CHIPPYNA (AKA FENNEC), the Swift Sand Pokegirl

CHIPPYNA (AKA FENNEC), the Swift Sand Pokegirl

Type: Near Human (Fox Animorph)
Element: Ground
Frequency: Rare
Diet: Omnivore
Role: Desert Messenger, Scout, Combat
Libido: Average
Strong Vs: Electric, Fire, Poison, Rock, Steel
Weak Vs: Flying, Ice, Plant, Water
Attacks: Sand Attack, Slash, Earthquake, Fissure, Tectonic Slam, Dig, Pratfall, Sand Splash, Soil Armor, Quick Attack, Fury Swipes, Bite
Enhancements: Enhanced Senses (Hearing, Olfactory)(x4), Enhanced Speed (x8), Enhanced Agility (x7), Geokinesis, Natural Weapons (Tail, Claws)
Evolves: None
Evolves From: Eva (Diamond Stone), Kitsune (Diamond Stone)

Deserts traditionally are a place where few humans would venture, though in the War of Revenge, transversing any hot dry area without a pokegirl was a sure way to die. Among those making such areas a death trap was the fennec fox based breed called the Chippyna (if evolved from an Eva) or Fennec (if evolved from a Kitsune). This ground breed was known to pull whole camel trains under the sands, one by one. In groups, they could use their geokinesis to summon small sandstorms which disorganized the enemy. Even beaches were unsafe once the breed began to spread to other areas once feral. Today, these fox pokegirls are most often used as messengers alongside other speedy pokegirls, their specialty being message delivery across dry climates.

Gaining around 3-6 inches (7-15cm), most Fennecs are only slightly taller than the normal range of human women. Fully vulpine, any individuals evolved from Evas lose their rodent traits, bearing the usual near human bell curve in appearance. All members of this ground based breed have at least a tail, claws, and set of large ears. Proportionally, Fennecs have some of the largest ears among pokegirl breeds, matching or exceeding some bunny types at around a foot long (30cm). These ears also act as a cooling system excess heat. Individuals to the left side of the bell curve typically have skin colors in the ranges of earth and sand colors, some of which coincide with human skin tones. Others, like red, clay orange, or even pink, are still considered natural for the breed. Furred members tend to be plantigrade with slight muzzlation and have fur colors in muted earth tones with some slight variations in shade that may form markings or counter-coloration.

Curiosity and loyalty are the two most reported personality traits, both of which take many forms as they are expressed by the rest of an individual's personality. A common label of the breed is that Chippynas are snoops and gossips, though this mainly stems from the breed using their excellent hearing to satisfy their curiosity. Most members of the breed make decent betas, applying their curiosity and listening skills toward the betterment of their harem.

While most ground types are noted for their strength or durability, the Fennecs are known for speed. Considered the fastest ground type on land, the breed can maintain their full running speed only slightly longer than a human, though at a jog can still overtake even the fastest of non-gifted humans. The breed's digging speed is also extremely fast, as most can move through non-rocky ground at twice as fast as a human can run. During battles, this translates to hit and run tactics, with instinctive diving underground if the situation permits. Once underground, the breed can be a terror, pulling opponents under to suffocate or be crushed by the weight of the earth around them. If necessary they can attack with large amounts of sand, around double what an individual can lift. Two favored tactics are squeezing the opponent with surrounding sand, or causing it to spin rapidly, grating away the opponents' skin. Some older individuals have learned to levitate by riding their own sand. It should be noted that wet sand is twice as hard for them to manipulate, many tamers actually wetting the sand for training purposes. This puts them at an even stronger disadvantage against water types.

Not picky is a good general description of this breed's taming habits. While some may have preferences, most members of the breed tie into their vulpine heritage by being willing to try new experiences. Once an Alpha bond is formed, these ground-type pokegirls rival canine types in their loyalty. This is thought to be due to their animal base mating for life. Delta bonded individuals have been known to go to great lengths to return to their bonded tamers.

Ferals are mostly nocturnal, preferring the cool desert nights. During the day, they can be found sleeping inside small burrows, occasionally shared with other Fennecs or gentle Pokegirls. Omnivorous, the breed is an opportunistic predator, usually subsisting on small animals or vegetation. This poses a danger to humans, as the breed tends to stay underground when hunting and can surprise even the vigilant. If attacked, the breed normally makes an effort to reciprocate if hungry, but will quickly flee if the odds are against them. Plant or water types, especially those can create barriers are recommended when hunting these ground fox pokegirls.

Threshold cases are pretty common amongst humans from desert or beach environments, and those with Kitsune or Eva ancestry. For the most part they experience the normal pains of growing new body parts, skin, and muscle alterations. The only excruciating part of the transformation is the migration and enlarging of the ears. Tamed Fennecs are usually bought as guards, occasionally doing domestic work on the sides. They normally dig themselves into the ground to remain hidden, listening for trespassers.