Ananpae (Ah-nan-paey)

Summary

Few things combine audacity and recklessness in the same way as the lengthsome but small ananpae. A flexible pipe of fur, meat, claws, and anger, the ananpae is often regarded as a kind of vermin by most peoples. They range far, explore frequently, and have just enough clever craftiness to get into places they shouldn't. When confronted by an adversary, whether people or other animals, the ananpae has no concept of backing down.   It will posture, aggressively harass, and torment their enemy into leaving. Only in situations of being hopelessly outmatched do they bother to retreat. In others, it will ignore problems or competitors if they're not directly interfering with what it's doing. What that means for each ananpae is different, though, and sometimes very stupid decisions will be made.   Principally carnivorous with a side diet for soft, fleshy fruits, the ananpae is a skittering disaster for anything smaller than it. They'll clean entire fields clear of bugs, tiny mammals, and anything they find remotely appetizing. For traditional field and orchid farmers, they're quite beneficial to keep around for the most part. However, they're just as likely to find a way into grain silos or other food storage and demolish the place. In such a light, sometimes the bug problem is preferrable.   Ananpae are believed to be monogamous, but their mortality rate is embarassingly high. While both sexes are indescriminately braver than they are smarter, the males push the idea further when courting potential partners. When they do become successful, the female comparatively favors sedentary habits when rearing young. Or at least, habits that are not self-endangering. The males make up for that themselves, and usually die to some predator they shouldn't have engaged.   As a result, ananpae communities tend to be dominated by older females with a rotating staff of viable male counterparts. The males that do survive for long periods tend to be the underperformers. Ironically, their lax habits favor safer or more productive avenues. For the layperson, distinguishing these behaviors is functionally impossible to do. It's a marvel the species has survived as long as it has, really.   For all of their colorful reputation and folk tails (both flattering and not), the ananpae of Aerthen have been receiving something of a second life. Thanks to Alexandre, Hero of Aerthen and his adventurer group, the Fearless Ananpae, many people started reconsidering the ananpae's role in nature. It's been an unintended side affect on popular culture, as most people are more willing to relocate than exterminate intrusive ananpae communities nowadays.