The Gwistir (W."Gaich") was a large fox found throughout the foothills of the Misty Mountains. It was the primary small predator in Rhudaur. Its name meant "changer" in Sindarin, for the Gwistir was black in the summer and white in the winter.
Rhudaurans held many superstitious views about the nature of the Gwistir and considered it sacrosanct when it was molting. For about two weeks a year — when it shed its old coat and its new fur was growing in — the Gwistir appeared striped and was purportedly immune to weaponry.
Gwistirath ate primarily small mammals such as rabbits, mice, and squirrels, although they would also eat eggs, ripe fruit, and carrion. Their furs were marketable, but not especially valuable.
Notes[]
Original form in MERP: Gaich
References[]
- Retrieved from Realms of Arda (archived)
- original reference: ICE MERP #2012: Creatures of Middle-earth