Wargs

Wargs

Other names:
Wild Wolves of Mordor

Origin and History:
Wargs are a breed of wolves, originally corrupted by Melkor, but continued to be bred selectively as well as cross-bred with other creatures by Sauron and his servants.

Physical characteristics:
Wargs are build similarly to giant wolves. However, their mouths are bigger, their jaws exceptionally more powerful, their heads in general are larger and heavier, but shorter. Their ears are thinner and smaller, located at the back of their heads, their noses flat. Their torso is short and heavy, their powerful hindquarters are slightly shorter than their front legs, causing their backs to slope noticeably downward toward their rumps. They have no visible tail and their claws are non-retractable. Their short, thick and coarse fur is usually colored in shades of brown, grey, black and white. Males are on average larger than females. However, some packs are also lead by unusually large and aggressive females. The strongest and most dominant among them can grow thick and impressive manes, while the manes of less dominant pack members are ripped out by those stronger than them.

Typical behavior:
Warg are pack animals, bred and trained by Orc. Their behavior is similar to that of wild wolves, albeit less cautious and likely to attack on sight. They are perceptive, intelligent and hunt in collaboration not only with other pack members or members of their own kind, but also with Orc and other dark beasts. Yet, while they allow themselves to be ridden and directed by Orc to some degree, they are known to be unreliable and have turned against their masters seemingly out of nowhere on many occasions.

They communicate in yelps, growls and, most importantly, by body language. Despite rumors to the contrary Wargs neither speak nor bark. Their sight, sense of smell and hearing are exceptional and while they prefer to hunt at night and during the twilight hours they do not fear sunlight.

The scent and taste of fresh blood can drive Wargs into a frenzy, causing several individuals to fight over the same prey, biting anything that moves within range, including each other, with no regard to pack hierarchy and consequences.

Wargs are also known to drag their dead or dying pack members away from the site. Some say, to eat them, others suspect an either trained or surprisingly social behavior.

Affiliation:
While scattered packs of Wargs have been sighted in the wilds, they are bred and kept as mounts, hunting and fighting animals by Orc and follow the call of their dark master in Mordor.