Canisans
Last updated
Last updated
Canisan are humanoid canines characterized by their upright posture, slender frame, and digitigrade legs. They have large, erect ears and a triangular face with a black nose and pointed snout. Their thick fur is typically densest around the neck and tail regions—forming an iconic mane and brush—and lighter in color on the belly, throat, and lower jaw. Canisan use their bushy tails for communication, with various movements reflecting their emotions and intentions.
Their senses are remarkably keen, and their sharp eyesight, acute hearing, and exceptional sense of smell make them superb hunters and trackers. Their eyes reflect light back through the retina, giving them superior night vision and causing their eyes to shine in the dark. Omnivorous by nature, they can survive on a variety of diets, but most prefer meat.
Canisan societies are commonly organized into family-based packs, ranging from small close-knit groups to larger, more complex hierarchies. They demonstrate monogamous tendencies, forming strong pair bonds that often last for life. This emphasis on familial ties and cooperative behavior extends to their activities, including hunting, territory defense, and pup rearing. They use a complex vocalization of howls and yips to coordinate hunts, warn of potential threats, and communicate over long distances.
Canisan tend to be nocturnal and crepuscular—that is, they are primarily active at night, dawn, and dusk—and thrive in diverse environments. When threatened, they exhibit common defensive behaviors such as baring their teeth, growling, and fluffing their fur to appear larger. Additionally, playful behavior, both as pups and adults, reveals an aspect of their social bonding and reflects their communal nature.
The races of canisans are:
Coyotians are humanoid canines with a resemblance to coyotes. They range from 1.25 to over 1.7 meters (4.1’ to 5.6’) tall and 14 to 40 kg (31 to 88 lbs) in weight, with males tending to be slightly larger than females. They can live up to 90 years. Their thick, soft fur is typically gray, red, cream, or fulvous interspersed with black and white. Their tail is about 50 cm (20”) long and ends in a black tip. Their eyes are typically a brown, yellow, or amber color.
Coyotians tend to form close-knit familial packs containing an alpha male, reproductive female, and their offspring. However, unrelated coyotians—typically bachelor males, nonreproductive females, and subadults—may join together or with a familial pack for companionship or to accomplish complex tasks requiring collective effort.
Renowned for their cunning and resourcefulness, coyotians exhibit remarkable adaptability and live in a wide variety of environments. They are found predominantly in the semi-arid and lowlands regions of the and , as well as the .
Jackalans are humanoid canines with a resemblance to jackals. They are smaller than other canisan races, ranging from 0.94 to over 1.21 meters (3.1’ to 4’) tall and 14 to 30 kg (30.9 to 66.1 lbs) in weight. They can live up to 85 years. Their shorter tails, elongated torsos, and less-prominent foreheads also set them apart from other canisan, as do their narrower, more pointed muzzles. The color of their fur varies widely, with hues ranging from silver-gray to golden-yellow to tawny, depending on their lineage. Their eyes are typically a brown, yellow, or amber color.
Jackalan tend to favor a small, tight-knit family over packs. The basic social unit is a breeding pair and their litter of pups. Once the pups are of age, however, they almost always strike out on their own to find a mate.
Lupi are humanoid canines with a resemblance to wolves. They range from 1.75 to over 2.3 meters (5.7’ to 7.6’) tall and 70 to 110 kg (154.3 to 242.5 lbs) in weight, making them the most physically formidable of the canisan subraces. They can live up to 110 years. Their stocky, powerful build is complemented by broad muzzles and heavy brows, adding to the lupi’s imposing countenance. Their dense, double-layered coats come in a range of colors—typically mottled shades of white, brown, red, gray, and black, although some lineages that live in arctic regions may be nearly all white. Their tail averages from 35 to 65 cm (13.8” to 25.6”) in length. Most have yellow, orange, hazel, light brown, or green eyes.
The lupi’s social structure is predominantly centered around the pack, which is generally led by an alpha male and female, and the race’s commitment to the pack forges tight-knit communities in which each member plays a significant role. Though capable of subsisting on diverse food sources, lupi display a strong preference for large game, and their strategic hunting methods allow them to take down prey much larger than themselves through coordinated attacks and relentless pursuit. Known for their loyalty and protective nature, they are often found in leadership roles in mixed canisan societies.
Jackalans tend to be resilient and opportunistic scavengers, swiftly assessing situations and seizing advantageous opportunities in a range of environments. They are found predominantly in the and the and , as well as the .
Lupi are found predominantly in southwestern Praetoria and the and . They demonstrate impressive adaptability and inhabit a broad range of environments, and their exceptional endurance allows them to traverse vast distances at a steady trot while maintaining persistent pursuit of their quarry.