Cave Musk Ox

Musk oxen are 4 -5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 1d5+4 x 100 pounds. They have thick, shaggy coats, curved horns in both genders, and the males release a powerful musk during high summer rutting season. It there are at least ten of these arctic mammals present, they can form a defensive ring, allowing 1d3 adults to gain a free attack on anything making a melee attack against them. When a musk ox charges, any victim it strikes must succeed in a DC 15 Fort save or be knocked prone; failure allows the musk ox to also gain a free trample attack against the prone victim. Cave musk oxen are smaller creatures, which subsist off the lichens and fungi found underground. They dislike and avoid bright lights. In some places, cave musk oxen are herded by goblins or hill -dwelling fey, where they are kept underground during the day and let out at night to feed. In nearby places, such creatures may be known as faerie cattle or goblin oxen. They average 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh 1d3+2 x 50 pounds. There is a 1 in 6 chance that any given herd of cave musk oxen has a special quality. If this is the case, roll 1d7 and consult the table below. 1d7 Special Quality 1 They glow with soft light, like foxfire. To determine the color, roll 1d3: (1) light green, (2) light orange, or (3) coruscating electric blue. 2 These smaller musk oxen are only 3 feet high at the shoulder. They have only 1d8+1 for Hit Dice and weigh 1d3 x 30 pounds. 3 These larger musk oxen are 5 feet high at the shoulder. They have 3d8+3 for Hit Dice and weigh 2d5 x 50 pounds. 4 This herd is trained for the saddle, and are ridden by (roll 1d5): (1) goblins, (2) kobolds, (3) halflings, (4) fey, or (5) spirits of the dead. 5 These cave musk oxen have softer hair, which can be sheared and sold for 2d30 sp per animal. 6 These creatures have a 20’ climb speed and can climb walls like a spider. 7 These creatures are so flatulent that it takes a DC 10 Will save to approach within 60’, and any open flame brought within 30’ causes a localized fireball (10’ radius, 2d6 damage, Reflex DC 15 for half) unless the bearer makes a successful Luck check each round. Other Names: Mâthi -môs, mâthi -mostos , and umingmak . Yak (Domestic Cow): Init +2; Atk butt or horns +0 melee (1d4+2) or trample -2 melee (1d6+2); AC 14; HD 3d6+3; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP immune to cold, sure -footed, adapted to high altitudes, heat vulnerability; SV Fort +6; Ref +4; Will -4; AL N. Yak (Domestic Bull): Init +2; Atk butt or horns +2 melee (1d6+2) or trample +0 melee (1d8+2); AC 14; HD 4d8+4; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP immune to cold, sure -footed, adapted to high altitudes, heat vulnerability; SV Fort +7; Ref +4; Will -4; AL N. Yak (Wild Cow): Init +4; Atk butt or horns +2 melee (1d4+2) or trample +0 melee (1d6+2); AC 14; HD 4d6+4; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP immune to cold, sure -footed, adapted to high altitudes, heat vulnerability; SV Fort +6; Ref +4; Will -2; AL N. Yak (Wild Bull): Init +4; Atk butt or horns +4 melee (1d6+4) or trample +2 melee (1d8+4); AC 14; HD 6d8+6; MV 40’; Act 1d20; SP immune to cold, sure -footed, adapted to high altitudes, heat vulnerability; SV Fort +8; Ref +4; Will +0; AL N. Yaks are heavily built relatives of cattle, adapted for cold and high altitudes. Domesticated males weigh 5d100+780 pounds on average, and domesticated females weigh 3d24+490 pounds. Wild make yaks are enormous, weighing 15d100+1,000 pounds, while wild females weigh 5d100+333 pounds. They are susceptible to overheating, and take an additional die of damage from any heat -based attack. They can also suffer in lower altitudes, at least until they become used to the change. They are capable of moving through bogs or deep snow with no appreciable loss of speed. They are very sure -footed, and are capable of traversing mountainous areas where riders dare not bring horses. Domestic yaks seldom panic, whereas wild yaks run from trouble whenever possible. Domesticated yaks are gentle, tractable, animals under most circumstances, and can be trained to carry packs or riders, and are capable of carrying up to 225 pounds. A large, well -trained bull may be able to carry up to twice this weight. Yaks also yield a nutritious milk with a high fat content that can be used for making butter, cheese, or as in ingredient in traditional yak butter tea. Yak dung is a source of fuel at high altitudes, and yak fiber can be combed from their long, shaggy hides, which are also of value when a yak is butchered for meat, hides, or leather. Yaks make grunting or squeaking noises, rather than lowing like most cattle. Average lifespan is 1d10+15 years. Where available, male yaks cost 1d20+50 gp, and females 1d20+30 gp. Well cared for yaks bring a return of 2d20 sp annually for wool fibers (both bulls and cows) and 4d20 sp annually for milk and its derivatives (cows only). Other Names: Grunting ox or hairy cattle.