Gundent

Overview

A moderate sized grasslands reptilian quadruped Gendirl built similarly to the now extinct horses humans brought with them from across the Ocean. Avid runners, they do not have the speed as the quick-footed Oundats, though Gundenti are known for their greater stamina, possessing the ability to run for days with few breaks.

Characteristics

Gundenti are one of the most plentiful species found in the grasslands, and while they are most commonly found north of the Great Achton River, many make their homes as far south as the southern edge of the grasslands, far beyond Settled Dosjorya.
Built for distance running, Gundenti are four legged with slender but strong limbs, small hooved feet, and a muscular body. Their relatively short but thick tails aid in control when they make sharp turns or encounter unsteady ground. Tall, thick spikes run along their spine, beginning with an enormous spike on the back of their head. Smaller spikes protrude from their shoulders, hips, and nose. Thick scales cover the upper bridge of their snout. Their bodies are covered in green and brown scales, brown on top fading to green on the bottom. Males are larger than females though their scale patterns do not vary by gender.
Gundenti are only large enough to carry a single human on their back, though with the closeness of their spikes, such a ride is not comfortable without a thick, specially designed saddle. Unbonded Gundenti occasionally will carry humans for small distances, between neighboring villages, if there is an extreme need.
To fuel themselves for long distance runs, Gundenti can and will eat anything with no preferences on types of food. Grass is their most abundant food though they are happy to eat any of the number of insects and small mammals that live in the grass. Rarely do Gundenti take down larger prey, though when the opportunity presents itself, a small group will help each other in hunting prey larger than a rodent.
Gundenti may often roam alone, though they are very social amongst each other, and to a lesser extent, the similarly sized grassland Gendirl species of Tonlepelo and Faus. Gundenti shy away from Dookeni and Oundats, though they harbor no ill feelings with those larger species. Individuals sometimes wander into small human villages and they tend to be respectful of boundaries, striving to not trample crops or enter buildings. Outside of their clans, Gundenti may sometimes roam in small groups, intending to travel to less populated areas in search of mates or food, or looking for a change of pace. Nearly all of their clans are heavily populated, with the strongest being honored with the duty of providing food to mothers and those who are too old or injured to search on their own.
Mothers are tasked with caring for their eggs and young offspring on their own, which is why others are tasked with providing them with food. Mothers may group their nests together so that if one mother can no longer tend to her young, others nearby can provide aid without having to abandon their own young. Gundenti tend to only breed once a year, laying eggs in the middle of spring. Males try to mate with as many females as they can manage, often fighting against each other viciously. Sometimes the victors of these fights are left too injured to mate, and losers can be left permanently disabled. Those who receive serious injury are cared for by the clan for as long as needed, even if it is for the rest of their life.