Creature Feature: Bodarks

Often described as "foul tempered balls of fur with tusks" Bodarks are large cattle like beasts with thick woolly coats native to the Continent of Alyeska. They have proved to be much more hardy in Alyeska's harsh climate than actual cattle, plus their woolly coats have proved to be excellent for clothing material even though their meat is tougher than most would like. Regardless a dual industry producing Bodark meat and wool has gradually grown, though their temperament leaves something to be desired.

Typically Bodarks are left to roam round vast ranches with a minimum of supervision, most predators steer well clear of Bodarks and even Dragonhawks think twice about whether its worth taking on a Bodark. They are very much herd animals and can be dangerous in large numbers, often ranchers will use Mule tracked carriers or light aircraft to keep an eye on their herds from a relatively safe distance. Being stubborn creatures Bodarks are quite difficult to steer, ranchers will often have to lay food much like a trail of breadcrumbs in order to get the herd to go in remotely the right direction and the beasts object to being stuffed on the back of a truck or a plane.

If something does pose a threat to the heard then the sole male will stand his ground to protect the rest of the heard, backed up by some of the bigger females. Bodarks encountered alone are typically males who've grown old enough to leave their herds, but have yet to establish one of their own which they have to do by luring away young females from other herds.

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d4(A), Spirit d6, Strength d10, Vigor d8
Skills: Fighting d6, Notice d4
Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 12 (2)
Special Abilities:
*Armour +2: Thick hide and fur.
*Berserk: When a bodark is Shaken, it goes berserk. It gains +2 to all Fighting and Strength rolls and its Toughness, but Parry is reduced by 2.
*Immunity (Cold): Bodarks take no damage from cold, including magical attacks.
*Large: Characters add +2 when attacking these beasts due to their size.
*Size +4: Bodarks are large beasts.
*Tusks: Str+d6.