The Jianuo are basically small foxes, roughly a little smaller than a grown housecat. They look very similar marking-wise, but coloration is different. Fur color can be blue, brown, red, anything. But white is always present with the other color. Eye color is usually varying shades of brown (sometimes with a little bit of red).

The Jianuo can understand Human speech, as well as speak it. They more or less have their own language, but it's only spoken, not written (for now, anyway).

The Jianuo are omnivores, but, due to their small size, can only handle hunting smaller prey. However, if hunting in large groups (at least ten), they can take down something larger (deer, boar, etc.), but it takes nearly twice that to haul it it back to the rest of the pack.

They make their home where there is a cave that has wide tunnels. At night, the Jianuo head into the tunnels and sleep there, but during the day, everyone is outside.

If a fox is born with amber eyes, it is an indication that they will obtain a special set of techniques. As the amber-eyed pup grows, it will learn how to stiffen its fur into points as sharp as needles, the ability to fire bright glowing orbs of light (during which its eyes glow the same color), and the ability to shapeshift, but its amber eyes do not change color during a shapeshift. Those who have such abilities call themselves Asceil, or the Secret Gaurdians.

The Jianuo with these abilities almost always become a guardian, of sorts, to others, whether it be Human, Dwarf, or someone else. In order to keep everything organized, they created the Asceil Order. These members are assigned to various people, to ensure that they are kept safe, usually because they are meant for something larger. But only under extreme circumstance do the guardians show themselves. They remain hidden, and when they are no longer needed, they go back to everyday life with the Jianuo.

I really like the Jianuo. They have a lot of unique and interesting traits.

Thanks. I adjusted their size a bit. They're a work in progress, but I figured that the one I have as a character (Tynx) should have his own culture and people.

Very nice. I also love the name. Do they have a pack leader? And since they are intelligent, then are there also evil Jianuo?

And if names are the problem then I shall give you random stuff to work with.

Jabkino
Ounaij (opposite spelling of Jianuo. Thought it could be useful)
Wheygra
Reodijin
Qolahar

I love coming up with random stuff~! ... ... ...

This is very fascinating, and very unique. How exactly do you plan on using these in your story?

I think foxes are an underused creature in fantasy. They are so cool!

Seabird- They do. Pack leaders are decided much like a king is. If the leader dies, his son takes his place. If he had no son, then a close male relative becomes the leader. If he has no close male relative, the Jianuo decide who to put in his place. The deceased leader's family is removed from the line of 'royalty', so to speak, but they are treated with the utmost respect, and given comfortable rooms in the home cave.

Ooh, Ounaij sounds cool. I've gotten a name already, though. May I use this one for sometihng else?

Airianna- I really don't know. I have so many stories in my head, I don't know what'll get written and what won't. I just figured it'd be cool to give these guys some development. Tynx is my only Jianuo. and before I worked out the Jianuo, he was the only one. So right now, I don't have definite plans to use them. But who knows.

They are. I've always liked foxes. Rarely ever seen one, but they're still cool.

Go right ahead~! That's why I'm here! To help others brainstorm wacky and new names!

*chuckles * I am always impressed by all you guys who don't create for something specific. I create for specifics. The idea of developing something I may never use.... you guys amaze me.

I totally agree. Not enough foxes in fantasy. Foxes are awesome, and your Jianuo sound very interesting... I totally want one lol. Dennis McKiernan, however uses them occasionally in his Mithgar novels. Pysks often ride them, called Foxriders, and one of his stories is based on one Fox rider in particular. Voyage of the Fox Rider. I had thought of using some kind of Fox Riders myself in my story, but didn't want to rip off one of my favorite authors lol. So no foxes for me. I can't wait to hear more about your Jianuo though. They seem pretty cool.

I like your wolf, 6strings.

Thanks Airianna I've been going over all my previous chapters the last week or so and once I'm done I'll be working on the story again. I'm planning on more writing of Runner in the coming chapters. So if everything goes according to plan, he'll be a busy wolf.

*rubs hands together *

That's a sweet idea, Aris! I like your Jianuo. Foxes are underused in fantasy, that's for sure!

I edited the post. Now the Jianuo with the special abilities and such have a anme! Well, they've had one, I just haven't brought myself to edit it in yet. And the spelling might be a bit off, I can't find the paper on which the name was written. But I'm pretty positive it's close.

6stringedsignseeker- I've never heard of him. *Puts on mental list to look up later*

Azlyn- Thanks.

He's adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want one

I looked, but didn't find one at the local pet store.

figures... more pet stores need to start selling something other than dogs, cats, and goldfish.

See, my point exactly!

That's very cute, Aris!

Haha, thanks. I'll see about getting you tickets to Allare to adopt one.

Azlyn- Thanks.

I'm working on the education process the Asceil (Jianuo with special abilities) go through in order to become a Secret Gaurdian. And maybe their age in comparison to human years.

Can I have one too, please? These are delightful! Foxes are amazing, and making them a smaller size adds a special appeal. The name is excellent, too.

I'm a bit confused as to how the "guardianship" part works, though. Are they assigned to a human because the Jianuo need protection, or because the Jianuo is destined to serve the human? Do they live with the human the entire time, or only when called upon?

Thanks, Phili.

A Jianuo who is assigned to a human is usually his/her gaurdian because that person needs protection (often because the person is to become a part of some special event). The council in the Asceil Order more or less has th ability to discover things like that. Often though, the Asceil assigned to protect is assigned to a leader (an Elven king, for example). The Jianuo themselves don't need protecting (they're trained for that before they are assigned to someone). The Order assigns any Jianuo who is readily available, and their skill in being a gaurdian.

The Jianuo are only a person's guardian for as long as they are needed. If a Jianuo's charge is young, they remain that person's guardian until he or she is able to defend themselves. Or, if the person is a political leader (or some kind of leader), the Jianuo are usually assigned because that leader could be in danger. Once danger is passed, the Jianuo gradually leave gaurdianship.

Only in extreme cases is a Jianuo called to be a permanent gaurdian. I thought I had a system for that, but I can't seem to remember what it was. Once I do (or once I figure out a new one) I'll post it.

Yay! *awaits tickets in the mail *

*Steals tickets*

Mine.