WOLF (#22-26/31, #234-240/365) [OOTP IV]
The WOLF is a common canine carnivore, ubiquitous to all the continents of Titan as well as some offshore islands, including the Arrowhead Archipelago. Being highly diverse, previously considered species of wolf have included regular Wolves and Snow Wolves (also known as Frost Wolves or Northern Wolves) in Out of the Pit (p. 120), hybrids such as Wolf Dogs (Out of the Pit , pp. 38-39) and Wolfhounds (Out of the Pit , p. 120), and stranger varieties such as the Whipperwolf (see Beyond the Pit, p. 152), but, interestingly, not the Giant Aardwolf, which is actually a type of Hyena. While many types, including Red or Desert Wolves of arid areas, and the rare Striped Wolf of Skeln, can be considered identical in abilities to the common Wolf, other breeds, such as Black, Dire, Grey, Snout, and White Wolves are quite different and all of these latter kinds are further detailed below. Werewolves of course may take any form, depending on what creature initially infected them with the magical disease of Lycanthropy!
BLACK WOLF (#22/30, #234/365) [OOTP IV]
STAMINA: 9
ATTACKS: 1
WEAPON: Small Bite
ARMOUR: Light
DAMAGE MODIFIER: +1 to Damage Roll
HABITAT: Woods, Hills, Mountains
NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1
TYPE: Animal
REACTION: Hostile
INTELLIGENCE: Average
The dreaded BLACK WOLF of Mauristatia, in the central highlands of the Old World is a much-feared beast about which too little is known. Some say it is the bestial form of a particular type of Werewolf, others state that it is a lord among wolves as kings and queens lead people, and still more claim the Black Wolf is an entirely distinct lupine species. What is known is that the Black Wolf is a monstrous beast, twice the size of any other wolf, whose pelt is utterly black, apart from a long streak of grey running down its spine, with huge teeth and steel-sharp claws. Those poor unfortunates who face it will see their death reflected in its eyes, and with a guttural growl, the great wolf will pounce!
The Black Wolf will be accompanied by a pack of one to six regular wolves which follow its lead without question, and it is not averse to hunting down and attacking any interloper into its territory. Such a creature was reputed to be the animal form of the Mad Prince and known Werewolf, Garoul Wulfen of Lupravia, who preferred the company of wolves to men and would prowl the wooded borderlands of that cursed principality, striking fear into all who dwelt there or had the misfortune to be passing through.
DIRE WOLF (#23/30, #235/365) [OOTP IV]
STAMINA: 8
ATTACKS: 1
WEAPON: Small Bite
ARMOUR: Light
DAMAGE MODIFIER: +1 to Damage Roll
HABITAT: Hills, Wilderness
NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1-6
TYPE: Animal
REACTION: Hostile
INTELLIGENCE: Low
Also known as the Giant Wolf, the DIRE WOLF is a primitive throwback to lupine ancestry, a monstrous creature with a brownish pelt and unblinking feral yellow eyes. Living in outland areas full of similar prehistoric fauna, the Dire Wolf exists in small packs of one to six creatures, hunting Black Elk and young Mammoths, while avoiding the attentions of Sabre-Tooth Tigers and Nandibears, communicating among its pack members with a series of snarling barks.
Their size and viciousness are much valued by others however, and Dire Wolf cubs are often captured and sold at premium prices for those prepared to raise and train these wild beasts. Orcs of the Old World and Hill Goblins of the Craggen Heights are known to use Dire Wolves as mounts, fielding units of Wolf-Rider cavalry whether attacking merchant caravans or deployed on the battlefield. Others treasure the Dire Wolf as a loyal companion, such as Count Varcolac, Wulfen Lord and Prince of Lupravia, who kept a pair of them as lupine bodyguards within his throne room to deal with all troublesome intruders!
GREY WOLF (#24/30, #236/365) [OOTP IV]
STAMINA: 7
ATTACKS: 1
WEAPON: Small Bite
ARMOUR: Light
DAMAGE MODIFIER: None
HABITAT: Woods, Mountains, Hills, Plains
NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1-6
TYPE: Animal
REACTION: Hostile
INTELLIGENCE: Average-Low
Slightly larger than regular Wolves, the GREY WOLF is a terrifying pack-hunter found in the wilder borderlands of Titan, across cold regions all three continents, such as Darkwood Forest in Allansia (see Forest of Doom, p. 12). A lithe, grey-furred creature with red-golden eyes, it is also known as the Timber Wolf as it generally favours wooded areas, but has been known to hunt and track prey across the plains as well. If three or more Grey Wolves are encountered, one will be a pack-leader with SKILL 9 STAMINA 8, and +1 to the Damage Roll.
These canine carnivores are always ravenously hungry, and difficult to dissuade from attacking. Some travellers report success with brandishing flaming brands, for wolves in general are always afraid of naked flames. Others have survived by clambering up trees and waiting til the howling marauders depart disappointed and frustrated. Still, when the baying yowls start and the pack begins to hunt, the best defence is often a length of cold steel blade in one's hand, and one's back against a tree-trunk, dealing with the Grey Wolves as they attack in turn. If there is a pack-leader present, better to slaughter it first if possible, runs the conventional wisdom, and the rest of the foul curs will flee yelping into the wilderness!
SNOUT-WOLF (#25/30, #237/365) [OOTP IV]
STAMINA: 7
ATTACKS: 1
WEAPON: Small Bite
ARMOUR: Light
DAMAGE MODIFIER: None
HABITAT: Plains, Hills, Wilderness
NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1-3
TYPE: Animal
REACTION: Hostile
INTELLIGENCE: Average-Low
Just like the Snuff Hound is a breed of dog tasked with sniffing out escapees and fleeing prisoners, so too does the SNOUT-WOLF possess the ability to track the scent, not of people however, but gold! This is a wolf-like beast with a long snout, sharp fangs, and a ragged brownish pelt. Snout-Wolves are native to south-western Khul, where they are often bred or used by armies such as those of the warlord Ostragoth the Grim, and tasked with finding gold, whether stashes of coins or seams of base metal, for their owners to loot and exploit. In the wild they live in small groups out in the wilderness, preying on mammals such as rabbits and deer, as their olfactory powers are equally capable of detecting prey as well as gold. Curiously their flesh is also quite edible and Roast Snout-Wolf is a specialty in the strange Khulian kingdoms of Zamarra, Gorak and Kazan!
WHITE WOLF (#26/30, #240/365) [OOTP IV]
STAMINA: 9
ATTACKS: 1
WEAPON: Small Bite
ARMOUR: Light
DAMAGE MODIFIER: +1 to Damage Roll
HABITAT: Woods, Hills, Mountains
NUMBER ENCOUNTERED: 1-2
TYPE: Animal
REACTION: Neutral-Unfriendly
INTELLIGENCE: Average
Not to be confused with the Snow Wolf, the WHITE WOLF is a huge creature, almost as large as a pony, though rangy and agile, with a short white pelage and bright crystal-clear ice-blue eyes. Although a rare breed it is well known from the northern woods, hills and mountains of Allansia. Here 'Whitewolf' is a common surname or title, vis-a-vis Cares Whitewolf, the king of Carsepolis (whose name is still commemorated in Port Blacksand's 'Whitewolf Fortnight' festival), or the Archmage Erridansis Whitewolf, founder of the School of Magic in the Forest of Yore.
As can be likely surmised from the above, White Wolves are considered noble creatures of the northlands, and much venerated by druids and shamans of the Northmen and Barbarians who dwell in these parts. They disdain pack-life, hunting either solo or with a mate, but there is good in their soul and they are happy to be gifted meat, either dried jerky or fresh and bloody, in exchange for safe passage through their territory. Indeed, woe betide the fool who slaughters one of these honourable creatures out of hand for they will bring the curse of the northern druids down upon their wretched self!
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