Belenhaa(Giant Marten)

Homeworld/plane: Earth(of the Zhiar multiverse).

Climate/terrain: belenhaas generally prefer temperate forests, but can also be encountered in sub-arctic and sub-tropic climates as long as there's sufficent prey. Quite fond of water, most belenhaas will also prefer to have a large lake or part of a river within their territory, some will also choose coastal territories.

Mental abilities: while smarter than their small cousins, belenhaas aren't quite as intelligent as a human-- at best the equialent of a eight years old human. However, they can grasp abstract ideas rather well as long as it's explained to them in a way that they can understand, and while they are undoubtely predatory animals-- they can be reasoned with and possess some empathy.

Special Abilities: belenhaas have some telepathy which allows them to communicate that way if they so wish-- using a mix of words, images and emotions. They may also use this ability to locate prey animals and confuse the prey while hunting.

Society: more social than ordinary martens, belenhaas often gather in small packs lead by the oldest mated pair, the rest of the pack consists of unrelated individuals, siblings of the alpha pair and young of various ages. The size of such packs ranges from 5-25 individuals(including young-- which may leave when approaching maturity), and the largest packs may claim territories spanning as much as 55 square miles depending on the availibility of prey animals. Some belenhaas packs have also started mimicing humans and tellusians by keeping herds of semi-domesticated herds of animals such as moose, elk and deer in their territories-- sometimes even trading with other packs or races.
Although the males are slightly larger and stronger than the females, there's surprisingly little difference in the ranks of the two genders for a semi-sapient race, both males and females taking turns on important tasks-- like hunting, guarding the territory and caring for the young.
Like the valenkha(giantcats) at Earth have had a close relationship with the tellusian Tejhali family for several millenia, the belenhaas have been allies of the Inaree family for nearly just as long.

Description: a belenhaa is quite similar to a ordinary marten, with the exception of that they may be a bit heavier of build to compensate for their larger size. Males range in lenght from 4-5.5 meters and females are 4-4.5 meters long, generally also lighter of build than the males-- but there's almost no difference in shoulder-height.
The color of a belenhaa's fur ranges from various shades of brown or gold- to white- to black, although the fur will generally be lighter at the chest and along the belly, as belenhaas shed much of their fur during spring, it will generally be of a lighter shade during the summer months. Normally, the color of their eyes is brown, but individuals with green, blue or even amber eyes is not too unusual.
Specific Physical Statistics.
Size at birth: roughly a meter long.
Size at maturity: 4-5.5 meters long.
Time to maturity: 5-6 years.
Natural lifespan: 30-35 years.

Combat: relatively peacefull beings, belenhaas will rarely fight for other reasons than to defend their territory, and in the case of males-- fighting is a part of the process to prove themselves to the females. However, they have fought beside Inaree tellusians in the past, and they have learned quite a bit from their humanoid allies.
When fighting with another pack or a group from another race, they will generally prefer surprise attacks-- using primitive tools of stone and easily formed metal along with their claws and teeth. Still, when facing a much stronger enemy, belenhaas will usually flee unless they have the support of the Inaree family and backed up by magic and more powerfull weapons.

Race weaknesses: with the exception of their size, the belenhaas is still a race of mortal beings that can be killed by mundane means. Living in the wilds also means that they are vulnerable to illness and attacks from other predators, especially during wintertime. A belenhaa who has a rider among the Inaree can generally be sure to receive medical care when needed, but unbonded individuals rarely enjoy the same benefits.