Woollyback
Woollybacks are a sheep species tended by shepherds at The Screed as part of the Expeditionary Corps operations. They are visually similar to ordinary sheep when frolicking on open pastures, but are distinguished by their extraordinarily light wool.
Physical Characteristics
Woollyback wool has a downy, cotton candy-like texture and is remarkably lightweight. When thrown, a tuft of Woollyback wool falls even slower than a feather, and in wind it flies away like a helium balloon. The wool is used for insulation in jackets and partitions. Woollybacks are periodically sheared for this purpose.
Behavior and Management
Woollybacks are managed through vocal commands—whistles, tongue clicks, and whoops—and guided using a shepherd’s crook. They wear bells that produce a near-deafening clanking when the herd moves together. During transhumance, they spill out from The Ouroboros onto pastures in a mass dense enough that the flock resembles a blanket of wispy clouds. Woollybacks are unaccustomed to living indoors and resist being penned for return to the menagerie.
Timeline
393 AC - Transhumance at The Screed
Kauri led the Woollyback flock out of The Ouroboros to begin transhumance across the pastures of The Screed, with Puff grunting alongside to keep the herd moving.
393 AC - Wyvern Attack During Storm
A wyvern attacked the Woollyback flock during a severe storm at The Screed, swooping down on the huddled animals before Puff charged the creature with his horns to buy Kauri time to lead them to the sheep-pen.
393 AC - Beowulf Battle Interference
During Sol’s battle against Halua, a Woollyback collided with Beowulf mid-combat, appearing panicked and seemingly unaware it had wandered onto a battlefield. The interruption allowed Halua to escape.
Relationships
- Kauri: Muna shepherd who tends the Woollyback flock at The Screed
- Puff: Chimera who serves as protector of the flock, disguised among the Woollybacks in ram form
- The Screed: Primary grazing habitat during the Rediscovery Endeavor
- The Ouroboros: Flying city from which the flock departs for transhumance
- Beowulf: Eidolon disrupted by Woollyback collision (393 AC)
- Halua: Leviathan that escaped due to Woollyback interference (393 AC)