Wolf

Sky-Wolf is watching you, judging you silently.

Wolves refer to several species of canines in the genus Canis, most notably the Grey Wolf (Canis lupis). Between 105 and 160cm long and can weigh between 25-79 kg, wolves are intelligent social predators that live in packs of up to 15 members. Wolves are not particularly fast, but they are built for endurance running. This combination social behaviour and intelligence has made them one of the apex predators of the Quaternary period. It also meant that about 15,000 years ago the wolf was likely the first animal domesticated, with the wolves that went along with the upright apes eventually giving rise to dogs.

They're also an extremely common base for animal-people, from the Werewolf to the detestable Furry.

Wolves in Fantasy

People have had several views of wolves. Traditionally in Europe the view of wolves has been negative, making them out as crazed bloodthirsty man-eaters. In truth, wolves generally avoid humans and unprovoked attacks on humans by wolves are rare. That being said the fear of wolves isn't baseless; wolves are always a threat to livestock and sometimes dogs, and when they do prey on humans its usually children or women that went into the forest to look for food. Wolves are also a vector species for rabies. It was not a hard and fast rule. Ancient peoples such as the Dacians worshipped and identified heavily with wolves, while to the Greeks wolves were associated with Apollo. The Romans believed that a wolf suckled Romulus and Remus. In the 20th century after scientific study of lupine behavior there has been a backlash against the narrative of the inherently monstrous wolf and a certain level of Romanticism about Wolves as noble beautiful loyal creatures, this could go a bit towards an opposite extreme (see Wolfaboo).

Either way, the mythic man-eaters and proud moon-howlers both have found a place in fantasy fiction. If you want something which is wild and sometimes brutal, but free, social and loyal a wolf can be a fitting symbol for it. Wolves are also often used in fantasy heraldry, especially by the more wild, northern-like warrior factions - in these cases, the wolf motif are a moniker for the savage and fierce, yet loyal pack animal that will always act with the group's best interest. At other times, wolf heraldry is used to conjure the idea of a ravening pack of carnivores, and are used for raiders, bandits and other violent ne'er-do-wells.

While a standard Wolfpack is enough of a threat against ordinary humans, a well-armed band of murderhobos might not find them intimidating enough. Thus we have the Dire Wolf to contend with when a more dangerous beast is called for.

While real world are chunky lupines, they aren't really a good riding animal for anything but very brave, hopefully awful-tasting babies. In fantasy, however, they are often riding mounts for certain monstrous races - for example, in Middle Earth Goblins often ride wolves into battle, a trait carried over into Warhammer Fantasy. Here they are close to both romantic ideas of the wolf; pack animals that are loyal to their riders, but savage to their enemies.

Finally, any classic European-style fantasy setting has wild wolves out to grant the heroes some early XP; wolf packs are common early enemies in many RPGs and settings alongside bandits, goblins and, in eastern fantasy, slimes.

Stuff associated with wolves

• Werewolves
• Clan Wolf
• House Stark (Game of Thrones)
• Leman Russ and the Space Wolves
• Ulric

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