Game and quarry

Cat

Night-roaming hunters of farmsteads and wild scrubs. Short claws and needle teeth make for efficient killers in the tall grass of the savanna or the frozen reaches of the tundra. These creatures become active after dusk, stalking the edges of settlements where they claim granaries and haylofts as their own. They do not flee from travelers; instead, they lunge with rapid-fire scratches and bites to drive intruders from their territory. Farmhands keep iron boots and thick leather gaiters to avoid the bleeding gashes these small predators leave on exposed ankles.

Also met as: Kitten.

Chicken

Domestic fowl scavenging near settlement walls. Variegated plumage marks these birds as escaped stock or village property. They forage through grasslands, forests, and frozen tundra during daylight hours, though they congregate most densely in the band of scrub just outside settlement gates. Their small eyes track threats quickly; a single aggressive gesture sends them scattering in all directions. Farmers from the Republic of Emyvelian and the Nashrar Empire track them by their distinctive scratching patterns in the dirt.

Dolphin

Timid aquatic mammals of the deep waters. Smooth gray skin and powerful tails carry these creatures through the deepest reaches of the sea. They show no aggression toward ships or swimmers, instead diving into the depths the moment they detect a threat or feel a wound. Fishermen along the coast roads often use their sudden flight as a sign that larger predators have entered the bay. Because they flee rather than fight, few hunters pursue them, though some coastal settlements keep their movements as weather omens.

Duck

Plumed water-fowl of village ponds and farmland. Webbed feet paddle through shallow irrigation ditches and farm ponds where they forage for grain and insects. The birds recognize approaching figures by the vibrations in the water and lift off in short, panicked flights the moment a threat appears. Their fear runs deep; even a stone thrown nearby sends the entire flock scattering across the sky. Local farmers tolerate them for the pest control they provide, though they must keep grain stores sealed to prevent the birds from raiding the winter supply.

Hare

Night-stalking leapers of the open plains. Powerful hind legs propel these creatures across the tundra and savannas under cover of darkness. Unlike timid prey, they assault travelers with sudden forward leaps and rapid boxing strikes to the face. Herders in the grasslands reinforce their night-pens with stone footings to prevent these animals from leaping over low barriers. Those who venture into the taiga after dusk carry short clubs to beat back the aggressive bounds of a territorial leveret.

Also met as: Leveret.

Horse

Powerful hoofed mounts of the open plains and forests. Muscled haunches propel these beasts across grasslands, savannas, and tundra during daylight hours. While farm stock near settlements remains manageable, wild stallions grow violent when defending their mares, rearing to strike anyone who approaches the herd. These creatures pursue threats with advancing bites and crushing hooves rather than fleeing. Riders across Kilmoryn rely on their endurance for travel between distant duchies, though taming a wild stallion requires weathering a charge that can break ribs.

Also met as: Stallion, Mare, Foal.

Pigeon

Small grey birds common to towns and open wilds. Iridescent neck feathers catch the daylight as these birds forage across deserts, coasts, and the tundra. They gather in tight flocks near settlements where they tolerate a human's approach for a few paces before flushing upward in a coordinated burst of wings. Those caught in a sudden aerial strike typically recover quickly before fleeing any further threat. Hunters rarely waste arrows on them, as the birds bolt at the slightest movement.

Rabbit

Wary prey of the grasslands and coastal scrub. Long ears swivel toward every snap of a twig before these creatures bolt into the undergrowth. They emerge during the day to graze across savannas, forests, and beaches, where they move in nervous bursts of galloping and startled hops. Though they may lunge or nip if cornered, their primary instinct is flight from any threat. Trappers along the coast and forest edges rely on their predictable terror to drive them toward hidden snares for pelts and meat.

Also met as: Rabbit Kit.

Seagull

White-winged scavengers of the shoreline. Salt-crusted beaks and pale plumage mark these birds where they loaf in flocks along the coast and through the wetlands. They emerge with the morning light to forage in the shallows but possess no territorial aggression toward travelers. The moment a threat appears or a blade strikes, the entire flock lifts off in a coordinated cloud of wings to escape. Fishermen often use their flight as a sign of where surface fish have risen.

Sheep

Woolly livestock grazing daylight fields. Coarse white fleece provides insulation against the winds of the tundra and northern taiga. These animals move in tight flocks across grasslands and coastal scrubs, bolting at the slightest scent of blood or approach of a stranger. While they flee from any perceived threat, cornered rams may strike with their heads to clear a path. Herders from settlements like Lefran and Clearmine rely on their wool for winter garments and trade goods, keeping them penned near town walls to prevent wolf predation.

Also met as: Ram, Lamb.

Sparrow

Daylight birds of the hedge and farmland. Brown-streaked plumage blends into the tall grass of savannas and your average farmhouse yard. These birds circle during daylight hours, taking flight at the slightest movement of a boot or sword. Even if wounded, they flee toward the nearest treeline rather than stand their ground. Farmers near Rarziled tolerate them for keeping insects from the grain, though their small claws can leave sharp scratches on exposed skin if a nest is disturbed.

Turtle

Leatherback swimmers of the coastal depths. Rubbery shells shine under the waves where these creatures drift through salt water. They recognize humans as predators and flee the moment a shadow falls across the surface or a blade pierces their hide. Fishermen along the Skoz'jenta–Rrer'thuss Coast Road track their migrations to predict seasonal currents, though capturing one requires patience and a net rather than a spear. Those who pursue them often find only an empty wake as the animals dive deep to escape.

Also met as: Leatherback Sea Turtle.

Zebra

Striped grazers of the open grasslands. Striped coats make these herds nearly invisible among sun-bleached grasses until they bolt. They keep to the open savanna by day, their ears constantly pivoting for any sign of movement. They never stand their ground, opting instead to trot or gallop away the moment a threat appears. Herders note that even a minor wound sends the entire group into a panic. Because they flee rather than fight, they serve as living alarms for approaching predators long before a hunter spots a claw.