Astrovarg

Astrovargs, or "space wolves," are found among the asteroids and cluster worlds of a dozen different spheres. They are built basically like a wolf, but they have two horn-like appendages on the side of the head which looks somewhat like those of a mountain goat. They also have a smooth, boney carapace that covers their forequarters. The rest of the body is covered with thick fur, with colors ranging from light grey to jet black, depending on their habitat.

Combat: Astrovargs hunt in small packs of 2 to 12 individuals, preying on the various creatures that live on asteroids and cluster worlds. Their prey can range from small mouse-like creatures to things the size of delphenids and arathax. Unlike terrestrial wolves, astrovargs do not howl while hunting, preferring to approach silently. They communicate with each other by means of yips and growls, much like domestic dogs. They also use their horns to create exotic jestures which are almost like sign language in their complexity.

They can use their horns to knock down a creature larger then themselves, and if confronted with humans or demi-humans, they will use this tactic. Treat this ramming attack as a grapple. Once the victim is down, the astrovarg will have a +2 bonus to bite for the next three rounds. If the varg manages to land a bite on a downed opponent, it automatacilly inflicts full dammage.

Habitat/Society: Astrovargs are very adept at living in an environment where they really shouldn't be. They live in asteroid clusters or (more commonly) on cluster worlds, where they can travel from one tiny world to another as needed. Astrovargs can jump very long distances when they must, sometimes ranging into the hundreds of feet, and this is how a pack can travel from one asteroid or cluster body to another. Astrovargs have been seen in the Tears of Selune in Realmspace, and especially on the cluster worlds of Borka and Greela in Greyspace. One the Stellar Islands of Krynnspace, astrovargs have taken to using the magical roads that other races use. Strangly, very few have been seen in the Grinder. This could be because so much of the Grinder is filled with voidworlds, preventing a pack from establishing itself there.

Each pack appears to have a distinct pattern to their fur coats, which is perhaps how they tell one another apart. They live in large packs, with each pack having an "alpha" male, much like terrestrial wolves. The alpha male maintains order in the pack, which can number as many as thirty vargs. When a dispute breaks out among lesser vargs, such as males competing for a female, two of the "beta" vargs fighting over their share of the pack, or two males aspiring to be the next alpha male, the current alpha male, using the "sign language" of the species, convinces the two opponents to settle the dispute by a duel. This duel involves the two vargs butting their horns together in a way similar to that of antelope. Eventually, one will fall exhausted, and the remaining male will be declared the victor. The contest is never fatal; it is a test of character and endurance. It is not uncommon for several of the other pack members to watch the specticle, like humanoids watching a gladiatorial match.

No one has come up with an anthropological explination for the astrovargs complex society. It could simply be that in an environment where the ground is unstable and things can change in a moments notice, a strict organization is a necessary trait for survival.

Ecology: It is not uncommon for individual astrovargs to live alone. This is often the result of one being seperated from the rest of the pack. They rarely bother humans and other spacefaring races, though they will make their presence known if any enter the packs territory. Spelljammer crews sometimes take an astrovarg as a pet, or ships mascot. This is often a wise choice when vermin get aboard the ship while in port. The practice is similar to that of ocean ship captains bringing cats on board to catch mice and rats.

Small packs of astrovargs have been known to live on dwarven citadels, where the vargs relieve the dwarves of dealing with the various pests that are somehow always on board. A small group also lives on the underside of the Rock of Bral, performing the same task.