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Physical Appearance

Gorthers are large quadrupedal predators of an omnivorous nature. Fully grown females on average stand six feet tall at the shoulders, seven feet long from neck to hips, produce a tail averaging six feet in length, and weigh anywhere between 1,500 and 2,000 lbs. Males are on average larger and can stand seven feet tall at the shoulders, eight and a half feet long from neck to hips, grow a tail over seven and a half feet in length, and weigh between 2,200 and 3,000 lbs. Both genders have a thick leathery hide that is naturally grey in color and turns to thicker leather scales all around the neck to protect it. Gorthers move with feline grace.

Eight-inch spines protrude from the base of the neck and run typically one foot down their back. The last foot of their tail also grows eight-inch spines that the gorther uses to batter against larger predators. Each paw possesses four digits with seven-inch claws that had proven capable of ripping through steel with a good strike. They have elongated heads with four narrow ellipses shaped eyes that are a solid indigo color. Two rows of teeth line both the top and bottom of their maw, with nine-inch canines designed to pierce through internal organs and arteries.

All gorthers have between one and three pairs of ivory tusks that originate towards the back end of their jaws where molars would be by comparison. Female tusks grow from the lower rows of teeth and curve back towards the crests of their skulls. Male tusks grow from the upper rows of teeth down beneath their chins. Female tusks have been seen to grow three and a half feet in length with a six-inch circumference at their base. Male tusks have grown nearly five feet in length with a ten-inch circumference at the base.

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Skills

Core

Combat

Weapon: Tusk (Males Only)	88
Weapon: Bite	70
Weapon: Claw	55
Weapon: Tail	40

Combat Consideration

Gorthers have thick hides that are difficult to pierce. When being attacked, use the gorther’s Physique value for its Armor Value to see if they are wounded. These creatures are short range sprinters, able to reach speeds up to 40 mph, but have very little agility while doing so.

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Magical Abilities

• Environmental Cloak – A gorther is capable of altering the color of their hides by coursing rigen through it. Primarily doing so to camouflage itself with the environment while hunting prey. Can sustain a cloak for several hours and has the ability to change its color the entire time. Spellpool cost of 40.
• Aura Manipulation – While hunting, a gorther will shrink its cloak and turn it transparent to be less visible to anything capable of detecting the auras of other creatures. When facing down a larger foe, the gorther will inflate its aura and give it vibrant colors for intimidation. It can manipulate its aura for up to two hours with each use. Spellpool cost of 30.
• Electric Coating – To remove a creature that has leapt on top of it, a gorther will shudder for a moment before its hide conducts a harmful electric current over its whole body. The shock is enough to kill smaller animals and leave electrical burns on humanoids. Larger creatures, including other gorthers, tend to only suffer Minor or Medium wounds. Spellpool cost of 60. (Combat Roll of +50)

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Behaviors

Gorthers are territorial beasts that tend to roam the plains in a pride. A Pride can be as few as four or as many as ten gorthers. When they hunt, it is usually alone or in pairs. Even a pair of gorthers will not attack a caravan unless the caravan is either small, or if the gorther’s food supply has grown sparce in its territory. During a hunt, a gorther will kill multiple creatures if it is able to. One creature is to satisfy its own appetite, and any others are to be taken back to the pride if it is part of one. Gorthers will only retreat from a battle if they experience a Major wound or encounter a more dangerous predator.

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Lifespan

Wild gorthers have a lifespan of thirty-five years and reach adulthood at the age of ten. A female gorther can give birth to up to five young at once. Tusks do not begin growing until the age of four and continue to grow until the age of twenty-three. When the males reach adulthood, they leave their pride in search of a mate. They will either establish their own pride, or join a different one if they cannot establish themselves as the alpha. A domesticated gorther that is treated well is capable of having a lifespan of up to forty years or so.

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Reproduction

Female gorthers enter heat during Fall and actively seek a mate during that time. As part of the mating ritual, male gorthers will use their Environmental Cloak ability to change their hide into vibrant colors to impress the female. They pounce around, growl, and roar as part of the mating dance. An accepting female will mimic the display the male has demonstrated. During copulation, the male will mount the female and bite onto the female’s tusks. An unwilling female being mounted will utilize her Electric Coating to startle the male off of them, and usually attempt to claw their face afterwards.

A gorther’s pregnancy has a gestation of eighteen weeks and gives birth between the middle of winter and very early spring. Gorthers mate for life.

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Market Values

• Mounts: Many a mounted fighter would consider a gorther to be a prized creature to ride into combat. However, it requires an Expert in Animal Husbandry and Animal Taming to train a gorther from a young age to obey commands and not turn on their rider when hungry. Taming a wild gorther is even more difficult and would require a Master. Due to their exotic nature, and dangerous temperament, a gorther suitable to be used as a mount would cost 200 gold. And their Upkeep would be 22 gold per season.
• Ivory, Claws, and Leather: A gorther’s tusks, claws, and hide are valuable materials for craftsmen. Tusks are often used for ornamental purposes such as a weapon’s hilt, the haft of a cane, or hollowed out and turned into a pipe. The hides are highly sought after by some enchanters due to their natural ability to conduct rigen. Armor smiths also enjoy making sturdy armors with gorther leather worked into it. And there are the tailors that will make exotic clothing for the wealthy too. Ivory, Claws, and Leathers are considered to be Exotic Materials and require an Expert craftsman to not ruin the materials.