summuun

Summuun is a medium-sized, nocturnal mammal described in the fictional ecosystem of Eldoria. It belongs to the family Summuidae and the genus Summuun. The name derives from an Eldorian word meaning silent watcher and is often used in local folklore alongside practical notes about behavior and habitat.

Adults range from 1.0 to 1.3 meters in body length, with a compact, stocky build and dense, multi-toned fur that can appear slate gray, brown, or russet depending on season. A short tail, rounded ears, and forward-facing eyes adapted for low light are characteristic. A pale dorsal crest or mantle is often present and may aid in camouflage among mossy trunks.

Summuun occupies montane and foothill forests at elevations of 800 to 1800 meters, favoring mixed conifer-hardwood stands with thick understory and ample fallen debris. Its range is restricted to the temperate regions of Eldoria, where forests are connected through riparian corridors.

Solitary or living in small family groups, summuun are primarily nocturnal ambush foragers. Their diet is omnivorous, including berries, fungi, insects, and small vertebrates. They communicate with low-frequency calls, scent marking, and tail signals. Predators include larger carnivores and humans, though encroaching habitat reduces encounters.

Breeding occurs in spring. Litter size is typically two to four, with a gestation of 60–70 days. Young are weaned by two to three months and reach maturity at 18–24 months.

In folklore, summuun are seen as omens of seasonal change and guardians of the forest, and are sometimes kept as symbols of patience. In-world conservation notes describe habitat loss and fragmentation as threats, while ecotourism promotes observation from a respectful distance.

First described by naturalist J. Arashi in 4211 AR, specimen records and field observations provide the basis for current knowledge of the species.