#describing these amazing little foxy dogs that were around when he was a kid

[nightjarteeth]

Mapping the Arcana: Other Locations

Dog Breeds of Hjalle

(big thanks to @nicadilly for providing inspiration!)

Over the past centuries, two dog breeds have emerged from the Southern city of Hjalle. Though also cherished by nobles, both breeds are working dogs at their core — specifically, used by rangers to hunt and manage the large and dangerous wildlife that inhabits Hjalle’s surrounding mountainous region.

Drakehounds are built like larger, stockier borzois. They are prized for their tracking ability, leading rangers to dragons, but do not attack the beasts head-on — this would be far too dangerous. Instead, they use their speed to maneuver around the dragon, nipping at the back to give rangers the opportunity to strike.

Hjallan beardogs are small and foxlike by comparison. Despite their size, their intelligence lends them significant hunting ability. When set out as a pack, these dogs are well capable of taking down an entire Coastal Brown Bear.

Both are renowned for their snowy white fur and long, fluffy tails. When the ground becomes too snowpacked, rangers may apply magical salves or booties to protect the dogs’ paws.

#mapping the arcana #mapthearcana #arcana worldbuilding #hjalle #my mc finch definitely wanted a drakehound as a kid #to a child they probably seem horse-sized #btw the beardogs are directly based on stories an Alaska Native elder was telling my class #describing these amazing little foxy dogs that were around when he was a kid #i just googled it and i'm fairly sure he was referring to the now-extinct Hare Indian Dog?? #which is incredible #borzoi #dogs #nightposting