Canis

 

Physiology

Canis are a dog-like species who present a wide range of physical characteristics; their snouts can be long or short, their ears pointy or long, and their coats, which come in a wide diversity of colours and patterns, tend to adapt to the climate - growing longer and thicker when it is cooler, and shedding to be lighter and thinner when it is warmer. Gender differences between males and females tend to be less significant than individual variance, making it difficult for other species to tell the difference. Canis (and porcine) are never confused by this, as they can distinguish gender by smell due to their Olfactory Sense perk. On average, canis stand 150 cm high and weigh 60 kg.

Life Cycle

Canis females tend to have large litters of pups - normally four to eight at a time. Most females will only bear pups once, and only very rarely will a female have more than two litters in her life. Canis pups are born quite helpless, and both parents are required to care for them for the first couple of years. To make it harder, canis exhibit a denning behaviour, becoming very insular when they have young and isolating themselves from their community or extended family during these years. This means the female is often fully occupied with nursing and immediate physical care, while the male is fully occupied providing food, resources, protection if it is needed, and also playing with and teaching the young while the female rests.

By the age of 2, pups are weaned and canis tend to resume their more social lifestyles, and by the age of 6 or 8 the family unit typically disperses with the pups going out on their own. Monogamous life-partnerships are not physically or emotionally meaningful to canis, and unless a pairing is politically, socially or legally expedient (mostly within the upper classes), a breeding pair will normally go their separate ways after the young are raised. The canis life cycles is two years long.

Culture

Canis are exceptionally pro-social, and tend to integrate well in complex society and to get along well with most other species, particularly the more social ones; halflings, porcine and humans. These strong social tendencies allow them flourish in cities, towns and villages, and there is almost no trade or endeavour in which they are not well represented. They are clever, cunning, and opportunistic, often seeming to be a step ahead. While they are good at taking advantage of a situation, they are also quick to turn tail if the odds are against them.

Adjustments

Canis have increased Intelligence and Cunning and addtional Stamina, but have reduced Will. Their innate cleverness and their heightened senses from the Olfactory Sense and Night Vision perks make them natural problem solvers. They also start with Apprentice level of mastery and a free initial roll in the Investigation skill field.