Hunting beasts

Bear

Heavy-pawed predators of the northern woods. Furred pelts catch on brambles as these brutes prowl grasslands, taigas, and wetlands during daylight hours. A lone bear will charge any traveler it judges weak, while a sow fighting for her cubs grows more vicious with every strike. They fight with running bites and mauling swipes that can crack ribs through leather armor. Hunters have learned that a bear rarely stops its assault until its belly is opened or its spine is broken, making every encounter a test of endurance.

Also met as: Brown Bear, She-Bear, Bear Cub.

Fantasy Wolf

Night-hunting predators of the deep wood and taiga. Grey fur and yellow eyes emerge from the pine shadows after dusk. These beasts judge the strength of lone travelers before launching bounding bites at throats or leaping from the underbrush to bring prey down. Because they hold their ground until nearly dead, hunters prefer to engage them with spears and fire to avoid being torn apart in close quarters. Village borders in the Federation of Lireri are marked with iron spikes to deter packs from dragging livestock—or children—into the tree line.

Fox

Nocturnal hunters of forests and coastal scrub. Lean frames and keen noses track movement through taiga and grassland after dusk. These predators circle alone or in packs, testing a traveler's reach before launching a running leap at the throat. They show little fear when facing isolated prey but abandon the hunt the moment their hide is badly torn. Hunters in the V'eld Theocracy keep their boot-leather thick to resist their low bites and carry torches to drive the packs back into the treeline.

Also met as: Fox Cub.

Lion

Golden predators of the open plains. Tall grass of the savanna provides cover for prides that hunt after dusk. These cats circle lone travelers, waiting for a moment of hesitation before launching a forward pounce that carries them onto the chest. Theirs is a relentless assault of high claw sweeps and crushing bites that continues even when the beast is bleeding from a dozen wounds. Caravans traveling through grasslands typically hire guards to keep fires burning all night to deter the prides from closing in.

Also met as: Lioness.

Wolf

Night-hunting predators of forests and tundra. Lean flanks and sharp canines carry these hunters through the grasslands and taiga after dusk. They target lone travelers or smaller prey, using running leaps to close distance and standing bites to bring down a mark. A pack rarely retreats, pursuing its quarry with lethal persistence until only a few gasping breaths remain in their bodies. Hunters coat their boots in rendered fat to mask human scent before crossing the open plains at night.

Also met as: Arctic Wolf, Dark Wolf, Wolf Cub.