Klúas

Klúas¹ are herbivorous mammals found throughout the eastern parts of the Plain of Kings in eastern Dragonía.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Klúas are about the size of our world's leopard, with distinct plates protecting its head, back and tail and a row of blunt spikes along the sides. The underside and legs are unprotected, as is the skin between the plates, but the fact they don't interlock allows the klúa greater freedom of movement than more armoured Tírúas.
Klúas also have large, ever-growing incisors similar to those on rodents, which they use to chew tough plants as well as to defend themselves.

Ecology and Habitats

They are found mostly on the eastern Plain of Kings and to lesser extend the northeasternmost Plain of Spirits, where they fulfill a similar role as Hyrnings to the west.

Dietary Needs and Habits

They mostly eat tubers, tough grasses and, during winter, branches and bark of trees and shrubs.

Additional Information

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Mörkels inhabiting the Plain of Kings have so far proven unsuccessful at taming klúas, but often hunt them for their meat, skins and plates, the latter which are sometimes incorporated into armour, helmets or shields.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Klúas mostly rely on sight and hearing, unlike other large herbivores on the Plain of King which have poor eyesight. In mixed herds of klúas, Gírks and (more rarely) hyrnings, klúas are usually the first to spot predators and alert the the others.

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¹Original icelandic: klúur, singular: klúa.

by Lappalingur

Origin/Ancestry

Northeastern Dragonía.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Klúas are covered in short, dense fur, usually bluish-grey or silver on the head and back and lighter on the underside. Most have darker stripes on the legs and and sides, how pronounced they are varies by individuals.