The Earth colonists brought domestic animals with them to Oliquin — familiar farm animals and pets to help create a smooth transition to their new world. They also discovered indigenous life forms on their new planet that were similar, in one way or another, to the plants and animals of Earth and therefore were given the name of their Earthly likeness. Many other indigenous life forms, plant and animal alike, are unique to Oliquin. The most noteworthy characteristic of some indigenous life forms is their unusual ability to form a connection with the human mind. Some human/Oliquin bonds can be strong and consistent, whereas others are fleeting and erratic. Humans may not always be receptive to, or aware of, the mental connection. And in the earliest days of colonization the unusual connection is considered by some to be a fable, a figment of a wild imagination. Many centuries later biologists will define the natural ability of Oliquin’s indigenous life forms to mentally connect with humans by what is called the ‘telepathic scale’.
Pegafox
At the top of the telepathic scale is the pegafox, a reclusive woodland animal that many consider to be nothing more than a child’s fairy tale. Others, however, believe that the pegafox can bestow upon certain humans its telepathic gift. The Pegafox is featured in all books of the Oath of the Cortek series.
Climber
A small, woodland animal found in the forested areas of the Northern Hemisphere.. Climbers are prolific and are even considered to be pests in some regions. Pictured to the right is Monk, the one-armed pet climber featured in the books 1 & 2 of the Oath of the Cortek series. Climbers fall in the medium to low range of the telepathic scale.
Forktoe
An ostrich-size animal that jumps at its victims, attacking with its feet which have extra long, and very sharp talons. They feed on small mammals and have been known to kill larger animals and humans when threatened. Their skin is scaly on top, and furry on their legs and undersides and they have no teeth in their fish-like mouth. Males of the species have spiky fins along their spine and a soft, rooster-like crown on their heads. The forktoe ranks low on the telepathic scale. Featured in Cortek Exiled (Book 1 of the Oath of the Cortek series).
Grear
This giant bear-like mammal usually walks on its hind legs. It is known to be of very low intellect with a non-existent rank on the telephathic scale. A brute of a beast, it uses any forceful means to render its prey immobile, including knocking prey senseless with its giant paws, kicking, stepping on, or even smothering by laying or sitting on top of it. Far from agile, a grear typically has a favorite spot where it attacks–a place where even more nimble prey find it difficult to escape. Featured in Cortek Exiled (Book 1 of the Oath of the Cortek series).
Waterhorse
A fresh-water, aquatic amphibian, waterhorses rank high on the telepathic scale. They exist only in very large fresh-water lakes in temperate climates of the northern hemisphere and cannot survive if taken away from their natural habitat. They are speedy swimmers, and their quiet, trusting disposition and telepathic ability establish them as a most suitable mode of transport for humans wishing to across the large bodies of water in which they thrive. Featured in Cortek Haven (Book 2 of the Oath of the Cortek series).
Mensafox
Inhabiting the woodlands near Tesla, the mensafox ranks high on the telepathic scale like their cousins, the pegafox. But, unlike their cousins, they are more elusive and more reluctant to befriend or associate with humans. Featured in short story, The Dimwitted Wizard.
Kitimus Kat
The kitimus kat is a small animal native to Ararat with the ability to scale trees and buildings and to glide though the air by spreading its limbs wide. Over the generations, Aratians domesticate these cute little ‘kats’ until many keep them as family pets. Some are found to be in the mid-range of the telepathic scale, providing they find a suitable human match. Known to be fickle in their selection process, it is rumored that less than 20% actually choose a bondmate. A unique feature of their telepathic skill is the communication of mood-auras (as featured in the novel, Brik and the Kitimus Kat.)