Vadrúsz

Description

Strength and a foul temper can prove difficult, but it can also be a great asset as shown with the vadrúsz. These creatures look like a mix between giant warthog and a rhinoceros (neither of which exist here), with dark wiry hair covering their pronounced musculature.
Adults range from 3-4 meters in length, and roughly half that in height. They weigh between 500-1000 kg, with males generally being bulkier and heavier. They possess two large lower tusks that they use to ram and pin enemies against the ground or trees. The smaller horns are instead used to pierce and grab prey, slowly crushing them until they show no more resistance. Their skull is quite heavy, and their body is compact as to maintain balance.
They have a well-developed sense of hearing and are very vocal animals, using grunts, squeals and other sounds to communicate with each other. They also possess an acute sense of smell which helps them find food. They are omnivores that eat grass, leaves, roots, insects and small animals. They plough over the ground with their lower tusks to dig up food, but in some cases rampant growth causes the tusks to grow so large, and angled further downwards, that they can hinder them when digging (see image). This generally only occurs in older males.
There are a few distinct regional differences between the Vörövisz vadrúsz and the Northern Jégorian vadrúsz. The former has adapted their nervous system to better resist paralytic poisons, allowing them to bathe in water infested with Nyr Algae. The latter has developed a thicker, white fur that provides it with resistance to the cold and camouflages it. The Jégorian vadrúsz is primarily found in the northern woods of the region, rather than the more chaotic central plains.

Intelligence and Behavior

They are intelligent, adaptable animals with a vicious streak. Females and young travel in groups, while adult males are often solitary. Such groups concentrate at wallows and safe grazing areas. They are often found near water, and bathe regularly when possible.
Adult males are known to have an aggressive streak when anything other than a vadrúsz female intrudes on its territory, but they are intelligent enough to know when they are outmatched. They have few natural predators, but solitary males can sometimes be brought down by sentient plants or other weaker creatures in large numbers.
Despite their aggressive tendencies they can be tamed with proper care and attention. They are prideful creatures and will rarely yield to a physically weak individual. Usually they will bond to a single owner, and only listen to that person. They make for formidable war mounts, and their temperament makes them more suited to that than as a beasts of burden. Sometimes young vadrúsz are raised for their meat, which is thick and chewy but comes in good quantity.

Statistics

[5th Edition D&D]
Both the Rhinoceros and Giant Boar statblocks can be used with the addition of 60 feet darkvision, and the following regional adjustments:
Vörövisz Vadrúsz: Advantage on saving throws against effects that would paralyze or stun it.
Jégorian Vadrúsz: Resistance to cold damage and Snow Camouflage.

Geographic Distribution

• Jégoria
• Swamps of Vörövisz