Alpine Wolf ([ælpaɪn wʊlf])

Alpine Wolves are medium-sized predators with thick, charcoal-grey fur speckled with white markings resembling scattered ash. Their dense coats provide insulation against Eshan’s frigid temperatures, while their colouring offers natural camouflage in rocky, snow-dusted landscapes. They possess muscular bodies, long legs built for endurance, and sharp claws adapted for climbing steep alpine slopes. Their amber eyes, which glow faintly in low light, allow them to detect prey even in the dim conditions of Eshan's alpine nights.

As versatile hunters, Alpine Wolves prey on Shani Grazers, Muffels, Rockhoppers, and other creatures native to the subarctic and equatorial biomes. Hunting in well-coordinated packs, they employ tactics of ambush and endurance to outmanoeuvre their prey. Their powerful jaws can break through tough hides, and their sharp senses help them locate prey over long distances. Opportunistic by nature, they are also capable scavengers, particularly during the leaner winter months.

Alpine Wolves live in complex social groups led by an alpha pair. Pack members cooperate in hunting and rearing pups, showcasing high levels of intelligence and coordination. Their haunting howls echo through the mountains, serving as a means of communication, territory marking, and coordination during hunts. Packs often establish their dens near geothermal springs, taking advantage of the warmth to protect their young.