Bergsträdian Crater Fox

> [This article was written by EpicLabcoat for the Crelen Creature Competition in November 2020]
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> *"You see those blips, those streaks of light up there on the mountain peaks? Them's Laeroth's work, his foxes jumping from peak to peak. Quite a sight, eh?"* - Jacob Argon, main character of *Tales from the Fox and Falcon Bureau of Investigation* by L.G. Wolf
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## Overview

The Bergsträdian Crater Fox is a species of fox native to the Snötäckta Kusten geographic region.

## Physical Attributes

### Appearance

Bergsträdian crater foxes are easily distinguished from other species of fox by their white fur, purple eyes and the presence of a crest-shaped patch of black fur on their foreheads.

While either teleporting or navigating the harsh mountains of the Crater's Edge, a glowing purple outline of an eye will appear on the fox's head. This effect is magical, and leaves no trace when inactive.

Some scholars debate the connection between crater foxes and Rovkin, one side claiming that the similarity in appearance shows a shared origin, while the other claims that the difference in ability disproves this.

### Abilities

The Bergsträdian crater fox possesses the magical ability to teleport short distances instantaneously. Every member of this species has this trait, the maximum teleportation range increasing as a fox grows older. The maximum recorded distance that a bergsträdian crater fox can teleport is approximately 30 meters. According to Bergsträdi folklore, the Bergsträdian crater foxes gained this ability due to the Sealing of Sorg's Tomb. Supposedly, Laeroth either gifted the foxes an innate connection to the Leylines, or created them from the Leylines themselves. Archaeological evidence suggests the existence of crater foxes goes as far back as 2000 AE.

## Behaviour

The Bergsträdian crater fox is known to wander the vast expanse of the Snötäckta Kusten region. While it can be seen anywhere within the region, they can be found twice as often along the Crater's Edge. Some crater foxes have occasionally been domesticated by rural Bergsträdians, but the vast majority remain wild.

~~While hunting, the crater fox's tail will always point south. This is useful for anyone who has become lost in the region without a compass.~~ While hunting, the crater fox's tail will align itself along Leyline routes. This discovery has been instrumental in mapping the Leylines within the Snötäckta Kusten region, earning the region the most detailed Leyline route map drawn to date.

An interesting phenomenon occurs when Luna eclipses Umbra, during an Umbral Eclipse. During this event, Bergsträdian crater foxes will begin to teleport around, seemingly at random. No pattern has been observed as of yet, but it is theorised that if one were to be able to track each crater fox and have a view of the entire Snötäckta Kusten region, a pattern would emerge.

The Bergsträdian crater fox will often run away from larger creatures, including humanoids. A common tactic is for the fox to teleport into a hiding spot and wait for the threat to wander off. If sufficiently cornered, however, the crater fox can be quite dangerous, using it's teleportation ability to dodge attacks and strike from behind.

## Events

In 268 KE, a group of Sorg cultists known as "The Unchained" utilised the crater foxes' teleportation ability to infiltrate the Outer Sanctum of Sorg's Tomb, the farthest the group has managed to infiltrate on record. Around 50-60 crater foxes, controlled by a rogue druid high on mammoth milk, simultaneously teleported inside the Outer and Inner layers, sowing chaos amongst the guards and allowing the group the chance to slip in. However, due to how heavily guarded Sorg's Tomb is, the cultists were quickly and efficiently cut down by the security mechanisms in the Outer Sanctum.

1. ↑ Vulpes magicae