Species Guide

Introduction

Though 'Souls was initially founded as a wolf roleplaying game, various other canines and hybrids have found their way into the population over the years, and now there is a diverse culture of species on the board. However, only canine species found within the genus Canis are capable of becoming Luperci. This includes all subspecies of wolves (which in turn includes all domestic dogs), coyotes, jackals. This page will focus solely on Luperci-capable species as the majority of the 'Souls population is comprised of Luperci.

Luperci-Capable Species

Acceptable Species

Although you are welcome to play a canine of any species listed and hybrids of these species, please take care to note that North American species are, of course, far more common at 'Souls than non-North American species. If you wish to have a character originating from outside the general area of Nova Scotia, make sure they have a plausible history and explanation as to how they got to North America. The Travel Section can help you with this information.

The Eastern Timber Wolf is the most likely Canis lupus subspecies to be found in the areas surrounding Nova Scotia. The Northeastern Coyote is the most likely Canis latrans subspecies to be found in the areas surrounding Nova Scotia. They are marked as common.

Using this Guide

For certain species, there are nominative subspecies chosen to represent the different array of characteristics associated with that species. Look to the nominative subspecies first for a general idea of that species, and then look to the chosen subspecies' page to get specific information regarding that subspecies.

Wolves

View Wolf Size Chart: tanathe@deviantART made this awesome wolf size comparison chart for Off-White. Please note that the dire wolf is extinct, and the Maned Wolf cannot become a Luperci!

Coyotes & Jackals

Other Species

Population Demographics

A survey of 57 characters (out of approximately 120) was used to obtain the data for this graph.

'Souls

By and large, 'Souls has always had a dominant wolf population. In more recent years, there has been a growing number of hybrids, such as coyote-wolf-dog hybrids stemming from Inferni. Even more recently, Cour des Miracles has had a high concentration of dogs. Smaller numbers of more exotic species have cropped up here and there—New Guinea Singing Dogs and Ethiopian Wolves, although not native to this side of the world, have made it as far as 'Souls, thanks to the assumed technological advances centered around Europe.

This map shows various dominant populations around the world.

Around the World

In general, canine species are presumed to have reclaimed as much of their original territory as possible. For example, in the case of the gray wolf in North America, though these canines were basically exterminated from the United States and further south, in the 'Souls universe, it is assumed that they have retaken their old territories back, once again stretching southward. In some cases, it is assumed that hybrid populations dominate rather than any single purebred species. The southwestern and western United States are assumed to have large populations of coyote-wolf hybrids, and thus the dominant species is presumed to be merely "hybrid." Although dogs are found virtually everywhere, the only region in which they are the dominant species is South America.

Hybridization

Wolves, jackals, coyotes, and any other species listed on this page are able to freely interbreed. Please note again, while the opportunity to play other species in the Canidae family is offered, one who plays a character such as a maned wolf or African wild dog will not be able to breed outside of their own genus. For more information regarding hybridization, please see the Hybridization page.

Canidae Family

The Luperci gene is incompatible with species outside of Canis, including other canines in the family Canidae. This means that foxes, maned wolves, and African wild dogs, who are all in Canidae, but who are of the genus Vulpes, Chrysocyon and Lycaon respectively, are not capable of becoming Luperci. These species' common names are misleading. Maned wolves are not true wolves any more than African Wild Dogs are true dogs.

The genetics of these species are significantly different from those of wolves and dogs, which is why they're classified in a separate genus. Additionally, "exotic hybrids" -- that is, hybrids of canines in different genuses, such as a fox-wolf hybrid -- are not allowed. As such, if you choose to play an African wild dog, your character will not be able to breed unless another African Wild Dog arrives on board. Specific packs may or may not allow non-Canis canines, but all such canines are allowed to join as Loners.

Extinct Species

The following species are extinct and are not available for play on the board. As they are unavailable for play, this guide does not offer any information on them.

Canis lupus orion (Greenland Wolf), Canis lupus fuscus (Cascade Mountain Wolf), Canis lupus youngi (Southern Rocky Mountains Wolf), Canis lupus bernardi (Banks Island Tundra Wolf), Canis lupus griseoalbus (Manitoba Wolf), Canis lupus hodophilax (Honshu Wolf), Canis lupus hattai (Hokkaido Wolf), Canis lupus monstrabilis (Texas Wolf), Canis lupus beothucus (Newfoundland Wolf), Canis lupus mogollonensis (Molgollon Mountain Wolf), Canis lupus alces (Kennai Penninsula Wolf), Canis rufus floridanus (Florida Red Wolf), Canis rufus gregoryi (Mississippi Valley Red Wolf)