Dhogrey (Doe-grey)

The Dhogrey are a species of beast of burden common in the Isope Archipelago. Their wide backs, easy to grip skin, and mellow, easily trainable disposition makes them very popular with merchants. Due to this, they are the main mode of transportation for commerce in the archipelago.

Appearance and Anatomy

Dhogrey are a close relative to whales and this shows in their general appearance. They're large, with a flipper on each side used to maneuver and a large tail to propel them forward. The similarities stop there though. Barring their general shape and filter feeding diet, there are no other physical similarities between Dhogrey and whales. Where many whales use echolocation to navigate the ocean, Dhogrey seem to use touch. They seem to possess the ability to feel their surroundings based on the way the water around them behaves. Aside from this, the Dhogreys' other senses are either nonexistent, or too weak to be anything but vestigial. The shape and texture of the Dhogreys' back however is the main reason they're still in use as beasts of burden. The back of a Dhogrey both extremely flat and large, with an area of 900 square meters on average. The texture of their skin helps this further, unlike the slippery texture common to whales, Dhogrey have a skin that grips surfaces very well, it is unknown why they evolved this trait but it does make securing cargo easier. The Dhogrey also cannot dive, though whether this is due to issues with pressure, a lack of ability to hold their breath, or a simple species wide fear of the depths is unknown.
While some may say there are physical similarities between Dhogrey and whales. No scholar worth their salt would say the same for their psychology. Unlike whales, Dhogrey have a level of intelligence more in line with that of a beast of burden like a donkey. On top of this they're also lacking in the playfulness often found in whales. While this does make them less interesting on the psychological front, it does make the domestication and training of one much easier.

Place in Isopean Society

As mentioned earlier, the Dhogrey are the main mode of transportation used by merchants in the Isope Archipelago. They are fast enough to make good time between the islands, can carry a large amount of cargo, are cheap and easy to train and care for, and are extremely unlikely to kill their masters or damage their cargo, even when untrained. It's due to this that the Dhogrey are commonly seen both importing resources and exporting the cash crops that can only grow on the archipelago.