Dire wolf

The Dire wolves are a non-sapient, predatory species found exclusively in the southern half of Sanlond, within an area known as the Whitewood Forest. Dire wolves are renowned -and generally feared- for their overly aggressive nature, relentlessly attacking anything that gets too close. Their pelts and teeth are considered extremely valuable, and they are often sought after by hunters - results are typically gruesome. Dire wolves are tough and hardy creatures, capable of thriving in the freezing tundras of Whitewood.

Dire wolves are often noted for their deep connection to the Rhonen people ("Rhonen" itself meaning "Cold Wolf"). The Rhonen often send their children on a rite of passage into adulthood, during which they must find, capture, and tame a dire wolf. Thus far, they are the only people known to regularly and consistently tame the creatures. Dire Wolves are large predators, typically standing two meters tall, and possessing nearly 300 pounds of raw muscle. These traits, combined with their exceptional intelligence, make them powerful companions to the Rhonen. They have since been engrained into Rhonen culture, which often depicts deities wrestling dire wolves.