General Directory
Common
Critters
Cattle are raised
throughout Velitrium, though there is a breed of beef cattle in
Argentium that is unique to that area, being a cross between domestic
cattle and the huge wild bulls. These animals are generally
reddish
brown in color with longer than average horns, huskier in build and
easily provoked into charging. They are also hardier in extremes of
weather, able to survive on minimal fodder and resistant to predation.
Though they yield more meat than a common beef cow, their meat tends to
be tougher and less flavorful.
The rocky, barren
regions of southern Gemmatus (just above the desert) is most suitable
for goats and the locals in that area maintain large herds both for
meat, milk and wool. The area around Dwarfdale also supports
large
populations of sheep and goats, primarily because goat meat and mutton
are popular with the Dwarves.
Virtually every
family that has even a minimum of space available keeps pigs. The
slaughtering of a pig is an annual event in every family.
Generally,
if the family has room, several are kept to allow one or more to sell
at market.
Most families, even
those living in town, keep some chickens. These are primarily for
eggs, though unwanted roosters and hens past their prime wind up in the
cook pot. Most villages and farms have a duck pond. In a town or
village the ducks are owned by individual families, but their care is
collective. There is someone, usually an older child, responsible for
watching the ducks during the day and herding them back to the pens at
night.
Many families in the
cities and larger towns raise pigeons. These are primarily for food,
but there is a breed of carrier pigeon that is widely used for
messenger service. The government keeps hundreds of these birds
and
regularly exchanges them with the Duchies, Counties and military posts.
Most wealthy nobles and merchants keep a few as well.
Most villages also
maintain a fishing pond or an area of a stream or river with a weir to
retain fish. This is a communal resource and its produce is carefully
husbanded. Annually the fish are harvested, smoked or salted,
then
distributed to the village population on a per person basis.
Horses, Ponies and Jackasses
At the time of the
Exodus, the Velitar Horse Archers were the best mounted in all of
Calbazar. This gave them a tactical advantage that was decisive
in
countless engagements. Unfortunately the long string of battles
and
the months of crossing the desert devastated the Horse stocks.
Very
few survived the crossing, those that did proved invaluable in the
battles with the Jhensari.
For generations the
breeding stock was carefully husbanded and nurtured, until their
numbers were brought back to their pre-Exodus levels. Even today
a
pureblooded charger is an expensive and valued asset.
The Velitar found
wild ponies in the valley and quickly domesticated them. Neither the
Jhensari or the Hob-Goblins domesticated the ponies, seeing them only
as a food source.
The ponies were
small, hardy and shaggy, unsuitable as mounts though useful for pulling
carts, wagons and as pack animals. Domestic Valley Ponies are
still
generally used for carts or as pack animals and are commonly called
�Cart Ponies�
Selective breeding and cross
breeding has produced a larger, smoother, riding animal
that is now the most common riding/work
pony.
Interbreeding
between these larger ponies and suitable specimens of the Velitar War
Horse has resulted in a smaller, calmer and cheaper riding horse that
is widely used.
Wild Onagers were
domesticated and bred to yield donkeys and mules, both valuable for
heavy work that horses are unsuitable at.
Note, in Velitrium,
Chargers are the largest, strongest and best bred of the common palfrey
type horse. While Destriers are the largest, best bred of the Draft
Horse type.
Dog Breeds
Lord Rhanos
Wingstan, (grandson of Vathak) began breeding a large hunting dog
capable of taking on, as a pack, the fierce lions that roamed the
Valley in the early days. (Though rare, they are still to be
found in
the wilder areas.) Known today as �Rhanos Hounds� they are widely
used
in hunting, as guard dogs and by the Army as security. Tall, with thick
curly hair that is generally either tan or dark gray.
Durham Terriers, so
called because the were first bred in the town of Durham in Gemmatus,
are popular as small game hunters and as pets. Small, wiry haired in a
variety of colors and mixes.
Grazers are a type
of border collie that is popular as a herding animal and general
watchdog on most farms. Generally black and white in color with
some
golden brown highlights.
Clost Hounds. The
origin of the name has been forgotten, but the dog is widely used.
Generally a pack hound, similar to a fox hound, it is a very good
scent tracker. Brown and white or red and white, they have short hair
and long legs.
Stahl Hound. This
is a Husky like dog that is bred and used by the Jhensari. They
employ
it as a hunting hound, attack dog, pack animal and sled dog.
Fierce
and wolf like in appearance and tactics they are formidable opponents,
they work best in a pack with other Stahl Hounds. Some Stahls
have
found their way into Velitar hands but they are rare and expensive.
Mixed Breeds & Mutts
All of the varieties
have been crossed, intentionally and unintentionally at one time or
another..... The prices found in the Livestock section are for
purebred puppies. The further off they are from their principal
breed,
the less they are worth.
For example: 1/4 Grazer is worth 3/4 of a
Rhanos Hound. It won�t be as big and strong as a purebred.
Other Domesticated Animals
Voi
Voi are a member of
the ferret/mongoose family. They were kept by the Jhensari to fill the
role of domestic ratter, hunt small game and to kill snakes and
serpants around the home area. They have become popular with the
Velitar for the same roles and are very common in Gemmatus, around the
Palood and in the villages and towns near rivers because they are so
efficent at killing snakes, even big, poisonous ones.
Pigs
Virtually every
family that has even a minimum of space available keeps pigs. The
slaughtering of a pig is an annual event in every family.
Generally,
if the family has room, several are kept to allow one or more to sell
at market.
Chickens, Ducks and Geese
Most families, even
those living in town, keep some chickens. These are primarily for
eggs, though unwanted roosters and hens past their prime wind up in the
cook pot. Most villages and farms have a duck pond. In a town or
village the ducks and geese are owned by individual families, but their
care is collective. There is someone, usually an older child,
responsible for watching the fowl during the day and herding them back
to the pens at night.
Pigeons, Falcons and Hawks
Many families in the
cities and larger towns raise pigeons. These are primarily for food,
but there is a breed of carrier pigeon that is widely used for
messenger service. The government keeps hundreds of these birds
and
regularly exchanges them with the Duchies, Counties and military posts.
Most wealthy nobles and merchants keep a few as well.
Falconry and hawking
are popular sports with the nobility and wealthy elite of Velitrium,
but it also has a practical side. The military, and some private
individuals, maintain falcons for downing messenger pigeons. And, bothe
the military, individuals and local towns keep large hawks that are
trained to attack flying individuals; this being a reliable technique
to engage attacking wizards.
Fish
Most villages also
maintain a fishing pond or an area of a stream or river with a weir to
retain fish. This is a communal resource and its produce is carefully
husbanded. Annually the fish are harvested, smoked or salted,
then
distributed to the village population on a per person basis.
Wild Beasts of Note
Most common North
American mammals are present. Racoons, skunks, porcupines, badgers,
gophers, squirrels, rabbits, weasels, fox, deer, elk.
Bears
There are in fact
three varieties of bears to be found in and around the valley. The most
common is the Brown, also called the Valley Bear. This is actually a
Grizzly Bear and has all the traits of grizzlies, big 7' average, bad
tempered, agressive.... It can be found almost everywhere except the
Palood.
In the Palood and
along the major rivers is found a Black Bear, also called the Swamp
Bear. Less agressive than the Valley Bear as well as being smaller,
about 5' is average, they have been domesticated as guard and
performing animals.
In the mountains and
rarely, fortunately, in the valley, can be found the Great Bears.
These are a variety of Cave bear, a larger, meaner, cousin of the
Grizzley. The Great Bears average 12' in height and are so formidable
even the Ogres and Giants are said to leave them be.
Golden Lions
At one time common
throughout the valley, they have been hunted out of the settled areas,
though they do sometimes wander in. The Golden Lions or "Big
Tooths"
are a actually a type of Sabre Tooth Tiger. They are VERY BIG cats! 400
- 600lbs with 11" fangs. They often hunt in pairs, though males
will
spend much time alone. They hunt by ambush and short, fast rushes
or
pouncing from above. Though they have learned to respect Man,
both
from the Velitar's efforts and the Jhensari, they cannot be said to
truly fear man. The Golden Lions are almost never found in the Palood.
Swamp Cats
A leopard like cat
that is found in the Palood and along the major rivers. It hunts
from
trees or from the water. It is quite at home in the water and has even
been known to submerge for short distances when approaching unwary
prey. Its color is a dappled grey, they are solitary and cautious
regarding people.
Wild Cats
These are actually Ocelots and are found
throughout the Valley (though they are rarely seen in the mountain
areas.
Lynx
Found in both the
valley and the surrounding mountains, but it favors the northern half
of the valley which is heavily forested and less populated.
Wild Boar
Quite common in almost all parts of the
valley, both from wild sources and feral pigs.
Giant Weasel
Fortunately rare, but
when seen they come in packs. They have been known to attack isolated
homes after dark, treating the house like a chicken coop.
Snakes
There are a number of
varieties of snake in the valley, most are harmless and include species
like the Garter, Black snake and Corn Snake. However, there are
several venomous varieties.
River Viper or Swamp Viper
Found in shallow
water and along waters edge. It is not very large, 2'-3' being common,
but it is aggressive. Muddy green color makes it -3 to see. Type A
venom, 2+1 damage.
Cobras
The Cobra is found
primarily in Gemmatus, it is very rare to see one north of the
Lendalfoot River. There are two varieties, the Great Cobra and
the
Spitting Cobra. Other than size they appear the same. The Great
Cobra
is quite large, 7' - 10'. It has Type B venom 2D damage. The
spitting
Cobra is slightly smaller, 4'-7'. It has Venom type S for spitting
purposes, blinding + pain, but Type B for biting, 2D.
Wood Adder
Found throughout the
Frontier, Ferramentium and Argentus (Though very rare in Gemmatus.)
Found mostly in woods and dense underbrush it is a orange and
brown
leaf pattern that makes it very hard to see -3 vision rolls. 1-4' in
length. Aggressive, Type A venom 2D
Wolves
Wolves are common
throughout the valley, though they are wary now of settled areas.
During severe winters the packs will raid up to and even into,
unfortified towns and villages.
Coohlari
A primarily acquatic,
though it can come out on land, giant lizard. Known as `Coohlari'
by
the Jhensari and called `River Devils' by the Velitar. The Coohlari are
a large, crocodile sized, carnivorous, egg laying predator that can be
found throughout the Palood, along the eastern half of the Lendalfoot
river, the entire length of the Varsol River and along the southern
shore of Lake Adrin.
In size they can
reach 12' or 15'. They have a blunter snout than a crocodile and
smoother, snake like skin. The leather is highly prized. It attacks
from ambush, by biting, pulling its victim underwater and tearing it
apart. Fortunately the other rivers appear to be too cold for Coohlari.
Snapping Turtles
Snappers are common
throughout the Palood and all the lakes and rivers of the Valley. Some
of them get big, very, very big some weigh in over 800lbs.
Honey Bees of Alfan
Found only in
Gemmatus along the edge of the Palood is a species of honey bee that
seems to make its home exclusively in the Alfan region. It is
speculated that it gains some essential nutrient found only in the
mosses and funguses of that part of the Palood. The size of the typical
worker bee is 12" long (About the size of a football.) They sting for
1pt damage and inject Venom type H 1D. Three or more stings (in an
individual's lifetime) will cause an allergic reaction. Roll for each
sting thereafter. Roll vs HT at -1 for each sting over three (use
lifetime total)Success does listed damage. Failure causes a coma
for
7-12 hours. Roll again. On a success he wakes up -4DX for three days.
If another miss, coma continues for 1-6 hours. Continue rolling until
victim has been in coma 24 hours. If a success is rolled anytime after
24 hours the victim will be -1DX permenantly. If 48 hours pass in a
coma the rolls are reduced by 1 for every 12 hours additional. Five
days in a coma is death. Critical failure at anytime is death.
The honey produced by
these bees is of exceptional quality and quantity. The Royal
Jelly is
highly regarded for magical, medicinal and culinary purposes.
Bugs, etc.
There are a variety of bugs in Velitrium,
everything from ants to wasps. This only concerns those that are
venomous.
Spiders & Scorpions
The nastiest spiders are Type E venom and
do 1D
There are several varieties of Scorpion
the nasty type are Type C venom and do 2D
There are rumors of Giant Scorpions being
found in some parts of the desert,,,,
Centipedes
Several unpleasant
varieties can be found in and around the valley. They range from finger
size up to forearm size. Most have Type E venom 1D The
largest do 2D.
Legends tell of truly monstorous ones found deep underground....
Lake Adrin
Though trout, bass,
perch and smelt can be found in Lake Adrin, and most of the rivers and
smaller lakes, this concerns the more unusual creatures.
Lake Adrin appears to
have hot springs feeding the southern part which keeps its temperature
higher. The northern part is fed by several rivers that bring icy
waters down from the mountains. These rivers can and do, freeze
over.
The Varsol, the outflow of the lake, is always warm and never freezes.
Sages speculate that it is the temperature
gradient found in the lake that causes many species to be so prolific.
Though the lake
itself has never frozen completely over, the areas around the northern
rivers do sometimes. When the ice begins breaking up it can be tricky
navigating. Also, sunken logs are carried into the lake and have
holed
many a careless fishing boat.
Most of Lake Adrin is
very deep, 400 - 800 feet, parts seem to have no bottom at all.
Fishing is very good in the lake, though the Coohlari and the
snappers
can be dangerous to a careless fisherman. Generally, if you stay in the
boat and stay alert, you'll be fine. However, there are legends,
rumors, of something big, something really, really big in the lake.
It
is remembered that the Jhensari called the lake "Tehama Ducor" which
means, `Hidden Menace.' Occaissionally, only rarely mind you, a
fishingboat dosen't come home and nary a trace is ever found.
Crayfish of Lake Adrin
Crayfish are found in
most streams, ponds, lakes and rivers in the valley. These are your
ordinary prawn rarely bigger than a finger. To make a meal out of these
large numbers are needed. In lake Adrin there are vast numbers, both in
normal sizes and in heroic sizes. Crayfish as large as a mans arm
are
regularly caught, either in nets, by hook & line or in `pots' (like
Lobsters.) The big ones can make a meal in themselves.
Rarely, truly
gigantic ones, the size of a rowboat, are brought in. Fishermen
report
masses of crayfish so dense that they have been mistaken for the bottom
with sounding lines, until the mass suddenly shifts.
Coohlari are found in the lake, though
rarely north of the center.
Sturgeon, which can reach 10 - 12 feet or
more.
Fresh water eels, they average 6-8 feet,
but bigger have been reported.
Snapping turtles are also found here, big
ones.
