Stewardoks

Stewardoks are a fictional group of small, intelligent forest-dwelling animals commonly depicted in fantasy and speculative fiction as ecological caretakers. The term combines 'steward' with a suffix reminiscent of diminutive mammal names, and in many works stewardoks are portrayed as cooperative guardians of woodland habitats.

Physically, stewardoks have a compact body, short limbs, a pointed snout, and dense fur in colors from gray-brown to russet. Adults typically measure 25 to 35 cm in body length, with a tail of comparable length. They possess keen senses, dexterous forepaws, and in some depictions can manipulate simple tools.

Stewardoks inhabit temperate forests, mangroves, and highland scrub, often building semi-permanent dens in hollow trees or dense root systems. They live in social groups with a defined hierarchy, sharing tasks such as foraging, nest-building, and care of the young.

Their diet is omnivorous, including fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates. Reproduction is usually seasonal, with litters of two to four offspring. Young are cared for by the group, a practice known as alloparenting in many stories.

In fictional ecosystems, stewardoks are frequently portrayed as guardians of ancient groves, guiding humans away from fragile habitats or teaching sustainable harvesting. There is no real-world conservation status for stewardoks, as they are not a real species. References to stewardoks appear mainly in fantasy literature, games, and world-building exercises, where they symbolize ecological balance and stewardship.