Wildkin

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The wildkin are serene, powerful creatures, believed by the night elves and tauren to have been created by the moon goddess Elune to protect her sacred places. They look like a cross between a bear and a horned owl, which explains both their wisdom and ferocity, and they possess all the best traits of Elune's beloved night birds and the brute force of the benevolent bears. Wildkin have long been allies of the night elves, helping to protect their sacred sites. Though they are thoughtful creatures, wildkin harbor a particular hatred for the Burning Legion and the Scourge, recognizing the danger they pose. While wildkin are not naturally hostile to the other denizens of Azeroth, some who have been corrupted or otherwise manipulated have become aggressive, lashing out at travelers-and even their night elf allies.

The wildkin also go by many other names — moonkin, owlbear, owlbeast, ravenbear and owlkin, to name a few. These gentle giants possess a natural energy described by an academic of the Kirin Tor to be druidic and similar to that of the night elves. Wildkin feathers appear to contain traces of magical qualities. These powers don't seem to be wielded by the creatures, they are simply inherent to the species--part of their very essence. Wherever they are found in the world, they are protecting something of importance, as they reportedly were entrusted to do long ago by Elune. But if Elune's influence over them wanes or is cut off, the creatures can become dangerous and destructive.

These bird-faced humanoids are considered an abomination by most, but find favor with night elves and the tauren, being considered a sacred animal by both these races. The priests of Elune see the wildkin as imbued with the spirit and strength of the Moon Goddess Elune, and the druids see them as guardians and protectors of nature. Wildkin lay eggs and, although they can't use their wings to fly, they can use them to make their fall slower.

History
Some night elf scholars and priests claim that wildkin are the creation of Elune, that she created them to guard all of her sacred places. They claim that Elune created the first wildkin in the early days of the world to serve as guardians to a powerful gem through which she channeled her infinite wisdom and could communicate with her priestesses. But now, many years later, the wildkin have grown more feral, and without the guidance of the goddess, they are confused. They wander without purpose, though many find their way back to the sacred areas that they once were sworn to protect.



During the time of the Third War, besides regular wildkin, enraged and berserk wildkin could also be found in the wilds, stronger and more resilient than their brethren. Some intelligent wildkin also served among the night elf Watchers. Eastern Kingdoms wildkin were also exhibited at Stratholme's zoo.

A group of wildkin was located in Azshara. They went mad when Illidan and his naga ravaged through the area. Maiev encountered them as well and ordered her Watchers to put them out of their misery.

In Dustwallow Marsh, the wildkin led by Bloodbeak the Berserker destroyed an orc village. Samuro, in turn, killed them.

Lately, adventurers traveling through the Hinterlands have reported strange wildkin attacks. The wildkin seem confused, even maddened, and attack relentlessly and randomly.

Even though the wildkin were once numerous in Darkshore, such are their ties to the land that the Cataclysm that devastated Darkshore also decimated their numbers, causing several enraged wildkin spirits to wander Darkshore. Aroom is the last of his tribe and a powerful elder with a strong connection to Elune.

Culture and behavior
Wildkin have their own language which possibly has many dialects and, although they are, in fact, capable of speaking Common and maybe Thalassian, not all of them do. They make nests for their eggs and live in small societies. It's not uncommon for them to sleep inside caves or hollowed-out trees, and some of their settlements have a fireplace in the middle which they use for heating and cooking. They commonly use torches too. They also have been observed to make effigies of themselves to mark the beginning of their territory and, occasionally, organize rituals with varied purposes.

They commonly have leaders of which there is usually only one per community. How or why one wildkin becomes the leader is not known. These leaders have an organizational purpose in their communities and often organize the invasion or defense of some territory during conflicts with other races.

Moonkin children are taught dancing, enjoy moonberries and can use Moonfire from a very young age.

It is unknown if they can read, but a book was found among the possessions of the Blackfeather chieftain, Cukkaw, in a cave in Stormtorn Foothills in Stormheim.

Craftmanship
The wildkin are capable of creating and using simple weapons and tools such as spears, hammers, knives, and rope, which they use to craft many of the items commonly found in their settlements or for decorative purposes. Although they can craft pots, containers, and cages made of sticks and rope, they commonly use items made by other races, mainly bags.

Wildkin understand and use symbols and effigies with ritualistic or territorial purposes, which they commonly construct using wood, stone, rope, and bone or draw using a white paint of unknown origins, one commonly found symbol made with this white paint is their paws or feet.

Breeds
Besides the regular wildkin, there are other breeds that can be found throughout Azeroth. Sometimes the word "wildkin" is used to refer to all of these breeds:

Owlbear
Owlbears are lumbering, misshapen creatures, beloved by the night elf druids and treants alike. They are benevolent by nature, but fearsome when roused or angered. Though they stay away from populated areas, they are often found in the serene glades of Mount Hyjal. Several of them were part of the Primal Guardians group on Moonglade Isle during the Third War.

Owlbears can be found in Darkshore and the Hinterlands.

Owlbeast
Owlbeasts are wildkin found in Winterspring, the Hillsbrad Foothills and Val'sharah. Nils Beerot calls them "soulless, feathered monstrosities sent from the darkest depths of the Twisting Nether to prey upon the weak". Some of the owlbeasts in Winterspring are referred to as "moontouched", but what exactly this means is unclear.

They were charged by Elune to protect her places of importance and sacred places.

When cut from the light of Elune, they may turn aggressive.

Owlkin
Owlkin are found on Azuremyst Isle. This specific breed is not normally hostile to other humanoids. However, the draenei ship The Exodar recently crashed nearby, and the radiation from the power crystals of the ship have caused some of the Nestlewood Owlkin to become Mutated Owlkin. The owlkin have also absconded with some of the draenei's spare parts which were scattered about the area. Recently, some draenei have been inoculating as many of the unaffected owlkin as they can, hoping to protect the innocent creatures. Unfortunately, for the Mutated Owlkin it is too late.

Moonkin
Moonkin (sometimes called owlbears) are blessed by Elune and spread nature's grace wherever they travel. Native to night elf areas in northern Kalimdor, such as Darkshore, these large, flightless, sapient, and bipedal creatures have the size of an upright walking bear, but with bird-like features such as a beak, feathers, and flightless wings. They also drop eggs of various sorts. The distinct roar of the moonkin is one of the most terrifying sounds in nature. A group of them also lives in Verdant Wilds.

Most notably, balance druids, druids who wield and balance the power of the sun and moon, can take the form of a moonkin.

Ravenbear
Ravenbears are black-feathered wildkin found at Blackbeak Overlook and the Stormtorn Foothills in Stormheim.

Notable

 * Wildkin chieftain.png
 * Wildkin chieftain.png
 * Wildkin chieftain.png

As a companion pet

 * Moonkin Hatchling was purchased from the Battle.net Store for $10 US or €10, but is now unobtainable.
 * Ragepeep drops from Ragebeak in Arathi Highlands.

In Warcraft III



 * Wildkin (In Reign of Chaos called Owlbear)
 * Enraged Wildkin
 * Berserk Wildkin
 * Watcher (Brothers in Blood only)
 * Elder Watcher (Brothers in Blood only)
 * Ancient Watcher (Brothers in Blood only)
 * Brutal Wildkin (Founding of Durotar only)
 * Wildkin Earthcaster (Founding of Durotar only)
 * Champion Wildkin (Old Hatreds only)
 * Crazed Wildkin (Old Hatreds only)
 * Bloodbeak the Berserker (Old Hatreds only)

Creation
Desiring a creature of might to claim as her own and disenchanted with the violence of wolves, Elune combined the best traits of her beloved night birds, the owls, with the brute force of benevolent bears. The result: a swift, elegant, and fiercely loyal hunter. Other scholars claim that wildkin were the misguided creation of a sorcerer. Regardless of their origins, wildkin have been the beloved allies of night elf druids of the wild and ancients alike since the time of the War of the Ancients.

Description
Wildkin resemble a bear with a head of an owl with antlers that has feathers trailing down its limbs making them look like miniature wings. They stand upright at about 10 to 12 feet tall, and their body is covered in hairy feathers, usually brown or white. Their arms have a wing-like shape that end in clawed talons, and their heads have a beak and antlers. These odd creatures also emit a distinctive sound when riled, sounding like a combination of growl and screech. Wildkin feathers are very highly prized in certain circles for their rare magical properties. Wildkin in Hinterlands have mutations, such as deformed limbs, scabbed pelts with large bald patches, or red eyes. No one knows how this wildkin corruption began.

Wildkin possess a high intelligence and often understand good reasoning. Most wildkin do not speak, but they understand Darnassian. Some particular wildkin, namely the ones that acted as Watchers at the time of the Third War, seemed to be capable of speech. They prefer the serenity of nature and stay away from populated areas, frequenting the Barrens or the glades of Mount Hyjal. There are also considerable numbers in Darkshore. Some wildkin can be found in the Hinterlands and Winterspring. They are known to assist night elves and ancients in guarding locations that those races deem important. Wildkin are very territorial, and as such are good guardians. Most wildkin treat peaceful travelers with respect, sometimes coming to their aid or assisting lost visitors out of their forests. Wildkin are slow to anger, but they fight fiercely and relentlessly when roused. They ferociously attack hostile creatures on sight. They have a particular hatred of all undead and minions of the Burning Legion. The great beasts slash with their claws and stab with their beak in combat. A badly injured wildkin may retreat and pursue enemies later, once it heals. Heroes who encounter wildkin either come away speaking of their incredible gentleness or their tremendous ferocity. Wildkin mate for life and bear fuzzy gray cubs that do not develop their claws and brilliant plumage until 2 or 3 years of age. Night elves consider the shimmering pelts and golden eyes of the wildkin to be beautiful. Full-grown wildkin exceed 10 feet in height and weigh between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds, and sometimes even more.

Owlbeasts, larger and more powerful cousins of wildkin, seem derived from the same species, but their origins remain shrouded in mystery. The night elves claim that Elune also created the owlbeasts to serve as her guardians, but owlbeasts do not possess the gentle natures of wildkin. Owlbeasts embody chaos over good; they fly into uncontrolled rages in combat. No one knows what sets off an owlbeast's wrath, so cautious adventurers give the creatures a wide berth. Owlbeasts attack relentlessly and fearlessly. They fly into a frenzy immediately upon entering combat and fight to the death. Owlbeasts grow to almost 20 feet tall and weigh 3,000 pounds or more. They prefer colder climates than do wildkin, and as a result they develop white or silver feathers in the snowy season. Like wildkin, owlbeasts do not speak, but understand Darnassian.

The owlbears are also described in Appendix Three of Manual of Monsters, though these owlbears seem to be slightly different from the previously described. According to this source, owlbears are probably the result of unusual natural selection. They roam all terrain and feed on anything they catch, but they prefer to live near settlements were they can steal livestock to complement their hunting. Owlbears are nomadic, and live in caves or fallen trees until their chicks grow up to be strong enough to keep up with the owlbear's frequent moves. They can be found all over Azeroth, usually in groups of one or two, and sometimes in familiy units. Most farmers in Azeroth call them a blight.

Inspiration
The wildkin are likely inspired by the, a magical half-avian, half-ursine beast in  that was in turn based upon a plastic toy from Hong Kong. The pet description for Ragepeep references this by saying "Part owl, part bear... and part stag, which handily avoids potential lawsuits."

Gallery
For images of druids that shapeshift into wildkin see Moonkin Form.