Flash Goats

I presume that they were originally made by either the storm giants of old or that some storm god blessed some goats as a joke. Personally, I think lightning goats is a better name as where else in nature do you get that flash-CRACK

— Jasper Cameron, leader of the Bronze Ravens.

Found almost exclusively in the mountains between SIlmere and Favortown, Flash goats are one of those animals that are a quirk of nature. Their horns and hooves, through whatever means, give off a soft glow, most commonly yellow. This glow grows or shrinks depending on what the goat is doing. The most brilliant displays, however, happen during mating season and are where the goats get their name.

As male goats clash during mating season, especially in the morning and evening hours, one can see bright flashes. While they vary in intensity, the most brilliant displays are from the largest goats. It is also worth noting that the goats, living in their rocky habitat, also use this quirk of nature to distract and confuse predators such as the leopards native to their habitat. Adult goats will often butt boulders and rocks hoping to blind and startle their pursuers, letting the young goats in the herd escape.

Speaking of herds, a herd of flash goats is usually in the range of 10-30 individuals. The herds are almost exclusively made of females and their young, males being chased off due to their unfortunate habit of attempting to butt the young goats from cliffs. Not exactly the smartest, but then that is why the males are chased from herds as soon as this behavior starts.

During mating season, herds will gather and swell in number as males compete for the right to breed. The lights and sounds liven up the mountains for miles over the course of roughly a month. Whether due to some quirk of habitat or genetics, some goats give off different colored light. In contrast to the typical yellow, Brilliant blues and vibrant pinks have been observed. While some claim to have also seen green and orange flashes, this is likely the result of one of these rarer individuals clashing with the common yellow.

These goats, while elusive and hard to hunt, are one of the most prized game animals in the area. Their hooves and horns take well to the engraving of magical runes and holding of spells.