Grasshound
When humans first came to Oabos, they came as a exploration unit without many long term resources. Just enough was brought to establish a small colony and determine if they would be able to utilize on-world resources, or if further home world resources would need to be brought over. One of the few animal species that did come over was a breed of domesticated dog bred for their heartiness; as a companion pet for exploration units.
When the humans' connection to their home world and goddess was cut off they were trapped with only the short term supplies they had brought. The dogs played a large role as protectors in those early days, but their were many dangers in those early days and a limited number of dogs. It did not take long for the dog population to dwindle down to unsustainable levels. In a bid to save their beloved pets and protectors, the humans began trying to crossbreed the dogs with the local equivalent of wildlife. The beasts they were able to successfully breed with the remaining dogs were vegetation beasts of the plains; creatures of living grass and roots that roam through the plans where the humans were settled. The resulting animal was named Grasshound for the combination of their new plantlike forms and classic dog appearance and behaviors.
While early grasshounds were around the same size as the dogs humans brought over, later generations grew to be much larger. It is believed this is due to their new plantlike nature. In much the same way that that the tall grasses in their native areas grow from the core light of the world, the grasshounds seem to draw in that light to fuel their growth. This also accounts for their greatly reduced need to eat. Some later breeds of grasshound do not even have a mouth, and receive all of their sustenance through absorbing core light and nutrients through the soil they sleep on.
Their are local variants of the grasshound in all areas humans have settled. Regions with grassy fields retain their namesake appearance of long grasses forming their coat. Mountain variants tend to be smaller and denser, with a moss-like coat. Forrest variants tend to have coats mimicking the leave of any trees in the area. There are also mushroom variants that show up in settlements near to mushroom forests and deep ravines. Most variations of grasshounds have thick, thorn-like claws one their feet that can tear into the ground easiy.
The second grouping of grasshounds is bred for protection. These hounds have the most direct line back to the canines that came to Oabos with the children of Radiance. These hounds are bred for their size and strength. They are most common in small settlements further into the dark zones of Oabos. Many families keep these hounds if they have any children or livestock.
The third breed is called Rayhounds, and they are specific the Lightbringer Spire of Chronwhorl. While grasshounds were originally being bred, the Beacons of the Lightbringer Spire saw potential in the size and speed becoming more apparent as breeding continued. They found that unlike most beasts native to this world, the canine ancestry of these hounds allowed them to withstand exposure to the light of Radiance without breaking down. Initially this resistance could only handle small exposure to Radiance but this trait is what they Rayhounds were bred for. The current Rayhounds are very large beasts that have managed to find a balance between their plant-like bodies and the Radiance in their core. The lightbringers use these hounds as mounts, due to their large size and very high running speeds. Rayhounds are visually distinctinve in that their eyes are golden, and Radiance shines out through their leaves.
When the humans' connection to their home world and goddess was cut off they were trapped with only the short term supplies they had brought. The dogs played a large role as protectors in those early days, but their were many dangers in those early days and a limited number of dogs. It did not take long for the dog population to dwindle down to unsustainable levels. In a bid to save their beloved pets and protectors, the humans began trying to crossbreed the dogs with the local equivalent of wildlife. The beasts they were able to successfully breed with the remaining dogs were vegetation beasts of the plains; creatures of living grass and roots that roam through the plans where the humans were settled. The resulting animal was named Grasshound for the combination of their new plantlike forms and classic dog appearance and behaviors.
Appearance
Grasshounds keep much of the appearance of the canines they were bred from. The most immediate differences are their coat and size. Rather than fur, the grasshound appears to grow leaves or blades of grass all over their bodies. In actuality, this plant life makes up the bulk of the animal's body and not just the outside. On a fundamental level, the flesh of the hound's bodies have been replaced by vegetation.While early grasshounds were around the same size as the dogs humans brought over, later generations grew to be much larger. It is believed this is due to their new plantlike nature. In much the same way that that the tall grasses in their native areas grow from the core light of the world, the grasshounds seem to draw in that light to fuel their growth. This also accounts for their greatly reduced need to eat. Some later breeds of grasshound do not even have a mouth, and receive all of their sustenance through absorbing core light and nutrients through the soil they sleep on.
Their are local variants of the grasshound in all areas humans have settled. Regions with grassy fields retain their namesake appearance of long grasses forming their coat. Mountain variants tend to be smaller and denser, with a moss-like coat. Forrest variants tend to have coats mimicking the leave of any trees in the area. There are also mushroom variants that show up in settlements near to mushroom forests and deep ravines. Most variations of grasshounds have thick, thorn-like claws one their feet that can tear into the ground easiy.
by Kydra_Hunter using MidjourneyAI then edited
Breeds
There are three major groupings or breeds of grasshounds. The first is the grasshounds bred as pets for companionship. These hounds tend to be on the smaller side, and are more commonly found in areas that have been more fully settled by humans. The need for protection in these areas is lesser, and so the hounds are brought into homes as companions.The second grouping of grasshounds is bred for protection. These hounds have the most direct line back to the canines that came to Oabos with the children of Radiance. These hounds are bred for their size and strength. They are most common in small settlements further into the dark zones of Oabos. Many families keep these hounds if they have any children or livestock.
The third breed is called Rayhounds, and they are specific the Lightbringer Spire of Chronwhorl. While grasshounds were originally being bred, the Beacons of the Lightbringer Spire saw potential in the size and speed becoming more apparent as breeding continued. They found that unlike most beasts native to this world, the canine ancestry of these hounds allowed them to withstand exposure to the light of Radiance without breaking down. Initially this resistance could only handle small exposure to Radiance but this trait is what they Rayhounds were bred for. The current Rayhounds are very large beasts that have managed to find a balance between their plant-like bodies and the Radiance in their core. The lightbringers use these hounds as mounts, due to their large size and very high running speeds. Rayhounds are visually distinctinve in that their eyes are golden, and Radiance shines out through their leaves.
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