Riftcow
A headstrong and hardy breed of bovines whose byproducts come with a naturally smoky flavour.
Following the events of the Rupture fifty years ago, strange and magical creatures have migrated from other realms into Melior through rifts that puncture its lands, skies, and seas.
A Hungry Herd
After their success of taming a litter of rifthounds pups, the Nurbotu Scarfolk in Anvil and their valliant Riftguard turned their gaze inside of the rifts to be some of the first folks to explore a foriegn realm. It was here that they first encountered riftcows and were able to lure a herd back home into Melior. The cow-like beings seem to be omnivorous but are quite happy to feed on grass if no sources of meat are close by when they’re hungry. They cannot be kept in the same enclosed grazing pastures as other cattle because if the mixed herd runs out of grazing material, the riftcows will turn violent and gore the weakest of the group before feasting on it. Horrified cattle farmers have learnt the hard way to provide excess food even for the isolated herds, as hungry riftcows will even turn to eat their own young if nothing else is readily available.Byproducts
The twisted horns of a riftcow are like stripy carved pieces of fine art from a master sculptor which make attractive ornaments, instruments, and buttons. Despite the ban on riftmeat due to the risk of riftgut disease, experiments with milking the riftcows (an awkward and somewhat dangerous experience in itself) have been successful with no repercussions of diseases or ailments. Riftcow milk is thick and creamy like native cow's milk, but it has an incredibly pungent smoky taste as if it had been stored in a smoke shed. Processing the milk into cheese amplifies this taste even further and as the cheese ripens it smells as if there is a small fire in the room somewhere. Riftcow cheese is so unique that it is now a closely guarded commodity. Thankfully, with their rifthounds on leash, the Nurbotu Scarfolk will have no problem with prying eyes or hungry cheese-thieves.
Scientific Name
Bos Fumus
Lifespan
20 years
Average Height
2 meters
Average Weight
750 - 1500 kg
Ah, the smokiest of smoky cheddar. I'm just imagining throwing some of this into a BLT or omelet...