Animal folk

**Animal folk** is the colloquial term used to describe the various species of anthropomorphic animals that exist within the Blazin' Trails universe.

## History

According to history books, animal folk have co-existed with humanity since "the dawn of time", though historians and scientists continually argue as to how they came to develop intelligence and the ability to speak human languages.

## Characteristics

Animal folk are characterized by several things: namely, their ability to have emotions and their own personalities, which are so varied and unique that some humans have called them "humans in wolves' clothing", among other things. However, they carry the innate instincts and behaviors of their species/breeds (ie. the coonhound's prey drive is prevalent in Huckleberry Hound and his nephew, Armani, and coyotes' ability to tear through bone with their teeth, as demonstrated by both Droop-a-Long Coyote and Drag-a-Long Coyote, Jr.), which separates them from man. Majority of animal folk are bipedal (although there are naturally a few exceptions), but in moments where they revert to their instincts, they can be seen moving in their natural manner (ie. on all fours).

Animal folk are also known for their durability, which allows them to survive incidents and injuries that could kill a human instantly. Their durability is not infinite, however, and some animals have natural weaknesses that are exclusive to their species/breed (ie. turtles possessing a soft underbelly, rabbits having fragile bones, etc.), which have been exploited by their natural enemies.

## Relations with humans

Animal folk commonly interact with humans, although their relations have not always been smooth. Most animal folk interact with humans if they need help or are seeking work, but otherwise tend to stay out of their way. There are some species that carry a mild dislike of humans that borders on grudging respect (cats, coyotes, etc.), while others are known to pester humans, often trying to con them out of their valuables--bears, foxes, coyotes and wolves, with the coyotes being saddled with the "wily as a coyote" moniker, are especially guilty of this. The few instances of animals attacking humans are often viewed as revenge killing, as animals are naturally wary of them.

On the flip side, some species have been completely wiped out due to human encroachment, fueling judgment and hatred. Animal trades and speciest laws that have been carried out by humans have also strained relations, with some even making settlements outside of their towns due to feeling unsafe. Interspecies friendships are not uncommon, but animal folk mixing with humans is not common and is often frowned upon in most circles.

## Relations with other species

Animal folk tend to interact with each other, but similar to their relations with humans, things aren't always smooth. Certain species are natural enemies, with predators and prey being of particular note (ie. foxes and rabbits, rabbits and coyotes, lions and hyenas, etc.) among humans, although some rivalries are based on anecdotal tales (ie. lagomorphs and reptilian folk). Standards for relations in animal society are stricter than they are in human society, and in some species, interracial or interspecies relations are outright banned, which can result in reactions ranging from ostracism to murdering the offending party in order to "bring them back to the fold". Unlike the above with humans, however, there are certain individuals within the communities that ignore the words of their family and continue in their relationships, resulting in half-breeds.

## Problems in animal folk culture

* **No-naming**: A practice that dates back to the early times of human interaction, namely during slavery, it involves a parent or legal guardian of an animal not giving that person a name. By not giving them a name, this signals that the animal in question is merely viewed as the property of their parent/guardian/owner, and are not seen as their own individuals with their own minds, personalities or ambitions, and as such, are to be paid no heed. As stated above, this goes back to animal/human interaction, but it is also common in predator/prey circles, which often denotes that they see the other as nothing but food. In prey communities, unwanted children or runts are not given names as a show of rejection. No-naming is seen as the ultimate sign of disrespect and hatred amongst the animal folk collective, and coyotes, domesticated dogs and cats, and wolves have an especially harsh reaction to the practice.
* **Abandonment/Rejection:** Common in several species, namely in certain species of birds where parents will favor one sibling and abandon the other. Abandoned animal folks are the most commonly seen in the Blazin' Trails series.
* **"Pet"-keeping:** A practice done by truly rich prey animals who decide to have predators as their personal slaves, giving them the bare minimum of treatment and insulting their species while they do it. Predators will also do this to prey they plan on eating, although it's done in reverse, in that they will treat them exceptionally well in order to "fatten them up", so to speak.
* **Half-breeds:** This issue is varied across species. While some species welcome half-breeds into their circles, others immediately reject or dispose of them, citing that their very existence "goes against the natural order of things". Half-breeds are the most common of the "abandoned" children.
* **Domestic/sexual abuse:** Unfortunately prevalent in animal folk as it is in their human counterparts, with both sexes facing it.
* **Divorce:** Viewed as a major taboo within the culture, as several animal species mate for life, even if the person seeking a divorce has a legitimate reason for it. Divorcees are viewed as pariahs and undesirable, regardless of gender, although some rich males with money are able to get away with it. This taboo is the main reason why some women never escape their abusive partners.
* **Infanticide/child mortality:** Sometimes common in species such as sharks and reptiles as a form of competition. In other species that live on land, infanticide occurs due to the person being irredeemably evil or practicing outdated norms such as genetic superiority. Child mortality is viewed as a horrible tragedy, and in some species, a person who suffers multiple miscarriages/stillbirths is seen as cursed; lagomorphs, especially hares, carry this belief.
* **Genetic superiority/bloodlines:**
* **Animal trades/Slavery:**
* **"Traitors":**