Akila hound
From Mizahar Lore
| Falyndar Fauna | |
 | |
| Frequency | Uncommon |
|---|---|
| Threat level | High |
| Major features | Powerful jaws, |
| Abilities | Vicious pack animals |
| Most common in | jungle wilds |
Contents |
Appearance
Standing at around 20-30 inches from ground to shoulder in height, the Akila Hound is a muscular predator to be avoided in the jungle. Its fur is short and colored a grayish black. Three sharp claws protrude from its paws and its monstrous jaw is large with the strength to crush bones. Its eyes are a milky, reflective hue that aid its vision in the night. The Akila Hound is strictly carnivorous. The creature is a fine specimen of stamina, agility, power, and speed while on the hunt. They are aggressive and territorial by nature.
Frequency
This stocky hunter is relatively uncommon, especially near more developed areas of civilization. In the depths of the jungle, however, it isn't a surprise to see traces of their activity. The Akila Hound is primarily a ground dwelling animal. It may race along lower trees or muscle its way up toward prey hiding within lower branches of the emergent layer of the forest, but never will you find one even close to the canopy. This canine is nocturnal and thus it will almost never be encountered during the daylight.
Social Structure
Caiyha's Reckoning (a nickname of the infamous canine) is a very social animal. They travel in packs and it is a rare sight to see one completely alone. There are no true ranks of the group, per say, but there is organization. Within their packs of 5-10, hounds may fight for dominance. Once a victor emerges the rest will fall into their rightful places. Oddly enough there is an unspoken understanding among them as a whole. Each understand individual strengths and weaknesses and divide themselves in their roles accordingly. What makes them truly dangerous is their utilization of both the powerful individual in combination with the attributes of the pack as one.
As pack animals the Akila Hounds will track and hunt down prey collectively. As soon as a potential victim has been spotted, a pack member may release a bloodcurdling howl to alert the rest of its group. If the prey is close and appears to be making no attempt at escape, the Akila Hounds may instead opt for stealth. Sneaking up in the darkness until the pack has surrounded the victim. Perhaps even out a heckling growl or two. Each member has its own job in the chase. Some may flank the quarry to encourage it in one direction (or to deter it from changing its course) while the others have a go from behind. Claws may be utilized in attacks but their ultimate goal is to sink their teeth into flesh. With the vice-like grip of their jaws, it's very unlikely whatever they were hunting will escape once captured. Not alive at least.
Diet and Tendencies
These predators will risk challenging just about anything edible. Larger prey such as the Tskanna will be deemed too troublesome to pursue unless weak or juvenile. Leopards, tigers, panthers, and etc. are less likely to be directly threatened by the Akila Hounds. However the pack will not overlook contending another predator's kill to take as their own. They will scavenge just as readily as they will hunt.
Additional Information
Due to their reputation, not many fur traders dare pester the Akila Hound packs. With their impressive physique and known reputation as outright vicious monsters, they do make great decorations around a place of abode. Any who encountered one of the beasts and lived to tell the tale is considered lucky. Few storytellers forget to leave out descriptions of their haunting, malevolent howls and throaty growls. If one is slain, the thick, strong bones may fetch a good price. Few who've gotten their hands on the remains of an Akila Hound may find they make excellent weapons and weapon accessories (i.e. Clubs, spearheads, arrowheads, daggers, handles).