Marmaduke

This article deals with Marmaduke as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.

All Marmadukes are covered in something that is halfway between fur and feathers. They hug the ground on their short stumpy black legs and slink along at quite a quick pace but can rear up on their back legs and almost 'stand' in an effort to mimic their human masters. They vary in length and weight (as you'll see) and also their intelligence. Marmadukes are almost sentient creatures that have been known to naturally play football, write great literary works and solve mathematical equations. They can be trained to do almost anything. Marmadukes can eat almost anything but tend to favour carbohydrates, dairy products and sweet food but can recognise what's important enough not to be eaten (i.e. people, brussel sprouts). They also have a remarkably complex language of squeaks and grunts that has yet to be cracked. Scientists think that they change it regularly so that humans cannot catch on. For protection, Marmadukes can join together, using their razor sharp teeth, and form large mobile shapes. This is how the Marmaduke defends itself against larger predators. They also have a nasty habit of mating (whether it is voluntary is still being debated) with other non-Marmadukes. Marmadogs and Bearadukes have both been sighted and are causing concern to Liamist scientists. Marmadukes are considered a staple part of the diet in many Liamist States - they make excellent steaks. Here is some information on specific species:

Australian

• Average Length: 1.3 m
• Average Weight: 22 kg
• Colouring: Green, gold

The Australian Marmaduke is one of the most athletic, and hard drinking, of Marmadukes. It can kill 50 cans of beer in a day and then go on to win several matches of any particular sport. They lack cultural prowess but tend to be smart..ish. They can swim well, a bit of an unusuality amongst Marmadukes, and will fight fiercely. The Australian Marmaduke is now the national animal of Liamton, for no apparent reason.

Cheating

• Average Length: 1.0 m
• Average Weight: 13 kg
• Colouring: Yellow, black

The Cheating Marmaduke is, ironically, absurdly honest. It is predominantly yellow with irregular black spots that some scientists believe are used as an identifier. It is mostly found in Liamshire but since it was returned to the Liamist States, it has spread over much of the District of the Greater Liamist States.

Common

• Average Length: 1 m
• Average Weight: 20 kg
• Colouring: Brown

The only thing that separates this Marmaduke from all other Marmadukes is the rather high population and the fact that this Marmaduke is a template for all others. It is the national animal of the Liamist States.

Dusty

• Average Length: 0.9 m
• Average Weight: 18 kg
• Colouring: Grey, white

The Dusty Marmaduke, as its name implies, appears to be covered in soot. In the industrial wastelands that are Gradburg, another formerly autonomous region of the Liamist States, it is difficult to tell where the ash ends and where the Marmaduke begins. This species tends to be the most adept with tools, using its small, digited fingers on its front paws and is rather low in numbers.

Escaping

• Average Length: 1.2 m
• Average Weight: 25 kg
• Colouring: Sky blue

No one has any idea how this species came to be. The Escpaing Marmaduke can fly, which makes it unique among the twelve species in that respect. It was originally discovered shortly after Liamton moved to The Exodus but disappeared for a number of years in between. Only recently re-uncovered, the Escaping Marmaduke will surely puzzle scientists for years.

Fanatical

• Average Length: 1 m
• Average Weight: 18 kg
• Colouring: White, blue

The Fanatical Marmaduke is almost totally white with exception to the blue stripe down its back. This colouring was the basis of the Adali flag, when it was an independent state. The Fanatical Marmaduke doesn't reason well but is strongly, and blindly, principled. In The Athletion, Fanatical Marmadukes tend to come last in the speech section.

French

• Average Length: 1.2 m
• Average Weight: 20 kg
• Colouring: Blue, red, white

The French Marmaduke finds its home in Ile de France, in the large cybercracy of Liamopolis. It was famous for guarding the Ille de France (unofficial) Regional Executive Committee Meeting Hall and appears to be particularly biased against Naginii. Seemingly dressed in the Tricolore and its feather-fur on its crown is remarkably shaped like a black beret. The French Marmaduke is strong, defensive and likes cheese but has a nasty habit of being conquered, being rude and smelling bad.

Island

• Average Length: 1.3 m
• Average Weight: 16 kg
• Colouring: Dark brown

The Island Marmaduke is a newly discovered species and considered a missing link in the evolutionary chain between the Monkefied Marmaduke and the Common Marmaduke. It is clear that the Island Marmaduke were split from the main Common population when Liam Island split from the rest of the States. Also finding monkies on the island, the Island Marmadukes interbred to form Monkefied Marmadukes. Nearly forced extinction, only a few members of this species as increased competition from Monkeified Marmadukes made life very difficult.

Lazy

• Average Length: 0.6 m
• Average Weight: 19 kg
• Colouring: Red

The Lazy Marmaduke can be found all over Trenport, still another formerly autonomous region of the Liamist States, sunning itself decadently. Its bright red used to make it a popular target for hunters before hunting was banned and it was realised that it was no fun shooting something that just sat there. One of dumbest and smallest species of Marmaduke (its adult size and intelligence is the same as a young Royal), the Lazy Marmaduke tends to become rather fat.

Monkeified

• Average Length: 1.4 m
• Average Weight: 19 kg
• Colouring: Dark brown

The Monkeified Marmaduke is the only Marmaduke with a tail, a prehensile tail, no less. Many, many years ago, Marmadukes and monkeys blended together genetically on Liam Island to give off this species. They are another adept species with tools and used these skills to take control of the Island. Recently, the Monkeified Marmadukecracy removed the Monkeified Marmaduke as national animal of Liam Island, which has since dissolved into a Marmaduke-anarchy with all humans leaving the island. When the island did return, the Marmadukes suffered a lethal backlash from some very pissed Liamists.

Royal

• Average Length: 1.5 m
• Average Weight: 30 kg
• Colouring: Purple, yellow

The Royal Marmaduke is the largest of all the Marmadukes species, but environmental issues in City de Liam, the capital city of the Liamist States, may see it close to extinction soon. However, its intelligence may prevent that. This species is responsible for half of City de Liam's culture.

Suited

• Average Length: 1.2 m
• Average Weight: 22 kg
• Colouring: Grey, black

Probably the best looking Marmaduke, the Suited Marmaduke hails from the money-making factory that is Fairbank, a formerly autonomous region of the Liamist States. It has smart and sleek black pinstripes that run down its black body. Suited Marmadukes tend to the best with numbers of all the species.