Zoey
The Zoey are huge intelligent canids that are only known to exist in the Thall Islands of the Eastern Sea. They are the largest canid species known on Thrae, and the only one known to be intelligent and capable of speech.
Growing as tall as 6' at the shoulders, Zoey are massive wolf-like animals with jaws large enough to swallow other dogs whole. They have been known to weight as much as 1000 lbs and can run at speeds of 20 miles an hour for short bursts, and at slower speeds for hours on end.
The language of the Zoey is, to Human ears, no different than what one would expect to hear from wolves, or even domestic dogs. Very little of their native tongue is understandable to Humans. They have the capacity, however, to learn and mimic many of the sounds made by humaniods and thus can communicate with them in an understandable manner. Typically, this communication is not always clear at first, but once one becomes used to hearing the sounds made by the Zoey's mouth and muzzle the meaning behind the sounds becomes much easier to understand. Many have described the experience of speaking to a Zoey as learning a new accent, rather than learning a new language. An "s" sound spoken by a Zoey tends to sound like "th" or "zh" to our ears, while hard "P" sounds are heard as "deh".
Basic Information
Anatomy
Zoey are the largest canid species known. The largest males can reach a shoulder height of 6' and weigh more than 1000 lbs. They have jaws that are as long as a human forearm and fangs that can exceed 3" in length.
Genetics and Reproduction
Similar to other canids, females can go into heat as many as 6 times a year, carry the litter for 10 months and can produce two to six pups with each pregnancy.
Growth Rate & Stages
Zoey pups can feed themselves at one year of age, and are introduced to the rest of the pack at that time. Pups younger than one year remain in the mother's den. Juvenile male zoey are allowed to live with the females of the pack until they are about three years old, then they are forced out to make their own way in the world.
Ecology and Habitats
Only known habitat is the Thall Islands
Dietary Needs and Habits
Carnivores, known to hunt wild Entelodon, boar, sheep, cattle and horses, but stay away from domesticated animals whenever possible.
Behaviour
Zoey have a live-and-let-live attitude towards most Humans. They are reserved and quite shy in their encounters with most Humans, but when a relationship is established, they are loyal and steadfast friends and allies.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Zoey commonly live in family units known by non-Zoey as Packs. A single pack is led by a dominant male and his mate. There is a male and female Zoey (not necessarily mated together) that have the role as second to the dominant male and female. These roles would be determined by ritualized combat in the far distant past, but in the modern world, Zoey leadership is determined by merit and collective agreement amongst the pack.
Packs can number as few as five or six Zoey or as many as 12 to 15. In times of distress, trouble or exteme danger, several packs might come together to better defend themselves or to collectively hunt for larger prey. Whenever Zoey participate in organized combat, they typically do so in a multi-pack group with a single leader (who could be either male or female).
Facial characteristics
Eyes are usually a yellow or orange color, sometimes tending towards red. Solid browns, blues and greens are also seen but much more rarely. Blue eyes are a particularly beautiful trait to other Zoeys (especially males).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
All over the Thall Islands
Average Intelligence
Highly intelligent with amazingly long memories for smells, faces and tastes.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Sharp eyesight, keen hearing and a nearly supernatural sense of smell.
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Zoey seem to name thier young only after they are weaned (typically 60 days after birth). Names are chosen from actions or events that occur during the pup's life that are special, unique or characteristic of that pup. An example would be a young male pup that hordes the bones of meals given it immediately after weaning that is then named Ten Bones. Another would be a pup named Dream Chaser because she continuously barks and kicks in her sleep.
Zoey that bond with Humans and spend a significant amount of time away from their packs will often adopt names given to them by their Human companions. The tribal leader of the Eburi clan of the Kingdom of Cambia gave his Zoey hunting companion (a massive female nearly 6' tall at the shoulders) the name Pickle (a term of endearment he uses with all his daughters and granddaughters) which she now uses exclusively, even amongst her own litter-mates.
Relationship Ideals
The relationship that is sometimes established between a Zoey and a Human is typically described as a bonding. When a Zoey and a Human are bonded, they are connected in a way that is not fully understood, even by scholars and experts. The emotional and spiritual connection between bonded Zoey and Human is as deep and foundational as that between a parent and child, or born twins. A sense of complete trust and heart-felt love is described universally as overwhelming when the bond is established and is found to be unbreakable until one of the pair dies. Even the mating of one Zoey to another is seen and felt to be quite different than the connection made when a bonding occurs. A bonded Zoey is considered a part of that Human's family for life, and the bonded Human is considered a member of the Zoey's pack by all pack members for the rest of the Human's life.
Major Language Groups and Dialects
Zoeys have demonstrated the use of three distinct dialects within their native tongue: the northern, western and southern dialects. Of these three, the northern is the easiest for non-Zoey to follow, even if they cannot speak it in an understandable manner. Names, places and quite a few verbs are understandable to Human ears even when spoken by a Zoey. Zoeys that speak this northern dialect are also most able to speak Thallian in a way that is most underandable to Humans.
Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals
When greeting a Zoey, it is customary to offer the back of the dominant hand so the Zoey can learn your scent quickly and without awkward encounters. If the meeting is acceptable to the Zoey, it will give a very brief and gentle lick to the hand, further imprinting the scent of the offered hand and letting the person know they are now introduced. This would be the equivalent of shaking hands or clasping wrists in Human behavior.
Touching a Zoey's head is reserved for established friends and should never be attempted at a first meeting. Zoeys do not enjoy being petted by strangers... ever. Any sort of touch or stroke to the head, ears or face of a Zoey is allowed only to those most trusted and loved by the Zoey in question.
Common Taboos
It is sometimes thought (usually by foreigners) that Zoeys can be ridden like horses by Humans. This is a dangerous and even deadly assumption to make. To attempt to ride a Zoey under any circumstances is the deadliest of insults. To a Zoey (male or female), the act of mounting the back of a Zoey is basically the same as going through the motions of intercourse and is an insult even among Zoey. For a Human (or any humanoid) to attempt that is as repulsive and antagonistic as any animal doing the same thing to a Human.
History
Written records do not note a time in the past when there wasn't Zoey inhabiting the Thall Islands, and it is generally accepted that the Zoey were living on the islands before the first Humans (or any humanoids, for that matter) reached the archipelago. The only possible exception would be the mysterious Shee, but that has not been definatively determined.
For more than a thousand years, Zoey and Humans have lived and hunted side-by-side happily and productively. Only in times of open warfare between tribal kingdoms have Humans and Zoey ever hunted and killed each other. Most Zoey do not have many opportunities to interact with Humans (or non-Human) islanders, but those that do are generally open and honest in their interactions.
Interspecies Relations and Assumptions
Zoey seem to bond most often and most closely with Humans, and far less so with Halflings. A few notable relationships have been made between Halflings and Zoey, but they are far less frequent than with Humans, and no one is entirely sure why. Gnomes do not seem to be able to bond with Zoey at all. This is thought to be because Gnomes have an instinctual aversion to a predator so much larger than they are themselves and that the Zoey can sense this, but no definative anser has yet been found.
Elves also do not bond with Zoey. Both the Elves and the Zoey have theories as to why this is. Elves believe it is because the Zoey have an instinctual "memory" of a time when the Zoey might have been exposed to the Drow'anar philosophy in the distant past. The Zoey believe it is because the Elves, as an entire species, have no soul.
Scientific Name
Canis Lupis Ingens
Lifespan
Most Zoey live to be about 25, and the oldest can live to be 35.
Average Height
5'6" at the shoulders, the largest can be over 6'
Average Weight
800 to 1000 lbs
Average Physique
Amazingly strong, very fast in short sprints and able to maintain a run for hours on end.
Body Tint, Colouring and Marking
Certain colorations of fur are distinct to certain islands and regions of the archipelago. Light gray and golden colors are more common in the northern islands, while darker grays, browns and brindle patterns are found mostly in the western islands. Solid grays and black coats are found in the southern islands.
Geographic Distribution
Related Organizations
