A fast-moving herd animal native to the
Great Plateau, the grasshorns move in large numbers across the grasslands. The primary prey of both
Flatlander dogs and
Steppe Cats, as well as a frequent hunting goal of
Wild Steppes Centaurs, the grasshorns are rapid breeders - else they'd probably have population problems.
Moving rapidly in large herds to seek out both water and forage, the grasshorns' primary defense is their speed. In the wide-open spaces of the Plateau, they can generally spot predators at some distance. When one is spotted, the herd will dash off. In general this works, but all of their predators have developed various strategies and the herds face frequent losses. They're not entirely defenseless as close range, however, as adults bear large and sharp horns thrusting ahead of them as they run. A grasshorn at full tilt can pierce entirely through a Flatlander and will greatly wound a Steppecat.
The herds of grasshorns can cause a problem when their migrations (or worse, a stampede) carries them near the farms of the
Fertile Lands. The farmlands are generally too moist or dense for the grasshorns to make good speed through, so they tend to avoid them, but occasionally a herd will come into the region. The result is generally either crushed or eaten crops - depending on time of season and the specific crop. Some enterprising farms at the southern borders of the region have actually negotiated trade agreements with
Centaur bands. The centaurs station hunters in the area, who will watch for and attempt to redirect herds away from the farmlands.
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