Companion Beast

Biodata

Origin and Nature

Companion Beasts can arise from the excess energy of powerful creatures on Telingewei’s plane. Although they were originally part of the being that produced them, they become independent creatures. Telingewei explicitly distinguishes them from magical beasts and spirits 5 12.

Their production is not universal across different kinds of divine beings. When Telingewei asks whether Xie Juanhan’s kind also produces Companion Beasts through overflowing energy, Xie Juanhan says it does not 12.

Telingewei’s Companion Beasts

Before Telingewei hatched, his mother departed for another plane. Concerned that he would be lonely, she deliberately guided his energy so that a group of Companion Beasts would be born when he emerged from his shell. He regards them as a gift she left him 12.

The eight creatures hatched from the excess energy released during his birth and have accompanied him for more than a thousand years 5 135 276.

Lifespan and Development

Their continued existence prompted Telingewei to study information related to Companion Beasts during his adventures. He investigated more intensively after Harvey became ill; this accumulated knowledge later helped him design a Life Magic array for Moli 297.

Appearance

Telingewei’s Companion Beasts are small, densely furred quadrupeds. Their fluffy coats conceal thin, elongated bodies, which become apparent when their fur is soaked 23.

• Coat: Long outer fur with an undercoat; their autumn and winter coats become especially thick and sleek 82 94.
• Head: Large, dark eyes, pointed ears, and two rounded bulges above the eyes resembling those of juvenile Telingewei 23 85 94 270.
• Paws and teeth: Soft paw pads, claws capable of hooking a door knocker, and sharp little teeth 30 37 226.
• Size: Each is less than half the size of a small Demon Wolf 202.
• When wet: Their fur spikes outward, making them resemble floating sea urchins 23.

Abilities & Skills

Connection to Their Creator

Telingewei retains access to a general sense of his Companion Beasts’ memories because they were once part of him 5.

• Pressing his forehead against one allows him to read its memories directly 5 34 80.
• He uses this connection to learn about their visits to Xie Juanhan, locate mushrooms, and understand an emergency involving Moli 5 34 80.
• Xie Juanhan attributes their particular fondness for him to Telingewei’s love for him; Telingewei acknowledges the observation 129.

Shared Telepathy and Communication

The eight Companion Beasts share a degree of telepathy because they were created simultaneously from the same dragon’s energy 90.

• Their connection is evident when Habei and Harvey wake during the night and the others soon awaken as well 90.
• They communicate through chirps, squeaks, growls, gestures, and physical prompting 5 82 90.
• Relatively strong spiritual power helps them understand other creatures, though communication can require prolonged exchanges 70 90 121.

Speed and Agility

Their speed allows them to provoke much larger forest creatures and escape pursuit 51 72.

• Run in zigzags to evade the Tata Fish’s water jets 69.
• Leap several meters into the air to land on a Griffin 82.
• Move quietly on padded paws 81.
• Swim and dive after receiving lessons from Xie Juanhan 26 27.

Physical Traits and Limits

Telingewei’s group consists of fire-attribute Dragon Companion Beasts and is unafraid of winter cold 108.

• They do not easily gain weight, even when joining Xie Juanhan in frequent meals 183.
• Their teeth and claws can tear Telingewei’s clothing, but their confrontations with larger companions are often rough play rather than lethal attacks 37 82 90.
• They are not invulnerable: a magic squid captures one, Harvey has previously been ill, and contaminated or unsuitable fish milk leaves all eight suffering diarrhea 26 217 297.
• Their small size limits heavy work; Telingewei warns that a rolling giant pumpkin could crush Haxi 170.

Personality and Behavior

Telingewei’s Companion Beasts are mischievous, food-motivated, and fiercely attached to their friends. They raid kitchens, beg for treats, and expose their bellies to coax Xie Juanhan into giving them what they want. They also value gold, becoming deeply dejected after spending nearly all their savings feeding the Tata Fish 53 61 70 132.

Their unruliness toward Telingewei contrasts with their affectionate behavior around Xie Juanhan. They readily scratch and bite Telingewei’s trousers when offended, while seeking Xie Juanhan’s petting and grooming. Xie Juanhan observes that their personalities closely resemble Telingewei’s own 37 82 90 129.

Their loyalty can outweigh both greed and appetite. They defend Moli from the Tata Fish, bring him food when he is upset, and reject Telingewei’s offers of gold and dried meat when angry at his conduct toward Xie Juanhan 69 80 271.

Known Individuals

The group contains eight Companion Beasts. The following individuals are named in the supplied passages 135 162.

Relationships

• Telingewei — Creator and lifelong companion. He cares for them meticulously, dividing food into exactly equal portions, despite their frequent quarrels 5 97.
• Xie Juanhan — Cook, caretaker, and favored source of affection. They generally dislike being touched by anyone other than him 73 82 116.
• Moli — Close friend initially treated as their little follower. They play together, support his crop-guarding efforts, and accompany him on nighttime outings 53 54 81.
• Nibote — Playmate, frequent mount, and rival for Xie Juanhan’s attention. His imitation of their movements contributes to difficulties learning proper Griffin flight posture 127 135 226.
• Pixies — Friends whom they can approach even though Telingewei cannot. They bring food and seek help with a damaged magic plant 47 57 121.
• Tata Fish — Former enemies turned friends through food-sharing. Their first fishing trip together ends with the fish getting lost at sea 55 69 70 71.
• Dried-fish-delivering Griffin — Longstanding antagonist that deliberately annoys them. Xie Juanhan suspects its annual delivery of disliked dried fish contributes to their hostility 82 83.

Notable Activities

• Secret housewarming gift: Carry Telingewei’s golden pots into Xie Juanhan’s unfinished kitchen; Telingewei subsequently replaces them with suitable mithril pots 37.
• Farm and kitchen work: Pull a stone mill to grind rice flour and later work paired plows as punishment for secretly raising bugs 132 202.
• Protecting their harvest: Offer saved Demonic Cores to stop their cherished Star Berries from being used as fertilizer; Xie Juanhan agrees to find another method 154.
• Dried-meat raid: Join Nibote and the Griffins in stealing a basketful of meat from a giant 185.
• Sheepfold construction: Offer gold and enlist Dwarf craftsmen and forest creatures to house the Divine Goats while the dragons are away 274.
• Departure from the farm: Set out with Xie Juanhan and Telingewei, with Moli and Nibote each carrying half the group 308.