Shoutei

A keystone species vital to life in icelands and southern cold regions. They are a nomadic species of buffalo that dig up snow and foster the growth of plant underneath. Many of their diggings have even developed into "living oasis" among the icelands. Their trodden paths even provide many burrows and paths for other animals and starting points of melt water

Their official names was originally given to them by old Sidthe tribes whose livelihood depended on the Shoutei migrations. AMong these tribal languages the name "Shoutei" translated to "life guardian" or "breath keeper" . Some more common folk names include snow buffalo, and Cold yak.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Anatomically Shoutei seam like a cross between a yak and a bison. However, they have 6 legs that are wider and have 3 pronged hooves. They have wide shot flat tails covered in long thick straight fur. Fur typically ranges between white and shades of dark gray. Their horns shape is like a curved helmet of a musk ox with a flat shovel shaped protrusion coming off the top for digging. WIth are also noted by their large dark muzzles and wide nostrils

Genetics and Reproduction

They reach maturity around 8-10 years of age. The Young Mature males tend to leave the heard to form a small traveling bachelor herds in search of females.. Males are know to use their call of spring as a way to atrract mates among the young mature females of other herds they run into.

Female come into heat towards the begining of winter in with they will mate with one of the herds mature males. Gestation is about 14-15 months and will give birth to liters of 1 calf in spring.

Growth Rate & Stages

Shoutei have 3 life stages, Calf, Adult and Elder

• Calf

  The is the first 8-10 years of a Shoutei life. The youngest calf are greatly procteted by the herd. During this stage calf will learn the herd wisdoms and migrations. THey start to learn to use the Breath of life by the time they are 3-4 years old. from ages 4-10 they also started to learn their herds Call of spring

• Adult

  This stage begins once a Shoutei reaches maturity. and learn how to perform the call of spring. Males will leave together to form a new herd and the some of the young females will look to join one of these travelling herds. Once esblished in a herd SHoutei will foucs on reproducing and looking to the elders for guidance and leadership

• Elder

  As Shoutei reach the age of 50 their focus shifts alway from reproduction and toward that of survival. Elders carry the wisdom of the herd and tend to lead the herd migration pattern to used locations and knowelge they've learn over the years. The males tend to focus on prodtection while the females focus on care. Elder also have the strongest breat of life and call of spring

Ecology and Habitats

Shoutei evoled to thrive in the cold regions. THey thrive in the southern regions of winter cove espicially the icelands. A population has grow accustomed to the Wild Lands as well. the wildland popultion tend to be smaller and size.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Shoutei are herbivores. They feed mostly on fresh grasses grown in the meadows they uncover or create.

Biological Cycle

Shourtei are nomadic as they look for new areas to graze. Their movement does not tend to follow the seasons throught. However they shed part of their winter coat in spring and it becomes thicker when winter begins to return.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Shoutei live in herds of 10-30 memebers.They are lead by the wisdoms of their eldest members. The younger member of the herd tend to focus on reproduction and protecting the young.

Domestication

in Wintercov shoutei are respected as a keystone species and source of survival. Many of the culture see taming the shoutei as taboo and disrepectctful. Instead they choose to follow herds and get resources from wild shoutei without killing them.
In the Wild Lands , shoutei do not naturally thrive as well as their wintercov countrparts. However the human populations in this region are not as dependent on the shoutei migrations, Thus they have opped to tame and domesticate the shoutei herd similar to cattle. However, the shoutei in this region are smaller

Uses, Products & Exploitation

• Shoutei Fur is very well insulated ans can be used to create textiles, epecially in colder climate.
• Due to their strong connection to life magic, Shoutei meat boost one vitality and aids in recover. It is also sought after as a delicacy in certain cultures
• Their connection to life magic makes them powerfu llife familiars as well. Even just gaing the favor of a shoutei can be a useful healing ally.

Average Intelligence

Indiviual shoutei are not inanetly inteligent however they have great memeoriers and are shown to pass on wisdoms through the herds.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As large a muscular creatures Shoutei are have strong and hardy creatures. Their thick fur also serves as a great insulator an helps with protection. As they have evoled in a bright eniviroment where most things camuflage, shoutei have poor eyesight. However, they do have an expectional sensitive sense of smell. They also special pads in their hooves detect subtuble vibration under the snow

Shoutei are also greatly respected for their use of life and natural magic. shoutei saliva and lick alone can heal wounds. As they travel Shoutei will dig up snow to look for signs of plant life. Once found they use their "breath of life" from their nostril. This blown air is infused with life and natural magic that greatly revivtalized life and encourages growth. Shoutei will then stop their hooves and infuse magic in the surrounding area to help melt snow and encorage plant growth. If the condition are good and the herd is heathly, Shoutei then create the "Call of Spring" that can tranform and area into and beautiful temporay meadow and then begin to graze. These Call of Springs can sometimes jumpstart the creation of an living oasies inside ice caves or even jumpstart natural spring growth.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

Due to their mostly peacful and helpful nature most creature leave shoutei alone. Plus their large size and physical strenght act as a syrong deterent for any hunters that are bold enough to attack them. Some of the few beast capable of hunting them are Pitou, Zaguaro, and Lunalupos packs

Species Overview

Common Names

snow buffalo, Cold yaks

Tier

Second

Magics

Life, Natural

Natural Regions Found

Wintercov, Brislepine  

Lifespan

70-80

Conservation Status

in the icelands Wild roaming Shoutei herds are well protected by various Sidthe tribes that follow and revere them . However brilspine herds tend to be small as they are hunted more often.

Average Height

5-7 ft

Average Weight

1800-2400 lb

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Shoutei Fur tends to be mostly whites or shades of dark gray. Older Shoutei will have larger horns and the colors vary from dark brown to black

Diet

Herbivore

Domestication

Minor farming

Harvested Products

Shoutei Fur, Shoutei horn, Cold Yak meat