Earth SpeciesThe Earth species is one of the more common types to find on the island. They prefer to live in mountain areas where they live right with their element. They are known for their bad temper and territorial behavior, but despite their general attitude they do find enjoyment with building and landscaping, as Earth wolves are said to be even capable of making mountains. They will manipulate earth into shapes to aid them in battle and they will launch rocks from a long distance, targeting opponents if they would run away.
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Information
Stats / Strengths
Advantage / Disadvantage
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Behaviour
Earth wolves are notorious for their territorial behaviour. They generally do not tolerate strangers in their land and will pursue and chase them out. In worse cases even kill trespassers. They will always give clear vocal warnings, which sounds more like barks than howls. They will usually fight long distance by using earth, but they are just as capable at fighting close range. At times they are viewed as rivals to fire wolves when it comes to their hot temper, they are easily offended and will usually be judgmental before reading a situation properly. Because of this, they aren’t always considered the brightest wolves on Delv Ihoo. They are very proud and when they walk they will usually hold their tail high. They do fear water as they aren’t good swimmers, the water also lowers their stamina because of the elemental disadvantage. Because of this the risk of death is high, as many Earth wolves will fail to get above the surface and die. When covered in water or snow , they will easily become hypothermic.
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Earth wolves follow the law of the strongest, attitude alone isn’t good enough to be in charge. No matter the family line, any wolf within the pack has the right to challenge the lead pair in order to gain leadership. While they wouldn’t kill fellow pack members, conflicts can end in blood and severe injuries as they tend to fight it out rather than communicate. There is a softer side to their nature, as without any current conflicts they are very gentle towards each other and they enjoy building and hunting as a team. In fact, Earth wolves seem to desire company over solitude. So it's pretty common to see these wolves run together for fun as this helps to increase the bond they share with one another. Earth wolves generally become anxious and stressed when. Females are generally more aggressive than males, especially when they have young. Earth wolves are among the very few species that shows great interest for art. Known for manipulating earth they will carefully craft objects or even create figures that resemble animals or fellow wolves. Packs of high status will often hire these wolves for decoration purposes for their dens, but also for statues of great leaders. Some Earth wolves will fully invest their time in creating items and then selling them to merchants. They have been known to decorate items with gemstones they find themselves. Earth wolves are more than capable of finding some of the most precious gems Delv Ihoo has to offer.
DietEarth wolves are known to hunt large mammals, as they require meat to survive. If they do hunt small prey, it’s usually out of desperation. They are the only species that will use brute force to break through a herd’s defensive wall. Because they are very slow and can’t depend on stamina, they have to rely on brute force and proper stalking. It can take them hours to get close.
ReproductionAfter a bonding process, the Earth Wolves will usually mate for life. They are sexually mature around the age of 18. Male Earth wolves will demonstrate their physical power to impress a female, and some will sculpt earth into a familiar shape the female may like. It has been known that at times some male Earth wolves even compete against one another in attempt of winning a female over. After mating, females will have a gestation period of 60 to 75 days before giving birth. The males will build a rocky den for the female for giving birth. Pups are born blind and deaf, and gain sight and hearing after a week. Their ears remain floppy for a couple of days. Females are highly aggressive during this time, and will often not even allow their own mate near the pups until they can open their eyes. There have been cases of females attacking their own mate due to their strong motherly instincts. If pups within a pack are threatened, the parents will form a line serving as a protective shield towards the young pups.
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Physical Appearance
Earth wolves have a bulky and robust appearance. Thick legs with long fur, a short but fluffy tail and long fur on their cheeks, rump and neck. Their main coat is brown, featuring darker brown markings on their face, back and legs, as well as their tails. They are also known for their unique way of running compared other species, and they also tend to flick their tails around more frequently. They have pointy ear tips, small pupils, and their muzzle has a slight bump with scruff at the base of their nose. It is believed that their thick pelts protects them against the cold nights in the mountains. When Earth Wolves are hostile, they will raise their fur out and lift their tail in the air to appear even bigger. They also tend to stomp the ground with their paws to intimidate their opponents.
- There is no huge gender difference, as males have a slightly shorter tail, neck and cheek fur in comparison to females. Their back patch is also smaller, as their colored socks are slightly shorter. It’s not uncommon for outsiders to mistake the gender of an Earth Wolf on a distance.
- Females can be just as big as males. Their tail, cheek and neck fur is slightly longer than that of males. Their back patch is also larger as their colored socks on their paws are longer as well.
Powers and Abilities
Common moves
- Earth wall: They will raise earth from the very ground to serve as a shield to protect them from upcoming danger.
- Earth chasm: This move generally is for the more advanced, as they can force the ground to break and creature fissures or deep chasms.
- Stone wrap: In combat they will use it to slow down the opponent by attempting to wrap manipulate earth and wrap it either around the legs or body of the wolf. Equally they also use it to detain a wolf.
- Boulder smash: They will throw medium to large boulders towards their opponent. The more advanced that a wolf is, the bigger the rocks are they can lift. But they have to be careful, loss of focus could result in boulders damaging the wolf using the attack.
- Earth spikes: This move is considered common since it doesn't require very big rocks to use. But it is likely one of their more lethal moves. When Earth wolves are very hostile, they will place traps with spiky rocks awaiting the unlucky wolf who dares to enter their territory.
Abilities
- Revenge: While Earth wolves might be among the slower species, they are known as one of the most defensive species out there. Aside from that they got a very unique ability which even aids them against other wolf species they are naturally weak to. When hit by one of their natural weaknesses (Forester, Ice, etc...), their power will be doubled upon direct contact afterwards. This can result in a kill or knock out depending on who they face, and how much power they have. The effect only last for several seconds.
- Dust free: They can see straight through dust clouds created by earth and dry soil.
- Earth manipulation: Earth wolves are capable of manipulating Earth. Similar to Forester wolves they do requite focus, this means that lack of focus or headaches could interrupt this ability which could lead to failure of earth based moves. They can lift pretty large objects, the more experience the larger they can lift. Obviously they cannot move mountains.
Mythical abilities
- Living Earth: More known as a sleeping story for young Earth pups, many wolves of this species can only dream of mastering this ability. While Earth wolves can manipulate earth, this mythical ability takes it a step further. It's believed the first Earth wolf who mastered this move raised a horse like being made out of stone to aid in battle. The control of earth is so precise that the formations that are formed represent living beings that even act alive. Once summoned, loss of focus doesn't immediately stop it as it seems the Earth beast has a mind of it's own for as long as the user of this ability has elemental energy left.
HabitatWhile they originated from the Chyu mountains, they are widespread all across Delv Ihoo. While they prefer mountain areas, they are known for their skilled ranks of merchants and mercenaries. Because of this, they tend to travel to build dens and structures for other packs in return of payment of either large quantities of food or precious gems. Earth wolves are generally more friendly when they travel, but this is not always the case. Other than mountains they prefer solid ground and they will stay away from large rivers and dense forests.
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Dragon Goddess Chyu
Little information is known about their Dragon God, Chyu. Earth wolves do not like to share information about their Goddess to outsiders. What is known is that the packs living in the Chyu Mountains are closely connected to their Goddess. She is said to have a lot of pride and attitude, and she is known to cause rock slides if strangers and outsiders enter the mountains.
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Gallery and available coloration's
Below you can find extra images and a link which contain the coloration chart. This chart shows all the available coloration's this species can have. Available colors for different mutations are visible as well.
Trivia
- For the reboot this species gained an update, despite that they still resemble some parts of the original.
- For their design, Belgian working horses were the main inspiration. This can be seen on their feet, ears and tail.
- Their color changed to a more warm brown with darker brown markings.
- Marking wise they were also inspired by the Belgium working horse which can be seen here.
- Originally they mostly featured white eyes, this was also changed for the reboot.
- Behaviour wise they slightly changed as well, as before they were generally more peaceful.