Zeive
-9 points
Attribute Modifiers: ST+8 [72]; IQ-6 [-120]; HT+2 [20];
Secondary Characteristic Modifiers: SM+1; Basic Move +2 [10]; Per +7 [35]; Will +6 [30].
Advantages: Claws (Hooves) [3]; Damage Resistance 2 (Tough Skin) [6]; Enhanced Move (Land) 1 [20]; Night Vision 4 [4]; Striker (Impaling, Frontal) [5]; Temperature Tolerance 1 [1]; Terrain Adaption (Snow, Water) [10].
Disadvantages: Quadruped [-35]; Domestic Animal [-30]; Horizontal [-10]; Impulsiveness (12) [-10]; Restricted Diet (Herbivore) [-10]; Short Lifespan 1 [-10].
Perks: Fur [1]; Sure-Footed (Uneven) [1].
Quirks: Careful [-1]; Red-Green Colourblind [-1].
Notes
This template represents a typical domestic zeive, without any particular training or breeding. Zeive used as mounts are likely to have Combat Reflexes, Fearlessness, and more Basic Move, while zeive used as pack animals or work beasts are likely to have Lifting ST and more FP.Basic Information
Anatomy
Zeive are four-legged animals primarily used as mounts by humanoids due to their speed and strength. An average specimen stands just over nine feet tall and weights 1,500 kilograms, with a massive pair of antlers, a long, protruding snout, and disproportionately large hooves. Most wild zeive have brown fur, but humanoids have bred zeive of many colours and patterns, with solid black and white specimens being the rarest.
Genetics and Reproduction
Zeive reproduce sexually, with a male and female partner. Once the female is fertilized, she will gestate for 15 months, and give live birth to a single fawn. The fawn is helpless at birth, and must drink milk from the mother for another four months before they can begin to graze on their own. It will remain near its mother for an additional three years before becoming independent, but due to the natural herd behaviour of zeive, will likely stay with it's herd for the rest of its life.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Zeive are primarily used as mounts for humanoids. In civil matters, zeive are treasured for their combination of strength and endurance, making them all-purpose beasts of burden and travel. In military matters, the great strength and speed of zeive, as well as their natural urge to ram their opponents, make them ideal for shock cavalry tactics. However, zeive are unsuited for complex terrain, being primarily used on open ground, and are easily outmanoeuvred by smaller creatures such as goline.
Zeive are also less commonly used as livestock due to the large number of useful products they generate, but their slow breeding rate and long lifespans make this uncommon. Their skin can be made into particularly tough leather armour, and their antlers are commonly used to create high-quality composite bows and auto-bows. While their meat can and is eaten, it is typically tough and gamy, making a good supplement for stews and good stock for survival meals, but rarely being eaten out of preference.
Scientific Name
Dira Alces
Lifespan
55 years
Average Height
2.7 meters
Average Weight
1,500kg
Average Length
3.7 meters