Wolves

Wolves are large predatory canines which may be found in the wilds of a variety of worlds. They appear in Ultima VI,  VII,  VII Part Two and  IX.

Description
The grey wolves of Britannia and Serpent Isle are similar to those of Earth - muscular and swift apex predators who hunt in packs. Unlike Terran wolves, however, which tend to be skittish and avoidant of mankind, the wolves of the Sosarian-descended planets will not hesitate to attack humans which impinge on their territories. Despite this, these ferocious lupines are not maneaters by nature, and wayfarers who stay close to the roads and cities seldom have reason to fear marauding wolfpacks out for blood.

Timber Wolves
In the cold northern reaches of Serpent Isle, a sub-species of the common grey wolf, known as timber wolves, may be found stalking the arctic plains. These predators share the same mannerisms and hunting patterns of their darker skinned cousins, and pose a danger to travelers who find themselves lost too long amongst the snow fields. There is some evidence that this breed also existed on Pagan at some point in time --given Morghrim's companion, Windrunner-- although by the time of the Avatar's adventures on that dark world, no such animals could be found.

Wolves in Symbolism
Wolves, given their abilities as hunters and their reliance on group attack patterns, have come to occupy a unique space in the symbolic imagination of many cultures. Seen as relying more on cunning and skill than on brute strength, wolves are venerated by warriors and rogues alike - and at one point lent their name to one of the totemic Clans which divided the city of Serpent Islander city of Monitor. This order of knights, known as the Wolves, took on a philosophy of defending the greater mainland of the world from the encroaching goblin tribes, erecting a series of watch towers along the road between their city and Fawn. During their quest in the realm, the Avatar would join this the Wolves that they might gain acceptance from the Monitorian people, and would receive a wolfskin cloak and emblematic tattoo in the course of their initiation

Notable Examples

 * Windrunner: a companion to Morghrim of Pagan; appears in Ultima VII Part Two.

Trivia

 * During Ultima IX, uncharacteristically hostile wolves appeared briefly on the Avatar's home world, making it possible that either the hero had the misfortune to live need a pack of diseased animals or that the wolves of Earth had somehow grown aggressive and unafraid of man during the years of the Avatar's absence from the planet.