Azara

Azara (Ashàrr) is the name of a fictional species inhabiting the continent of Athar. Azaras are described as tall, anthropomorphic canine-like creatures, standing on two legs like humans, but whose overall anatomy is a mixture of canine and feline. The population of Azaras is one of the most numerous of the species of the continent.

Throughout their evolution history, Azaras developed an increasingly larger brain with respect to their ancestors. Once in a position of inferiority in the food chain, the rapid change in their environment operated by Man induced them to adapt quickly, and their marked intelligence helped them emulate typically human activities, such as the usage of tools and the construction of shelters, which gradually transformed them from hunter-gatherer nomads to increasingly sedentary groups.

The further destruction of their habitat, however, induced the Azaras to take survival measures to defend their species. When their development came to a peak, war ensued between Azaras and the humans. Azaras currently the dominant species of Athar together with their close relatives, the Azaroth.

Etymology
The word Azara derives from the specie's own way to define themselves, Ashàrr. This word is composed of Ash, which means "kind", "population", "people" or "species", and Àrr, which means "strong", "mighty", "powerful". The direct translation of the term is thus "Powerful species". Humans have transliterated the term into their language, which resulted in the name Azara.

Genetics
Main article: Genetics

Notable Azaras
Izkaph