Bestiary

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3 entries found.

Zerom Tree
keywordsDrylands, Plant
level0
The sight of a stand of Zerom trees on the horizon is a blessing to any Drylands traveler, as it means both shade and water. With huge bole shaped trunks and a dense canopy of spreading branches the Zerom is a master at drawing scarce moisture from the desert and concentrating it. The soil around a stand of Zerom is usually bare, with not enough water left for any other plant. Roll Int + Survival / Drylands to extract water from the tree.
Zimul
keywordsDrylands, Twilight, Insect, Hunted
level1
At Def Ag Int Phys Pre Spi H S W Ar MD Mv Fer Quick
13
14
10
1
18
5
14
26
0
0
5
0
1
0
84
Bite
:
A13
D14
Init10
damD6+3
Spray
:
D14
Init10
Area 8. Poison. Phys vs. 14 or nausea.
The Zimul is a massive Insect pest that inhabits the dusty soils and sands of the Drylands. Growing to as much as three paces long (an average Zimul is 2 paces in size), a Zimul is a heavily armoured and segmented creature. Roughly oval in shape a Zimul has small eyes at one end, along with whip-like feelers and cutting jaws. It has countless legs, each ending in a sharp point, and can dig with rapidity. Normally a Zimul will stay submerged underground, feeding on the roots of plants. A single Zimul can devastate patches of Maugey or Maize, ripping it's way through a field in a matter of hours.

When threatened a Zimul will unearth itself, and attempt to bite it's tormentors, relying on it's heavy shell to protect it. If wounded it will roll itself into a ball, presenting no weak points. In this form it has +5D and +3 Armour. Should the attacker relent it will slowly unroll and seek to run away. At the same time it will spray a noxious liquid from pores in it's flanks. Anyone close by must resist the poison or become sick (-6A/-6D) for 18-Phys rounds.

Zimul flesh is edible, but they are more commonly hunted for their poison and shell. The poison can be rendered into an ointment (Poisons Difficulty 15) which is good for treating burns (restores D4 Lethal), while the shell can be crafted into an effective shield (Shellworking Difficulty 14) with the same stats as a Wood and Hide Shield.
Zunian
keywordsIcelands, Domestic, Hunted
level2
At Def Ag Int Phys Pre Spi H S W Ar MD Mv Fer Quick
14
14
9
3
18
12
14
30
2
0
2
0
2
1
87
Gore
:
A17
D13
Init13
damD8+3
The Zunian is a creature of the Icelands, one of the few grazers capable of rooting shoots and tubers out of the snow-covered soil. A Zunian is about 2/3 the size of an adult Crdlu, with long shaggy fur and four forward curving horns. Their tough stumpy teeth are constantly grinding on tough roots.

Zunian are sometimes kept as herd animals in the Icelands, mostly for their milk, horn, droppings (which are used as fuel) and as beasts of burden. Zunian are generally docile, but they are stubborn and determined, able to withstand a howling ice-storm with impunity. Herding them is always something of a challenge, since they will go their own way. Although the outer fur of a Zunian is constantly dirty, knotted, and matted, they have a layer of pure white underfur of the finest texture. This fur can be woven into highly prized robes and cloaks, but it can only be gathered from a dead Zunian, so it is very expensive.

Zunians cannot be ridden, but they can be trained to pull carts and carry baggage, albeit at a rate slower than Krakath and Crdlu.