Shadow SpeciesThe Shadow species is one of the most common types to be found on Delv Ihoo. They are known to roam almost anywhere, as long as there are thick forests and streams of water. They are able to control darkness and shadows. Sadly, due to the rise of the Shadow Clans, they have gained a bad reputation. They used to be neutral, but ever since the Shadow Clans became known, wolves stay clear of them. There are quite a few interesting differences between males and females aside from the physical traits and markings. These differences have been there since the very existence of their species.
Shadow wolves are considered a strange species on Delv Ihoo despite their more natural appearance in comparison to water or poison wolves. Wolves do not understand the strange difference between both genders, but this species also lacks a connection with their dragon god and any information on it is completely absent. Any other species has a history with their god/goddess; why the Shadow species is missing this connection is currently unknown. Some tales speak of wolves knowing the location of their god, but many who ventured there never returned. Due to this, the dragon god of Shadow is considered hostile. Not even a blessed one has even been known in the history of shadow wolves.
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Information
Stats / Strengths (Male&Female)
Stats / Strengths
Midnight form (Male&Female)
Advantage / Disadvantage
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Their stats and potential rank them among the stronger species on Delv Ihoo, but again unlike other species, a stat difference is also seen in them. Their huge range of skills and abilities makes them a force to be reckoned with. Due to their huge arsenal of abilities, wolves have always wondered just how powerful the god of Shadows is. While Light wolves are often considered to be the opposite of this species, they share a connection with their god. Additionally, while they have an ability that is triggered in a similar fashion to Shadow wolves, it isn't considered nearly as strong. Shadow wolves are also said to be completely immune against psychic.
Behaviour
Despite their current reputation, Shadow wolves weren’t always seen as bad news. Before the rise of the Shadow Clans, their species wasn’t typically viewed as a threat. Only the Lunar pack and a cult within the Ruins near Ombrai Valley were known to house more dangerous Shadow wolves. They normally prefer to avoid trouble and are somewhat introverted, being quite independent and enjoying calm silence. They groom themselves often because it seems to soothe them when they’re stressed. They also seem to enjoy a clean pelt.
Shadow wolves dislike bright light and heat, but they will mimic reptiles and sometimes bask. When exposed to sunlight, they will usually lay down and relax for up to hours. Especially during the middle of the day, they can become quite idle as their power drops. Typically, they are active at dawn, dusk and night. The only thing they truly fear is the healing power of Light wolves, as it is said to burn and damage them rather than heal. Shadow wolves will also narrow their eyes on contact with direct sunlight. While the females are more aggressive, both genders are known to lead packs. Each pack usually consists of two hunting parties: one for fishing and one for hunting on land. Due to this, they will make their homes near streams and rivers. They form close bonds with one another despite the behavior differences seen between genders |
Female differences
Females are drawn to water, but wolves who studied this species are not entirely sure why this is. They cannot choose to live far away from sources of water such as lakes or rivers. Not only are they drawn to it, but females prefer to eat fish, crustaceans and small amphibians. While capable of eating regular meat, they have a strong distaste for it and will even skip a meal if their preferred diet is not met. Another unusual fact is that females possess an ability known as “mystic water”, which refills elemental energy and heals minor injuries when they’re exposed to water. Some females are even said to feature unique abilities that behave like water, such as liquid shadow. These unique abilities only appear in wolves with blue colored symbolism. Female Shadow wolves are also a lot more aggressive than males. On Delv Ihoo, the dominant gender typically directly corresponds to the gender of their dragon god; only very rarely is the opposite gender more dominant. Another difference is in their teeth, as females’ teeth are shaped to grip and hold. Getting a female to release her hold on something or someone is extremely difficult. They will aggressively shake their head to tear off pieces of flesh.
Male differences
Males prefer dense and thick forests, which allow them to hide in the shadows. Unlike females, they are not fond of water and at least 90% of them generally dislike it. If they can avoid it, they will. Males hate to get their fur wet and will do anything to keep it nice and dry. Their diet differs from females, as they prefer meat over fish. A common favorite is the meat of larger mammals. While males can eat fish, most absolutely hate the taste and will avoid it at all costs. Compared to females, males have a stronger bite. While being worse than females at gripping, their teeth are lethal on their own. They are thicker than the average dentals of most species, allowing them to bite straight through bone. Male Shadow wolves have among the strongest bite force of all Delvihen species.
Females are drawn to water, but wolves who studied this species are not entirely sure why this is. They cannot choose to live far away from sources of water such as lakes or rivers. Not only are they drawn to it, but females prefer to eat fish, crustaceans and small amphibians. While capable of eating regular meat, they have a strong distaste for it and will even skip a meal if their preferred diet is not met. Another unusual fact is that females possess an ability known as “mystic water”, which refills elemental energy and heals minor injuries when they’re exposed to water. Some females are even said to feature unique abilities that behave like water, such as liquid shadow. These unique abilities only appear in wolves with blue colored symbolism. Female Shadow wolves are also a lot more aggressive than males. On Delv Ihoo, the dominant gender typically directly corresponds to the gender of their dragon god; only very rarely is the opposite gender more dominant. Another difference is in their teeth, as females’ teeth are shaped to grip and hold. Getting a female to release her hold on something or someone is extremely difficult. They will aggressively shake their head to tear off pieces of flesh.
Male differences
Males prefer dense and thick forests, which allow them to hide in the shadows. Unlike females, they are not fond of water and at least 90% of them generally dislike it. If they can avoid it, they will. Males hate to get their fur wet and will do anything to keep it nice and dry. Their diet differs from females, as they prefer meat over fish. A common favorite is the meat of larger mammals. While males can eat fish, most absolutely hate the taste and will avoid it at all costs. Compared to females, males have a stronger bite. While being worse than females at gripping, their teeth are lethal on their own. They are thicker than the average dentals of most species, allowing them to bite straight through bone. Male Shadow wolves have among the strongest bite force of all Delvihen species.
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DietBoth genders have different preferences. Females will prefer fish, crustaceans and small amphibians, while males will prefer meat such as birds and mammals. While they can survive on opposite diets, they won't thrive, and will always prefer their own diets. It has also been noted if females stay to their preferred diet, their pups have a higher chance of being born healthy. The Shadow wolves also enjoy a variety of fruits, as their stomachs seem to tolerate it better than most species, except the Forester Wolves.
ReproductionAfter a bonding process, Shadow wolves will usually mate for life. They are sexually mature at the age of 18. Males will usually present a sweet tuna or howl a beautiful song to show his interest and affection for a female. Before mating, the male will usually perform a dance in which they use shadow to make themselves regal and grand. After mating, the female will have a gestation period of 60-75 days before giving birth. The male will usually take care of hunting and provide for his family, while the female will nurse and guard her pups. Pups are born blind and deaf, and within a week they can see and hear. Pups can be born with or without floppy ears, but usually the ears will become steady after a week. Shadow pups need to drink milk longer compared to other species offspring. The weaning process only starts after 3 months.
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Physical Appearance
Shadow Wolves have a dark grey pelt, with a lighter gray-colored stripe that starts at the muzzle and extends to the tip of the tail. They have large ears, allowing them to pinpoint locations much more accurately, and especially at night. Their night vision is amongst the best of all the wolf species and their eyes are rather unique. The limbus is usually red, as the iris itself can vary from color. Their bodies are slender and elegant, and despite their medium-size they weigh a lot less than the average wolf. Their long tails and slender build aids them in quick movements and sharp turns when running and hunting. They have short cheek fur and a straight muzzle, with a distinct and clear face structure. At a younger age females and males are known to be faster in comparison to when they are adults. This giving them the opportunity to escape from adults of their own species.
- Males have a very shaggy coat, which can be seen at the back of the neck, rump and tail. They have a stronger bite than the females, as their teeth are much more hardy and serrated. Their jaws have very powerful muscles, making them able to break bones with a powerful bite.
- Females are much faster than the males and a streamlined fur and body structure, to help them swim and move smoothly in the water to hunt. They have light grey, webbed toes, making movement in water easier. They have conical teeth with sharp ridges, created to grab and tear apart their prey or target.
- Pure white is a unique coloration that is not seen in the standard or mutated colorations of the Shadow species. The only characters so far that feature this coloration are Kaitou and Ruuza, whom are pure Shadow wolves. The only Shadow wolves that can obtain white otherwise are hybrids (PsychicXShadow - IceXShadow).
Powers and Abilities
Common moves
Abilities
Mythical abilities
- Shadow wave: This is a common move which is used both offensively and defensively. The elemental wave released from their body pushes back opponent giving them plenty of time to get away or counter an incoming attack.
- Shadow sneak: This allows shadow wolves to strike from the shadows in a fast phase. Their ability known as "Shadow Cloak" will conceal their body as long as the patches of shadow are large enough. Shadow wolves will move in an out of shadowy areas confusing their target. The night is required for this move to work successfully. During day time it requires a lot more darkness such as caves.
- Dark whip: This move is commonly used, as most shadow wolves that master the ability "Shadow manipulation" learn to form their shadow into a whip. After that the choices can be endless, as some wolves will form different shapes other than whips.
- Shadow claw: This move boosts the elemental energy present within their claws. What makes it different from the common move known as "Power claw", is that their claws enlarge and deal a lot more damage.
Abilities
- Midnight form/Hell reaper: This ability is what the shadow species are most known for. Every midnight depending on their skill, they can change their form(starting from midnight it lasts an hour). Their power being boosted greatly. They are known to be quite deadly and a lot more aggressive during this transformation. Even experienced shadow wolves working together can end up damaging one another no mater if they are friends or related. Therefore an un-experienced individual can easily lose control. Within a group, the wolf with the most control can generally keep his allies in check as they seem to obey the strongest within the group. But even this isn't usually without violence. Partial control is possible around 10+, even so pups have been known to activate it which results in complete chaos as they cannot control it. Most adults even will generally choose to avoid using this ability as it can be very unpredictable. It has been known in history that many ended up killing close friends or family even if changing was for the need of protecting someone. The transformation is said to be painful as a deformation takes place when they do transform and alter their body. Wolves have compared this ability to Veodar beasts, which is a reference to prehistoric daglors known as "Veodar". This creature was a top predator, as fossils of them were found frequently in Ombrai valley. But Delvihen wolves have more often referred to this transformation as "Midnight form". Changes between both genders are present as males are a lot faster and have more shaggy fur. Small horns appear on their back legs and small tufts of fur grow on their ellbows. Their teeth become longer and thicker giving them a bite force up to 2500 pounds. Crushing bones is a lot easier for them. Females become more defensive and larger than males as their teeth become more curved for slicing and tearing. Upon having a grip escaping is impossible. Similar to crocodiles they will shake viciously ripping their opponent apart. Their bite force being higher than that of males at around 3000 pounds. Despite the stronger bite force they are not known to crush bones. Their fur grows and extend both on their back and rump, which consists of actual bones and nerves. Both genders gain longer front claws, pointy ears and glowing eyes. The downside to this ability seems to be that they lose about half of their energy during the middle of each day. This ability is known as the deadliest among all species on Delv Ihoo.
- Blood scent: When they ingest fresh blood, they are capable of tracking down an opponent no matter the distance for several minutes (1-10 minutes). This makes them ideal for hunting prey that escaping or wolves they are after. Not even "Scent change" (forester ability) can mask it. Heavy climate changes like that of the Ice lands or desert , or rain will render the ability useless.
- Blood heal: By ingesting fresh blood of opponents they can slowly recover from damage they have taken. It is said however that the blood of light wolves will damage them, as ingesting it will even hurt.
- Mimic: This allows shadow wolves to perfectly mimic the sounds or calls of other animals. They use this to lure in prey or even to fool other wolves. They can perfectly mimic the voice of another wolf if they choose to, meaning they could confuse hostile targets by mimicing the voice of their allies.
- Shadow cloak: Within large patches of shadows they can trigger this ability, as it will hide and conceal them. Making them as good as invisible. It is said that the ability only works during night.
- Shadow manipulation: When pups learn to control their element, shadow manipulation is among the first things they will learn. Being capable of creating shapes of shadow they can form weapons made entirely out of shadow.
- Mystic water(♀): Female shadow wolves are said to slowly heal if they are within water. Great healing takes place if combined with "Blood heal".
- Bone crush(♂): Male shadow wolves don't only have thicker teeth, but elemental energy is more present within their mouth that a bite of a male shadow wolf can easily crush bones.
Mythical abilities
- Veodar beast: This mythical ability is said to be unmastered. According to the believes of shadow wolves, there is an even grander form then that of the "Hell reaper"'. A form that would make them even more powerful, it is seen as an upgrade from their midnight form. However most shadow wolves will never aim to try and learn it. It is believed that individuals whom unlocked this, died shorty after as their bodies could not handle the extreme boost and deformation. Because of this there is little knowledge to what exactly happens, how their appearance is affected and how powerful it actually is. Most shadow wolves deem it a cursed ability that no wolf of their kind should even attempt to learn.
HabitatWhile their origins lie in the Ombrai Valley, they are widespread all across Delv Ihoo. Many may go live their entire lives not knowing their species origins. Due to the rise of the Shadow Clans, their presence is almost everywhere. They do prefer forests and general area where they can easily find cover in shade. Only during the night do they prefer open fields to take advantage of their speed and night vision. While not fond of the desert, some wolves will travel there only to sunbathe and relax in the sunlight for hours.
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Dragon God Ombraisias
Very little information is known about their Dragon God, Ombraisias. Shadow wolves seem to lack a history with their god, and his appearance is unknown. It is believed that their god is one of the strongest dragons, not only because of their abilities, but also their elemental power. Despite the lack of knowledge, wolves of this species are curious about their God and some were said to even know it's location. Even so, rumored encounters resulted to be fatal. |
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
- Shadow Wolves are the most demonized wolves of the series.
- Two of the main characters are Shadow wolves (Ruuza and Kaitou).
- For the reboot, they gained trait changes, and a new "Midnight" Form.
- The Shadow species is one of the least affected species for the reboot, as they were fan-favorite.
- Despite females of this species having the same element of Darkness, they feel drawn to the water.
- White is an unique color that both Ruuza and Kaitou have. Only hybrids might have this color potentially.
- Inspiration for their diets is connected to their god, however, the females was inspired by Coastal Wolves.
- Before the reboot, many plans had been made to feature more behavior for the upcoming episodes. All of this have now been used for the reboot. The reboot allowed me to work on their lore and information, where as before I was limited due to the info that was available.