Gnus and Llamas and Moose, Oh My!

War Rhino by Stian Dahslett ©2007 Conan Properties International

Much of what was established in the previous article is valid here, with some exceptions. These will be addressed as best as possible given the motley nature of the exotic steeds presented here. Whether these beasties can be ridden at all and, if so, used in combat is more relevant to fantasy than to plausible reality save for obvious candidates like dromedaries and elephants. Mechanics for charging maneuvers, travel speeds, loads, reaction checks, jumping, earning experience, and so on, are otherwise largely the same. If you haven’t read the first article, click here.

 

Gender

            Genders and related reaction check modifiers mostly remain in place. However, some of the mounts listed here don’t include a gelding option, such as elephants, giraffes, and ostriches. The latter three, therefore, are either male or female (50/50 chance). The term gelding otherwise applies to equines and camelids incl. llamas; for bovines, they are called steers, barrows for boars, haviers for cervids, or wethers for caprine mounts.

 

Reaction Checks

            These mechanics are largely the same, with some differences. Riding skills, the rider’s culture, and spoken languages relate to families of mounts rather than a specific animal, such as camelid for camels, dromedaries, and llamas, bovine for gnus, bulls, and bison, pachyderm for elephants, hippos, and rhinos, canine for wolves, flightless avian for ostriches, suid for pigs, cervid for moose and elks, caprine for rams and goats, etc. Zebras are equines. Although giraffes belong in none of these families, for the sake of game mechanics only they can be treated as equines as well; from a horse’s point of view, giraffes would speak with an exotic accent.

            As regards reaction check modifiers, change “Horse culture” to “Tribal culture,” assuming the tribe or whatever society possesses a tradition for breeding and riding a specific family of steeds (pachyderms, camelids, cervids, etc.). The same can be said about spoken languages. The rest of the modifiers are the same.

 

Mount Attributes

            They are rolled as shown in the previous article: 2d4+8. Avoid the usual cheating methods (rolling 3 dice and keeping the 2 best, swapping rolls to max out certain attributes, and so on). The +8 is intended to prevent really bad scores. A DM is always welcome to change these scores as needed. The mounts described here are tamed creatures; wild ones cannot normally be approached even with a successful reaction check (gold values reflect the fact these are tamed creatures). Some will require special saddles and harnesses.

            As regards jumping abilities, some are based on RW observation while a certain amount of guesswork came into play for others especially for long jumps. For the sake of consistency with the previous article, mount sizes are still listed in “hands” (4 inches or 10.16 cm).

            Attributes of some mounts presented here may very well exceed the maximum of 18, especially pachyderms. Allowing stats 19+ for B/X-BECMI should be appropriate. For AD&D game mechanics, use the warrior’s percentile increments up to 18⁰⁰ to “soak up” excess bonuses.

 

Miscellaneous Notes

·  Charging Maneuver: The description of horses during a charge (trot/gallop/full-speed charge) only applies to equines and mounts weighing more than 800 lbs.

·  Travel Distances & Loads: These mechanics are the same as those in the first article, except for the elephant being able to carry loads up to 25% of its own weight.

·  Warfare: Some mounts cannot be trained for war, others have restrictions on who can train them, but many can be trained as war mounts provided their owners possess the requisite skills to train tamed animals for battle. If trained for war, add +50% to a mount’s market value.

·  Strength, Endurance, Agility, Intelligence, Advancement, & Mounted Archery: They remain unchanged from the original article. Note that certain mounts simply cannot jump, especially pachyderms.

·  Morale: Ratings are listed directly in the mounts’ descriptions. The first number is for use with B/X-BECMI, and the next is for other OSR games.

·  Age and Lifespans: Those inevitably will differ from what was established for equines. The descriptions provide the mounts’ lifespans and years to reach full size (maturity). When making a random roll for their ages, ignore the “01-20” result indicating the mount is “young.” Refer instead to the information in the mounts’ descriptions.

            For example, since an ice wolf matures in just 3 years a score of “15” does not indicate a pup (15% of a 30-year lifespan = 4.5 years). Likewise, a score of “50” for an elephant still results in a “young” (although a rather large one!), since 50% of a 70-year lifespan = 25 years compared with the 40 years the elephant needs to reach its full size. Use some common sense here, however: 15 years are enough for an elephant to reach near full size and to be considered mature. Leave it to game grognards to think of stuff like this.

 

Types of Mounts
d%	Type: Bison (Bovine)			Warfare: No restrictions
1-6	Breed: Yazakan (Mystara), Geoffian (WG), Tengrian    (FR), Laëran (Calidar)						Size: up to 20 hands
	4 HD+8	MV 150’ (50’)	Treat as 5 HD monster				+2 Str	–1 Dex
	High Jump: 6ft (1.80m)		Long Jump: 9ft (2.70m)				Morale (ML): 8/14
	Preferences: Half-orcs, Strength 15+			Dislikes: Dwarves, magic-users
	Description: With thick coats of brown fur, darker on the necks, shoulders, and heads, these beasts naturally roam great open plains. They can easily withstand continental climates. If attacked, both genders defend themselves, although bulls can be trained for warfare, especially for charging. Bison live up to 25 years, maturing in about 3. Weight: up to 1,270 kg (2,800 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Bison			Market Value: 450 gold or more
7-14	Type: Boar, large (Suid)			Warfare: Only folks 5’ or shorter can train
	Breed: Smaggeft (Mystara), Vesvian (WG), Orsraunish (FR), Rothgor (Calidar)						Size: up to 12 hands
	2 HD+4	MV 150’ (50’)	Treat as 2 HD monster				+1 Str	—
	High Jump: 3ft (0.90m)		Long Jump: 4½ft (1.40m)				Morale (ML): 9/15
	Preferences: Dwarves, Wisdom 13+			Dislikes: Humans, thieves
	Description: These rare boars, noted for their size and ferocity, make good mounts for skilled dwarven riders. Their heads can act as plows strong enough to upturn 110 lbs. rocks (50 kg). Coats consist of long, coarse bristles underlaid with short brown, dark gray, or black fur, and thick manes on the back of their necks and shoulders. Boars live up to 20 years, maturing in 2. Weight: up to 350 kg (770 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Boar			Market Value: 220 gold or more
15-20	Type: Bull, longhorn (Bovine)					Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Narvaez (Mystara), Medegian (WG), Theskian    (FR), Antas (Calidar)						Size: up to 18 hands
	3 HD+8	MV 150’ (50’)	Treat as 4 HD monster				+2 Str	—
	High Jump: 4ft (1.20m)		Long Jump: 6ft (1.80m)				Morale (ML): 8/14
	Preferences: Humans, Strength 14+			Dislikes: Elves or half-elves, clerics
	Description: With coats of varied colors, these bulls bear huge horns, more than 10’ across (3.2 m) for some. They get a +2 bonus to save vs. diseases, and they accommodate themselves of all climates. They live up to 25 years, maturing in about 5. Weights: cows up to 635 kg (1,400 lbs.), bulls up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs.), steers up to 1,135 kg (2,500 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Texas Longhorn			Market Value: 350 gold or more
21-28	Type: Dromedary    (Camelid)			Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Jhengali (Mystara), Ulli (WG), Raurin (FR),    Khosabi (Calidar)						Size: up to 23½ hands
	2 HD+8	MV 210’ (70’)	Treat as 3 HD monster				+2 Con	—
	High Jump: Nil		Long Jump: Nil				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Humans, Dexterity 13+			Dislikes: Half-orcs, clerics
	Description: Stubborn and capricious, this mount has a single hump, thick, double-layered eyelashes, sharp vision, and a good sense of smell. Coats range from usually brown or black to nearly white. Dromedaries incur no MV penalty on soft terrain and can survive 15 days without water. They live up to 40 years, maturing in about 5. Weight: up to 690 kg (1,520 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Dromedary			Market Value: 270 gold or more
29-36	Type: Elephant    (Pachyderm)			Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Ulimwengan (Mystara), Kabrevan (WG),      Chultan (FR), Hoogan (Calidar)						Size: up to 39 hands
	8 HD+16	MV 120’ (40’)	Treat as 10 HD monster				+4 Str	–1 Dex
	High Jump: Nil		Long Jump: Nil				Morale (ML): 6/10
	Preferences: Humans, Wisdom 15+			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, thieves
	Description: This lord of the savanna is massively strong and can carry up to 5 people. Its trunk can lift up to 3% of the elephant’s body weight. It possesses thick gray skin, large ears, and strong tusks. Though fearsome looking, the elephant is prone to panicking before or during combat. It lives up to 70 years, maturing to full stature in about 40. Weight: up to 10,890 kg (24,000 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: African bush elephant			Market Value: 1,200 gold or more
37-44	Type: Elk (Cervid)			Warfare: Only elves or half-elves can train
	Breed: Wendar (Mystara), Blackmoor (WG),              Far Forest (FR), Fëoril (Calidar)						Size: up to 15 hands
	2 HD+11	MV 240’ (80’)	Treat as 3 HD monster				+1 Str	+1 Dex
	High Jump: 5½ft (1.70m)		Long Jump: 14ft (4.30m)				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Elves, ½ elves, Cha 13+			Dislikes: Dwarves, thieves
	Description: Elk have thick bodies with slender legs and short tails. They shed their majestic antlers in late winter/early spring. Most have yellow-brown to orange-brown coats in contrast to dark brown hair on the head, neck, and legs during the summer, or light gray in winter. Bulls produce a loud, high-pitched call called “bugle.” They live up to 26 years, maturing to full size in at least 6. Weight: up to 600 kg (1,300 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Canadian Elk or Wapiti			Market Value: 300 gold or more
45-48	Type: Giraffe                        (treat as Equine in game)			Warfare: Cannot be trained
	Breed: Meghala Kimata (Mystara), Kabrevan (WG),    Shaar (FR), Ebonian (Calidar)						Size: up to 34 hands
	3 HD+8	MV 180’ (60’)	Treat as 4 HD monster				+1 Con	—
	High Jump: 2ft (0.60m)		Long Jump: 4ft (1.20m)				Morale (ML): 5/8
	Preferences: Humans, Int 13+			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, fighters
	Description: With necks up to 8ft long, these lanky mounts can reach 18ft up. Coats are white or cream-colored hair with dark orange, chestnut, brown, or nearly black patches. They enjoy good binocular vision and sharp hearing and smelling senses. Their powerful kicks inflict up to 1d10 damage per attack. They require special saddles to ride. They live up to 22 years, maturing to full size in about 4. Weight: up to 1,930 kg (4,250 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Giraffe			Market Value: 200 gold or more
49-54	Type: Gnu, Wildebeest (Bovine)				Warfare: Cannot be trained
	Breed: Konumtali (Mystara), Kabrevan (WG), Shaar    (FR), Kalatazi (Calidar)						Size: up to 15 hands
	1 HD+8	MV 240’ (80’)	Treat as 2 HD monster				+1 Con	—
	High Jump: 6ft (1.80m)		Long Jump: 15ft (4.60m)				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Elves, ½ elves,        Wis 13+			Dislikes: Dwarves, thieves
	Description: This odd mount has the head of a cow, the body of a horse, the legs of a gazelle, a thick black mane, and a beard. Dark brown stripes run down its shoulders. Hardy but improper for warfare, it prefers flight unless cornered when it will use both horns and hooves to defend itself. Wildebeest live up to 40 years, maturing to full size in about 4. Weight: up to 270 kg (605 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Blue Wildebeest			Market Value: 100 gold or more
55-58	Type: Hippopotamus      (Pachyderm)					Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Yavdlom (Mystara), Pelissan (WG), Shaar (FR), Katani (Calidar)						Size: up to 16 hands
	6 HD+16	MV 90’ (30’)	Treat as 8 HD monster				+2 Str	—
	High Jump: Nil		Long Jump: Nil				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Half-orcs, Char 13+			Dislikes: Elves, ½ elves, magic-users
	Description: Hippos are amphibious creatures, more at ease in water than on solid ground. In still water, their MV rate is 120’ (40’) mostly bouncing off the bottom; they can stay underwater for up to 30mn. Due to their weight and stubby legs, they are incapable of jumping when on firm ground. They live up to 50 years, maturing to full size in about 25. Weight: up to 2,660 kg (5,860 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Hippopotamus			Market Value: 700 gold or more
59-64	Type: Llama (Camelid)			Warfare: Only halflings or gnomes can train
	Breed: Cruthian (Mystara), Lortmil (WG),    Erlkazar (FR), Belledor (Calidar)						Size: up to 10 hands
	1 HD+2	MV 180’ (60’)	Treat as 1 HD monster				+2 Dex	—
	High Jump: 2ft (0.60m)		Long Jump: 5ft (1.50m)				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Halflings, gnomes,    Dex 13+			Dislikes: Half-orcs, clerics
	Description: Primarily a pack animal, it is also a source of food, wool, hides, and dried dung for fuel. With its head about 6’11” above ground (1.8m), it hisses or spits at anyone when failing a reaction check. It can spit up to 10’ away in someone’s face, causing a foe to lose its next action, and kick in the same round. It can watch over herds or a sleeping party. Llamas live up to 26 years, reaching full size in 4. Weight: up to 270 kg (600 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Llama			Market Value: 55 gold or more
65-68	Type: Moose (Cervid)			Warfare: Only elves/half-elves can train
	Breed: Altenwalder (Mystara), Burneal (WG),        High Forest (FR), Tëorin (Calidar)						Size: up to 23 hands
	3 HD+11	MV 180’ (60’)	Treat as 4 HD monster				+2 Str	—
	High Jump: 5½ft (1.70m)		Long Jump: 11ft (3.30m)				Morale (ML): 7/12
	Preferences: Elves, ½ elves, Int 13+			Dislikes: Humans, non-elven fighters
	Description: Moose aren’t social mounts (–1 to reaction checks). These huge cervids prefer quiet, swampy forests. Some northern rulers forbid riding them because they outrun horses in swamps and thick snow. Moose can also swim up to 2 hours at a time. They eat about 50 lbs. of fodder a day. They live up to 22 years, reaching full size in about 5. Weight: up to 770 kg (1,700 lbs.).
	RW Inspir.: Alaska Yukon Moose			Market Value: 220 gold or more
69-76	Type: Ostrich (Flightless Bird)			Warfare: Only halflings or gnomes can train
	Breed: Meghala Kimatan (Mystara), Zeifan (WG),    Raurin (FR), Niangor (Calidar)						Size: up to 16½ hands
	1 HD+4	MV 240’ (80’)	Treat as 1 HD monster				+1 Dex	+1 Con
	High Jump: 5ft (1.50m)		Long Jump: 10ft (3.00m)				Morale (ML): 6/10
	Preferences: Halflings, gnomes,    Dex 13+			Dislikes: Humans, fighters 5’ tall or more
	Description: Ostriches sport black feathers with white primaries and tails. Light down covers their heads and necks. Their powerful legs remain bare. Their heads reach up to 9’ from the ground. Their excellent eyesight and hearing enable them to spot faraway predators. Their feathers and eggs provide a valuable source of revenue. Ostriches live up to 40 years, reaching full size in about 3. Weight: up to 158 kg (350 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Ostrich			Market Value: 130 gold or more
77-82	Type: Ram, large    (Caprine)			Warfare: Only folks 5’ or shorter can train
	Breed: Mengulan (Mystara), Coruskan (WG), Galenan (FR), Hûffgoras (Calidar)						Size: up to 12½ hands
	1 HD+8	MV 250’ (50’)	Treat as 2 HD monster				+2 Dex	—
	High Jump: 8½ft (2.60m)		Long Jump: 21½ft (6.50m)				Morale (ML): 8/14
	Preferences: Dwarves, Charisma 13+			Dislikes: Humans, clerics
	Description: These high-mountain goats routinely maneuver along narrow ledges and tiny rocky overhangs on cliff sides at altitudes up to 19,000’ (treat as 19 Dex when doing so). Their corkscrew-shaped horns measure up to 6’3” across (1.90m). Rams used as mounts live up to 20 years, reaching full size in about 4. Weight: up to 350 kg (780 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Argali ram			Market Value: 100 gold or more
83-88	Type: Rhinoceros (Pachyderm)					Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Konumtalian (Mystara), Kabrevan (WG), Shaar (FR), Tarkanian (Calidar)						Size: up to 18 hands
	6 HD+16	MV 120’ (40’)	Treat as 8 HD monster				+3 Str	–1 Dex
	High Jump: Nil		Long Jump: Nil				Morale (ML): 9/15
	Preferences: Dwarves, Strength 15+			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, magic-users
	Description: These savanna herbivores are famous for their horns, measuring up to 59” long (1.50 m). Body color ranges from slate grey to yellowish-brown. Like all pachyderms, they cannot jump. Eyesight is poor and hearing is average, but their sense of smell is excellent. At the start of a battle, rhinos may charge toward what is perceived as the biggest threat unless riders succeed riding checks. If they do charge, they go berserk and keep fighting the perceived threat. Rhinos used as mounts live up to 50 years, reaching full size in about 8. Weight: up to 3,630 kg (8,000 lbs.).
	RW Inspiration: Southern white rhinoceros			Market Value: 960 gold or more
89-96	Type: Wolf, ice (Canine)			Warfare: No restrictions
	Breed: Icereach Wolf (Mystara), Iuzkin(WG),        Winterwoods (FR) Anyan (Calidar)						Size: up to 13 hands
	2 HD+9	MV 150’ (50’)	Treat as 3 HD monster				+1 Con	—
	High Jump: 7½ft (2.30m)		Long Jump: 15ft (4.60m)				Morale (ML): 9/15
	Preferences: Half-orcs, Strength 13+			Dislikes: Elves, ½ elves, magic-users
	Description: Mountain and arctic denizens, ice wolves raid lowlands in the winter, when food is scarce. They move through snow without penalty. Pack alphas can breathe an icy blast (30% chance/attack) inflicting 3d4 damage within 15 feet (save for ½ damage). Alphas’ market values are tripled. Pelage is black, gray, or white. They live up to 30 years, reaching full size in about 3. Weight: up to 227 kg (500 lbs.).
	Inspiration: Worg, dire wolf, ice wolf, etc.			Market Value: 380 gold or more
96-00	Type: Zebra (Equine)			Warfare: Cannot be trained
	Breed: Meghala Kimatan (Mystara), Kabrevan (WG), Shaar (FR), Tanor (Calidar)						Size: up to 15 hands
	1 HD+5	MV 150’ (50’)	Treat as 2 HD monster				+1 Con	—
	High Jump: 3½ft (1.10m)		Long Jump: 10½ft (3.20m)				Morale (ML): 5/8
	Preferences: Halfling, gnomes, Int 13+			Dislikes: Half-orcs, fighters
	Description: The zebra’s black and white striped coat acts as camouflage in high grasslands (25% chance of eluding notice from more than 300’). This mule-like zebra can only be used as a pack or riding mount for riders 5’ or shorter. It prefers flight unless cornered when it will kick and bite to defend itself. It lives up to 30 years, reaching full size in about 4. Weight: up to 450 kg (990 lbs.).
	Inspiration: Grévy's zebra			Market Value: 80 gold or more

 

Saddles & Harnesses

            There are many different types of saddles. For the sake of simplicity, just two basic types are presented here for horses and equines in general. The costs are given in gold per HD. The reason for this is that mounts earning experience levels tend to demand fancier saddles (better leatherwork, dyed or painted embossing, carvings, silver or gold fittings, mother-of-pearl or ivory inserts, shiny tassels, fine blankets or furs, and in some cases horns, bells, and other adornments). Leveling up, however, does not affect the weight of the saddle.

 

Light Saddles (L): They weigh 10-15 lbs. and cost about 5 gold per HD. They are intended for racing, jumping, or horseback games like polo or fox-hunting. Their lighter weights help reduce encumbrance. They also enable rolling twice and keeping the best score when the mounts perform their first Dexterity check of the day.

Heavy Saddles (H): They weigh 30-45 lbs. and are worth about 12 gold per HD. They distribute weight better on the mounts’ backs and are more comfortable for the riders as well. They are best for spending long hours riding, working cattle, waging war, or adventuring. They also enable rolling twice and keeping the best score when the mounts perform their first Constitution check of the day.

 

Non-Equine Saddles: and Harnesses: They are breed-specific. A saddle meant for a giraffe obviously won’t work for an ostrich or a rhinoceros.

War Elephant by Jeff Sadzinski. Image may be copyrighted

 ·  Bovine: Sturdy H saddles and straps are required for bovines. Cost: 10 gold per HD. Weight: 15 lbs. per HD.

·  Cervid: L and H saddles are fine, although elves tend to favor the former. Cost (L) 6 gold per HD; (H) 12 gold per HD. Weight: (L) 3 lbs. per HD; (H) 10 lbs. per HD.

·  Dromedary: Saddles include a wooden frame with thick padding beneath and on top, which sits on the dromedary’s hump. The H saddle is large enough for two riders in tandem or it can be fitted with a tent-like housing called a howdah, especially for wealthy ladies. The L saddle is used for racing only. Cost: (L) 6 gold per HD, (H) 10 gold per HD or twice as much with a howdah. Weight: (L) 4 lbs. per HD; (H) 17 lbs. per HD or twice as much with a howdah.

·  Elephant: The mahout sits directly behind the mount’s head. Up to 4 more passengers can sit or stand on a howdah strapped on the elephant’s back. It includes a wood or bamboo floor, padded seats and a large umbrella or a canopy for traveling, or reinforced sides offering passengers a shield-like +1 AC bonus vs. projectiles. Elephant howdahs qualify as neither L nor H saddles. Cost: 5 gold per HD or twice as much with fancy trappings. Weight: 6 lbs. per HD.

·  Giraffe: It is the hardest mount to saddle because of its body shape. It requires a special harness to stay in place and hold the rider’s weight. An optical device extends up from the saddle’s horn and ends with a binocular-like optical device to see around the giraffe’s neck. Cost: (L) 8 gold per HD; (H) 12 gold per HD. Weight: (L) 5 lbs. per HD; (H) 9 lbs. per HD.

·  Hippos & Rhinos: Sturdy H saddles are required for these two pachyderms. They enable two riders in tandem and include rope ladders that can be rolled up and strapped to the side. The hippo’s saddle is generally subject to a water-breathing enchantment. Cost: (rhino) 7 gold per HD; (hippo) cost of enchantment + 7 gold per HD. Weight: 7 lbs. per HD.

·  Llama, Boar, Ostrich, Ram, Wolf: Light saddles are a must for all four breeds. Cost: 5 gold per HD. Weight: 5 lbs. +1 per HD.

 

—oOo—

 

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