Tuxens

Tuxens are four-legged creatures found mostly in the cooler climates of Atios. They have two thick horns atop their heads as well as two large tusks emerging from their lower jaw. Their coat is thick and coarse and can appear in a variety of colors—from snowy white to dark brown to a soft golden yellow.

Though they were once only found in the northern parts of Atios, tuxens can now be seen in the temperate region surrounding Din'Lux. It is believed that they were brought here by nomadic farming communities as beasts of burden to aid in working the land. Because of this, tuxens are primarily associated with farmland and are seen as work animals.

Though this is not commonly known, the fur of a tuxen is resistant to water. Glands along the sides of their bodies and necks produce a large quantity of pungent oils that give their fur a distinct sheen and prevent it from absorbing moisture. Some scholars theorize that these oils are intended to repel venomous insects common in the warm months, while others believe that their waterproof fur prevents moisture from collecting and freezing in colder climates.

The oils excreted by tuxens have become an accessible and inexpensive form of moisturizer for some orcs, whose skin requires constant care to prevent drying out. Orcs who cannot afford expensive algae treatments or who don't possess the expertise to prepare them on their own, must settle for tuxen oil. These oils are often blended with floral and herbal essences in an attempt to mask the foul scent, but the undesirable odor is mostly unavoidable.

Although the stench of a tuxen's fur deters most from riding them, the extraordinary stamina of tuxens do make them a popular option for transportation.