Animals

Kelmars

Kelmars

Kelmar are large, slow-grazing Wendmorian animals valued primarily for their exceptional leather rather than for labor or transport. Broad-bodied and low to the ground, they move deliberately through wet lowlands and coastal margins, where the climate is humid and rain or drizzle is present most days of the year. Their skin is smooth, glossy, and entirely free of scales, forming a continuous, velvet-like surface that repels water and insulates efficiently against cold and damp. This waterproof hide is unusually robust, retaining strength and flexibility even after prolonged exposure to moisture, which makes Kelmar leather highly sought after for clothing, footwear, and travel gear.

Kelmar are ecologically bound to a single food source: the Lazuliberry, a low, bush-like plant bearing pale blue berries that grow only in these wet, temperate regions. Kelmar feed exclusively on Lazuliberries, and attempts to sustain them on other vegetation have consistently failed. Outside their native habitat, Kelmar do not survive relocation, as neither the berries nor the specific climate conditions can be replicated elsewhere. This dependency makes Kelmar herding inseparable from the land itself, and where Lazuliberry bushes no longer grow, Kelmar — and the leather they produce — disappear entirely.

Neys

Neys

Neys are Wendmor’s primary riding and working animals, filling the role that horses occupy in the Mirror World while differing subtly but decisively in form and behavior. They are quadrupedal, rideable herd animals with a forward-weighted build: powerful forequarters and noticeably shorter hind legs, giving them a sloped posture reminiscent of hyenas. Their feet are broad and padded rather than hooved, ending in short, blunt claws that provide exceptional grip on stone, packed earth, and uneven ground. This anatomy makes Neys sure-footed, resistant to panic, and especially well suited to broken terrain, quarry work, herding, and long travel where balance matters more than raw speed.

Temperamentally, Neys are calm, assessing animals rather than skittish prey. They pause before reacting, respond strongly to weight and pressure, and form deep working bonds with their handlers and riders. Different cultures have developed distinct Ney types—heavy Shire-Neys for hauling stone, lighter riding Neys for travel and warfare, and agile herding Neys for managing livestock—but all share the same essential qualities: endurance over sprinting, stability over elegance, and a quiet reliability that has shaped roads, trade, and daily life across Wendmor.