As I mentioned in the ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
aeronwen journal, while there is a lot I can with the Sims 3 to recreate the world of Vvardenfell, one thing I cannot do is recreate Morrowind's wildlife such as the guar, alit, kagouti, and of course the cliff racer. Instead of even attempting to keep that part of the world the same as the official lore, I took a look at the sliders and skins that modders have created and managed to come up with mammal-type creatures to replace each of Morrowind's reptilian wildlife. I am not even going to come up with a backstory to explain why guars and the others are gone and the island now has mammals. This is very much an alternative universe and the Morrowind in this universe has mammals.
My one entry that includes my attempt at making a nix hound will be adjusted to include the replacement animal.
Each animal has been based on some sort of real life animal, and in some cases animals that are now extinct. I'll list each one, describe some background lore I came up with and list which creature from Morrowind the new animal is replacing.
Also, along with the animals I am listing, Mammalized Vvardenfell has deer, wolves, foxes, raccoons, and an assortment of birds and small rodents.
Now onto the bestiary:
The Vvardenfell Tarpan (replaces the guar)
This wild equine is typically found in small herds throughout the West Gash and the Grazelands. Although ornery and difficult to train, some of the native Dunmer, particularly the Ashlanders, have managed to capture Tarpans and have bred them to western breeds of domestic horses. It is rumored that the highly valued Ashlandi is descended from the Vvardenfell Tarpan. Tarpans are valued not only for breeding stock, but also for their meat and colorful hides.
Wild Tarpans can be aggressive but typically choose to avoid conflict by running away.
The Thylacine (replaces the nix hound)
Based loosely on the now extinct real world "Tasmanian Wolf/Tasmanian Tiger", the Vvardenfell Thylacine is a small framed species of canine that is both a hunter and a scavenger which can be found in all regions of Vvardenfell. They typically hunt alone but will occasionally be seen in packs of two or three. While not overly difficult for an experienced adventurer to face, the Thylacine will attack a lone traveler if it deems the prey weak enough to overcome.
Some attempts have been made to domesticate the Thylacine, but these animals have been found to be too aggressive to make good pets. At best they can be used as guard animals when looked after by an experienced animal trainer.
The Vvardenfell Spotted Hyena (replaces the Alit)
Like real world hyenas, the Vvardenfell Hyena is a hunter and scavenger that lives in small packs. Typically they keep to the Grazelands and Ashlands, but can be found occasionally in the West Gash as well. Their favorite food is the Tarpan and they will frequently follow the herd and watch for a chance to take down a foal or an elderly adult.
Like the Thylacine, the hyenas do not make good pets due to their aggressive nature.
The Kagoutimus (replaces the Kagouti)
Although this species of equine resembles a draft breed, this is no gentle giant. Very much like the real world hippopotamus (water horse), the Kagoutimus is very aggressive and downright mean. Dozens of travelers are injured or killed every year due to approaching a Kagoutimus, which can be identified by the pinkish skin around the eyes, muzzle, and ears as well as its donkey-like tail. They cannot be tamed, nor can they breed with other species of equines.
The Kagoutimus is normally solitary but pairs will tend to travel together during the breeding season. Their favorite food is tramaroot, so they tend to stick to the regions where this plant grows. Their teeth are much longer than those of other equines, and are well suited for tearing and chewing the tough shrubs and vines of the Ashlands. Travelers are strongly advised not to approach this animal, lest they find themselves being crushed under the Kagoutimus' massive hooves.
Kwamatapus (replaces the kwama)
This bear-like animal is built like our real world panda bears. Like the duckbill platypus, the Kwamatapus is a "Monotreme" (egg laying mammals). They live within caves in large family groups (usually a dozen or so), with different varieties filling different roles to protect their pack. While they can be aggressive to intruders, they usually accept miners who tend to the pack and harvest the eggs, often behaving like friendly dogs when the miners arrive to work.
The standard sized Kwamatapus is around the size of a large dog and is covered with dense medium length hair. Colors can range from light brown to dark gray.
The juvenile Kwmamatpus is called the Scriblet and looks similar to the adult but is of course smaller in size.
Another small variety of Kwamatapus is the Scoutling, which is usually dark red in color and has a long striped raccoon-like tail. These animals are not aggressive but will bite if attacked. Their job in the pack is to hunt for food sources and for other caves that can be used to build new colonies.
The Leporine (Rabbit Dog) replaces the cliff racer.
This odd species of animal seems to be a combination of canine and leporidae although they are in fact not related to dogs or rabbits. Often mistaken for a hare or a common rabbit, the Leporine is incredibly dangerous. Whenever you see one, you can bet that there are a dozen more nearby that you don't see. Like the piranha fish, Leporines will attack their prey in a swarm. At the end of the feeding frenzy there will be nothing left of their prey but a pile of chewed bones. Attempts to tame the Leporine to keep as household pets have met with tragedy, ending with entire families being devoured. While a Leporine can be taken down with a well aimed arrow, when traveling it is best to avoid being noticed by the animal if at all possible.
These, folks, are the animals one will find in Mammalized Vvardenfell. Hopefully this will not be deemed too offensive to lore fanatics and will be taken in the good humor that these creations are intended.
Edited to add: Other animal substitutions for Vvardenfell's wildlife will include Helen Sims Reindeer and the Skyrim Bears.
aeronwen journal, while there is a lot I can with the Sims 3 to recreate the world of Vvardenfell, one thing I cannot do is recreate Morrowind's wildlife such as the guar, alit, kagouti, and of course the cliff racer. Instead of even attempting to keep that part of the world the same as the official lore, I took a look at the sliders and skins that modders have created and managed to come up with mammal-type creatures to replace each of Morrowind's reptilian wildlife. I am not even going to come up with a backstory to explain why guars and the others are gone and the island now has mammals. This is very much an alternative universe and the Morrowind in this universe has mammals.My one entry that includes my attempt at making a nix hound will be adjusted to include the replacement animal.
Each animal has been based on some sort of real life animal, and in some cases animals that are now extinct. I'll list each one, describe some background lore I came up with and list which creature from Morrowind the new animal is replacing.
Also, along with the animals I am listing, Mammalized Vvardenfell has deer, wolves, foxes, raccoons, and an assortment of birds and small rodents.
Now onto the bestiary:
The Vvardenfell Tarpan (replaces the guar)
This wild equine is typically found in small herds throughout the West Gash and the Grazelands. Although ornery and difficult to train, some of the native Dunmer, particularly the Ashlanders, have managed to capture Tarpans and have bred them to western breeds of domestic horses. It is rumored that the highly valued Ashlandi is descended from the Vvardenfell Tarpan. Tarpans are valued not only for breeding stock, but also for their meat and colorful hides.
Wild Tarpans can be aggressive but typically choose to avoid conflict by running away.
The Thylacine (replaces the nix hound)
Based loosely on the now extinct real world "Tasmanian Wolf/Tasmanian Tiger", the Vvardenfell Thylacine is a small framed species of canine that is both a hunter and a scavenger which can be found in all regions of Vvardenfell. They typically hunt alone but will occasionally be seen in packs of two or three. While not overly difficult for an experienced adventurer to face, the Thylacine will attack a lone traveler if it deems the prey weak enough to overcome.
Some attempts have been made to domesticate the Thylacine, but these animals have been found to be too aggressive to make good pets. At best they can be used as guard animals when looked after by an experienced animal trainer.
The Vvardenfell Spotted Hyena (replaces the Alit)
Like real world hyenas, the Vvardenfell Hyena is a hunter and scavenger that lives in small packs. Typically they keep to the Grazelands and Ashlands, but can be found occasionally in the West Gash as well. Their favorite food is the Tarpan and they will frequently follow the herd and watch for a chance to take down a foal or an elderly adult.
Like the Thylacine, the hyenas do not make good pets due to their aggressive nature.
The Kagoutimus (replaces the Kagouti)
Although this species of equine resembles a draft breed, this is no gentle giant. Very much like the real world hippopotamus (water horse), the Kagoutimus is very aggressive and downright mean. Dozens of travelers are injured or killed every year due to approaching a Kagoutimus, which can be identified by the pinkish skin around the eyes, muzzle, and ears as well as its donkey-like tail. They cannot be tamed, nor can they breed with other species of equines.
The Kagoutimus is normally solitary but pairs will tend to travel together during the breeding season. Their favorite food is tramaroot, so they tend to stick to the regions where this plant grows. Their teeth are much longer than those of other equines, and are well suited for tearing and chewing the tough shrubs and vines of the Ashlands. Travelers are strongly advised not to approach this animal, lest they find themselves being crushed under the Kagoutimus' massive hooves.
Kwamatapus (replaces the kwama)
This bear-like animal is built like our real world panda bears. Like the duckbill platypus, the Kwamatapus is a "Monotreme" (egg laying mammals). They live within caves in large family groups (usually a dozen or so), with different varieties filling different roles to protect their pack. While they can be aggressive to intruders, they usually accept miners who tend to the pack and harvest the eggs, often behaving like friendly dogs when the miners arrive to work.
The standard sized Kwamatapus is around the size of a large dog and is covered with dense medium length hair. Colors can range from light brown to dark gray.
The juvenile Kwmamatpus is called the Scriblet and looks similar to the adult but is of course smaller in size.
Another small variety of Kwamatapus is the Scoutling, which is usually dark red in color and has a long striped raccoon-like tail. These animals are not aggressive but will bite if attacked. Their job in the pack is to hunt for food sources and for other caves that can be used to build new colonies.
The Leporine (Rabbit Dog) replaces the cliff racer.
This odd species of animal seems to be a combination of canine and leporidae although they are in fact not related to dogs or rabbits. Often mistaken for a hare or a common rabbit, the Leporine is incredibly dangerous. Whenever you see one, you can bet that there are a dozen more nearby that you don't see. Like the piranha fish, Leporines will attack their prey in a swarm. At the end of the feeding frenzy there will be nothing left of their prey but a pile of chewed bones. Attempts to tame the Leporine to keep as household pets have met with tragedy, ending with entire families being devoured. While a Leporine can be taken down with a well aimed arrow, when traveling it is best to avoid being noticed by the animal if at all possible.
These, folks, are the animals one will find in Mammalized Vvardenfell. Hopefully this will not be deemed too offensive to lore fanatics and will be taken in the good humor that these creations are intended.
Edited to add: Other animal substitutions for Vvardenfell's wildlife will include Helen Sims Reindeer and the Skyrim Bears.
