Vems

Vems¹ is a name used for several species of rodents found in the western woodlands of Dragonía (Ela'k Forest and Jarrak Forest), and one on the western Plain of Spirits. Smaller vems are arboreal and fulfill a similar role to our world's squirrels, while the larger species live more or less on the ground and only come out to forage during twilight.
The ancient Alalaríans, their descendants the Útels, and the lupine Þóvaríans all hunt wild vems for their meat and fur, and the Útels have also domesticated a few species for the same purpose.

Basic Information

Dietary Needs and Habits

Smaller vems live mostly on nuts, fruit and seeds, while larger ones eat a variety of plants found on the ground. The latter are sometimes known to eat crops grown by Útels and are considered vermin.

Additional Information

Domestication

Vems, especially shadow vems² (depicted here), were domesticated early in Útel history, mostly for their meat and (often colourful) fur, but they're also popular as pets. Zaþin-naa, the rodent farmers' caste, is responsible for raising vems in addition to woolly rabbits.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Vem meat is used in the local cuisine of certain Útel towns and villages, especially to the southwest.

¹Original icelandic: vemar, singular: vemi ²Icelandic: skuggavemar, singular: skuggavemi

by Lappalingur

Origin/Ancestry

Western Dragonía