Creatures

Creatures are animate entities who are different from the other races and animals. 
== Distinction ==
The differences between creatures and the rest of the animate of Welt is difficult given their proximity and interchanging nature with animals and the other races. Creatures are considered the missing link between the two categories. 
Creature, as a taxonomic term, also refers to sentient animals that have yet to create their own civilization. Civilization in this case refers to a point in time where the members of a same community will commit resources and time for one of their number to heal from its injuries. Some use the definition as the point in time where empathy takes place within a species. For this reason a creature is most easily defined as a sentient animal who does not display empathetic qualities in regards to members of its own species. It also distinguishes it from creatures who show signs of civilization (cooperation, commerce, crops, cooking etc.) 
=== Distinction to the other races ===
While the differences that set creatures apart from the other races are mostly linked to their lifestyle and antisocial nature, this criteria is often lacking when some other races live solitary lives yet display antisocial and sociopathic behaviors. As a rule, creatures typically live outside of civilized society in small family units or alone. For instance, trolls are often confusing as some live alone in the wilds while others adapt to the cosmopolitan society quite well. 
=== Distinction to animals ===
The difference between creatures and animals are their intelligence, which allows them to use tools, communicate with others. another oft forgotten attribute that is generally attributed to creatures is their propensity to kill not for uniquely for eating or defending territory.
== Academic disputes ==
Given the dual nature of creatures it is quite possible for an individual to be born and raised in the wilds only to rejoin cosmopolitan society later in life, and vice versa. Some scholars reject the notion of creatures altogether, but the feral nature of creatures in that they will attack any other races they find on their territory or demand tribute makes them set apart from the other races notion of civility.
Category:Creature
Category:Biology of Welt
Category:Concepts