Animalia Arzonusii

Arzonus is considered one of the more intriguing biological domains of natural history. Creatures live there that cannot be found in most other places within RuneScape. The diversity of life within that region of RuneScape is so different to that of the rest of the world, many biologists have had to undertake the intrepid task of classifying them all.

The following notes are compiled together using existing information derived from the Arzonus Biological Society and the human controlled Investigation of Wildlife Trust. In accordance to a set of rules set out during the Fourth Age by ambassadors, who at the time weren't believed to be werewolves, every creature is appropriately categorized and marked as to how dangerous said species is.

1* - These creatures pose very little threat. Almost completely ignored by most biologists and are usually at the base of most food chains.
2* - A notably friendly species that has been proven to be domesticated.
3* - A fairly competent person could cope with one of these.
4* - Notably dangerous in the wrong hands, requires specialist knowledge.
5* - Highly dangerous. Is known to kill even advanced specialists and has shows either little or no domesticatable capacity.

It is also important to note that the two societies that publish this work have rules regarding the trade, domestication and breeding of these creatures. More dangerous creatures are usually forbidden to breed due to their volatile natures.

Kitsune
Classification - *****
Location - Commonly found in Vulpes, but some individuals have set up lives outside the volcanic lands.

Kitsune are a species that resemble the common fox in appearance, save for their size, their intelligence and increased number of tails. The kitsune are renowned not only for their trickery, but also an aptitude for magic, regardless of its classification or rune requirements.

Due to their potentially volatile nature, strict guarding is put in place around their home region of Vulpes. A kitsune can, however, leave Vulpes of their own accord. That is, if they can be granted a pass from local government.

Kitsune have an impressive reputation when it comes to unique abilities. The have an extensive longevity, with some specimens exceeding 1000 years of age. In addition to a powerful aptitude in magic to make up for what is considered to be fairly poor physical defenses, Kitsune are natural occlumens, preventing their minds being accessed or influenced by other beings. But the main ability that kitsune are well known for is their ability to shapeshift at will.

Once they attain a certain degree of maturity, they can take on the form of whomever they desire, provided they can assimilate a suitable amount of flesh from their desired host. They can take on the form of their host completely, making themselves almost indistinguishable from the genuine article, however their tails may remain visible in some shape or form.

Notable kitsune include Donicus Whitearrow, who was born from Atticus Whitearrow and Fervania, a nine-tailed kitsune. Through studies performed on this individual, it has been discovered that kitsune also have impressive defences to magic, being completely immune to charms and curses. Another feature that seems to exist is that when a being whom a kitsune has a strong relationship with perishes, a part of the deceased spirit bonds with the kitsune and fuses itself into an additional tail. Only a few kitsune have been known to reach up to nine tails, which gives a kitsune enormous power.

Paige Shadowplay, another kitsune, is evidence as to why a kitsune recieve such a high mark on the classification record. Her power of deception is unmatched and she uses her aptitude of magic to her advantage, having avoided being captured for almost 200 years since her leave from Vulpes.

Despite showing impressive magical prowess, Kitsune have one crucial weakness. A tubular plant was discovered to grow very close to the dens of kitsune. When a shoot of the plant broke off and fell to the ground, a nearby kitsune was completely enchanted by the sound made when air passed through it. From this, a soldier crafted a flute which could calm kitsune and enchant them to his will. The kitsune love the music of these fox rods such that they will even put themselves as risk just to hear it.

Land Guardian
Classification - ***
Location - Formerly most land locked locations, but now have retreated to the mountains.

Prior to the rediscovery of rune lore within human kingdomes, the Land Guardians were a highly versatile species. These armoured creatures were surprisingly very agile and fast, and quickly became bred and domesticated for agricultural purposes when they were first discovered.

Their agility made them very useful for long distance travel, whilst their meat and milk was the Arzonus equivalent of bovine produce. Since a specimen could weight anything between 500 kilograms and one tonne, they were also used to plow land.

With trade routes being reopened, the Land Guardian is no longer bred for agriculture and have since returned to the mountainous regions to live in the wild. Since teleportation replaces the need for a steed, their use in travel has been completely abandoned and the recent acquisition of bovines from human trading have meant that land guardian meat and milk is no longer under such great demand.