Castles In The Sky

To: Shaeun Shontoleen

 

From Trader Nirveli Visolela of the Silver Chimera Trading Company

 Dearest Shaeun,

 Our newest herd of Cloudwalkers has arrived in prime condition looking much like tall, fluffy sheep. Unfortunately their elegant grace is somewhat ruined by the flat ride that covers the lower muzzle. It reminds me of a duck’s bill, such an odd ornamentation to an otherwise limber creature.

 We were lucky enough to receive this group while they were still young between six and eight months each. Our herder’s children are delighted to have so many new pets to cuddle and fondle which is well for us. Cloudwalkers are surprisingly amiable creatures when well-treated but, are often spoiled by heavy-handed handlers who bring out their worst behaviors.

 In a few months I’ll be taking these bright-eyed youngsters along with us on our trip through the JewelwoodForest to accustom them to the rigors of the travel. I am sure our reigning matriarch, Violent Violet, will be delighted to make their acquaintance.

 Arianna keeps telling me it is in bad taste to carry Cloudwalker jerky on the backs of their kin. I pointed out that we are using Cloudwalker hair in the manufacture of their bridles and harnesses and they haven’t complained yet. I wish we could harvest more hair off each one; there is always a high demand for the fine, glossy strands that seem as light as a cloud when spun into yarn. I think our Thundehooves are getting a mite jealous of all the attention being lavished on the Cloudwalkers.

 Unlike horses, Cloudwalkers like to walk in a single file, with each individual having a preferred place in line. I keep a weak link in the lunch lines on the inexperienced animals in case of predator attack or fright. It is far better to bring back an escaped animal than bury it. I find that those that break free do not wander far from the comfort of their fellows and easy to re-capture.

 I look forward to seeing you again soon my friend and showing you the wonders of Cloudwalking.

 Your friend,

Nirveli Visolela
Thirdmonth, Year of the Sliding Sands

 

 

Cloudwalker
Large Animal

Hit Dice: 7d8+28 (59)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 20 foot (5 squares), Swim 15, Climb 15
AC: 12 (-2 size, +1 Dex, +7 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+3
Attacks: Bite +5 Melee, Kick +5 Melee, Crush +5 Melee
Damage:  Crush (1d10), Bite (1d4), Kick 1d5
Face / Reach: 10 foot by 20 Foot /10 ft
Special Attacks: Spit
Special Qualties: Resistance to cold
Saves: Fort- 9,Ref- 6,Will- 3
Stats: STR- 14,DEX- 18,CON-19, INT -, WIS-  9,CHA- 20
Skills: Listen +10, Search +7, Spot + 11, Survival +15
Feats: -
Climate/Terrain: Cloud forests
Organization: Varies, may be found solitary or in small groups (2-10)
Challenge Rating: 2
Treasure: None except themselves
Alignment: Neutral
Advancement: Huge (14 HD)

These large, graceful creatures look a bit like a camel mixed with a llama except for the duck-like ridges around their muzzle.  Dense tufts of hair cover their long necks and form a beard that hangs between the front legs. Short hair in neutral tones decorated by spots covers the back and legs. A long, fox-like tail hangs down the rear to brush against the ankles. The tail can be raised to display anger, fear or in mating displays.

Cloudwalkers are 50 to 60 inches high at the withers and 70 to 82 inches tall at the poll. They weigh 18 to 31 pounds at birth and should weigh 800 to 900 pounds at maturity.

Combat: Cloudwalkers have a volatile temper. They can spit a nasty mix of half-digested cud which can cause blindness if spit into the eyes. It is disgusting enough to cause the spit-upon player to save vs. revulsion or spend one turn wiping the cud off of him or her self.

Cloudwalkers can kick with their powerful hind legs or flail with their front legs to hit an opponent.  If they manage to knock an opponent over the Cloudwalker will attempt crush the prone form with their split front hooves.

Cloudwalkers can reach out with their long necks to bite or butt their flat skulls against an opponent. Their spit attack is always accurate within 5 feet, with a -10% difficulty for every foot thereafter. It does only 1d3 damage, but if gets in the eyes there is a 25% chance of blindness lasting 1d5 rounds.

Society: Cloudwalkers were developed as beasts of burden for the rocky paths of high-altitude cloud forests. Their camel-like bodies have a single hump over the shoulders sloping bad to slender hind-legs from their alpaca ancestors. There are no wild Cloudwalkers.

Cloudwalkers are social herd animals that need the presence of their own kind or other herd animals. They are normally gentle, inquisitive, intelligent and observant creatures that carry themselves with an elegant grace. Their docile nature is infused with a stubborn sense of individuality and personal survival that gives them the ruggedness and adaptability to adapt and survive in new environments.

As herbivores, they are cautious and nervous if they feel threatened. Cloudwalkers dislike having their personal space crowded by unfamiliar beings. If a Cloudwalker feels threatened it will warn the intruder away by making sharp, noisy inhalations, putting back their ears and twisting their heads and necks backwards toward the perceived threat. This display is followed by screaming and a threat to spit before the Cloudwalker does spit and kick. Due to the soft pads on their feet, the kicks are not as dangerous as those of hoofed animals.

Cloudwalkers dislike having their heads or feet touched. Grabbing them by the neck is a common way of restraining them as they are very sensitive to touch along their neck and lower jaw. Bridles for Cloudwalkers do not include a bit due to their constant cud-chewing nor do they include a nosestrap, but fasten behind the eyes instead.

The thickened skin around the muzzle serves as protection for the Cloudwalker’s indiscriminate grazing habits. Wide nostrils can flare open to suck in air or seal closed to keep out dust or water. Cloudwalkers are excellent swimmer and have a large lung capacity which allows them to

Cloudwalkers mature at about 2 years of age. It is no advisable to make them carry loads or passengers until full maturity. Females produce 1-2 young per pregnancy which lasts for 11-12 months. They generally wean their offspring (called cloudlings) at six months of age.

Herds are based on a dominate female with males forming loose groups following the females. Once a group has chosen a dominant female, the others follow her without the need for restraints.

Cloudwalkers are often sheared twice a year. Their long, glossy hair has a structure much like Human hair but does not shed out. The Cloudwalker hair is highly desirable for its soft, non-prickly quality. It is easily spun by hand into yarn which can be knit into a pliable, lightweight fabric that is as warm as wool without the weight. The hair comes in 22 natural shades. Each Cloudwalker produces about 50 lbs per year each.

Cloudwalkers can run about 35 miles per hour over level ground, less with a burden.

The hump of a Cloudwalker allows them to travel for three or four days without food or water. They are able to go from extremes of heat and cold without discomfort, eat almost any kind of vegetation, pick their way through almost any kind of terrain even up nearly sheer cliffs and graze while moving at a steady pace of 10-15 miles an hour.

These animals’ amiable nature, hardiness and usefulness as a source of milk, meat and wool along with their use as a beast of burden make them a prized commodity. Their fur lacks lanolin, which makes sheep’s wool waterproof and also causes allergic reactions. Trade caravans often exchange their excess young for provisions and in many remote outposts their worth is a standard of exchange like bars of gold or jewels.

Adults require 12-15 lbs of alfalfa hay per day in order to maintain good health and energy. They can carry up to 30% of their body weight comfortably and no more than 40% of their body weight for short distances. Overloaded Cloudwalkers will lie down and refuse to move.

Young Cloudwalkers are often raised by children to raise in order to form a strong bond between them. Cloudwalkers live an average of 20 years with a few living as long as 30 years.