Makilata (High Wolf)

A Makilata presenting its iridescent stripes to a would-be predator.

As mankind first settled the vacant areas of North Ludwag left after the fall of the Pyrosi Empire, they were at odds with the environments they sought to tame. None were more inhospitable than the southernmost regions of these new lands. They held a host of great and unknowable terrors. In those days where man huddled beside a flickering flame, they met one of these terrors regularly. The Makilata, man-eater, would plague them as they tried to survive in this unwelcoming place. Through blood and sweat the humans were able to secure a place in this area, and maybe -just maybe- secure one of these terrors for themselves.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Makilata or ‘High Wolf’ is a species of large canid. Their sleek figure and long striding legs make them proficient in the chase. They can chase prey for arduous periods until they’re eventually exhausted. Makilata stamina reserves are higher than most prey so while they might not be as quick they can close the distance in a marathon. That is not to imply the Makilata is slow as itself can reliably keep pace with domestic horses- not thoroughbred ones though. Like dogs, Makilata can pant to shed excess heat and recuperate between stints of activity so as to not be left depleted and vulnerable.

When it comes to killing, you can bet the Makilata has a signature move. Their sharp teeth allow them to cause deep and grievous lacerations upon their prey. They use these attacks upon their victim’s legs and neck to cause intense bleeding. If the animal flees, they can simply follow the bloodtrail with their acute sense of smell or listen for where they went with their enormous ears. It is very easy for a Makilata to make a kill. Keeping a kill is the tricky part. To defend carcasses and distract larger predators they employ the use of iridescent hairs running in stripes down their backs and tails. When angled toward the sun these hairs can reflect light into focused beams, irritating less developed eyes found in insects like Shaedak and Yetiant. This attack is usually enough for these predators to think twice before attempting to contest a kill.

Makilata have their pups in the lean periods of winter. A mother can foster upward of eight pups, though given their current status, only two or three typically survive to adulthood. Makilata pups are covered in the iridescent fur at birth to make them harder to spot by birds of prey. As they grow normal hairs rise between where their adult stripes will be, by then they’ll be more than capable hunters.

#### Psychology

As many large predators dwell in their native range, Makilata prefer to hunt during the sunset or early waking hours. It’s rare for them to be active at night as their fur’s reflective effects become dulled in the moonlight. A pair of Makilata will start a pack together during the winter period. There they will foster their first pups into adulthood. It’s not uncommon for the adult offspring of a pair to remain for several seasons as they learn parenting skills from their parents, leaving once they believe themselves able. Typically, Makilata family groups usually hold about ten adult individuals but at times it may exceed fifteen.

In the wild Makilata are distrusting of humans and other sapient races. They have never been properly domesticated but can be tamed. Pups imprinting on sapient races, while rare, has occurred in the past. Tamed Makilata are exceptionally loyal and respond well to commands given by their owners. Makilata are not sociable with other canids and find no comradery in them if forced to work together. They’re so far removed from dogs that crossbreeding is not possible.