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Hyaena — Description

At times the world can feel like a hostile place, especially with the war raging on. But even before the Church started to crumble to infighting and society itself seemed on the verge of collapse, you would always hear tales of the dangers in the wild. Of Barbed Ogres and ravenous shrews. There seems to be no end to the monsters out there, on top of the deadly nature of even the environment itself. If you were to indulge in all these stories, then you would be terrified to even set foot outside of your home! But one should remember that stories are, indeed, stories, and things are not always as horrifying as it sounds. Despite the wilds being a place where travelers can go missing or where outer villages deal with monster attacks, people still live out there. Trade routes are still open, people build homes and raise families. If it were truly an inhospitable place, then why does so much life occur out there?
While there is indeed hostile wildlife roaming the lands, not all beasts are foul. Even ones known for their great power and deadliness pose little actual threat if one respects them. Do not forget that stories tend to focus on the negative, and the spectacle of these horrible moments often overshadow the dozens, if not hundreds, of interactions that end just fine. Tales are also not written about animals that are perfectly harmless, so these too are often forgotten. If one wants a prime example of the good that can be found in this world, you don't need to look far to see the ever loyal hyaena.
Hyaenas are well known by all on this landmass, as they are a common sight both in the wilds and at home. Who could forget their wonderful patterns, charming cackles and iconic grin? These beasts have long been domesticated by man, and one would have a hard time imagining a world without hyaenas as companions. They are beloved for their playful nature and loyalty, as this species is a very social one. In the wild, they live in clans, and thus are used to interactions, hierarchies and cooperation. Hyaenas are popular as hunting partners, guards, trackers and especially as pets. Due to the sheer variety of jobs they can take, numerous breeds have been developed over the years. Regal hyaenas are known for their long coats and even more dazzling manes (a popular choice for the wealthy and nobles), while Termite Tracker hyaenas have sturdier claws and longer tongues that go with their use of locating colonies. The Common hyaena is obviously the most common, but even as "average" there is a reason this species has been taken in by man.
Hyaenas have potent senses, with a great nose for following scent trails or locating wounded prey. They have incredible stamina, which lets them chase down food and travel for hours without need for rest. Their jaws are powerful and their fused teeth work with these muscles to sever limbs and crack bone. Coming from a life of hunting and scavenging, they are capable of eating nearly any kind of meat, no matter its state. Leftovers from a butchered carcass will be gobbled up without a complaint, which is why these work good as pets for even lower classes. They require no fancy diet and can eat any scraps. While meat is a favorite, they are omnivorous and are capable of dining on plant matter as well. Some breeds even have switched to a more vegetarian diet, no doubt derived from the hyaena species that feed upon fruits and forage from trees.
As mentioned before, wild hyaenas have the potential to be a problem if they are not respected. Some folk may get the impression that any hyaena species is friendly, and then get too close for comfort. For healthy people traveling through the wilds, they should have nothing to fear as long as they stay smart. However, the wounded and sick may draw the attention of a hungry clan, as their diets rely on carcasses and beasts close to death. Harassing these animals no doubt earns their ire, and folks who hunt them for fur and meat will be remembered as foes by the survivors. Sickness can drive some hyaenas into a more aggressive state, and they lash out at anything near them. And with the war going on and fields of bodies being left behind, it should be no surprise that some clans are getting more habituated with eating man. But once again, a lot of trouble can be avoided if one sticks to groups, makes smart decisions and does not act like prey.
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In another stroke of genius, I swapped out all the wolves/dogs with hyenas! Utterly brilliant and legally distinct! And they are called hyaenas, even though I have regular shrews! And oliphants despite calling vultures just plain vultures! Why?...I don't know...