Animals

These are some of the native animals of Elsemorn.

For the use of animals as a resource, see the page on natural resources. You can also read about the native plants and materials of Elsemorn.

Animals of Elsemorn

The aska (plural: askas) is a genus of small mammals, resembling a cat with fox-like ears and tail. Wild askas can be found throughout Elsemorn, though individual species (often with specific coloring patterns) are regional.

The drudgeonhart (plural: drudgeonharts) is a creature that has been described as a stag crossed with a dragon. They were once thought to be extinct (or perhaps mythical) but there have been credible sightings in recent years. The drudgeonhart is also known as a stagwyrm.

The erranddove and errandgull (plural: erranddoves and errandgulls) are two species of birds known for their homing abilities. While often confused, the erranddove is in the dove and pigeon family and the errandgull is in the gull family. Wild erranddoves are native to Allesley and Suthal and wild errandgulls are native to coastal regions, but both species are now widely domesticated.

The fanestork (plural: fanestorks) is a magical bird related to the phoenix. They have strong associations with the elements, commonly fire and ice and less commonly air and water. The fanestork was once a common heraldic emblem on military banners, though it gained a reputation for being unlucky and is now rarely used.

The faxath is a fur-bearing lizard that lives in forested wetlands. There is considerable debate as to whether they are natural creatures or magical creations.

The felmane (plural: felmana) is a species of dire centipede (wendmyre), distinguished by its blue feather-like hairs. Felmana are native to tallgrass prairies across Elsemorn.

The fretfalder (plural: fretfalderren) is a milkweed butterfly in the four-footed butterfly family, noted for its multi-colored stained-glass coloring and for its devasting swarms. When overcrowded, their normal coloring dulls and they form massive swarms that consume all vegetation in their path.

The golden murok (plural: golden murokul) is a genus of freshwater fish in the ray-finned family. They are identified by their muted metallic coloring: shades of gold with rows or stripes of a different color, depending on the species. Golden murokul breed rapidly and can be found throughout Elsemorn, though individual species tend to live only within one region or watershed.

The gryreche, sometimes known as the gryrecop or terror spider (plural: gryrechen, gryrecops, or terror spiders), is a chimeric dire spider with the arms and legs of other animals and creatures—including humans. Gryrechen are magical abominations and not natural animals.

The gyle or sometimes deopgyle (plural: gyling or deopgyling) is a dire eel known to hunt in packs (called a gyleswarm). Gyling are native to colder seas and waterways, primarily the Eelmur but also the Rime Sea and Thalvien. Sailors tell of rare solitary gyling called fyrgyling, which are intelligent and capable of wingless flight.

The haliod (plural: haliodden or haliodde) is a mammal in the horse family, recognized by its (usually gray) dun coat and pair(s) of horns—typically one, rarely two, and very rarely three pairs. Wild haliodden are native to the plains of eastern Allesley and Medoruul and are sometimes domesticated. The most famous (fictional) haliod is Morwren, the steed of Redriel.

The moorslean (plural: moorsleannen) is a creature that stalks its human or humanoid prey by appearing as a friendly mammal. It is unclear if morsleannen are aberrations or monstrosities, or even if they exist outside of folklore.

The oar (plural: oars) is a mammal in the bovid family, somewhat resembling a sheep with an elongated neck and front legs. Wild oars are native to the grasslands and shrublands of Hestellend and Medoruul but are now widely domesticated.

The plum frog (plural: plum frogs) is a species of leopard frog in the true frog family. They can be identified by their intense warning coloration: violet with green spots.  Plum frogs can form symbiotic relationships with whistling plum trees, feeding on insects that infest its fruit—along with some of the whistling plum poison. While the frogs suffer no ill effects, it causes them to secrete a toxic substance that deters predators.

The prickle-pine shrew (plural: prickle-pine shrews) is a small mammal in the shrew family, named for its primary food source, the cones of prickle-pine trees.

The puck-beetle is a large jumping beetle that inhabits forests and large caves.

The salmyr (plural: salmyra) is a species of dire centipede (wendmyre), distinguished by its shovel-like mandibles and chitinous armor. Salmyra can be found across Elsemorn, although they prefer burrowing into the detritus of forest floors.

The skaal (plural: skaallas) is a class of arthropods that typically live underground or underwater.

The skita (plural: skitas) is a large, horned mammal in the marmot family. Skitas can be found in forests, particularly those with large, ancient trees.

The stealfor (plural: stealfors) is an aquatic bird in the loon family, recognized by its black upperparts and iridescent underparts. Sometimes called the "sea-crow", stealfors are said to steal shiny objects—such as coins and gems—and hide them in their underwater nests.

The troglodyte (plural: troglodytes) is a species of primate noted for its barbarism and gluttony, and for its reptilian features: scaly skin, tail, and nails. Unlike the creatures of other worlds, troglodytes on Elsemorn have animal intelligence at best. They cannot make or build, although they can use simple tools and often inhabit abandoned buildings and settlements.

The tseryarra (plural: tseryarram) is an aquatic animal thought to be related to turtles. Little is known about the animal, and it is unclear if it is natural or supernatural in origin. The tseryarra can range greatly in size, from five feet lengthwise when young to fifty feet or more as an adult.

The underwheat turtle (plural: underwheat turtles) is a species of turtle in the terrapin or pond turtle family. These turtles have black shells with gold flecks, and black skin with a gold chin and throat. Underwheat turtles were once used as components for curative and restoration spells, though better and more reliable components have since been found.

The wendmyre (plural: wendmyrren) is a genus of dire centipedes, noted for its (often venomous) mandibles and great size—often 10 feet or more. Wendmyrren can be found across Elsemorn, although they prefer moist environments.

The woldfell or woodfell (plural: woldfellan and woodfellan) is the common name for a beast that is much larger than is typical for its kind. The name "woldfell" is typically used for foothill-dwelling beasts and "woodfell" for forest-dwelling beasts. These animals are akin to megafauna like the Paraceratherium (hornless rhinoceros) and Megatherium (giant ground sloth)—although their massive sizes are presumably due to magic rather than natural selection. Other names for the woldfell and woodfell include an oggan (plural: oggans) and cave beast (often with the kind of animal replacing "beast": cave boar, cave rat, and so on). Name variations like fellboars, woodoggan, and ogganfell are common.

The yenthere (pluran: yentheren) is an aquatic mammal in the weasel family, distinguished by its six legs and antennae. Yentheren can be found along most coasts, both fresh and saltwater.

The ymmwyr (plural: ymmwyrren) is a shapechanging beast known for mimicking and hiding among herd animals. Rather than preying upon these animals, however, ymmwyrren seem content to exist as members of the herd. They also tend to be imperfect mimics and can be identified by their gaffes, such as extra limbs or heads, incorrect colors or patterns, unusual vocalizations, and so on. Other names for the ymmwyr include immerif (plural: immeriffe), wyrft (plural: wyrfts), and a herdfool.

Gallery of Animals

Extinct, Rumored, and Unknown Animals

The following animals are considered extinct, are rumored to exist, or otherwise unknown:

The barrows cat is an unknown animal depicted in ancient wall art, somewhat resembling a winged cat with a tufted tail.

The horned wolf is an unknown animal seen on ancient heraldry, resembling a wolf with stag-like antlers.

The seabat is a rumored sea monster, said to resemble a giant bat with the tail of a serpent.

The shaaraf seal is an extinct mammal in the seal family. These seals were native to Cordiana.