In-Depth Information;

Appearance Both: Akhlut are unique creatures that appear to be mixtures of wolf and orca; land mammal and sea animal. The common akhlut's body is mostly black, with patterns or blotches of other colors which can be any hue. A signature marking for the akhlut, no matter their pattern, is a bright blotch of any hue right behind their eyes which look like faux eyes to children. It is possible for an akhlut to sport multiple bright colors with little black, however this is seen as a defect, and the akhlut could be outcast or even banished in some pods. Likewise, being a single color throughout, no matter the hue, is seen as a curse. Most mono-colored akhlut are killed upon discovery. If an akhlut can grow fur, it will be the same color and pattern as the skin underneath, and this fur may be found anywhere on their bodies in either form.

Their bodies are a healthy blend of pure fat and pure muscle, allowing them to survive in cold climates with ease. An akhlut in warmer climates will have less fat than their cold living family, giving them a lean appearance and lighter weight. Both forms have a blowhole to help breath with, located just behind their head.

Quadrupedal: This form is what a common akhlut will spend the majority of their life in. Appearing as an orca whale with wolf traits, such as canine legs and fur growing beneath their tails. Between their long toes is a thick webbing, used to help steer or propel themselves through the water. Some akhlut can grow extra fins of dense tissue on their forearms, shaped the same as their dorsal fin. Rarely, an akhlut can be sport finned wolf ears in this form too; other wolf traits are rarely found. Their mouths are lined with sharp teeth to sustain their carnivorous diet. In warmer climates, their dorsal fin may flop or bend to the side. They can often be found in this form either in bodies of water or along shorelines.

Bipedal: Akhlut take this form when they find themselves far from the immediate comfort of water, though some individuals feel more comfortable on two legs. Standing over eight feet on average, this form looks more like a worgen with aquatic traits, such as fins and the aquatic tail. As with their quadrupedal form, they have multiple whale teeth in this form as well, sporting the same crushing jaw strength. It is common for akhlut to at least adhere to dressing on land, though most don't wear anymore than a simple loincloth. Some akhlut who choose to stay on land may adopt more extravagant cloths, though they favor jewelry the most. There have been rare and terrifying cases of an akhluts in full suits of armor who have fully embraced a life with other species.

Culture Akhlut live in pods, most commonly found bordering the sea in colder regions - though tropical pods have been noted before. These pods operate much like tribal wolf packs, led by a single alpha - called the 'Elder' - who is the oldest and wisest among them. Immediately beneath the Elder is the beta, or 'Sage', who is the strongest akhlut in the pod, and who is tasked with keeping the Elder safe at all times. Beneath them are healers, called shamans; then warriors called zealots, and mages called magus. All other akhlut are called podmembers, and have no rank or station in the pod, restricted to lowly tasks and no jewelry of their own.

Each ranked member, however, earns a colored ring by the end of adolescence, and this ring shows by its color what rank the akhlut has in their pod. All other jewelry matches the color of this ring, and two colors are unheard of except in the Sage and Elder, who retain their previous color when they take the rank.

Other than gained wisdom and physical prowess, their rank and potential in the pod is dependent on the length of their fur, but the respect they obtain is dependent upon the number of jewels piercing their fins. An akhlut on the brink of death with shaggy fur, decorated in jewels is more respected than a prime aged warrior with short fur and few piercings. Akhluts are very strict that their traditional values stay the same, and take great value on orally sharing their histories. To witness a live storytelling is a true delight.

Among themselves, an akhlut pod holds its members close. Courtship between two akhlut is very ritualistic, and pairbonding is to be blessed by both Sage and Elder before young are reared. Small portions of meals are released back into the sea to thank the spirits for their sustenance, and the making of new rank-rings for young akhlut is a widely celebrated occurrence.

Some pods are very hospitable to their own kind, where others are much less so. It's not uncommon for fights to break out, though it's rare for an akhlut to truly kill each other. After such fights, shamans mend their kind on both sides, and the Elders will meet to discuss business with each other.

Abilities Akhlut are immensely physically gifted; they are strong and fast in both forms, and posses powerful jaws and webbed claws to rip and tear at both enemy and prey. Their tails are strong enough to crush stone with a single swipe, and their heads are thick enough to ram and charge like a bull. As most akhlut are also equipped with a layer of blubber across much of their bodies, and though their hide and fur is little protection against physical harm, this does provide a buffer against blunt trauma and various physical blows. Those in warmer climates do not have this protection, as they do not have the layers of fat required by their more northern cousins.

It is rare for an akhlut to be magically gifted in an element other than water or ice. Even with magic, the akhlut are more keen to hunt and fight physically than magically. Many, however, learn to enchant objects with various effects; these are often used in the creation of gemsteel rings and jewelry, or on weapons and armor. As with most species that may take a bipedal form, they are fully capable of wielding weapons in their webbed hands when upright, and often may be found with spears or harpoons.

Akhlut that live warmer lives are actually somewhat weaker than the average akhlut, but they are faster. Large lungs allow the akhlut to remain underwater for ten to thirty minutes at a time, and some mages cheat this by bubbling their heads for extra breath, thus a longer dive time. As all akhlut have blowholes, some mages use this orifice to focus dangerously focused streams or blasts of their element. A well-trained mage could probably strike a medium-sized dragon out of the sky with enough skill in aiming, and a lot of luck.

subspecies

No subspecies have been discovered for this species yet!