Editing Axehound

{{lifeform

|universe=[[Cosmere]]

}}

{{update|sa4}}

'''Axehounds''' are animals native to [[Roshar]] that fill a similar niche as dogs do on Earth. They have been domesticated, but there are also still wild axehounds.

== Appearance and Anatomy ==

{{image|Axehounds by Abigail Barker.jpg|side=left|width=250px}}

{{for|/Gallery|more images}}

Axehounds are hexapedal creatures with a smooth hide that is a cross between skin and carapace. It is more flexible than true carapace, but, like carapace, is formed of interlocking sections. They have a fluting fish-like tail. Axehounds have a pair of feather-like antennae positioned on the top of their heads which they can move as a form of communication. The antennae are implied to be sensitive, with Axehound often bellowing when they get their antenna twisted.{{book ref|sa1|69}} They have ear holes slightly further back on the sides of their heads. Axehounds have a main jaw as well as a pair of outer mandibles that they use to break into the shells of their prey. Much like other species on Roshar, such as Chasmfiends, their blood is violet.{{file ref|Axehound by Shallan.jpg|An Axehound|post= from [[Shallan's sketchbook]]}}{{book ref|wok|i|2}}{{book ref|wor|45}}

There are a wide variety of breeds of axehounds. The largest come up to a man's waist while the smallest can easily hide in the underbrush of a lait. Smaller breeds of axehounds tend to be very fast.{{book ref|wok|i|2}}{{book ref|wok|45}}{{book ref|wor|30}}

Axehounds around the Purelake are very different from Alethi axehounds, to the extent of being considered a different species. The exact differences are unknown, but significant.{{book ref|sa1|45}}

Axehounds have very small gemhearts.{{wob ref|13039}}

They are related to [[whitespine]]s, but have followed a different evolutionary path.{{url ref|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025204326/http://brandonsanderson.com/shardhunt-wor/whitespine-process/|site=Brandonsanderson.com|text=Whitespine Process from ''Words of Radiance'' Shardhunt (from archive.org)|date=2014-03}}

== Behavior ==

{{image|Axehounds by Eccos.jpg|side=right|width=250px}}

Wild axehounds are social creatures who live and hunt in groups.{{book ref|wok|1}} Female axehounds are attentive mothers who actively protect their pups.{{book ref|wor|75}}

Axehounds are predators willing to prey on everything from [[songling]]s to hogs.{{book ref|wok|i|2}}

The axehound call consists of two voices that overlap and echo with one another and is referred to as "trumping".{{book ref|wok|i|2}} When an axehound is content, their trumping can sound like a hum,{{book ref| WoR |36}} but when angered or in pain, it is more of a bellow.{{book ref|WoK |69}}

== History ==

Axehounds are kept and bred as pets across Roshar, though different breeds are popular in different regions.{{book ref|wok|45}}

Axehound fighting and the accompanying betting culture is popular in some areas. There are axehound fights at the [[Middlefest Fair]] that the [[House Davar|Davar family]] attends in [[Jah Keved]]. Axehounds are also involved in organized hunts.{{book ref|WoR|45}}

== Cultural References ==

{{image|Axehound by Marianne Eie.jpg|side=right|height=250px}}

=== Idioms ===

{{quote

|...bellowing like an axehound whose antenna had been twisted.

|{{book ref|wok|69}}

}}

{{quote

|...You'd have me slink home like a scolded axehound?

|{{book ref|WoK|18}}

}}

{{quote

|...like pet axehounds nipping at their master's heels.

|{{book ref|WoK|12}}

}}

{{quote

|...He settled down like a trumping axehound, perfectly content.

|{{book ref|WoR|60}}

}}

{{quote

|Then he zipped up to join her, eager as an axehound puppy.

|{{book ref|Edgedancer|20}}

}}

{{quote

|The Kholin boys are chained axehounds, and we smell blood.

|{{book ref|sa3|11}}

}}

{{quote

|...looking down longingly, like axehounds contemplating the food on the master’s table.

|{{book ref|sa3|38}}

}}

{{quote

|They didn’t hold ground well; they had broken into roving bands, like axehound packs, loping through the city and looking for contests.

|{{book ref|sa3|120}}

}}

== Notable Axehounds ==

*[[Scrak]]

*[[Sakisa]]

<references>

<!-- chapters:

sa1: 1, 11, 12, 18, 19, 27, 45, 69, I-2, art: Axehound

sa2: 1, 5, 19, 30, 36, 39, 41, 45, 46, 48, 60, 61, 65, 75, 87, I-9

Edgedancer: 10, 20

sa3: 2, 10, 11, 12, 30, 34, 38, 60, 91, 100, 107, 117, 120, 121, I-4, I-13

-->

</references>

{{partial}}