S P E C I E S L O R E
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The species origin is hard to pinpoint, since they appear on multiple planets in different universes and across numerous timelines. Sudogs have made their homes in many places and fill many different roles; but despite all of this, remain relatively the same no matter where they may live!
Typically, sudogs live among other creatures and serve as companions to others. In some worlds, sudogs are used like dogs and horses- as pets, working or service animals. Their sheer size and strength make them excellent guards and perfect hunting companions. This may also make them appealing war mounts or gladiators for the entertainment of others. Sudogs that are raised and bred for special shows are also quite common!
Some sudogs, however, live on worlds of their own and have established entire civilizations built around magic-
On most worlds, sudogs are capable of utilizing magic and can learn special types of elemental spells. Their natural attunement to magic makes it easy for the normally quadrupedal, speechless creatures to perform tasks such as communicating, using tools, building homes, and even taking on new forms!
Above all else, sudogs are very social beings and enjoy the company of others- be they sudog or not. Most of the rituals that sudogs undergo as they grow up revolve around connecting to and bonding with others. Regardless of what world they live in, this instinct is carried by almost every sudog!
Typically, sudogs live among other creatures and serve as companions to others. In some worlds, sudogs are used like dogs and horses- as pets, working or service animals. Their sheer size and strength make them excellent guards and perfect hunting companions. This may also make them appealing war mounts or gladiators for the entertainment of others. Sudogs that are raised and bred for special shows are also quite common!
Some sudogs, however, live on worlds of their own and have established entire civilizations built around magic-
On most worlds, sudogs are capable of utilizing magic and can learn special types of elemental spells. Their natural attunement to magic makes it easy for the normally quadrupedal, speechless creatures to perform tasks such as communicating, using tools, building homes, and even taking on new forms!
Above all else, sudogs are very social beings and enjoy the company of others- be they sudog or not. Most of the rituals that sudogs undergo as they grow up revolve around connecting to and bonding with others. Regardless of what world they live in, this instinct is carried by almost every sudog!
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As mentioned, sudogs are fairly large in size! Even the miniature breed is quite large when compared to an adult human- which makes them perfect riding mounts in many worlds where their companions are small.
There are four distinct breeds; each one varying in size and build for different purposes.
The domestic breed is the most abundant and the second largest of the four. They’re bulky and fairly strong- making them excellent war mounts and gladiators. They can pull heavy cargo and carry larger structures than the other breeds.
The messenger breed is small but long in build, with an elongated body and short limbs that are ideal for digging and swimming. Messengers make excellent hunters and gatherers, though they aren’t quite as strong as the domestic breed.
Miniature sudogs are the smallest of the four breeds, even though they’re still quite large compared to a human-sized individual. What they lack in size they more than make up for in speed and agility; making them good for racing and performing tricks.
Finally, the caravan breed is the largest of the four breeds in terms of height- but their long, thin bodies aren’t exactly the strongest. However, they are built for travel and can traverse long distances in a shorter amount of time and without expending a lot of energy.
There are four distinct breeds; each one varying in size and build for different purposes.
The domestic breed is the most abundant and the second largest of the four. They’re bulky and fairly strong- making them excellent war mounts and gladiators. They can pull heavy cargo and carry larger structures than the other breeds.
The messenger breed is small but long in build, with an elongated body and short limbs that are ideal for digging and swimming. Messengers make excellent hunters and gatherers, though they aren’t quite as strong as the domestic breed.
Miniature sudogs are the smallest of the four breeds, even though they’re still quite large compared to a human-sized individual. What they lack in size they more than make up for in speed and agility; making them good for racing and performing tricks.
Finally, the caravan breed is the largest of the four breeds in terms of height- but their long, thin bodies aren’t exactly the strongest. However, they are built for travel and can traverse long distances in a shorter amount of time and without expending a lot of energy.
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Along with the various breeds, sudogs have many different coats that came about as a result of breeding to help diversify individuals of the species and provide advantages in certain environments or conditions.
Currently, there are eleven coat types; including the species “standard” coat.
Currently, there are eleven coat types; including the species “standard” coat.
Although most were bred for aesthetic, the different coat types offer a variety of advantages such as insulating body heat, preventing sunburn, improving mobility, and acting as a display. The extreme diversity in coat types allows sudogs, as a whole, to inhabit many different climates; from open plains and dense forests, to freezing tundras and scorching deserts.
Coat type often plays a role in where a sudog may be living; but that isn't always the case! As mentioned previously, sudogs may be found anywhere, and what specific advantages one coat type may have on one world may be different from those on another.
Coat type often plays a role in where a sudog may be living; but that isn't always the case! As mentioned previously, sudogs may be found anywhere, and what specific advantages one coat type may have on one world may be different from those on another.
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Both breeds and coat types are the result of sudog breeding.
Everything from a sudog’s size and integument to colors and patterning comes from generations of selectively breeding specific traits to create new genetic ‘blueprints’. These ‘blueprints’ may then be passed down to the individual’s offspring, and onto their future offspring, and so on.
But breeding does more than just introduce new genetics!
Breeding acts as a way of maintaining a healthy and stable population, as well as ensuring that the genetics of parents, grant parents, and even great-grandparents continues on. For some, sudog breeding is a way of life. It can be a job or a hobby, such as being a breeder, a stud, or a show-dog. For others, it may simply be a way of passing on one’s legacy.
Everything from a sudog’s size and integument to colors and patterning comes from generations of selectively breeding specific traits to create new genetic ‘blueprints’. These ‘blueprints’ may then be passed down to the individual’s offspring, and onto their future offspring, and so on.
But breeding does more than just introduce new genetics!
Breeding acts as a way of maintaining a healthy and stable population, as well as ensuring that the genetics of parents, grant parents, and even great-grandparents continues on. For some, sudog breeding is a way of life. It can be a job or a hobby, such as being a breeder, a stud, or a show-dog. For others, it may simply be a way of passing on one’s legacy.
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As mentioned, sudogs are social creatures and typically live among others- be they sudog or not.
There are some worlds that sudogs have all to themselves. Here, sudogs may bond with others to form families, packs, tribes, or larger communities. They may live as scattered groups or as parts of expansive kingdoms, but will almost always have some form of a social structure in place when it comes to interacting with other sudogs.
On other worlds, sudogs live with other species- though what role they play in these worlds varies greatly.
Sometimes, sudogs are seen as equals to their non-sudog counterparts. They may live in homes in towns and cities just like the other species does; as well as working jobs, earning money, and forming bonds with others just like they would between themselves and other sudogs.
Other times, sudogs are treated more like animals than people. They are kept as pets or livestock, and are used similarly as companions, workers, entertainers, food, and so on. The bonds these sudogs make with others are different from those they would make with other sudogs.
There are other worlds where sudogs are seen as people but have fewer rights than the other species, and some where they are seen as animals but have the same amount of rights as the other species. This is something that varies greatly between worlds where sudogs are present!
There are some worlds that sudogs have all to themselves. Here, sudogs may bond with others to form families, packs, tribes, or larger communities. They may live as scattered groups or as parts of expansive kingdoms, but will almost always have some form of a social structure in place when it comes to interacting with other sudogs.
On other worlds, sudogs live with other species- though what role they play in these worlds varies greatly.
Sometimes, sudogs are seen as equals to their non-sudog counterparts. They may live in homes in towns and cities just like the other species does; as well as working jobs, earning money, and forming bonds with others just like they would between themselves and other sudogs.
Other times, sudogs are treated more like animals than people. They are kept as pets or livestock, and are used similarly as companions, workers, entertainers, food, and so on. The bonds these sudogs make with others are different from those they would make with other sudogs.
There are other worlds where sudogs are seen as people but have fewer rights than the other species, and some where they are seen as animals but have the same amount of rights as the other species. This is something that varies greatly between worlds where sudogs are present!
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Typically, sudogs are creatures that are long lived. Although the exact lifespan of a sudog varies by world, most have lifespans that are comparable to that of human beings.
To maintain a long and healthy life, sudogs have several needs that must be met. All sudogs require food, water, rest, energy, wellness, and socialization in order to remain functional; both physically and emotionally.
Diets are variable; and sudogs typically eat whatever they have available to them where they live, but most require food that is high in protein; so things like meat and nuts are prominent in most sudogs’ diets.
How long a sudog needs to sleep is also somewhat variable; but most typically sleep between 5 and 8 hours, similarly to us humans. If they become sick or injured, or if the individual is young and developing, they may sleep for longer periods of time to allow their bodies to recover.
Activity is something that is also important for sudogs to remain healthy, and being active requires energy. Energy comes from both eating and resting, as well as consistent activity. A sudog that is more active is more likely to have more energy than a sudog that is not so active.
And finally, sudogs require some form of socialization if they are to stay healthy. This is just as important as an individual’s other needs; as it ensures emotional development, provides protection and care, and allows sudogs to tend to other needs that may only be met through socializing with others.
To maintain a long and healthy life, sudogs have several needs that must be met. All sudogs require food, water, rest, energy, wellness, and socialization in order to remain functional; both physically and emotionally.
Diets are variable; and sudogs typically eat whatever they have available to them where they live, but most require food that is high in protein; so things like meat and nuts are prominent in most sudogs’ diets.
How long a sudog needs to sleep is also somewhat variable; but most typically sleep between 5 and 8 hours, similarly to us humans. If they become sick or injured, or if the individual is young and developing, they may sleep for longer periods of time to allow their bodies to recover.
Activity is something that is also important for sudogs to remain healthy, and being active requires energy. Energy comes from both eating and resting, as well as consistent activity. A sudog that is more active is more likely to have more energy than a sudog that is not so active.
And finally, sudogs require some form of socialization if they are to stay healthy. This is just as important as an individual’s other needs; as it ensures emotional development, provides protection and care, and allows sudogs to tend to other needs that may only be met through socializing with others.
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Sudogs are extremely intelligent creatures, as indicated by their capacity to learn and apply knowledge to developing skills for various tasks, and their ability to form complex social relationships with others both within and outside of their own species.
They are self-aware and have human-like qualities that put them in the ‘sapient’ category.
How this intelligence is utilized and the level at which it is apparent varies between worlds.
In some worlds, sudogs are regarded as people. They are able to think and act in ways that are very similar to human beings; which is less out of instinct and more out of individual morals, motives, and personal preferences. Like humans, these sudogs are capable of processing and expressing complex thoughts and feelings, have the ability to discern right from wrong, and can clearly communicate among themselves and with others.
Those living in other worlds where sudogs are regarded as animals aren’t necessarily less intelligent; though they may reflect that intelligence in ways that are less human-like than the others. These sudogs may not be able to speak, read, or write; but they may still be capable of communicating through use of body language. Much of their behaviors come from instinct rather than one’s free will; but they are still intelligent and in most cases, self aware.
They are self-aware and have human-like qualities that put them in the ‘sapient’ category.
How this intelligence is utilized and the level at which it is apparent varies between worlds.
In some worlds, sudogs are regarded as people. They are able to think and act in ways that are very similar to human beings; which is less out of instinct and more out of individual morals, motives, and personal preferences. Like humans, these sudogs are capable of processing and expressing complex thoughts and feelings, have the ability to discern right from wrong, and can clearly communicate among themselves and with others.
Those living in other worlds where sudogs are regarded as animals aren’t necessarily less intelligent; though they may reflect that intelligence in ways that are less human-like than the others. These sudogs may not be able to speak, read, or write; but they may still be capable of communicating through use of body language. Much of their behaviors come from instinct rather than one’s free will; but they are still intelligent and in most cases, self aware.
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On top of being social and intelligent, most sudogs are also capable of wielding magic.
This, too, varies by world; and not all sudogs can learn or utilize magic. Those who can, however, are capable of many different kinds of abilities.
Generally, sudogs who are magically inclined are capable of performing some basic arcane magic without much training or effort. Simple spells like manipulating and moving objects, putting up basic barriers, and communicating telepathically are just a few of the things sudogs can do with arcane magic.
Some sudogs may go beyond this, though.
It is possible for sudogs to learn more powerful types of magic by honing their magic affinity; an innate connection to one of the elemental forces that would allow the individual to perform both restorative and destructive spells using their specific element.
There are nine elements in total; fire, water, wind, ground, nature, lightning, frost, and shadow.
The way that sudogs utilize their magical powers varies. Some may choose to use magic to give them power over others. Some may use them in fierce battles. Some may use their magic to protect themselves or their loved ones; others may use it to heal. Most will use magic simply as a means of making life easier, but there are a few who wield it with the intent to destroy life, as well.
This, too, varies by world; and not all sudogs can learn or utilize magic. Those who can, however, are capable of many different kinds of abilities.
Generally, sudogs who are magically inclined are capable of performing some basic arcane magic without much training or effort. Simple spells like manipulating and moving objects, putting up basic barriers, and communicating telepathically are just a few of the things sudogs can do with arcane magic.
Some sudogs may go beyond this, though.
It is possible for sudogs to learn more powerful types of magic by honing their magic affinity; an innate connection to one of the elemental forces that would allow the individual to perform both restorative and destructive spells using their specific element.
There are nine elements in total; fire, water, wind, ground, nature, lightning, frost, and shadow.
The way that sudogs utilize their magical powers varies. Some may choose to use magic to give them power over others. Some may use them in fierce battles. Some may use their magic to protect themselves or their loved ones; others may use it to heal. Most will use magic simply as a means of making life easier, but there are a few who wield it with the intent to destroy life, as well.