Poudin

A four legged beast raised by dwarves as a beast of burden.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Poudin stand about three foot tall, and their torsos are typically no more than two foot across and five foot long excluding the tail.  The tail extends a further two foot.  Their 4 legs extend a foot to either side and are angled much like a lizards.  Their thick hides are a mottled grey and white.  A poudin's head resembes that of a surface cow, though the eyes are much larger.

Ecology and Habitats

Poudin spend their whole lives underground and are unable to survive for long in the sun. As they are used to having rock all around them they are liable to panic if taken out of the tunnels even at night.
Before being domesticated the Poudin would wander long distances in search of food. They rarely remained in one place for more than a week but they would revisit an area after a few years had passed.  While few predators would attempt to eat an adult poudin, thanks to a build up of poison in their flesh, the presence of young poudin could attract predators from faw and wide.

Dietary Needs and Habits

The Poudin's natural diet was based around a mushroom that grows in the underdark. As one of the few species resistant to the toxins in the fungus the Poudin had a fairly secure food source.
Preferring not to grow large quantities of a poisonous crop the dwarves have found less toxic alternatives for the bulk of the poudins’ diet. However, they are obliged to feed the poudin a small amount of the mushrooms on a regular basis or creatures begin to sicken and die.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Poudin are used as beasts of burden by the dwarves, pulling carts through the mines and being used to drive a capstan.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

As with most creatures from the underdark the Poudin can perceive heat as well as what surface creatures consider to be the visible spectrum. They also have a highly developed sense of smell which enabled them to track down food in the winding underground tunnels of their originall habitat.

Lifespan

40 years

Average Height

3ft

Average Weight

200lbs

Average Length

7ft

Geographic Distribution

• Magrannor Halls

Related Materials

• Poudin Dung