters tall at the shoulder, are over 5 meters in length, and can weigh in at 600 kg. Males are armed with a 1 meter long horn on their nose, with some being able to grow up to a meter and a half, while cows sport a significantly smaller one. Bulls are also much more muscular than the females, sporting a large mane used for intimidation and attracting mates. Droger usually stick to small family groups, being otherwise solitary in nature, however they have been commonly seen intermixing with other ungulate herds, such as the big-nosed Navik elk. They also sport a keen sense of smell and hearing that allows them to detect predators from up to half a mile away.
While usually calm and peaceful around people, a startled droger can be very dangerous due to its massive size and strength. Bulls can get even more aggressive during mating season. Still, wild droger are incredibly hard to hunt, yet the reward would be more then well-earned. They are prized for their meat and hide, as well as their milk from domesticated cows. Wild droger in particular are also highly sought after for their horns in the far east, for they claim it harbors medicinal properties and improves male vitality, despite scientists and ecological activists brutally debunking this claim.
As mentioned in the discord, I've also been making little species profiles for all the animals and creatures you may see during your stay in Hillhaven. Essentially I'm trying to help in world-building.
Below are two sample profiles that set up what future profiles will look like. Expect more to come later if these are approved!
Plump-Eared Rabbit
Full Name: Oryctolagus magnauris (Plump-Eared Rabbit)
Nicknames: "Puffballs", "Walking Pillows", "Big-Ears", "Pompadours", (Any cute name will do)
Biomes: Light Woodlands and Forests
Creature Notes: A common sight around Hillhaven, these rabbits are commonly found within light woodland areas forging for food or hiding in little burrows. They are well known for their fluffy pompadour-like neck fur - which helps in protecting their necks from predators - and for their huge ears that are almost as large as its own body. They are often hunted for their meat and luscious cotton-like fur, however they can easily be domesticated and are a popular choice for children to keep as pets.
Black Cavern
Full Name: Corvelis maurocola (Black Cavern)
Nicknames: "Cravens"; "Cat-Raven"; "Raven-Cat"
Biomes: Woodlands and Forests
Creature Notes: Being only slightly larger than a common house cat, caverns are classified as small griffins. Unlike the common raven, or the common house cat, Black Caverns are quite elusive in the wild. Usually solitary creatures, these black-winged animals live in light woodland areas and often hunt small prey from rabbits to other small birds. Their forelimbs are shaped like those of a bird, perfect for hooking and grasping onto unsuspecting prey, while their hind-limbs and tail are cat-like, which helps them in jumping and balance. They are perfectly fine with walking on the ground as they are flying or perching onto tree-branches. They are often blamed for bringing bad luck and being down-right mischievous, as they are attracted to shiny objects and food. Witches and wizards can sometimes be seen keeping a craven as a pet.
Albino caverns have also been documented in the wild. However, they are far rarer and are usually seen living in snowy or mountainous environments where they blend in better. Unlike their black relatives, they are considered as an omen and a sign of good luck.
Full Name:Vera Byrnfield Age:34 Gender:Female Race:Human Height | Weight:5'9" Tall | 144 Lbs Birthday:4th of Dimetru Job Title:Innkeeper; Retired knight from the eastern Kingdom of Bristletyne. Residency:2nd Season; Innkeeper of "Hillside Haven Inn" home of the famous Dragon's Head Ale, and the very first inn established in Hillhaven.
Positive Traits:Hard-Working ; Attentive ; Caring Negative Traits:Clumsy ; Apologetic ; Self-Conscious Likes:Cleaning, Caring for customers, Stories, Children, Nature, Peace Dislikes:Teasing, Wyverns/Dragons, Rude/Unruly Customers, Her Looks Hobbies:When she isn't taking care of her customer's needs, Vera often likes to tell stories of her experiences and adventures towards any who are willing to listen. She reads a variety of novels and writes down her own stories, with some recalling her adventures, while also secretly writing romance novels on the side. When outside, Vera often likes to daydream, go on hikes, and occasionally garden. While on hikes, she often documents wildlife that she finds interesting, making sketches and jotting down information on them.
Heart Meter
Cresta Dustwallow - ♥♥♥♥♥
Iz Ah Bel- ♥♥♥♥♥
E.J Silverleaf - ♥♥♥♥♥
Alastair Doppler - ♥♥♥♥♥
Rel - ♥♥♥♥♥
Val Bearfall - ♥♥♥♥♥
Robert - ♥♥♥♥♥
Mirik - ♥♥♥♥♥
Roc- ♥♥♥♥♥
Baylen Stonestrider - ♥♥♥♥♥
Shamie Ragadel - ♥♥♥♥♥
Neriro Antari - ♥♥♥♥♥
Abrazio - ♥♥♥♥♥
"Greater Cockatrice"
Full Name: Basilisk cocatris majoris (Greater Cockatrice)
Creature Notes: If you hear an alpha male Cockatrice announcing the morning sun with its booming call, then it's best that you run for cover! An elusive yet revered creature, the Greater Cockatrice is a ferocious beast having the body of a wyvern and the head of a rooster. While they are not the largest wyverns - standing at 5 meters tall at the shoulder, with a length of 15 meters, and an overall wingspan of 12 meters - they have been reported to be notoriously aggressive. They are infamous for chasing or eying their aggressor for miles, making sure that they won't be coming back anytime soon. Some have reported that a Cockatrice's gaze as being so intimidating that it often leads to its victims being frozen in fear.
Male Cockatrice roosters sport a large red wattle used for display and to attract mates. Each individual also has tiny needle-like teeth within their mouthes, with yellowish-tan neck feathers, and dark cyan feathers upon the rest of their bodies and bat-like wings. Their tails are long yet featherless, with a ball of needle-like spines at the tip. And like all raptors, Cockatrices also have a sickle-shaped claw on their feet that allowed them to slash and tear at their prey's flesh.
A Cockatrice's territory is enormous, with estimations capping in of ranges in between 3 - 5 miles per individual. Thus it's not often you would see one of these magnificent beasts, let alone two of them outside of breeding pairs. Many natives had reported seeing grand fights between two individuals (mostly males), possibly over territory or food. At least 1 Cockatrice has been seen dwelling in the northern mountains just a few miles from Hillhaven.
As their name implies, Greater Cockatrice are only one of a few species of Cockatrice, although they are considered to be the largest. The Lesser Cockatrice (Basilisk cocatris minoris) have been reported in the southern regions of Astraia, being far smaller then their Greater cousins, as well as more commonly distributed, and are often found residing in swamps and wetland environments.
Black Cavern
Full Name: Corvelis maurocola (Black Cavern)
Nicknames: "Cravens"; "Cat-Raven"; "Raven-Cat"
Biomes: Woodlands and Forests
Creature Notes: Being only slightly larger than a common house cat, caverns are classified as small griffins. Unlike the common raven, or the common house cat, Black Caverns are quite elusive in the wild. Usually solitary creatures, these black-winged animals live in light woodland areas and often hunt small prey from rabbits to other small birds. Their forelimbs are shaped like those of a bird, perfect for hooking and grasping onto unsuspecting prey, while their hind-limbs and tail are cat-like, which helps them in jumping and balance. They are perfectly fine with walking on the ground as they are flying or perching onto tree-branches. They are often blamed for bringing bad luck and being down-right mischievous, as they are attracted to shiny objects and food. Witches and wizards can sometimes be seen keeping a craven as a pet.
Albino caverns have also been documented in the wild. However, they are far rarer and are usually seen living in snowy or mountainous environments where they blend in better. Unlike their black relatives, they are considered as an omen and a sign of good luck.
Droger
Full Name: Hicerotherium valliensis (Hairy Horned Beast of the Valley)
Nicknames: "Maned Rhino", "Hairy Rhino", "Droger"
Biomes: Strictly Grassland Plains
Creature Notes: A huge horned beast, the droger is a magnificent beast that rules the prairies with its presence. They stand at roughly 2.5 meters tall at the shoulder, are over 5 meters in length, and can weigh in at 600 kg. Males are armed with a 1 meter long horn on their nose, with some being able to grow up to a meter and a half, while cows sport a significantly smaller one. Bulls are also much more muscular than the females, sporting a large mane used for intimidation and attracting mates. Droger usually stick to small family groups, being otherwise solitary in nature, however they have been commonly seen intermixing with other ungulate herds, such as the big-nosed Navik elk. They also sport a keen sense of smell and hearing that allows them to detect predators from up to half a mile away.
While usually calm and peaceful around people, a startled droger can be very dangerous due to its massive size and strength. Bulls can get even more aggressive during mating season. Still, wild droger are incredibly hard to hunt, yet the reward would be more then well-earned. They are prized for their meat and hide, as well as their milk from domesticated cows. Wild droger in particular are also highly sought after for their horns in the far east, for they claim it harbors medicinal properties and improves male vitality, despite scientists and ecological activists brutally debunking this claim.
"Dire Boar"
Full Name: Infernosus dirus (Fearsome Boar from Hell)
Biomes: Grassland Plains, Woodlands, and Scrublands
Creature Notes: Known as the bullies of the plains, the infamous Dire Boar have rightfully earned their fearsome reputation, taking the title of being the largest species of boar in Astraia. Usually seen farther north in cooler, more open environments, a small population had made their home near Hillhaven and have no intentions of leaving anytime soon. An average boar can grow up to 1.35 meters (4.5 feet) tall at the shoulders with 65 cm long skulls, however the largest specimens have been known to grow as big as 1.82 (6 feet) meters tall with 90 cm skulls. They are highly aggressive and will chase anything that gets too close within their territory with surprising speed.
However, much like their smaller relatives, Dire Boars are omnivorous. They often eat hard fruits, stems, and roots, while usually scavenging off dead animals and chewing their bones for marrow. They rarely hunt anything bigger then an adult Navik, however they have been known to prey on smaller or juvenile animals if given the chance. Human interactions are rare, yet there had been reports of vicious maulings by lone males or defensive mothers. Dire Boars usually resort to violence as a last resort, as they usually scream loudly at their opponents as effective intimidation efforts. Still, one wouldn't want to wrestle with an aggravated boar.
Only one death had been reported, being that of a trapper who shot into a group of boars and caused them to attack and rip into his flesh. They ate him soon after.
"Woolly Raptors"
Full Name: Lanivenator horridus (Horrible Woolly Hunter)
Creature Notes: Founding prowling in the alpine forests of the Mosscrag Mountain Range or scouring the lower grasslands, woolly raptors are cunning as they are vicious. Standing at 2 meters tall and 5 meters long, these carnivorous creatures are essentially wolves in sheep's clothing (or raptors in llama clothing) and often hunt in pairs or in small packs. They have long powerful forearms tipped with three sharp claws, with powerful back legs each sporting a sickled claw. They are unusual creatures in Hillhaven, being considered as dangerous pests by farmers and ranchers as they've been known to kill adult livestock and snatch vulnerable calves who've strayed far from the herd. Woolly raptors are surprisingly intelligent, often having individuals distract adult animals or human ranchers away while the others go in to pick their meal of choice. One way they can distract or disorient their quarry is by spitting at their eyes, attempting to blind them before initiating their next move.
The evolution and taxonomy of these particular predators has been highly debated in the scientific community. Some consider these creatures as a branch of highly-specialized, carnivorous descendants of ancient llamas, while others believe they are bird-like creatures having undergone convergent evolution, yet being in no way related towards their mammalian relatives. Considering they are not native to the continent of Astraia, many suspect that the neighboring continent in the south is the catalyst of the woolly raptors and their alikeness. This debate still rages on to this day.
While these creatures have not yet been domesticated, local natives often kill these raptors for their precious wool which in turn are made into fine warm clothes and blankets to survive the winter seasons. Their wool can come naturally in white or grey to reddish-brown, golden-brown, brown, dark brown and black.
Plump-Eared Rabbit
Full Name: Oryctolagus magnauris (Plump-Eared Rabbit)
Nicknames: "Puffballs", "Walking Pillows", "Big-Ears", "Pompadours", (Any cute name will do)
Biomes: Light Woodlands and Forests
Creature Notes: A common sight around Hillhaven, these rabbits are commonly found within light woodland areas forging for food or hiding in little burrows. They are well known for their fluffy pompadour-like neck fur - which helps in protecting their necks from predators - and for their huge ears that are almost as large as its own body. They are often hunted for their meat and luscious cotton-like fur, however they can easily be domesticated and are a popular choice for children to keep as pets.
Creature Notes: A species of large boar native to the western regions of Astaria, the Unicorn Boar is famous for the unicorn-like horn jutting out of its forehead. It's been seen used by male boars for jousting each other and for attracting mates. Females have a smaller, more blunt shaped, horn.
Some native tribes consider this boar to be sacred and only hunted for special occasions. It's hunted for both its meat and for its horn by eastern kingdoms as they claim it has magical properties.
Navik
Full Name: Ulmus rhinodensis (Thick-Nosed Elk)
Nicknames: "Big-Nosed Elk"; "Navik"
Biomes: Grassland Plains and Light Woodlands
Creature Notes: Usually seen roaming in big herds on the northern plains, Naviks are a common sight for the natives living in Hillhaven. They are known for their large nasal cavities that blare up when they initiate their deep resonating bellows, as well as allowing them a very keen sense of smell. Elks can grow up to 1.6 meters tall at the wither, with bucks weighing in at 450 kg and cows being significantly less at 235 kg. A navik's diet shifts between seasons, with its main diet consisting of grasses and shrubs during the warmer periods, or woody shrubs and berries during the winter. Their meat is an essential part for the surrounding natives, being rich in nutrients and low in fat and is commonly served cooked, grilled, or as jerky. Their skin is also utilized in warm coats, hats, and boots during the winter.
Biomes: Temperate Woodlands, Grasslands, and Alpine Regions
Creature Notes: Currently recognized as the largest member of the family Ursicanidae - standing at 2 meters high at the shoulder, with a 2.5 meter length, and can weigh as much as 600 kg (1,300 lbs) - the Giant Bear-Dog is a majestic creature rarely seen by the average man. As their genus name implies, bear-dogs have been classified as having attributes of both bears and dogs. However, smaller species looked and acted more like wolves, while larger ones acted more like bears despite usually having a large heavy tail, thick neck, robust limbs and canid-looking teeth. This means that based on their morphology they can replace the local niches of any one of those particular animals.
Despite most species of bear-dog being primarily hypercarnivores (animals who's diets are comprised of 70% or more from meat), the Giant Bear-Dog's diet is more omnivorous, being more comparable to that of true bears. Still, its diet is comprised roughly 60% of meat, meaning it often hunts medium to large sized animals to supply its huge mass. They're well known for being capable of taking down a fully-grown Droger alone if they are hungry enough, as well as occasionally driving off large true bears off their kills.
Most of the Giant Bear-Dogs live in the northern hemisphere, with only a handful of encounters in the mid or western regions. At least several individuals had been tamed by several Dwarven kingdoms to be utilized as mounts for battle. It's currently unknown as how they were able to tame them, although the most probable explanation is that they've raised their cubs from a young age.
Member
SleepyWrites
Ariamis
Lord Zee
Danyel
Izurich
DracoLunaris
TheWendil
