Bankhur
A bankhur (plural: bankhurim) is a creature from a canine-like Celestial race that lives on the Material Plane as the spiritual guides and protectors of the Orokhim, specifically the Nuél-orokhim or half-orcs.
Basic Information
Anatomy
Bankhurim are quadrupedal canines with large, strong bodies and thick coats of fur. They are easily able to carry a fully grown Orokh as a rider.
Genetics and Reproduction
Bankhurim mate once a year, in the late wintertime. They do not strictly mate for life, but they tend to prefer to return to the same partners, particularly if the companions of both bankhurim have friendly or romantic bonds.
Once the pregnant bankhurim give birth in mid-summer, the pups are cared for by orokhim adolescents, usually around 10-15 years old. Pups will choose their lifetime companions from among their caregivers within their first six to eight months of life.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Bankhurim are omnivorous, and can survive on a nearly identical diet to their orokhim companions. They thrive best when given a higher proportion of meat, though. In military companies, bankhur riders are typically given at least a double portion of Baarandj to provide to their bankhurim.
Additional Information
Average Intelligence
Bankhurim are bright, expressive creatures, easily capable of fluently understanding multiple languages beyond their innate Celestial.
Bankhurim have immortal celestial spirits that cannot be destroyed except under circumstances that would similarly destroy a mortal Soul, such as consumption by a Lich. The spirit of a bankhur is not precisely a mortal soul, but it is so closely tied to its chosen rider that it functions remarkably similarly. If a bankhur dies before its rider, its spirit waits at the threshold of Ysgard until its rider arrives. If the rider dies first, their spirit is bound to do the same (a riderless bankhur rarely outlives its companion by more than a few months to a year). Unlike mortal souls, bankhurim spirits cannot be recalled to their Material Plane body unless the resurrection spell is cast by their companion.
Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms
Bankhurim are strictly bonded to orokhim companions who uphold and maintain good morals. If a bankhur's rider turns towards evil (or worse, outright joins the Gruumsh-worshipping tribes), the bankhur may openly attack them to dissuade them. If they ward off the bankhur and persist, it will refuse to follow or recognize them. These "widowed bankhurim" return to the fold to help raise young orokhim and bankhurim. Though most live the rest of their lives this way, some widowed bankhurim eventually form companion bonds with orokhim who join their tribes after abandoning Gruumsh as adults, and a few may choose non-orokhim companions who develop extremely close bonds with nuel-orokhim communities. (Stories of this latter type of bond are almost exclusively found in the Western Woods, where the nuel-orokhim mingle most closely with Human and Gnomish Druid circles.)
Civilization and Culture
Common Taboos
Bankhurim refuse to knowingly commit evil deeds, even under pain of death.
History
After being cast out into the wilderness when the other gods shunned Gruumsh, the various Orokh peoples domesticated the direwolves of the wilderness, selectively breeding them for size and ferocity until they could be used as terrifying war mounts. When Prometheus first reached out to give Saint Ilga fire, he also breathed a celestial spirit into the body of her wolf companion Balán. From that day forward, Balán and all his offspring had the intelligence of mortals and protective powers bestowed by the gods.
Bankhur CR: 5
Large beast, any good
Armor Class: 14
Hit Points: 50
Speed:
50 ft
STR
18 +4
DEX
14 +2
CON
15 +2
INT
12 +1
WIS
15 +2
CHA
17 +3
Senses: Darkvision 60 Ft., passive Perception 13
Languages: Common, Celestial, Orcish (understands but can't speak)
Challenge Rating: 5
3/day: Healing Touch (3/Day). The bankhur boops another creature with its nose. The target magically regains 11 (2d8 + 2) hit points. In addition, the touch removes all diseases and neutralizes all poisons afflicting the target.
Keen Hearing and Smell: The hound has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or smell. Pack Tactics: The hound has advantage on an Attack roll against a creature if at least one of the hound's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't Incapacitated.
Actions
Multiattack. The bankhur makes two attacks: one bite attack and one claw attack. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 4) piercing damage. Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d6 + 4) slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
The sacred mount of the Orokhim, said to be created alongside them by Gruumsh (and/or given wisdom and goodness by Prometheus, depending on who you ask).
Lifespan
75 years
Average Height
40-50 in.
Average Weight
800-1100 lbs.
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Discovered by
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