Irontusk Boar
The symbol of the north laddie? Aye I know about Suranth's flags, the famed Iron dragons, and her tower and axe coat of arms, all feared, all recognized, all loved and all respected. But there by one creature. One name. And two words that'll send any orc or goblin running for their wee lives. Storm Lancer. Ya know why that be, lad? It nay just be me. Nary even close. Orcs and goblins would fight me til the sun burned ta nothing and enjoy it. Nay it be me mount and companion here. The Irontusk Boar. The only thing an orc or goblin braserker will ever meet more ready, willing and even eager ta fight em up close and personal like. Tough, aye ye bet our mounts are tough. Tough as a Nor'westor and twice as mean, but a hundred times as loyal. We have a wee bit of a joke in the Lancers laddie, one we say bout our hated foes, the foul greenskins oft enough. "They take the charge well enough, give credit where it is earned, that nae be what breaks em. No what breaks em is what comes after, as we dismount, slip from the saddle, axes and shields to hand. When two thousand suddenly become four thousand right in their midst, that's when they break. Never see it comin'"
Basic Information
Anatomy
The Irontusk Boar is a massive beast of a swine, muscular, strong, stubborn, and aggressive. They have very thick fur and two tusks that in the right light seem to glint like metal. The tusks seem to not be bone or tooth, but something quasi-metallic, yet naturally growing in these boars. This naturally means like all tusked animals, the tusks just keep growing, and must be kept well worn. To this effect, Irontusk boars can be seen to be grinding their tusks seemingly quite harshly on granite and other tough rock to keep them in check. Because of this fact as well, Irontusks that are bred and domesticated for use as war mounts, the soldiers whom would be riding them and being their caretakers on campaign have developed a technique, one involving metal grinding tools. This does not seem to be uncomfortable for the creatures, they actually seem to enjoy it. Their hides are quite thick as well, almost naturally leathery, making them exceedingly resistant already to being cut or sliced.
Something about the creatures, be it their inbuilt aggression, warrior like nature, or fearlessness, makes them easy to train as warmounts. This even includes wearing armor and other accoutrements, such as a chain and lantern hooked to their saddle and their tusk on one side for navigating in the dark. They seem to not mind the light, it does not distract them. Mail blankets, or even bits of fitted and custom plate are easy to get them to wear, they do not find such things uncomfortable at all.
Something about the creatures, be it their inbuilt aggression, warrior like nature, or fearlessness, makes them easy to train as warmounts. This even includes wearing armor and other accoutrements, such as a chain and lantern hooked to their saddle and their tusk on one side for navigating in the dark. They seem to not mind the light, it does not distract them. Mail blankets, or even bits of fitted and custom plate are easy to get them to wear, they do not find such things uncomfortable at all.
Genetics and Reproduction
Similar to their docile and calmer cousins of like boars and pigs, though they mature and age a fair bit slower, and they have less babies at once, generally only having 3 or 4.
Growth Rate & Stages
An Irontusk boar can live more than 60 years, the oldest on record in the Storm Lancers was 72 before it died in battle. These beasts are extremely long lived. They reach physical maturity (full size) in three years, sexual reproductive maturity in four years, and on average they live about 45 to 50 years in the wild. In captivity, war mounts naturally have a lower life expectancy, but even still on average they live around 40 years.
Ecology and Habitats
Irontusk Boars favor colder wintery climates, of boreal or alpine nature. This may explain why they have such a tight association with the faith of Sir Kartheart and are THE symbol associated with the templars of his faith more than even their iconic winged spears. The Irontusk is the mount of the Storm Lancers, the iconic symbol of these dwarven heavy cavalry, a depiction of power, strength and unstoppable force, like an avalanche or a Nor'westor.
These creatures are a symbol of the Tundra Realms and a well recognized and respected image of power of Suranth in general, the country's national animal. They roam the tundra hills and mountains with impunity, a dominant beast, with few predators. They are a prey item that most predators of the tundra would only dare attempt if they were desperate and starving. They have been known to even fend off monstrous and magickal beasts such as manticore, or even drakes. Their sheer hardiness, raw aggression, and cruel tusks, along with their sheer bulk and violent disposition making them adept at thriving in a land of dangerous predators of mundane and magickal nature.
These creatures are a symbol of the Tundra Realms and a well recognized and respected image of power of Suranth in general, the country's national animal. They roam the tundra hills and mountains with impunity, a dominant beast, with few predators. They are a prey item that most predators of the tundra would only dare attempt if they were desperate and starving. They have been known to even fend off monstrous and magickal beasts such as manticore, or even drakes. Their sheer hardiness, raw aggression, and cruel tusks, along with their sheer bulk and violent disposition making them adept at thriving in a land of dangerous predators of mundane and magickal nature.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Irontusk Boars, despite their aggression, are natural herbivores, eating no meat of any kind. They have a wildly adaptable digestive system for plant matter however, able to get nutrition even out of pine and spruce needles and branches. They are the herbivore equivalent of a garbage disposal, eating any and all plants they can reach without bias or concern.
Biological Cycle
These boars do not seem bothered by winter, like most would not be. In fact they are quite smart, for they will move to hillier and more mountainous ranges when they sense the cold coming, and move from cave system to cave system, living off the plentiful and hearty mushroom groves and moss patches that hide within the many cavern systems in Suranth's huge mountain ranges.
Behaviour
They are aggressive, tough, and mean tempered animals by and large in the wild, yet worthy companions for those willing to make the effort with a piglet and raise it into adulthood. That demeanor will never truly go away, but they are capable of learning self restraint.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Storm Lancer Outrider, Scouting Mission by Keon Croucher (discord name, drizzt103) was the input operator, Midjourney AI took those inputs and put the image together.
An artist's depiction, titled Last Patrol of the Day depicting one of the Outriders, the more lightly armored scouting wing of the Storm Lancers. The main core of the force would be encased head to toe in steel, and their mounts would have thick chain blankets, if not specially crafted plate of their own. This is the main domestic use of the Irontusk Boar. A beast of war.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
They have a brilliant sense of smell, a most acute sense of hearing, and even their eyesight is on par or slightly better than a dwarf or human's.
These things seem ferocious and well-suited for their purpose as mounts, I love it!
Thank you :) They were quite fun to come up with, had been meaning to do a little piece about them for a while, so glad summercamp gave me a push to do so.