Armor Wolf

Description

The Armor Wolf is an extremely dangerous predator, due to the plates of cartilege on its back, which protect it from most attacks. They are ordinarily a dark grey or light blue-grey, but there have been sightings of albino Armor Wolves, as well as rumours of animals with completely black fur and armor. Their eyes are sharp, as is their sense of smell - and, in a literal sense, their fangs, although they have rather blunt claws.

Nourishment

Armor Wolves are carnivores, and hunt their food, preferring to bring down medium-sized animals such as deer. They can live on a larger, fresh kill for up to a few days before they need to hunt again, but they function best on several, much smaller meals per day.

Sleep Pattern

Armor Wolves sleep from morning to afternoon, and are ideally suited for hunting in the dusk and early night, though they tend to stay awake through most of the night to catch small nocturnal animals.

Size

A good 5 feet from nose to tail, and 2 feet high, Armor Wolves are bulkier than the average wolf due to the larger bones needed to support the weight of their armor plates.

Stamina

Armor Wolves have very high metabolisms, meaning that they are perfectly suited to chase their prey over long distances without tiring. It also means that any unsuspecting sapient life may be in a spot of trouble if noticed by a hungry Armor Wolf.

No. Commonly Encountered

To make matters worse, Armor Wolves hunt in packs of four or five. During mating season (early spring) this number may well double.

Mental Aptitude

By all accounts, Armor Wolves are cunning creatures, adept at working together strategically to bring down their prey.

Movement Type

Due to the armor plates on their back they must stay on four legs at all times.

Movement Speed

Fortunately for most, Armor Wolves take a long time to reach their top speed, instead relying on tactics to weaken their quarries. Leaping and changing direction are nearly impossible with the weight of the plates on their backs, so they must plan carefully. The best way to escape an Armor Wolf is to climb a tree or find some other natural obstacle, such as a chasm.

Average Life Span

Another point in the prey's favour. The Armor Wolf's natural life span is only about six years, only four of which are spent as mature adults.

Habitat and Climate

Tundra, taiga, and boreal forests are the natural habitat of Armor Wolves. A large amount of the population live in Northern Russitea, and the Northern Orcs hunt them for sport. Many more live in the extreme north of Orath.

Tactical Information

Armor Wolves will often conceal their presence from their prey until it is trapped between members of the pack. They only charge at the last possible moment, preferring to cover as much ground in silence as possible.

Fighting Prowess

When it comes to a full fight, Armor Wolves generally rely on their armor to protect them as they charge at their opponent. When they close in, they will attack the victim's feet and legs first with their teeth.

Magical Prowess

Legends abound about the black Armor Wolves and their ability to drift like smoke through the dark pine glades of the northern forests, as well as to conjure up phantom wolves to assist them in the hunt. However, there is no physical evidence for such a myth.

Armour

From above, the Armor Wolf is nearly impenetrable by sharp objects. Extremely heavy weapons may crack their armor, causing them great pain, and their legs and paws are especially vulnerable due to the weight they bear.

Unique Attacks & Defences

As a last resort, the Armor Wolf may throw itself bodily at an attacker, usually breaking one or more of the attacker's bones in the process. This leaves them vulnerable to counterattack, however, so they will only try it if they or their opponent is nearly dead.

Magical Immunity

Physical magic attacks seem to by the best strategy when dealing with Armor Wolves, as their plates offer little resistance. Mental magic such as illusions or hypnotism, however, have little effect on their mind.

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