Long break from drawing because I got stuck with an anatomy problem that I finally fixed. That, and I was swamped with trying to finish the script.

Canines are a strong point for me, so this was NOT the anatomy problem creature XD He’ll be around later >.>

Hyeanas are found across Emeri, West Emeri, Meridia, Aifric, and throughout the Initium Mediterranea. Though they bear similar resemblance to wolves, it is unclear if they are actually from the same family.

There are six subspecies of hyeana: Greater Hyeana (also known as Courier’s Hyeana) Little Hyeana, Forest Hyeana, Islandic Hyeana, Meridian Hyeana, and Jangwan Hyeana. Greater hyeana (pictured) and Little hyeana, two of the three Emeran species, are the most common of the species.

Renowned for their speed and endurance, Greater Hyeana are the official mounts of the mail carriers. They carry themselves in a double suspension gallop, and don’t seem to mind the weight of light riders or saddles. Hyeana Post is the most popular and reliable method of postage, as messenger gryphons, while reliable, are more likely to fall prey to larger predators, or be intercepted by outside parties. Large, docile hyeana are kept stabled in every town and at mail outposts across countries, creating a pony express style carrying system. Hyeana bond strongly with their riders, so if a female becomes pregnant, the courier is given paid leave until she is able to carry again. Pups are trained for carrying in their second year, by packing with an adult and courier, but they aren’t actually ridden till their third year, to ensure they’re strong enough to carry a rider without causing future problems.

Hyeana can live up to 20 years in the wild, and 30 in captivity (though courier hyeana are retired by their early twenties to avoid stress). Females whelp litters of one to six pups, who are blind and deaf at birth, and are weaned from their mother by three months. Wild hyeana travel in packs, and will den bi-annually for whelping. They regularly hunt horses, buffalo, deer, small gryphons and occasionally rabbits and hares. Islandic Hyeana are expert fishers, and will even dive into the ocean to catch fish or crabs with great efficiency. However, because of this, they regularly fall prey to sharks and sea-crocodiles. Jangwan hyeana, located in Aifric and Little Aifric, are more adapt to catching lizards and small rodents, but have been known to bring down oryx and camels.

Their striped coats are admired by many, and are expensive. Upper class houses in Initium, Russki, and Emeri may contain hyeana fur rugs. In Asa, where the only hyeana are domestic courier mounts, having a hyeana skin as a rug, blanket, or robe (among other such things) is a sign of extreme wealth and prestige. However, hyeana aren’t hunted regularly, as apart from the fur, there is little else can be done with the carcass, so there isn’t much point in pursuing them. Furs in the trade come from deceased courier mounts, or from hyeana killed for attacking men on the road or raiding livestock. It is uncertain whether the demand for the fur will change this balance in the future.

And again I’m rambling, this is just the stuff that pops into my head after midnight >.<

Inspired by creodonts, namely hyaenodon (hence the funny spelling) Pattern inspired by a mix of the Walking with Beasts hyaenodon, modern day Okapi, and dun horses >.> Cause I love primitive markings.

Can be seen in color on this piece here: http://redvarg.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d3fz2kh

And if any of this Ventus crap is at all interesting to anyone out there, you can find more crap here: http://sargassos.tumblr.com/