Animals of Rathnir and Eldham

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The **Animals of Rathnir and Eldham**, officially titled **Catalogue of the Animals of Rathnir and Eldham: A Worldwide Bestiary for Worldwide Use**, is a compendium published by Dr. Tara Sauranis, containing all known and referenced extant animal species of Rathnir and Eldham. Its first edition was initially published on February 9th, 2022. Other than Sauranis, AdrianMC08, Armed artisan, Bleep7890, Crystalineowl, Cuboidsiren, Mybigwolf10 Productions, MythiCreature5225, PapaRanku and Spriet have contributed to the compendium.

# Animals of Rathnir and Eldham

## Introduction

*Dear reader,*

*It brings me great pleasure to see those across the world who take enjoyment in learning about wildlife. I have dedicated my life's work towards researching our natural world, often to the brink of death. Here, I hope that this book will transport you across the world from the safety of your home, library, or wherever else you prefer to read.*

*This book is organized phylum-by-phylum, with the exception of Phylum Chordata- the vertebrates and their kin. They're separated by class. The rest of the book is divided by "clades of convenience". While not properly scientific, they make the reading and writing much easier and more organized for the editors and casual readers. It's a necessary sacrifice, in my opinion. Some families, orders, and the like presented in this book are in effect in high-brow academia; others are simply folk taxonomies.*

*And now, without further ado, I present the animals of the world. Happy exploring!*

*-Dr. Tara Sauranis*

## Poriferans

Porifera are the sponges of the world's oceans and freshwater. They are filter-feeding organisms, and the most primitive known to science.

## Coelenterates

Cnidarians and Ctenophores, collectively known as Coelenterates, are gelatinous simple creatures with radial symmetry.

### Corals

**Horned Shard Coral** ***(Testacorallia corniger)***

A purple coral native to the reefs of the Vyrion Ring; it gains its name from its crystal-shaped gametes.

## Worms

### Platyhelminthes

Phylum Platyhelminthes, commonly known as "flatworms".

### Nematodes

Phylum Nematoda, or "roundworms". Abundant but small organisms.

### Annelids

Annelida is the "segmented worm" phylum, containing leeches, earthworms, bristleworms, and more.

**Sand Worm (*Arenavermis irritator*)**

A poorly-documented large sand worm from an unknown part of Rathnir.

**Large River Worm (*Fluvermis aboranus*)**

A freshwater aquatic worm native to Vastallos.

## Arthropods

The largest phylum; however, most species are undocumented. Contains many-limbed animals with exoskeletons.

### Arachnids & other Chelicerates

#### Spiders

**Light Eater *(Phosophagus plagosus)***

A tarantula species from Flower Island (OPTC) in Plagos.

**Varnian Cave Spider (*Theraphosa blondi*)**

Varn Torum-native spider that dwells in caves.

#### Scorpions

**Qadakhi Fattail Scorpion (*Androctonus qadakhensis*)**

A scorpion native to the Qadakh Desert. One of the most common scorpions; however, its venom is not lethal to human-sized beings.

**Killer Scorpion (*Androctonus fatalis*)**

An Eldhamite scorpion with dangerous venom. One of the most deadly of all scorpions.

**Green Tailed Forest Scorpion (*Herbamortus basili*)**

A small scorpion native to the scrub of Volandia. Its venom can kill humans if stung in the most unfortunate spot. These scorpions (or at least it and its relatives) have an extensive fossil record, dating all the way to the early Cuiciloan period, making it one of the most long-lived individual species in the world.

**Royal Forest Scorpion (*Herbamortus vasilikos*)**

A deep red scorpion found in the KoC and southern Huitca. Known for the bright yellow stinger located at the end of the telson.

**Sandy Forest Scorpion (*Herbamortus chersotopos*)**

A desert dwelling scorpion, living in the central deserts of Huitca. The largest and most venomous of the genus. Very few individuals have been seen to attack humans, although they may still occur.

***Herbamortus vetumortes***

*H. vetumortes* is an extinct species. It went extinct because of jewelry production, made of the left chela. It has been found depicted in old texts from southern Volandia, and the jewelry can still be found many places around southern Huitca.

#### Xiphosurans

**Northern Hunter Crab (*Venatocarcinus auroraensis*)**

Cream-coloured horseshoe crab with a mace-like tail used to bring down prey. A skilled hunter of many species of reef fish, using its tail to bring down prey of equal or larger size to itself. Thanks to the Aurorans considering it a delicacy, overfishing might soon become a risk for this species.

### Crustaceans

#### Crabs

**Spotted Coral Crab (*Corallius maculatus*)**

A fully-marine crab with vibrant colors on its carapace. Found in the reef communities of the southern Phagosian Sea.

**Acamtemicti (*Megaluca terrestris*)**

The "Murder Crab"; a large species of fiddler crab native to Cuiciloa, Huitca.

**Vastallos Murder Crab (*Megaluca vastallosi*)**

A smaller, but still large, species of fiddler crab native to coastal Vastallos.

#### Remipedes

**Parasitic Silverfish (*Paralepisma montroigensis*)**

Crustacean that can hijack mammalian nervous systems. Responsible for the Montroig Silverfish Plague. Originally thought to have been an actual silverfish (Order Zygentoma) based on reports by medical doctors in Uldarash, but reports of the presence of Terminyx have caused zoologists to reclassify this arthropod.

**Termincrawler (*Inanis capere)***

Inhabitant of the deep sea; typically a filter-feeder, but can attack larger prey and even parasitize large vertebrates. Have similar anomalous properties to *I. concitus*. Produce a substance known as Terminyx to hijack nervous systems and can sometimes cause cancerous tumors from infection.

**Voidcrawler (*Inanis concitus)***

Two-meter-long carnivorous remipede. Anomalous, highly intelligent, and widespread in every ocean basin worldwide. Has an extensive fossil record, and is possibly related to strong magic. Thought to have been extinct until discovery of eggs in the Phagosian Sea.

#### Shrimp

**Silt Shrimp (*Squillus veridonis*)**

A species of shrimp that inhabits the coastal wetlands and shallow seas on Vastallos' northern coasts. A burrower, it lives mostly in the sand and mud- hence its name.

**Waahi Coast Shrimp (*Squillus kuwaquis*)**

A species of burrowing shrimp endemic to the Waahi Coast of Vastallos. Related to the silt shrimp, but a distinct species.

### **Insects**

**Gardener of the Isle *(Hortulanus insulae)***

Hoverfly native to Flower Island in Plagos. Larvae have glowing abdomens similar to fireflies; both organisms produce the bioluminescent compound luciferin. Adults are important pollinators.

**Tacua Leaf-Cutting Ant (*Foliputatus tacuaensis*)**

A group of several wildly differently sized ants once thought to be separate species. They are known for long trains of workers carrying leaves back to nests on the ground. They are native to Southern Tacua and outlying regions to the West.

**Murder Ant (*Gigaponera horibillis)***

Independent-living ant species with venom strong enough to paralyze dogs or children. Widely distributed, but regarded as a pest and hunted extensively. Now considered endangered.

**Titan Bee (*Apis major*)**

Large bumblebee native to Vastallos. Used for its honey by local Mamaco tribespeople and other inhabitants of the Vastallosi Rainforests.

**Mallean Wasp (*Vespaculex malleus*)**

Ectoparasitic wasp, similar to mosquitoes. Native to Varn Torum. Spreader of Botan's pox.

## Mollusks

Shelled animals bearing a mantle, radula, foot, and head.

### **Cephalopods**

#### Octopus

**Common Blue Octopus (*Octopus caeruleans*)**

The most common cephalopod in Rathnir. Native to most of the Southern Ocean and the bodies that connect to it. Most commonly found along reefs and kelp forests, where it crawls in search of prey to ambush.

#### Squids

**Eastern Kraken (*Krake barbossa*)**

Large cephalopod known to inhabit the deeper waters of Eldham and the ocean to its east; revered by the pirates of Barbossa.

**Phagosian Kraken (*Krake phagosiensis*)**

One of the largest known mollusks. Despite being a voracious predator, it allegedly does not eat cats or catlike humanoids.

**Hunshui River Squid (*Rotostomateuthis nirricus*)**

Squid native to the rivers and inlets of the Nir swamps, Aurlûnor.

**Short River Squid (*Rotostomateuthis breviriparus)***

One of the only freshwater-dwelling cephalopods in the world. Native to the Essenda River basin in Vastallos.

### **Gastropods**

***Necusis brandaris***

A cone snail native to the waters around Necua Hopolos in the Lothranis Sea.

***Conus helemarensis***

A brackish-water cone snail native the the Ha Anga Bayou and the rest of coastal Nir.

***Velekrath gigas***

A cone snail native to the cooler waters at the very northmost end of the Gulf of Heaven.

**Paloran Green Snail (*Megahelix paloroensis*)**

A Paloran green snail, native to Paloro and central Haven, also found in the Ranka snail sanctuary.

**Misahri Blue Snail (*Megahelix misahrica*)**

A Misahri blue snail, native the northern parts of the Heart of Haven, also found in the Ranka snail sanctuary.

**Ranka Snail C**

An unnamed snail from the Ranka snail sanctuary.

**Ranka Snail D**

An unnamed snail from the Ranka snail sanctuary.

## Lophotrochozoans

Phyla Bryozoa, Brachiopoda, and Phoronida are known collectively as the Lophotrochozoa. Mostly marine, sessile filter-feeders.

## Echinoderms

The "spiny-skinned" creatures, with radial symmetry. All known species are marine.

## Cartilaginous fishes

Phylum Chordata, class Chondrichthyes. Sharks, rays, skates, chimeras, and others.

### Sharks

**Common North Shark (*Prionace borealis)***

Common mid-sized shark found in the Osterium and Palagean seas, as well as most of Eldham's saltwater regions.

**Ombran Shark (*Coelodens ombrus*)**

A small-to-medium-sized shark native to the Ombra Gulf and nearby waters.

### Indeterminate Elasmobranchs

**Sea Eagle (*Aquilolamna plata*)**

A large cartilaginous fish with long, thin wing-like pectoral fins. A filter feeder with an extensive fossil record; fossils of the genus *Aquilolamna* go back to the late Qalmanian period, about 93 million years ago.

**Placid Purple Polkadot (*Placidoselache vyrionensis*)**

A passive, zooplankton-eating reef fish. It normally resides within cavities of most coral species found within the Vyrion Ring for protection against predators. Grows up to 60 cm long.

## Bony Fish

Osteichthyes- the fish with true skeletons.

### **Saltwater Fish**

***"*Named fish of Naming" (*Anomenichthys mithusuae)***

Bizarrely-named cyan-striped fish, growing up to 35 cm long on average. Native to the Gulf of Mithusu.

**Chid (*Chevkrichthys discus*)**

Relatively large gold-and-purple fish native to Haven's inland seas and the Tortugan Sea. Known for the males having aggressive protection of the eggs; juveniles are a mottled brown.

    **Red Dolphinfish (*Coryphaena erythra*)**

A pelagic predatory fish, the Red Dolphinfish only comes to the shallows to spawn. Its fry live in the mangroves and seagrass beds before maturing and moving to the open waters of the Lothranis Sea. Favored culinarily for having a taste more similar to land meat than most fish.

    **Sand Grouper (*Epiniphelus arenatus*)**

Another commonly-eaten fish. This grouper has a sandy gray color with red splotches present in males. They are protogynous sequential hermaphrodites; they are born female, and may transition to male after reaching adulthood. Generally found in deeper water, they eat mollusks and crustaceans.

**Havenite Leaffish (*Phaeophyllichthys havenensis*)**

The Leaffish is similar to the leaves of Gilded Kelp, it uses it's appearance to hide away from predators. A passive herbivore, the Havenite Leaffish is normally seen snacking on smaller algae and plants that grows near the roots of the Gilded Kelp they use to hide.

**Golden Tail Gramma (*Gramma minanus)***

A fish native to the reef environments of the Phagosian Sea. They are hardy and adaptable, and found hiding among the various crags and rocks of many coral reefs in the region.

**Queen Angelfish (*Holacanthus ciliaris*)**

A fish regarded as sacred by the Audaladae; it was one of the few creatures, and the only marine animal, to make the crossing from Jagdas to Rathnir. A blue and green reef fish inhabiting warm waters in the Sea of Pearls.

**Pearl Angelfish (*Holocanthus alteniquiensis)***

A grey and white-striped angelfish similar to the Queen Angelfish. A native of the Sea of Pearls, and to Rathnir.

**Lothranic Puffer (*Lagocephalus lothranicus*)**

Also known as the Rabbithead Puffer or *Tutouhetun*. Used by high-class chefs in making fugu for wealthier diners. In the wild, the pufferfish inhabits shallow waters and eats shellfish and crustaceans, including barnacles; they can be commonly seen around docks and even the bottoms of ships.

**Blue Snapper (*Lutjanus caeruleans*)**

Commonly called *Lûtjian* by Aurlûnoren fishermen, this fish is the type species of the *Lutjanus* genus. It is a prized yet common shallow-water fish, commonly consumed by all classes and found readily in fish markets and the wild alike.

    **Black Snapper (*Lutjanus maurisca*)**

A medium-sized snapper and a common denizen of the Phagosian Sea's reefs. A commonly-eaten fish species in Enosis.

**Unburnt Dragonfish (*Malacosteus apraeustus*)**

A small deep-sea fish with a large jaw, found in the open mesopelagic zone of most of Rathnir and its surrounding waters. It is bioluminescent and feeds mainly on zooplankton.

**Lyn's Moon Wrasse *(Novaculichthys lynica)***

Also known as the Dragon Wrasse or Moon Dragon Wrasse, as it is named after Lyn of Twin Dragon mythology. Commonly found within the Phagosian Sea around reefs and seagrass beds.

**Helmian Mudskipper (*Periophthalmus helmicus)***

An amphibious species of goby, seen moving around on land in tidal flats and other saltwater wetlands in western Helmia and Yulara.

### **Brackish-water Fish**

**Nieden Salmon (*Salmo folvas*)**

The most common species of salmon in the Rathnir region. Commonly found in both the Sea of Pearls and the Osterium and Palagean Seas as adults; they swim into freshwater rivers in Nieden, Helmia, and northern Sparwood to breed annually.

**Floramian Trout (*Trutta floramii*)**

A common species of salmonid found originally in Floramia; however, it has since spread across much of Simulami's holdings in Plagos, Nieden, and Eldham as a result of human intervention and its own adaptablility. The fish is commonly eaten in Simulami culture, especially when stuffed with vegetables.

### **Freshwater Fish**

**Common Pike (*Esox lucius*)**

Predatory fish native to most of eastern and northern Rathnir, from Sparwood to Syltör. Well-liked for its taste, but very bony. Has a mottled pattern similar to the appearance of tree bark.

**Nieden Pike (*Esox orientalis*)**

Similar to *E. lucius*, with a sympatric range restricted to eastern Nieden, particularly in Simulami and parts of eastern Escharia in the Osterium Sea watershed. Distinguished from Common Pike by its larger size, striped pattern, and red fins.

**Nieden Common Carp (*Cyprinius niedens*)**

A dark gold fish with large scales. A bottom-feeder, preferring plants and freshwater crustaceans. Native to most of Nieden, but introduced and invasive in Bardonia and Aurora.

**Marshfish (*Palustrichthys arxellensis*)**

A freshwater sculpin of the family Cottidae, inhabiting northern Sparwood and eastern Nieden, into Simulami. Favored for its taste by the Kartek peoples, of which it is their national dish. Prefers to live around submarine vegetation.

## Amphibians

Tetrapods that metamorphose from aquatic tadpoles to terrestrial adults, with some exceptions.

### **Toads**

**Mossland Wolftoad (*Bufo nelondensis)***

Toad native to the swamps of central Helmia. Fond of crickets and millipedes.

**Bjebža Deathtoad (*Bufo rapoha)***

Large toad native to the Bjebža wetlands of Gdanyc. It is not a threat to any animals larger than itself, except if eaten; its name is derived from its poisonous nature. The toad has large concentrations of bufotoxin in glands behind its ears.

**Wolf Frog (*Lupobatrachus orientalis)***

Predatory, ground-dwelling large toad native to Nieden. Large enough to eat small rodents such as mice.

### **Frogs**

**Ashren's Bullfrog (*Lithobates ashreni)***

Large bullfrog native to Zamotz island. Bears webbing on its limbs, thought to be a vestigial gliding membrane. Ashren's Bullfrog generates a sticky substance it uses to climb trees.

**Great Bullfrog (*Lithobates grandis)***

A large Nieden-native frog.

**Varnian Bullfrog (*Lithobates gigantis*)**

An enormous member of the *Lithobates* genus, reaching up to three meters tall. Native of Varn Torum.

**Midnight frog (*Ranitomeya gaelithox)***

Poisonous frog used by ancient Illeryans to make poisoned arrows. Name is derived from the chirping sounds these frogs make in the late night.

**Mirimi Tree Frog (*Walkeschia mirimensis*)**

Tree frog native to the redwood forests of Nieden. Genus name derived from the Asteri word for frog, "Walkesch".

### **Salamanders**

**Common Axolotl (*Ambystoma huitca*)**

A pinkish salamander with its gills present as an adult; however, chemicals can prompt the neotenous creature to become "fully" mature, losing its gills. Originally native to freshwater in northern Ummarnu, Its name is derived from the Huitcan language.

**Giant Ambush Axolotl (*Ambystoma suchis*)**

Large, cave-dwelling, and carnivorous. Evolved convergently to crocodilians, to an extent.

## Reptiles

Group containing tetrapods with scaly skin. Technically includes birds.

### Testudines

#### Freshwater Turtles

**Wolf Turtle (*Chelydra veriaza*)**

Large freshwater turtle found in Nieden and Syltör. Bears a somewhat spiny shell, long tail, hooked beak, and a powerful bite. Also known as a Snapping Turtle in Simulami, where it is one of the national animals, representing "the sleepiness of Simulami as a non-interventionist state with rather dangerous beaks that may snap towards danger."

**Common Turtle (*Emys familiaris*)**

Freshwater turtle with an almost worldwide distribution. Dark, with yellow spots on its face. Typically resides in freshwater, but can also be seen foraging miles from any body of water on land.

**Woodland Turtle (*Glyptemys silvensis*)**

Very small brown turtle native to the coniferous forests of central Nieden.

**Kijar River Turtle (*Emys Kijaris*)**

A large river turtle around 1 meter long that is only found in the forested areas of south eastern Najer.

#### Sea Turtles

**Western Hawk Turtle (*Buteochelys occidens)***

Sharp-billed green sea turtle native to the Phagosian and Lothranis Seas, and as far south as the coast of western Haven. Omnivorous, but eats mostly seagrass and kelp.

**Niedena Sea Turtle (*Caretta niedea*)**

A species of sea turtle with a large diet. Endemic to the Sea of Pearls.

**Ostoda Turtle (*Ostodochelys velox*)**

Sea turtle found around Ummarnu, noted to also dwell in freshwater. More carnivorous than the Western Hawk Turtle, thus avoiding competition as they share a range.

**Najer Giant Hawk Turtle (*Parabuteochelys najeri)***

Large omnivorous turtle native to the Silver and Osterium Seas.

**Sironian sea turtle *(Chelonia Sironvir)***

Sironian Turtles are a native species of Aldovir. They live primarily on the beaches of Sironia. They feed mostly on seagrass and have a shell tougher than most other turtle species. After the fall of Sagavir turtle population declined due to hunting but after the rebuilding of Sironia a habitat was made in Omverlon. Sironian Turtles are now being revived by mixing them with non native turtle species in Omverlon. Sironian turtles are a very important part of Omverlon culture as the angel of sailors and messenger of Sakrelith Markus was a turtle.

#### Tortoises

**Varmerii Tortoise (*Agrionemys varmerii*)**

Tortoise native to the plains of western Nieden and northern Alteniquia.

**Gopher Tortoise (*Gopherus fossor*)**

A common tortoise native to the plains, open woodlands, and savannahs of central Aurlûnor and parts of Deutzan in Ryzan. Known for digging burrows, hence its name; these burrows are used as homes by many different animals, not just tortoises.

**Long-Scaled Tortoise (*Gopherus viridianensis*)**

A burrowing tortoise native to much of southern Syltör, namely the Ashuran Desert and Alda. Similar to the Gopher Tortoise, but more adapted to the desert climate.

### Lizards

**Slender Desert Lizard (*Alatosaurus naturalis*)**

A wild ancestor of the Winged Lizard. Native to Mirau's drier regions.

**Winged Lizard (*Alatosaurus morgrendi*)**

An artificially-created feral species of lizard, created from Slender Desert Lizards and Sandgrouse. Found in Mirau.

**Takumakken Anole (*Anolis takumakkensis*)**

A small green arboreal lizard native to central Aurlûnor; males have an inflatable neck pouch used to attract mates.

**Hampo Iguana (*Cyclura littorica*)**

An iguana native to northern Hampo and the souths of Nir and Tamaka provinces in Aurlûnor.

**Leaf Dragon (*Cyclura folivora*)**

An iguana native to Aurlûnor's Tacua province.

### Snakes

**Canebrake Viper (*Agkistrodon striatus)***

Also known as Woolmouths for their characteristic pale mouth, the Canebrake Viper is a deadly venomous snake found in the freshwater parts of the Nir swamps. It is venomous, and can easily kill a large humanoid. It eats mostly fish, as its genus name *Agkistrodon* means "fish-hook tooth". It is a dull grey-green color with stripes, and has a diamond-shaped head.

**Horned Viper (*Bitis caudalis*)**

A brown, striped snake native to the savannahs and mountain deserts of Eldham, namely Qadakh's Ar'Kath Mountains. Avoids sandy desert.

**Viper-of-the-Sands *(Cerastes vipera)***

A common Qadakhi desert snake, with a flat and somewhat triangular head. Slides through the sand thanks to spiral movement of its abdomen.

**Dirtboa (*Eryx retunsus*)**

A bizarre-looking small snake native to temperate and subtropical Haven. Its eyes are located at the top of its head, as it buries itself to hide and ambush its prey-mostly small mammals. Prefers wetlands, unlike other members of the *Eryx* genus, and is tolerant of cooler weather.

**Audalad Anaconda (*Eunektes audaladae*)**

A large constrictor native to Alteniquia. It swallows its prey whole, and is one of the largest snakes in existence; little else is known about it.

### Crocodilians

**Short-Nosed Alligator (*Alligator brevirostris*)**

Alligator native to Nir, Tacua, and parts of Tamaka and Hampo provinces in the Aurlûnor Velande. Once kept as pets/livestock by the Yi'yen elite class on certain occasions; rumors state that they were once used similarly to hunting dogs.

**River Crocodile (*Crocodylus riparus*)**

The most common crocodile of tropical Eldham. Resides in rivers, particularly in Qadakh, where it is artificially introduced.

**Wasteland Crocodile (*Pantherasuchus foevasterrum*)**

A cat-like crocodilian native to the deserts of southern Syltör. An ambush predator, it is able to bury itself in sand to hide from its prey, and it is also a powerful runner reaching speeds of up to 40 km/hr in short bursts. Unlike most other crocodilians, its legs can support the body completely and it does not need to rest on its belly.

### Dragons

#### True Dragons

**Avalof Sawtail (*Serratocauda avalofensis)***

Large dragon native to central Eldham, namely the region of Avalof. Once featured on the flag of Drak Yamar.

**Bonsai Dragon (*Parvidraco arborens*)**

Small dragon of various colours native to Beauridine, but introduced into Rathnir. Can sport a winter coat of downy feathers. Highly intelligent.

**Chromatic Dragon (*Chromodraco tetramorphus*)**

Dragon notable for coming in four different color variants- red, blue, white, and black. Wide range, from Plagos and most of eastern Eldham. Claimed to have magical properties pertaining to each respective color. Red Chromatic Dragons are connected to fire, blue dragons to electricity, white ones to ice, and black ones to toxins and destruction magic.

**Gemstone Dragon (*Mineralidraco crystallum*)**

Rare dragons native to the north of Eldham that seek out a particular gemstone or crystal. Emerald, Amethyst, Diamond, Lapis-Lazuli, Redstone, and Quartz variants have been reported.

**Metal Dragon (*Mineralidraco metallicum*)**

Dragons known to live around metal deposits- found almost worldwide in any areas where they are exposed. Can disintegrate metal ores and incorporate them into their integument. Gold, iron, and copper variants are most common; other transition metal variants such as silver may be found as well. Aluminum dragons are rumored, but not confirmed.

**Niedean Nightdragon (*Noctidraco niedeae*)**

Jet-black nocturnal dragon, five meters long. A famous head of this dragon is on display at the Fornost Museum in Aurora. As its name suggests, it is native to Nieden; it also inhabits parts of Syltör and Alteniquia.

**Phoros Maned Dragon (*Lophodraco phorosensis)***

Large predatory dragon native to Phoros. Bears a large crest or mane on its neck and back composed of downy feathers.

**Serrona Windrider (*Euruvehor serronae*)**

Medium-sized (3 meters on average) dragon native to the Vulperium and the USSE. Unique in that fur-like feathers cover most of its body, not just parts of it like other dragons. This is an adaptation for the cold climate of Serrona.

**Silver Dragon (*Lophodraco argyrus*)**

Large short-snouted dragon native to north-central Eldham. Bears silvery scales, hence its name; however, it is not to be confused with the rare silver variant of the Metal Dragon, *Mineralidraco metallicum*.

**Storm Dragon (*Tonitrus tempestas*)**

Closely associated with weather magic, influencing storms across the world. An opportunistic dragon, it uses its storm-creating abilities to ground other flying predators while it hunts prey, eliminating competition. It is also reported to be one of the dragon species most commonly hybridized with humans.

**Onthukhan Imperator Dragon (*Onthukhanax rex*)**

A large species of eudraconid native to Mirau and the rest of Onthukhan measuring up to five meters in both length and wingspan. One of the most feared predatory animals of central Eldham; however, they tend to live away from settlements, and prefer to eat fish, wild game, or livestock instead of people.

#### **Wyverns**

**Umbra Pseudodragon** **(*Pseudodraconis* *umbra)***

Also known as a "darkdrake"; a small, black, Valle-native wyvern with powerful connections to magic, especially so for a dragon. Known to use illusion magic, and emit smoke when exposed to sunlight (however, this does not harm the creature). When tamed, they are kept as pets and familiars by wizards, however their long lives (up to 350 years) mean that they often outlive their caretaker.

**Northern Kaladinian Bloodserpent (*Sanguidraco kaladinensis*)**

A ferocious nocturnal wyvern native to Kaladinia. Known to harass and attack people. Identified by its blue color.

**Lesser Wyvern (*Wyvernis communis)***

Small but ubiquitous wyvern with a cosmopolitan distribution, though they prefer to congregate around open areas near fresh water and have a particular interest in eating freshwater turtles and clams. They use their fire breath to cook their prey alive and crack its shell. Also known for eating pests such as mice; however, they may overstay a farmer's welcome when they burn down a grain silo attempting to burn their prey.

**Daelryan Wyvern (*Wyvernis helmicus)***

The second largest extant wyvern species, native to western Helmia. Bears a black and red coloration on the belly and the wings. Living along the coast of the Sea of Petals, it eats a diet of mostly seabirds and fish. Despite influencing early Daelyrian culture and religion, it is critically endangered.

**Vastallosi Wyvern (*Wyvernis vastallosus*)**

A small arboreal wyvern hailing from Astana and Kamigawa in the Vastallos subcontinent. Bears a large dewlap and longer claws than other members of its genus.

**Trollgardic Dreadgull Wyvern (*Wyvernis tyrannus*)**

An enormous species of large feathered wyvern, with a wingspan of 11 metres (35 ft). In this regard, it supplants the previous record holder, the Daelryan Wyvern (*Wyvernis helmicus)*. Described as "the Tyrant of the west-vastallosi coast". As its name suggests, it is native to costal areas Trollgard, with few mating pairs in Dracade and Enosis on the subcontinent of Vastallos. It preys on eagels, small sea serpents, ungulates, large fish, carrion, smaller draciformes and occasionally humanoids.

#### Lindworms and Drakes

**Andorn Lindworm (*Ophidophysis borealis)***

A large lindworm species that inhabits the forests of Andorn, Norfthorn, and Ryzan. It shares a habitat with the Syltör Tiger; however, they avoid direct competition as the Lindworm hunts by day and the tiger at night. It nests in rocky mountain regions, where they feed on minerals to help generate fire. As a result, the highest concentrations of Lindworms are around the Fornoisan Ranges, Wivamonties, and Drahalad Mountains.

**Aurlûnoren Lûn (*Ophidophysis aurlunensis)***

Large (up to six meters long) lindworm species native to the tropical jungles of Tacua Province in the Aurlûnor Velande, where it is the national animal. It is a predator of pigs and deer, and occasionally alligators. Juveniles inhabit trees, whereas adults live on the ground. Highly revered in the Twin Dragon faith. Unfortunately endangered due to poaching and habitat loss; participating in the trade of Lûn materials is punishable by death in the Velande and is highly taboo.

**Slaggaur (*Dracopithecus saltuensis*)**

A somewhat large and arboreal drake native to the Optima Saltu Rainforest, where it is the local apex predator. It superficially resembles a large monkey, as it has tannish downy feathers covering much of its body. However, other parts of its body including the head are covered in black scales. Males bear a red tail-fan.

**Common Wyrm (*Virmus trogolodytes*)**

Eldham-native wingless dragon that dwells in caves. Particularly common in Varn Torum.

**Dracadian Highland Drake (*Microdracus cliovus*)**

Also known as a "Cliodrake". A small wingless dragon native to the mountains of Vastallos.

**Guojiang Weaseldragon (*Paraophidophysis musteloides)***

Small dragon superficially similar to juvenile Lûn. Found in tropical and temperate regions of Syltör. Inhabits sewers in the colder parts of its range in winter, keeping its eggs warm with its fire breath and eating trash. Otherwise a predator of small mammals and birds in the wild.

**Nebskoslav Zmij (*Vermisaurus elongatus)***

Lindworm native to Nebskoslavia and into the Volkoregrod region of Ryzan. Fond of holes it is almost too big to fit into, including man-made cisterns and wells. Has stubbier legs than other lindworms, and as such is an ambush predator when hunting terrestrial prey. Otherwise, its diet is mostly aquatic vertebrates like fish, turtles, and birds.

#### Sea Serpents

**Oceanum Sea Serpent (*Eudeus maritimus)***

Massive sea serpent native to Oceanum and the surrounding waters in Eldham.

**Great Western Sea Serpent (*Eudeus occidens)***

Large sea serpent found in the Endless Sea to the west. Known to attack ships, it is rarely seen off the coasts of Alda and Agnarian.

**Kelp Leviathan (*Thalattophis chloris*)**

Sea serpent native to the Ombra Gulf.

**Phagosian Sea Serpent (*Thalattophis phagosus*)**

Small sea serpent native to the Phagosian Sea.

**Tortugan Blood-eyed Sea Wyrm (*Thalattophis tortugae*)**

Smaller (up to 4 meters long) sea serpent native to the Tortugan Sea and the Mare Caprichosa. Have a tendency to grab people and animals into the water. Legends have it that these sea serpents were once much larger.

### Amphipteres

**Kamigawan Sky Serpent** **(*Amphithera camigae*)**

A large feathered serpent native to the rainforests of central Vastallos, mostly Kamigawa. They are large flying carnivores that prey upon even ocelots and humans.

### Ratites

**Spear-Billed Fishing Kiwi (*Pseudardea piscartorius*)**

One of the many "Aldan Kiwis", native to the coasts of southern Nandor. It has convergently evolved with herons, and is one of the few known piscivorous ratites.

**Enubit *(Camelornis ashurensis)***

A human-sized bird used by the Azerals as a beast of burden and food animal. They possess a rounded head crest and a hump of fat on their backs, and males bear inflatable wattles and a "beard" of stiff feathers on their chest.

**Falora (*Rufornis falora*)**

Large flightless bird with red downy feathers. Found in Ataraxia, Vont and Sparwood. Endangered due to overhunting, but very robust.

**Maasyr (*Magnavis maasicum*)**

Large flightless bird of Helmia. Grey-light-brown coloration; long necks, small heads, a big roundish torso and long legs. Named after the Maas family that ruled Ravgaard for a long time. Vulnerable.

### Fowl

**Domestic Chicken (*Gallus domesticus*)**

Most common ground-dwelling bird. Domesticated worldwide, and naturalized in most environments with many local subspecies. Descended from Pygmy Fowl.

**Alpine Chicken (*Gallus domesticus alfheimensis*)**

Primary chicken subspecies of Haven. Known as *Vetrkocklingr* in the Alfheimi language. Legend has it that an Alpine Rooster stood upon a spruce tree, inspiring the settlement of Chervonstad.

**Hafen's Chicken *(Gallus domesticus hafencus)***

Chicken subspecies with a range from Blackrock to Hafenstadt. Considered by some authors to be its own species.

**Pygmy fowl (*Gallus mallus*)**

Common rainforest chicken found across Vastallos and Syltör, and thought to be the ancestor of the modern Domestic Chicken. The two continents do not have a continuous population, however.

**Lesser Forest Hen (*Nanogallus querciphilus*)**

Small chicken species found in the oak forests of Vastallos.

**Tacuan Peafowl (*Pavo cristatus*)**

More commonly known by the male term "peacock"; a colorful fan-tailed bird native to the rainforests of Tacua Province, though introduced across most of tropical and subtropical Aurlunor.

**Mico Fowl (*Pavo micoa*)**

Relative of peafowl. Omnivorous bird native to the Vastallos rainforests.

### Corvids

**Simulami Magpie (*Pica maestroi)***

A highly intelligent omnivorous bird native to northern Nieden and Plagos. Ancestral animal of House Maestro, the ruling dynasty of the Simulami Empire, and known for its singing.

### Parrots

**Jumping Parrot (*Anodorhynchus pigmeus*)**

Parrot species native to the plains of southwestern Vastallos. As its name suggests, it can be frequently seen hopping around when not in flight or resting.

**Long-legged Princess Parrot (*Reginopsitta alta*)**

A tall, flightless parrot related to the parrots of Vastallos; it is suspected that their ancestors moved to Tortuga and evolved long legs in the ancient past as they had no natural predators. Though the only predators on the isle today are introduced, the birds are not defenseless; their 2-meter-tall legs can still deliver a powerful kick. They are frugivorous, feeding primarily on coconuts, mangoes, and other tropical fruit. They bear colorful crests for attracting mates and for intraspecific competition among males.

**Jeannes' Parrot (*Septentripsitta jeanneum*)**

Incredibly large and long-lived parrot species from northwestern Eldham. Can reach heights of over a meter tall and live for over two centuries. Reportedly at the "Battle at the Crimson River", 34,000 parrots from 27 parrot tribes fought against an army of approximately 67,000 Qwe'tsn soldiers in the ancient past. Though the bird is very intelligent and powerful, moreso than any other known parrot, this cannot be substantiated with material records.

### Raptors

**Daelyrian Eagle (*Aquila daelyricus*)**

Sea eagle native to the Sea of Petals region, with long black feathers and a reddish beak. Feeds on small terrestrial animals and fish alike.

**Duskyan Eagle *(Aquila duskyonensis)***

Primarily inhabits eastern Helmia; breeds in Duskyon, and migrates annually to western Najer in winter. Black to dark brown, yellow beak; otherwise similar to the Daelyrian Eagle in appearance, diet, and habits. Icon of House Kaerfels.

**Escharian Eagle (*Aquila escharia*)**

Known as the "*Niede Aklei*" in the Asteri language. As its name suggests, it is a native of Nieden.

**Solarii Eagle (*Aquila solarii*)**

Another large eagle native to Nieden. The "Eagle of Solaris", chief god of the Soleannen pantheon.

**Kastollian Hawk (*Buteo kastollis*)**

Native to Kastollia (where it is a significant cultural icon), Baykonia, and Domkuz. Bears gray feathers- the darkest spot being on the wings and the lightest at the belly.

**King's Hawk (*Buteo rex*)**

Called the *Aqlei de Akerei* in its native land of eastern Nieden. Inhabits most of the rest of eastern Rathnir as well.

**Western Hawk (*Buteo occidens*)**

Native to western Nieden, Syltör, Helmia, and Yulara. Similar to the King's Hawk; the two birds are closely related and share a close common ancestor, having developed separate ranges and diverged evolutionarily.

**Black-Tailed Hawk (*Buteo vastallosus*)**

A species of hawk native to Vastallos and Aldovir. It preys on birds, small mammals, reptiles, lizards, fish, snakes, crabs, carrion, large insects, and poultry.

**Crested Falcon (*Falco cristatus*)**

Falcon native to Nieden. Has in recent years come into conflict with the introduced Maerun Falcon, which has encroached on its range. The two birds often compete for territory.

**Maerun Falcon *(Falco maerunensis)***

Common falcon once native to central Aurlûnor, but now has a cosmopolitan distribution in feral and domestic populations. Having hunted the Messenger Pigeon to endangerment across the world in the following of the Ferrymen War, they have thenceforth replaced the pigeon as the most common trained carrier birds by the Rathniri.

**Galínian Roc (*Galinavis gigaraptor*)**

Very large bird native to Galínios.

**Silver Giant Eagle (*Haliaeetus megaargenti*)**

Large eagle native to Vastallos, and the subcontinent's largest bird. Nests in the Dark-oak forests.

**Sandywood Eagle *(Harpagornis harenolignensis)***

Large eagle native to Sandywood National Park in Huitca. Has a two-meter wingspan as an adult, making it one of Ummarnu's largest birds.

**Clifftonese Lord Eagle (*Nisaetus cirrhatus*)**

Native to Helmia. Dark brown, with floppy crests over its eyes and long feathers on its tail and legs. The name "Lord Eagle" comes from its crest and the often upright posture, which appears like some sort of superior.

**Black Osprey (*Pandion atratus*)**

Found across Rathnir, but the Nir Swamps have some of the highest osprey population densities. Also found extensively in Nieden's swamps. The abundant fishes of the swamps allow these birds to exist in high numbers, and their calls can be heard from all corners of the wetlands.

**Gray Runninghawk (*Pennacanthus microraptor*)**

A bird of prey that, while capable of flight, hunts mostly on the ground. A native of western Vastallos.

**Dragon-faced Owl *(Phodilus draconum)***

Relative of the barn owls, and native of Helmia. Mostly reddish colouration, black around the eyes, resembling a black dragon spreading his winds on a fiery background. Nocturnal predator of small mammals, mostly rodents. May have been an inspiration for many Daelyrian folk stories.

**Ibean Raptor (*Raptor ibiens*)**

A small, highly intelligent raptor native to Yulara. The raptor commonly consumes desert and field mice for a diet, and sometimes even juvenile river serpents. Residents in the Ib region of Yulara use Ibean Raptors frequently as messenger birds due to the raptor's ability to reach high air speeds when diving. The raptor has a very strong sense of direction, making it a natural messenger bird. Ibean Raptors nest commonly in the branches of desert shrubs and in desert cliff crevices, where males partner for mates each year during mating season.

### **Seed-eating birds**

    **Boulder Pigeon (*Columba niedenensis feralis*)**

Common pigeon native to Nieden. Wild ancestor of the domestic Messenger Pigeon.

**Messenger Pigeon (*Columba niedenensis mercuricus*)**

Domesticated and feral subspecies of pigeon. Once widely used to send messages over long distances, their populations became decimated by Maerun Falcons after their extensive use during the Ferrymen War aggravated many Rathnirians.

**Flute-Song Finch (*Cuiczalli saltator)***

Also known by their Huitcan name, *cuiczalli*. Native to the island of Cuiciloa, as well as other islands in the Phagosian Sea and mainland Galínios. It feeds on crop-eating insects and acacia fruit. Its young are bright green, but turn golden brown as they mature. The bird uses its calls to communicate.

**Bunch Sparrow (*Passer fasciculum*)**

Large, seed-eating bird with a worldwide distribution, in both Rathnir and Eldham. Has a particular relationship with the endangered Lumofungus of the Eldham caves.

### **Waterbirds**

**Golden Sea Swallow (*Chrysornis maritimus*)**

A pelican species that appeared in Ostia (central Yulara) upon its independence from Bardonia in February 2022. May be connected with the old Holy Golden Seabird faith of Yimmu-Audal.

**Speckled Ibis (*Eudocimus canescens*)**

A common, long-billed bird with a diet of worms and subterranean arthropods native to southern Syltör, northern Ummarnu, and Vastallos. They can be seen in small groups, probing the sand and mud for their food. They have a splotched grey and white pattern, but juveniles are a distinct "woody" brown.

**Northern Egret (*Egretta Syltöra*)**

A small, white bird native to Syltör with a long neck. Its name comes from the Fornoisan word *aigrette*, a diminutive of *aigron*, "heron". It prefers to eat small fish, and hides in the mangroves away from larger birds.

**Guojiang Cormorant (*Nannopterum littorum*)**

Diving bird native to the regions around the Lothranis and Phagosian Seas. Tamed by Yi'yen peoples in the past to assist in catching fish. Fishermen in some waterfront villages in rural Aurlûnor still use tamed cormorants to catch fish.

**Heliodusic Cormorant (*Phalacrocorax heliodusionensis*)**

A large diving bird with a long bill first discovered in the Heliodusion region of Yulara, along the estuaries of the Epipia river. Despite its name, the Heliodusic Cormorant is common along much of the Yularan coastline. Its diet consists primarily of coastal fish. Males have a more colorful plumage than the females in order to attract mates; both sexes mate for life. Common nests are found along beaches, where eggs are wrapped in seaweed and downy feathers for nests. The mother cormorant incubates the eggs for four months before hatching.

**Red Spoonbill (*Platalea rubra*)**

The spoonbill is a bird that specializes in eating small crustaceans in the water column. As such, the pigments of its prey turn its feathers a bright pink- on other diets, the bird turns a snowy white. Native to Nir Province and some of the oases of the Ashuran Desert.

**Tortugan Bearded Penguin (*Spheniscus barbatus*)**

Penguin native to Tortuga Isle and the surrounding region. They have no fear of humans and feel a strong connection to bearded people. They especially love having their beards combed, and it is alleged that they can consume large amounts of alcohol without getting sick.

**Western Tropical Booby (*Sula occidens*)**

Also known as the Mihuicolli in Huitca. A medium-sized piscivorous bird native to the western isles of Rathnir and tropical coasts of Alteniquia. Known to feed on the eggs of the Acamtemicti, and make burrows unlike other boobies. Revered by old Cardinalists, where an embalmed Mihuicolli mummy would guide a new convert's previous soul to the afterlife.

## Mammals

Tetrapods that produce milk and have hair.

### Bats

**Northern Fluffbat (*Corynorhinus anthosus*)**

A small, furry bat native to the mountains of central-western Vastallos. It is a pollinator of flowers.

**Black Pygmy Bat (*Lophostoma negrisilva*)**

Small, endangered bat native to the dark oak forests of Vastallos.

**Forest Bat (*Silviopteryx communis*)**

The Forest Bat is Rathnir's most common microchiropteran, found in most temperate and subtropical forests. They feed on the abundant insects at night.

**Synderys Bat (*Silviopteryx synderia)***

A common bat native to Helmia and western Plagos.

### Bears

**Vastallosi Panda (*Ailuropoda vastallosica*)**

Large, black-and-white herbivorous bear native to the Vastallosi Jungle.

**Maknerig Bear *(Ursus arctos geonis)***

Native to Helmia, Syltör, and western Nieden, and critically endangered. Also known as the Short-Snouted Bear, it has a shorter snout than the Helmiedene Brown Bear. It is omnivorous, but prefers vegetable matter. Named after a Daelyrian folklore character.

**Helmiedene Brown Bear (*Ursus arctos mostevski*)**

Native to Helmia, Khanji, Nieden, and Sparwood. Can be seen eating the Nieden Salmon when they come upriver to spawn. The subspecies name, *mostevski,* comes from the Korolian word for bear.

**Glazica *(Ursus maritimus burgamerensis)***

A white bear native to the snowy tundra of central Sparwood, and the largest known of all modern bear species. They are very good swimmers. According to local legends, they were tamed by humans to help hunt, and their fur was sheared to make clothing.

**Summer Bear (*Ursus yvereus*)**

A golden-furred bear native to the former Chevkri. Once hunted for its golden fur, the Summer Bear was once on the brink of extinction; conservation efforts however led to the population increasing once again.

### Canids

#### Foxes

**Arctic Fox (*Vulpes lagopus*)**

A white-colored fox that inhabits the Sparwood tundra and the snowy regions of Frostmarch. Its name is derived from the symbiotic relationship it has with bears; the two can be seen cooperating to take down prey together.

**Talawan Fox (*Vulpes lagopus talawaensis*)**

A distinct population of semi-domesticated Arctic foxes that are known to be kept as pets in Uldarash.

**Blerpin Tundra Fox (*Vulpes lagopus tractanova*)**

A subspecies of Arctic fox specific to the land of Novareach in Sparwood, where it is the national animal. It bears a nearly completely white coat and certain barely noticeable yet unique patterns, and is on average larger than most other populations within the species.

**Ventos Tundra Fox *(Vulpes lagopus ventostazi)***

A subspecies of Arctic Fox species, the animals are primarily found near the Town of Ventograd and its surrounding areas, in Sparwood. The Fox bears a Black, Reddish-Orange, and White Furcoat. While being a subspecies of the Arctic Fox, they are often confused with the Field Fox, despite them being barely related to them. The Fox is also much more Agile, Hostile, and Dangerous, compared to a normal Arctic Fox. The Ventos Tundra Fox is recognized as the Official Animal of the Town of Ventograd, and is a Protected Species under the State.

**Field Fox (*Vulpes malignos*)**

Fox native to the southwestern grasslands of Vastallos, eastern Ummarnu, and Aldovir.

**Dirashanathar foxes *(Vulpes malignos Dirashanathar)***

Dirashanathar foxes are a native species living primarily in Northern Sironia. Initially a field fox adapted for wooded areas of Dirashanathar penninsula in Sironia their numbers began to fall due to deforestation. In recent times their numbers are going up again as these forests are being regrown. This foxes are beloved in Sironian culture. They make their nests under the roots of large trees and can go for long periods of time without food. They feed on berries and rabbits but unlike other foxes they dont eat chicken as it is rare in north Sironia. They are known to be very intelligent and are as such often kept as pets.

**Orange Giant Fox (*Vulpes megaluteus*)**

Found in the dark oak forests of Vastallos. May be a subspecies of the Field Fox.

**Hampo Fox (*Vulpes rufus hampoensis*)**

The most common canid in the Nir swamps, the fox preys upon the abundant bird and rabbit population. As its name suggests, the fox's range extends far south into Hampo Province, as well as the rest of Nir and Tamaka.

**Confuzzles Fox (*Vulpes petaryni*)**

Named after Confuzzles Petaryn, Lord of Illerya. A red fox native to Helmia.

**Fennec Fox (*Vulpes zerda*)**

A large-eared fox native to Qadakh's deserts. Its large ears allow it to vent heat in the desert and hear its prey.

#### Wolves, Jackals, and Dogs

**Escharian Dire Wolf (*Aenocyon dirus eschariae*)**

Not necessarily a true wolf; the Dire Wolf is nonetheless one of Nieden's dominant predators. They are reddish in color, and have more robust upper bodies than true wolves. Known as the *Hocii Okemi* in the Asteri language of Escharia.

**Upper Khaset Jackal** **(*Canis khaseti*)**

A black-skinned jackal native to the Upper Khaset region, in and around the city of Zar'Roc. These animals are solitary hunters, mostly scavenging from animals that have passed away from the desert heat. Occassionally, if food is scarce, these animals are known to attack residents due to desperation, though attack reports are scarce. Historically, accounts have described Jackals leading lost travelers to the city of Zar'Roc, earning them a sort of mythological reputation in the region.

**Silver Wolf (*Canis lupus argentum)***

A subspecies of wolf native to the former Sterling Crownlands/Silver Coalition, hence its name. Often found in deserts, its fur is slightly more of a sandy gray than other wolves.

**Dune Wolf (*Canis lupus isaverii*)**

Wolf native to the central desert of Alteniquia, though they occasionally encroach into southern Nieden.

    **Natlas Wolf *(Canis lupus natlas)***

Wolf native to Cuiciloa; related to the Vastallosi White Wolf.

**Niedena Wolf (*Canis lupus niedenensis*)**

A true wolf native to Nieden; avoids direct competition with Dire Wolves by having different territories.

**Ravgaardian Dwarf Wolf (*Canis lupus parvus)***

Small Helmian wolf that eats insects, small birds, and rodents.

**Southern Forest Wolf (*Canis lupus silvaustralis*)**

Wolf subspecies native to the forests of Suderen and northern Sparwood.

**Royal Wolf (*Canis lupus rex*)**

    The wolves of Varn Torum. Some ambitious dwarves in the distant past used these royal wolves as deadly mounts of war and legitimate companions for life. May have fur that is grey, wheat-yellow, or even greenish in appearance.

**Vastallosi White Wolf (*Canis lupus vastallosus*)**

Also known as the Knossian Hunting Wolf. A native of the mountainous regions of north-central Vastallos. Related to the Natlas Wolf.

**Volandian Wolf (*Canis lupus volandii*)**

A desert-dwelling cousin of the Natlas Wolf, native to Volandia. Highly endangered due to crossbreeding with other wolf populations.

**Talawan Wolf (*Viridops alfophilus*)**

Having served the Talawan Elves during the first Uldarash Empire and prior, these long-tailed canids bear green facial markings to signify their connected energy to the pine trees of Alfheim's southern forest. They also have much longer life spans than most typical mammals, able to reach over 500 years in captivity.

### Cats

**Qadakhi Cheetah *(Acinonyx jubatus arkathicus)***

A fast-running, mid-sized wildcat native to the Ar'Kath Mountains and red desert of Alebira. It generally hides under acacia trees. Has a pale pelt to camoflauge with the desert sand.

**Lesser Darakeen Cat** **(*Felis darakeenis*)**

A species of domesticated cat native to the Abaton, Khaset, Ib and Heliodusion regions of Yulara. Commonly found in the wild alongside river valleys, and on occassion the desert. Hunters of mice and other small animals, they are tamed and kept as pets by the local Yularan peoples.

**Ummarnu Wildcat (*Felis ummarnus)***

An endangered species of wildcat living in central Ummarnu. They used to range from Farafin to Shania, but due to human activities are now only found in Sandywood National Park, some areas of Volandia, and Seaso.

**Eldham Hyena (*Hyaena hyaena*)**

A common dog-like feliform native to much of Eldham. A monogamous nocturnal predator that hunts and scavenges in pairs.

**Eastern Mountain Cat (*Leopardus bashais)***

Small wildcat native to the mountains of Helmia.

**Wild Highcat (*Leopardus catus signatus*)**

Small wildcat native to the mountains of Vastallos.

**Long-tailed Savanah Cat (*Leopardus mariorii*)**

Small cat native to the grasslands and deserts of Alteniquia.

**Ocelot (*Leopardus pardalis*)**

A small jungle-dwelling cat native to the jungles of Vastallos. Name comes from from the Huitcan word *ocelotl*.

**Short-legged Cat (*Leopardus prionail*)**

Small wildcat native to the temperate grasslands of western Vastallos.

**Beauridine Snow Lynx (*Lynx beauridinis)***

Lynx native to Beauridine, Plagos, and Helmia.

**Pard (*Panthera leopardus*)**

A feline native to the forests of Eldham. It competes with wyverns and wolves for food.

**Syltör Tiger (*Panthera tigris boreoccidens*)**

The largest mammalian predator on the continent of Syltör. The Tiger is rare, but feared, and eats mostly deer and other large animals. Unlike most felids, it is quite at home in the water, and tigers often prey upon alligators.

### Cetaceans

#### Whales

    **Skjoldish White Whale (*Apatocetus alba*)**

Known as the *Hvitur Hvalur* in the Skjoldish language. It is a large baleen whale that convergently evolved with sperm whales to have a large blocky snout. Its oil is used in lamps and to power machinery.

**Blue Whale (*Balaenoptera musculus*)**

The largest non-magical organism to ever live, the Blue Whale is a large baleen whale native only to the open ocean, only rarely going into Rathniri or Eldhamite waters proper. A single Blue Whale became beached on the shores of the Gulf of Heaven has its skeleton mounted in the Imperial Library in Lhûmar.

**Moon Whale (*Kogia leviathus)***

The Moon Whale inhabits the ocean between Eldham and Rathnir and sometimes swims into bordering seas. The whale produces a large amount of sperm during mating season. The term "Whale cum" is used to describe this phenomenon.

**Mammotee (*Odobenocetops caprichosae*)**

A small, tusked whale, found in the icey seas of the Mare Caprichosa. Its tusks are used to forage for mollusks in the sand. It is friendly towards people, and the residents of the isle of Canine historically tamed them to carry loads, and harvested their meat and blubber.

**Celestial Whale (*Volaticocetus aethera*)**

The largest mammal known to science. Being able to levitate using magical properties, it feeds on aeroplankton in the high troposphere during the day only to return to the sea at night. Due to its diet of magic-rich aeroplankton, it can grow far larger than any other whale; some estimates put the largest Celestial Whales at 330 meters. It is a very rare and enigmatic organism, and thus poorly understood.

#### Dolphins

**Bottlenose Dolphin (*Turisops truncatus*)**

Found in most warm waters of both Rathnir and Eldham. In the Ha Anga Bayou, dolphins occasionally use the shallow waters to hunt for fish and mollusks to eat. Some local pods have been seen using the inlets in the swamps to corral fish into a single spot for easy feeding.

**Yellow-striped Dolphin (*Turisops striatus*)**

A dolphin with white and dark blue skin, with a yellow line through the middle of the body. Found in the seas around Huitca.

**Vastallosi River Dolphin (*Platanista essendae*)**

Known as *Boto* or *Golfinho de Rio* by the Mamaco peoples. Native to the Essenda River basin and the surrounding coastline, but it is highly endangered due to pollution.

### Eulipotyphlans

**Hystrix Hedgehog (*Erinaceus hystrix)***

Hedgehog native to Helmia and western Nieden. Hedgehog bones are often found in the pellets of many local owls.

### Hoofed Mammals

#### Bovines

**Vastallosi Bison (*Bison angustus*)**

A small, narrow-bodied wood bison native to Vastallos.

**Mougar's Cow (*Bos mougarii*)**

Hairy wild bovine native to the mountains of Vastallos. Small-bodied and very rare.

**Aurochs (*Bos primigenius*)**

Large bovine that used to roam northern Rathnir and parts of Eldham; extinct in the wild, but its descendants live on in the form of the common domestic cow.

**Domestic Cow (*Bos taurus*)**

Common domestic cow. Found worldwide.

**Cuahuacapra *(Bubalus sanctus)***

A species of water buffalo native to the island of Cuiciloa in Huitca. Its name literally means "cow-goat". The species is smaller than other water buffalo, having evolved to be the size of a goat due to the phenomenon of insular dwarfism. Sacrificed to the Cardinalist goddess Cualitzin every 3rd of each month.

#### Camelids

**Pygmy camel (*Camelus pygmaeus*)**

Small camel native to the deserts and plains of Alteniquia, as well as an isolated population in the Vastallosi highlands.

**Ashuran Highland Llama (*Lama major djunanu*)**

Llamas native to Lower Ashura, one of the few species that survived the rapid desertification that occurred under the First Dominion. Although they are now solely found in the Lower Ashuran Highlands, skeletal remains have been discovered as far north as the mountains of southern Deutzan.

**Ocotlan Llama (*Lama major ocotlanensis*)**

Llama subspecies native to the island of Ocotlan. Most domesticated llamas in the world are descendants of *L. m. ocotlanensis*.

**Vastallosi Llama (*Lama major vastallosum*)**

Cohabitates with the Pygmy Camel in the highlands of Vastallos; however, they eat different plants and thus avoid direct competition.

**Pygmy Llama (*Lama minor)***

Extinct llama species of the southwestern Vastallosi plains.

#### Caprids

**Bernese Ram (*Capra berna*)**

Large wild goat native to the Bernese Peninsula in Helmia, and other Helmian highlands.

**Vastallosi Mountain Goat (*Oreamnos vastallosus*)**

Smaller wild goat native to the highlands of Vastallos.

**Dryland's sheep (*Ovis drylandii*)**

Wild sheep native to the savannahs of eastern Vastallos and Alteniquia.

    **Swamp Sheep (*Ovis aceras hunshuiensis)***

Subspecies of Hornless Sheep native to the swamps of Nir. Hunted to extinction.

**Forest Sheep (*Ovis aceras occidens*)**

Subspecies of Hornless Sheep native to the Vastallosi Jungle.

**Moss Ram (*Ovis bryophagus*)**

Sheep native to the redwood forests of eastern Nieden, as well as the wetlands of Simulami.

#### **Deer**

**Nieden Moose (*Alces alces niedenensis*)**

World's largest cervid. A browsing herbivore with massive antlers. Native to Nieden.

**Red Deer (*Cervus elaphus*)**

Medium-large deer native to eastern Nieden, Sparwood, and Cymru.

**Nieden Common Elk (*Cervus escharicus*)**

Large deer inhabiting the coniferous forests of Nieden. Not to be confused with the Escharian Moose.

**Helmian Deer (*Cervus helmiensis*)**

Relative of the elk and red deer, native to Helmia and Khanji.

**Savernian Deer (*Cervus savernicola*)**

A common deer native to Haven. Having few natural predators, they are commonly hunted. Their pelts are used in clothing and their meat is made into venison stews in local Savernian cuisine.

**White-tailed Deer (*Odocoileus leuconurus*)**

Smaller deer native to Syltör and western Nieden. Larger in its northern range; a smaller subspecies can be found in the south of Syltör in the tropics.

**Jungle Stag (*Odocoileus vastallosus*)**

Small deer, native to the Vastallosi Jungle. Smallest member of the *Odocoileus* genus, only the size of a dog.

**Black-tailed Deer (*Odocoileus zarosavisa*)**

A small-medium sized inhabitant of the large redwood forests of Nieden.

**Horse Deer (*Odocoileus hemippus*)**

Also known as Mule Deer. Native to Najer and the mountains of central and eastern Nieden.

**Reindeer (*Rangifer tarandus*)**

Large deer native to the Palaris Tundra of Sparwood, and Frostmarch in Sørligste, as well as the neighboring regions in winter. The two populations are separate, and have been since the last ice age. Can be tamed and herded like cattle; both bucks and does bear antlers.

#### Equines

**Donkey (*Equus asinus*)**

Common donkey, found worldwide but native to Alteniquia's grasslands. An extinct subspecies, the Vastallosi Wild Ass, was known but recently went extinct.

**Kelpie (*Equus anura*)**

Native of Eldham. Aquatic, almost frog-like equine with strong connections to magic.

**Eptaskia-Horse (*Equus eptaskis*)**

Extinct species of horse that once roamed Helmia.

**Domestic Horse (*Equus ferus*)**

Common domestic horse; found almost worldwide in captivity but rarely in the wild.

**High horse (*Equus mougar*)**

Small cliff-dwelling wild pony species native to Vastallos. Impossible to ride due to their small stature and independent nature, and thus the origin of the Traveler's Tongue phrase "get off your high horse".

**Field horse (*Equus minor*)**

Small wild horse native to the plains of southern Vastallos and parts of Aldovir. Extinct historical population in eastern Ummarnu.

#### Hippopotamuses

**Sapphire Hippopotamus (*Hippopotamus nirineus*)**

A large semiaquatic herbivore native to southern Nandor, and one of the largest non-cetacean mammals alive today. Generally a pale gray-blue, red mutants exist and are considered sacred in the Ashuran Pantheon. Dangerous, and should not be approached.

#### Pigs

**Noxnorri Boar (*Choerus noxnorrensis*)**

Wild boar or warthog species native to Helmia.

**Baykonian Pig (*Sus baykonius)***

A unique type of domestic pig bred specifically in Baykonia at one point. Often called "Walking Sausages". Now extinct.

**Caiori's Pig (*Sus caiorii)***

A separate species of wild pig present in Vastallos. Little is known about it, but it is probably similar to *S. quadra*.

**Common pig (*Sus quadra*)**

The species of pig most commonly domesticated around Rathnir and Eldham. They are eaten by some individuals as food, and can be used as beasts of burden when other large mammals are absent. Despite their domestic status, common pigs are actually rather intelligent creatures, on par with or even exceeding dogs.

**Squonk (*Sus turpis*)**

Pig species native to northern Huitca. Regarded as "one of the ugliest creatures in Rathnir."

**Hoglin (*Sus vermisilvensis*)**

Similar to feral common pigs, but less intelligent and much bigger. Hoglins are brutish creatures, and will attack if one approaches them.

### Lagomorphs

**Celume Jackrabbit (*Lepus istihi*)**

An endangered hare native to Celume Province's deserts.

**Jungle Hare (*Lepus kawalapuensis*)**

A hare that inhabits the densely-forested tropical region of Kawalpua in Vastallos. Rarely seen hybridizing with the Brown Hare.

**Brown hare (*Lepus kastanus*)**

Another inhabitant of the Vastallosi tropics. Unlike its close relative the Jungle Hare, the Brown Hare prefers to inhabit grasslands as opposed to woodlands.

**Nir Cottontail (*Sylvilagus nirricus*)**

Common brown-coated rabbit found in the swamps of Nir, and the rest of temperate and subtropical Aurlûnor. Eats many of the grasses and forbs of the wetlands, and is often seen around water.

### **Marsupials**

**Kharakese Wallaby (*Macropus ulkenayaq*)**

Also known as the Kücükguru. Hopping marsupial herbivore native to western Serrona, but introduced in Huitca.

**Golden Wombat (*Lasiorhinus chrysus*)**

Wombat from southern Kharakesestan measuring up to a meter long, with golden fur. Considered “sacred” by the Kharakeseler Tribe, which refers to the creature as the "Altınvombat**"**. Dwells underground.

### **Pinnipeds**

**Stormtusk (*Odobenus tempestas*)**

Large, crustacean-eating pinniped with large tusks and whiskers. Native of northern Helmia's coasts.

### Primates

#### Apes

**Elesgate Swamp Ape *(Septentrionalopithecus palus)***

A large swamp-dwelling primate, also known as the "Mankey" due to its superficial similarities to both humans and monkeys. Native to the Elesgate swamps in Helmia.

#### Old World Monkeys

**Alsu Baboon (*Papio kauhus)***

Desert-dwelling monkey with a wide range across most of Rathnir's deserts. Regarded as sacred by many Dune Elven tribes and the Najeri.

**Muda Baboon (*Papio mudas*)**

Red-faced baboon native to Najer and southern Plagos. Males bear a large silver mane of hair on their neck and back.

**Aquadorian Monkey (*Hydropithecus ichthyophagus*)**

Large brown monkey native to Huitca. Lives in and around water much more so than other primates, and eats fish.

**Kenard's Swamp Monkey (*Kenardopithecus* *angroviridis)***

Swamp-dwelling monkey ranging from the Nir Swamps across to Nieden. Fond of mangrove propagules and shellfish.

**Evank Monkey (*Evankocebus quageroensis*)**

Carnivorous monkey native to southwestern Huitca, specifically around Quagero and Darinakua.

### Rodents

#### Beavers

**Woodland Beaver (*Castor fiber*)**

Common semiaquatic rodent native to most of northern and western Rathnir (from Syltör to Cymru) in the temperate and boreal regions. Includes many local subspecies, including the Müviel Beaver, Bjebža Swamp Beaver, and Black-Arrow Swamp Beaver in the different mountainous provinces of Helmia.

#### Cavyids

**Greater Capybara (*Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris occidens)***

Large semiaquatic rodent with brown fur. Dwells in the subtropical and tropical regions of Aurlûnor, mostly around water. An extinct subspecies, *H. m. vastallosi*, inhabited the Vastallos rainforest until recently.

#### Mice

**Northern Field Mouse (*Apodemus borealis*)**

A mouse with a wide distribution across northern Rathnir. One of the most common animals in the world, owing to its small size, adaptability, and habit of feeding on crops.

**Yularan Desert Mouse (*Mus solitudiens*)**

A common mouse found across both the Abaton and Khaset regions of Yulara. Their diet consists largely off of gnawing at the base of desert cacti. This diet provides basic nutrition including water and starch which the mouse can digest easily due to a very developed appendix. It is speculated that this enlarged organ developed due to the pressures of desert life and the frequent extreme heat in summer months. Desert mice are found to nest in the base of desert cliffs and in pockets of dunes in small burrows to escape heat, and during the winter nights, extreme cold. Occasionally eaten by Yularan natives as a delicacy, marinated in local spices and herbs.

#### Squirrels and Marmots

**Takumakken Gopher (*Cynomys vorosanensis*)**

Also known as a "Savannah Dog"; these burrowing rodents are found in the savannahs and plains of southern Syltör. Their name is likely derived from the Fornoisan-Bisezonnic "gaufre", meaning "waffle", due to either the holes they dig or the popularity of the "[Savannah] Dog and Waffles" dish in the historical Alvadan region.

**Helmian Marmot (*Marmota helmica*)**

A ground-dwelling squirrel species native to north-central Rathnir. Four subspecies exist.

**Domkuz Marmot (*Marmota helmica altiplana*)**

Marmot subspecies native to the Domkuz and Stonian highlands.

**Astorian Marmot (*Marmota helmica astorica*)**

Marmot subspecies of northern Helmia, namely Astoria.

**Valley Marmot (*Marmota helmica niedena*)**

Marmot of western Nieden, Kastollia, and Baykonia. Has the largest range of the four Helmian marmot subspecies.

**Farnau Marmot** **(*Marmota helmica bardonica*)**

Marmot native to eastern Bardonia.

**Fox Squirrel (*Setonix vulpes*)**

An arboreal, predatory rodent native to Varn Torum's forests.

**The Glanraess Rock Crab**

A small crab with a a shell that has been known to grow moss and algae on it’s shell, it eats kelp and sea grass on Glanra’s shallow seas.

**The Glanraess Rock Penguin**

A medium sizes penguin with black dots on it’s neck, it’s the classic black and white penguin and has bright green eyes the color of lime dye, it’s diet is fish and the Glanraess rock crab and is the prey of the Syltör leopard seal found in Glanra’s waters.

**The Syltör Leopard Seal**

The Syltör Leopard seal is the top predator in Glanra’s waters, it preys on the Glanraess Rock Penguin and the many fish in Glanra’s waters such as the North Skorm Bay Salmon and the northern Cod, it lives in mating pairs with there cub being born in litters of 1-3. When fully grown it has no-natural predators!

**The Glanraess King Eagle**

A Dark Brown Eagle with Emerald Green eyes and a white star shape on it’s chest, this eagle is one of if not the largest Species of Eagle in all of Rathnir, it Hunts Fish, Penguins, Seal Cubs, small Deer, Rabbits, mice, and snakes, it is the other top predator of Glanra only being on the same level as The Slytör Leopard Seal!

**The Skorm Bay Salmon**

A Larger Sub-Species of salmon, it swims in Large schools and it preyed Upon by the Syltör Leopard Seal, the Glanraess King Eagle, and the Glanraess Rock Penguin, it swims down south towards the Pazdonia province in Bardonia to breed before coming back up to the Skorm Bay and living it’s life!