Olarian Hound

A version of the Koth hound evolved to the local Olarian environment, these pack hunters roam the wilderness searching for anything they can kill and eat. A quadruped, their sharp teeth and incredibly strong jaws allow them to deal a great deal of damage to soft targets, and their fur is thick enough to shield them from most temperature extremes.   Perhaps the most notable feature of the Olarian Hound is the lack of signaling vocalization. Whereas some predators howl or bark, these creatures communicate by stamping, which is then picked up by more distant Hounds. The risk of being taken by surprise by a pack is therefore considerably higher.   In battle, the hounds must close to melee range and lack venom – relying almost entirely on their powerful bite. Each pack is led by an alpha creature, and they show strong signs of self-preservation, fleeing battle when the tide turns against them. When well-fed, they reproduce annually, with each female producing a litter of two to four hounds, which mature rapidly. A significant threat to most lifeforms – including the Olarian Auroch – no mechanism has yet been discovered to deter the creatures besides repelling them with force.     Photo Credit: Diane Ramic