Makasing Auroch

Before the Phastians arrived in Awsranka, the Bull had long been an important part of their culture and religious practices. In fact, even when they had departed the eastern seas, people remembered their relationship with the Bull, though not very accurately¹.
This association with power was reinforced in the years after arrival, as cultural influence from the Free Peoples of the Plains and their reverence for the makasing bison gave both peoples cultural common ground.
Then the tradition of the Panikos² started to develop, and for modern Awsrankians, that is the reason they love the Bull. You will see it in art, on banners, Bull tattoos are popular among Ostian ranchers. It's just everywhere. Even in song, The Bull and the Dancers, for example, is a core standby for bards and pub sing-alongs.
A symbol of strength, tenacity, and beauty, the Makasing Auroch is an embodiment of our connection to our past and to Awsranka.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Developed over several centuries of selective breeding, the Makasing Auroch combines the thick coat and sturdy constitution of the Makasing Bison with the speed, agility and (most importantly to the Phastians) impressive horns of the African Auroch.
Both Bulls and Cows stand around 6 feet at the shoulder. The darker colors of the Auroch are dominent. Calfs are born with a redish-brown coat. As they grow, the bulls develope a black coat with a lighter stripe doen the spine; cows maintain the redish brown. Both sexes sport impressive horns though some individuals have a lighter coat with a dark stripe running along the spine. The is a fair variation among individuals as to the length of the coat on the shoulders and forequarters, it is not uncommon for a thicker curly coat to grow here and shed profusly in the springtime.

1. Pasiphae
2. The Vantage Panikos

"...to dance with the Bull." : a common expression, meaning to test the limits of your abilities, possibly risking death.
"Bull's touch." : a wound taken while acting courageously. Such scars give prestigue to the survivor.

Scientific Name

Bos taurus bison

Origin/Ancestry

African Auroch, Makasing Bison

Lifespan

10 to 20 years

Average Height

155 to 180 cm

Average Weight

640 to 792 kg

Geographic Distribution

• Awsranka

Related Ethnicities

• Phaistian

Summer Camp 2023. Copper. Prompt: a species associated with or symbolizing power meta ref:

• Auroch
• American Bison
• Bison vs. Bull