gwynwulf
Not a wolf. Not a dog.
Gwynwulves are intriguing creatures of the Rootstock Saga world. They have an affinity for nenes and bond with their chosen companion on a mystical level.
The wolfhound of our world is the closest approximation for size and shape, but the similarities end there. Imagine a wolfhound with more bulk, yellow eyes, and menacing fangs. Take a direwolf in temperament and lessen the wolfish features. Solitary. Intelligent.
Not every nene is lucky enough to be chosen by a gwynwulf.
Legend claimed the rare creatures chose a nene companion to guard with its life. The loyal beasts were long-lived, but when its nene died, the gwynwulf died, too.
Rare and feared, gwynwulves are rarely seen beyond the Valley of Urion unless accompanying their chosen nene on a hunt.
Dara retreated to the stables. The moon was full, and Ruin was restless to hunt. Beyond the walls of Twelvestones, shepherds tended flocks sufficient to keep the hillfort’s gwynwulves fed, but a gwynwulf grew finicky if too much time passed without feasting on a kill felled with its chosen nene.
Dara hunted far afield and late into the night, passing by lesser game with the intention of finding elk or boar to challenge his bow’s steadiness and Ruin’s stealth
Few creatures walking the earth could pose a threat to a Firstborn with his gwynwulf.
In the Rootstock Saga, old King Berwyn is noted to have had a gwynwulf companion. The gwynwulves of Twelvestones also play a significant part during the battles in book three.
But the most notable gwynwulf of all is Ruin.