Hyequine

Amid the shimmering heat haze of the arid desert, a herd of creatures grazes on sparse tufts of grass and dry, brittle shrubs. From a distance, their silhouette mirrors that of wild horses—lean bodies, long legs, and manes stirring gently in the warm wind. They move in cautious unison, muscles rippling beneath mottled fur, their steps purposeful but unhurried.

As you draw closer, the illusion fractures. One of the "horses" turns to face you. Its head is far from equine elegance. The angular jaw juts sharply, filled with teeth far too large and too sharp for grazing. Blood stains its powerful maw, dripping onto the parched earth below. Bits of sinew and rot cling to its lips, a grim testament to its recent meal. Its eyes, sharp and feral, lock onto yours with an unnerving intelligence, gleaming with a primal hunger. The rictus-like grin stretches across its face—a grotesque echo of a hyena's mocking laughter.

The creature’s mottled coat, patterned with dark spots and streaks, camouflages it against the desolate landscape. Its mane is short and stiff, more a ridge of coarse bristles than the flowing hair of a horse. Long, powerful legs end in hooves cracked from traversing harsh terrain, yet they are steady and unyielding, built for endurance rather than speed.

The rest of the herd follows suit, raising their heads to scrutinize you. They emit low, guttural sounds—not neighs, but the unsettling growls and yelps of scavenger beasts. Their tails, long and bushy, swish against their flanks, and the sharp points of their upright ears twitch toward every faint sound.

In the distance, the landscape bears their mark—gnawed carcasses, skeletal remains scattered among the barren ground, and shallow pits dug in search of roots and tubers. The Hyequine herd moves among this grim tableau as rulers of their desolate domain, both scavengers and survivors, perfectly adapted to their brutal, unforgiving world.

Evolution and History of the Hyequine

Nearly 1,800 years ago, a catastrophic event devastated the civilizations of Fanterath, leaving a shattered world in its wake. This period of destruction saw the emergence of scavenger species that thrived in the wake of death. Among these was the Hyequine, a species that likely evolved from ancient scavenging predators such as Hyenodon or mythical creatures like the Leucrotta. Over the centuries, these creatures adapted to an environment rife with corpses and limited vegetation, carving out a unique ecological niche.

Origins and Adaptations

Hyequines initially evolved as opportunistic scavengers during the cataclysm, feeding on the remains of fallen beasts and humanoids. Survival favoured individuals capable of avoiding larger predators, leading to the development of traits suited to speed and endurance. Their body structure began to resemble that of grazing ungulates, with longer legs and leaner builds ideal for outrunning threats.

Over time, as balance returned and ecosystems began to stabilize, Hyequines adapted further. Their scavenging nature persisted, but their diet expanded to include grasses, tubers, and other hardy vegetation. This omnivorous diet allowed them to survive in the equatorial stretch of Vircune, which became a constant battleground during the Great Wars. These wars provided an abundance of corpses, allowing the species to thrive on carrion while supplementing their diet with plant matter.

Survival Through the Ages

For hundreds of years, the Hyequine flourished. Their ability to consume both plant and animal matter made them highly adaptable, while their endurance and water efficiency allowed them to traverse vast stretches of arid or war-torn land. However, as peace gradually returned to the region, their niche began to shrink. With fewer corpses and stabilized environments favouring more specialized grazers, Hyequine populations declined. By the modern era, they were thought to be nearly extinct.

That changed when a herd was rediscovered by Strand Gnolls. Horses, notoriously wary of Gnolls and their hyena companions, were impractical as pack animals for these nomadic people. The Hyequine, however, was naturally suited to the Gnolls' needs. Resilient, adaptable, and unbothered by their handlers, the species became an integral part of Gnoll society.

The Modern Hyequine

Selective breeding by the Gnolls enhanced the Hyequine’s resemblance to horses, refining their utility as pack animals while retaining their unique traits. Unlike horses, Hyequines are slower but possess unparalleled endurance. They can survive extended periods without water, obtaining most of their hydration from the meat they consume. Their ability to digest rotting carrion and battlefield remnants makes them invaluable in harsh environments where resources are scarce.

These adaptations have made Hyequines a prized commodity among Hobgoblin armies and other warlike societies. They are ideal for traversing arid or war-torn landscapes, carrying supplies, and even serving as mounts in certain situations. Gelded males are commonly found in slave bazaars, their docile nature making them manageable for even inexperienced handlers.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Size & Build: Hyequines are medium to large quadrupeds, standing approximately 1.5 metres at the shoulder and weighing between 300–500 kilograms. Their bodies are lean yet muscular, optimized for endurance rather than speed.

Head: The head resembles that of a hyena, with a robust skull, powerful jaws, and large carnassial teeth adapted for crushing bones and scavenging. Their eyes are forward-facing, granting binocular vision, and their ears are tall and pointed, ideal for detecting distant sounds.

Coat: Covered in coarse, mottled fur with a spotted or streaked pattern, providing camouflage in arid and grassy environments. Their mane is short and bristly, running along their neck and spine.

Limbs: Long, sturdy legs with reduced digits and large hooves adapted for traversing rugged, dry terrain. While slower than horses, their limbs provide exceptional stamina.

Tail: Bushy and hyena-like, used for balance and communication within the herd.

Digestive System: Highly adaptive, capable of processing both carrion and vegetation. Their stomachs are efficient at extracting nutrients from rotting meat and fibrous plants.

Special Adaptations:

Can survive for extended periods without water by metabolizing moisture from their diet.
Resistant to bacterial toxins, allowing safe consumption of decomposed carcasses.

These traits make Hyequines uniquely suited to harsh, resource-scarce environments.