Animals

Exotic animals: rare or foreign varieties of creatures, which are valued at least 10 times what they would be in areas where they are common. Note that some creatures considered exotic in the "default" setting may not be so in other settings; adjust prices accordingly.

Beasts of Burden

Camels are large animals found in arid environments that bear distinctive fatty deposits known as "humps" on their backs. There are two relevant species of camel described here: the far more common one-humped dromedary, and the two-humped Bactrian camel. Statistics presented above are for the dromedary; the Bactrian camel is slower and its movement is given in brackets. A light load for a camel is up to 400 pounds; a heavy load, up to 800 pounds.
Donkeys are hoofed mammals in the same family as the horse. They are smaller, but are strong and hardy. Burros are a similar species, and the statistics herein can be used for either; both varieties are capable of being taken into dungeons as pack animals. A light load for a donkey is up to 70 pounds; a heavy load, up to 140 pounds.
Draft Horses are large horses bred to be working animals doing hard tasks such as plowing and other farm labor. There are a number of breeds, with varying characteristics, but all share common traits of strength, patience, and a docile temperament. A light load for a draft horse is up to 350 pounds; a heavy load, up to 700 pounds.
Riding Horses are smaller horses bred and trained for riding. They cannot effectively fight while the rider is mounted. A light load for a riding horse is up to 250 pounds; a heavy load, up to 500 pounds.
War Horses are large, powerful horses which are both bred for their size, strength, and combat ability and trained to tolerate the sounds and stresses of battle. They are able to attack while the rider is mounted due to their training. A light load for a warhorse is up to 350 pounds; a heavy load, up to 700 pounds.
Mules are a domestic equine hybrid between a donkey and a horse. Mules vary widely in size, and may be of any color. They are more patient, hardier and longer-lived than horses, and are perceived as less obstinate and more intelligent than donkeys. Like donkeys, they are capable of being taken into dungeons as pack animals. A light load for a mule is up to 300 pounds; a heavy load, up to 600 pounds.
A Pony is a variety of small horse. Compared to a larger horse, a pony may have a thicker coat, mane and tail, with proportionally shorter legs, a wider barrel, heavier bone, a thicker neck and a shorter, broader head. Ponies can be trained for war, and the morale in parentheses above is for a war pony; this does not allow them to fight while a rider is mounted, however. A light load for a pony is up to 275 pounds; a heavy load, up to 550 pounds.

Guards and Hunting

Cats: Hunting Cats are large cats that are trained to track down and kill prey animals, then bring the prey back to the animal master. Cost includes the animal and training.
Leopards are large cats that are 7 to 8 feet long including tail, and weigh about 175 lb. These cats have four black spots that form a large circle (rosette the center of the circle and around the rosette spots range from yellow tan to white on the underside. An all-black leopard is called a Panther. The tail has a white tip. They don’t like to swim as much as jaguars, preferring instead to climb trees; a leopard will drag prey into a tree.
Great Cats: Due to the large size and wild disposition, these cats are very dangerous to train. They are more for show and can be released as guards to attack and kill anyone that comes into the area that is to be patrolled.
Dogs: Hunting dogs are small to large dogs trained to hunt and kill game or vermin, or to retrieve game that is killed by a hunter. Common examples of hunting dogs include any retrievers or terriers. Guard dogs are trained to attack, but not necessarily kill, an intruder to the area the dog is set to watch; think of these bites as subdual damage. Guard dogs include german shepherds and dalmatians. War dogs are trained to kill; some will be given leather barding designed and sized to the dog. War dogs include rottweilers and doberman pinschers.
Eagle: Large birds trained to catch small prey or fish to bring back to the animal’s master. The large size and wild disposition of these animals accounts for the higher cost of a trained eagle. Eagles are large birds with wingspans 6½ to 7½ feet in width. They stand about 2½ to 3 feet tall and weigh about 13 lbs. These birds have heavy talons and large beaks with a sharp hooked end. Eagles are known to carry prey up to 15 lbs. An eagle will also kill and start to eat animals that are 5 times the eagles size, up to 80 lbs. The largest eagles tend to be fish-eating or sea eagles; other types of eagles will eat snakes or small animals. Coloring is dependent on the species of eagle from dark browns with a white head, to fully brown, to various grays ranging from black to white. The beaks can be bright yellowish orange to black. Eagles will fly at a prey and attack with both sets of talons, then attack with the beak.
Falcons are birds with wingspans of 16 to 20 inches; they stand about 1.5 to 2 feet tall, and weigh about 3 lbs. These birds have talons and a hooked beak with a sharp “tooth” in the middle of the top beak. Falcons are the most popular of the hunting birds used by royalty. Falcons can only carry prey up to 1 lb. Falcons will hunt snakes, small rodents, and other birds like wild ducks. Coloring is dependent on the species of falcon from dark gray on top to white with dark stripes on the bottom, or in kestrels reddish brown to dark brown with dark stripes; hobbies have more of a black and white coloring without the stripes across the breast. The beaks and lower legs can be bright yellowish orange. Falcons will fly, and kestrels can even hover, then dive at prey and attack with both sets of talons then make the kill with its beak.
Owls are birds of prey with large eyes and the ability to fly without making a sound. They come out mostly at night which raises some people’s concerns about owls being agents of evil. An owl will stand about 6 to 18 inches tall with a wingspan of 20 inches. An owl’s vision is very sharp and comparable to that of a falcon. It can also hear very well, even to the point that a rodent creeping through grass will draw attention. The owl will fly over a field and listen and watch for movement and then dive for a kill with its talons.

Game, Farm, and Livestock

Bees: A honeybee colony; 100 is a starting count; if well settled, they will grow.
Cattle are large mammals with cloven hooves and horned heads. Cattle are raised mostly for their meat (beef), leather, and milk. Cattle eat grass and are fairly gentle unless spooked, in which case they will stampede (run in a group anyone caught in the path of the stampede will suffer at least one trampling attack, as determined by the GM. Male cattle are called bulls, females are cows, and young are calves (calf is singular). If attacked, cattle will charge, generally using their horns to attack. A bull will become aggressive if he sees quick movements from creatures he might be able to reach with a charge. A typical small farm with cattle will have a bull, 5d4 cows, and 2d10 calves (but not more than the number of cows).
Chickens are birds raised for meat and eggs. Chickens can fly but not more than 6ft high, and then only to find a low branch or bar to use as a perch. If disturbed it will run away from its attacker and squawk to alert the other chickens nearby. If cornered, a chicken can peck but only as an irritation to make the attacker let go of the bird. Chickens will not attack on purpose. A typical farm with chickens will have 2d10 adults. Young develop quickly and will usually only be seen in the spring and early summer.
Deer: Stag are male and doe are female; a stag has a pair of antlers on its head. They stand as tall as cattle, but are much thinner across with almost dainty legs. Deer are hunted for its meat (venison) and leather, which is soft to the touch and durable. Deer have very good hearing and will run away. If cornered a stag will try to attack with its antlers; a doe will butt with its head to knock over the aggressor and then run away. Deer will not intentionally enter combat.
Game Fowl: Pheasant are about the size of a chicken and will fly about 100’ when startled from their hiding place. Partridge and Quail are about half the size of a chicken. None of these birds enter combat, but will run at the first opening.
Goat: Goats are a domesticated form of wild ram.
Geese are large aquatic birds with a long neck and webbed feet. A goose will honk to signal to other geese where they are during flight. Domesticated geese have their wings clipped to prevent them from flying off during migration seasons. A goose’s flight feathers are used as standard quills. Geese are often bad-tempered; if approached, make a morale check. If the check is passed, the goose will rise up to its maximum height, spread it wings and make a hissing noise to try to scare the intruder off. If that doesn’t work the goose will bite to deter the intruder. Roll another morale check each time a goose is hit in combat.
Oxen are large mammals related to cattle and strongly resembling them. They are raised mostly for their ability to pull farm machinery and heavy wagons. Oxen are usually paired as a team to pull a fully-loaded wagon (or the equivalent of 3,000 lb). Oxen require less food and water, being able to eat rough grass better than draft horses, which makes them valuable to merchants with large caravans going over semi-arid prairie. Oxen are very gentle and will not stampede as readily as cattle. If attacked, an ox will use its horns and charge at the antagonizer. An ox bull will not attack a person waving a cloth like bull cattle will. A typical small farm with oxen will have a bull, 2d6 cows, and 2d4 calves (but not more than the number of cows).
Pig (Hog): Pig are domesticated Boars
Rabbits are small, long-eared mammals that eat grass. Their colors include tan to gray with white on their breast and a small white tail. They do not enter combat willingly and will try to run when possible. If caught alive a rabbit will try to kick free. Hares are large rabbits usually found in prairie areas. Rabbit are hunted for meat and fur leather, used as a liner for gloves or winter clothes since it is soft and able to hold body heat.
Sheep (Ram): Sheep are raised for their hair (wool) which is shaved off at least once a year to make a fleece weighing about 7 to 10 lb. The fleece is processed and then spun into yarn and used to make clothing and other items. Sheep meat (mutton) is also a staple food. Ram are male sheep that have horns while female sheep, ewe, don’t usually have horns for defense.
Swan: Swan are large birds, much like geese with even longer necks. Swan will not vocalize as much as geese do. They will attack like a goose if the nest is attacked. Use the stats for goose listed above with exception of number of animals (Estate 2; Farm 1d6; Wild 1d12). The large flight feathers are used for higher-quality quills. Royalty will keep swans as decorative animals to swim on reflecting pools and not so much for their meat or feathers unless the animal dies naturally.

Pets and Other Animals

Cats (House and Wild): These are normal cats found in houses and on farms, kept mostly to hunt mice and other vermin that may try to eat grains or stored foods. Wild cats will hunt animals up to the size of a rabbit. A cat can leap straight up about 4 feet to be able to get to a higher point, where they can watch the area around them and then pounce on its prey. Most cats like to also climb trees if outdoors. Cats will not willingly enter combat with anything larger than a rabbit. If attacked a cat will try to scratch or bite and will then run once it can.
Ferret (Weasel, Mink): These are normal-sized weasels and ferrets. A pet ferret can be trained to hunt small vermin. A professionally-trained ferret can crawl into a small hole in a house to look for bright or shiny objects to take back to its master. A ferret can fit into the same size hole as a mouse.
Fish: Ornamental/pet fish, from guppy (small) to carp (medium). These animals will need to be kept in a pond or tank. Quality on these animals would reflect the rarity of their species or markings.
Large Exotic Fowl (Emu, Ostrich): These birds are sometimes raised (or hunted) as food; in addition, the large, decorative quills of ostriches are in demand in some social circles.
Lizard, Small: Few of these creatures represent any kind of threat to a human or humanoid; they are sometimes kept as pets, but have little value otherwise.
Parrot (or Cockatiel): These are decorative birds about the size of a hawk. Parrots have green or blue feathers with long multi-colored tail feathers. Cockatiels are white with crested heads. Both types of birds can imitate human speech but cannot normally carry on a true conversation.
Homing Pigeon: These birds are bred and trained to return to a specific location, regardless of where they are released. They are used for communication by means of tying a note to the pigeon’s leg.
Songbirds: These are small birds the size of a robin or smaller. Songbirds are kept as decorations and for their vocalizations, which are different from species to species.
Turtles (Tortoise) are reptiles with a hard shell into which the animal can pull its head and legs if threatened. Turtles will be found in marshes and near rivers or ponds; tortoises are terrestrial and typically found in arid regions. The statistics given above are representative, and can be used to represent other species as needed. Turtles are well-camouflaged.

Animal Gear

Bit and Bridle: A Bit is the device put into a horse’s mouth; the reins are tied to this and it is also held on the horse’s head with leather straps called the Bridle. War rams can use a modified bit and bridle too. Riding dogs will not take a bit in the mouth but a bridle is normally used.
Cages: Prices vary depending on the type of animal being caged and the material used for the cage. There are also cages ranging from small to large that affect price. Small mammals like mice or rats, ferrets, and snakes can be put into wire mesh or wicker cages. Song birds will have a more open cage with the bars narrow enough to not let the bird through but it can be seen and heard. Fish can be put into glass cages or small bowls. Larger animals like great cats or large birds will have cages with heavier construction and will be sized to fit on a wagon frame to allow the cage to be moved.
Cart Harness: Harness is the leather straps used to tie a single horse to a cart.
Animal Feed: Type depends on the type of animal being fed, but price assumes the animal is herbivorous. Price is tripled for obligate carnivores such as big cats.
Halter: A halter is similar to a bridle but is used to lead an animal. The halter doesn’t have a bit.
Feed bag: Attaches to a bridle or halter and goes over the muzzle of the horse or ram and is filled with oats to allow the animal to eat without having to take the tack off. This also saves on oats since less is wasted while the animal eats. Riding dogs will not eat out of a feed bag.
Hobbles: Hobbles are shackles for a riding animal to stop them from wondering off during the night or while adventurers are in a dungeon.
Horse blanket/hood: A large blanket used to cover a horse when it is cold; the hooded version has a hood that covers the ears and jowls (but not the eyes) of the horse to prevent it from being spooked.
Horseshoes and shoeing: Horses should have their shoes changed every 4 to 6 weeks so a farrier (person that shoes horses) makes sure the hoof is cleaned, trimmed, and that there are no health problems. In many small communities the farrier is also the blacksmith and will run the livery stable too.
Howdah: This is the large box-like saddle that is used on elephants and other very large animals for riding.
Leash: A leash has two parts; a collar made of leather or cloth that goes around the animal’s neck, and the lead (a leather or cloth strap) that the animal master holds onto to control the animal. Usually used on dogs and great cats; house cats and small cats don’t lead well. The collar for a war dog will have spikes to prevent a rival dog from biting the war dog’s neck.
Muzzle: Used to cover the mouth of a dog to prevent biting; usually used on war dogs when not in battle, the muzzle is removed before the war dog is let go during battle.
Saddle blanket: This is a piece of cloth put over the back of a riding animal before the saddle is put on to absorb sweat and to prevent the saddle from rubbing sores into the back of the riding animal.
Saddles come in several types: Pack saddles have connections to hold boxes or panniers that are filled with merchant goods or extra supplies for a long journey. Riding saddles are designed to fit the animal being ridden and has a seat to allow a person to comfortably ride. Tarn saddles are made specifically for animals that fly and have extra straps to tie the rider into the saddle to prevent falling off during aerial movements. War Horse saddles are made for heavier duty and have extra attachment points to allow more weapons to be attached and ready for the rider.
Team harness: Team harnesses are the straps used for a pair of horses to be attached to a wagon or carriage.
Trapping: Trapping is a fancier horse blanket usually used during tournaments or races; the colors and designs determine who owns the horse.
Horse Yoke: Usually made of leather and form a circle that goes over the horse’s head and fits around its neck. The yoke is then attached to a harness which allows the horse to more efficiently pull a heavy load (e.g. a wagon) or farm implement (e.g. a plow).
Ox Yoke: Made of wood for a team of oxen. The top piece is a heavy beam that is shaped to go over the back of the oxen’s neck. There is a hoop of wood that goes around the ox’s neck underneath. The beam is connected to the tongue of a wagon or plow that the oxen then pull.

Animal Quality

Animals used for riding or pulling vehicles are judged by their age, apparent health, and sometimes spirit. Untrained animals will be less valuable. If training continues after the initial period, the better the quality of the animal since it will be trained for more specialized qualities. The second and third training periods will be two and three times as long as the initial training.
Except for dragons and some other intelligent monsters, an animal will age and grow weaker. Age is put into fourths; the first quarter is the animal growing up. This is when most animal trainers would like to get their animals. The sooner training starts the more time to improve the quality of the animal. The second age is when the animal has grown to its full size. Animal trainers will take twice as long to train this age of animal if starting training. The third age the animal is at peak for what it would be used for and will be either wild if untrained or tamed if trained. Wild animals of this age can’t be trained. The fourth age is the old age of the animal and it will start to drop a level in quality.
Nag or Inferior Quality: HD rolled by d6 instead of d8, -25% of standard cost
Standard or Average: HD rolled by standard d8, standard cost
Above-Average Quality: HD rolled by d6+2 instead of d8, x2 cost
Superior Quality: HD rolled by d4+4 instead of d8, x4 cost (or more)
The quality designations could be used to tweak other stats depending on the animal. For instance draft horses, mules, oxen, etc. the carry capacity might be enhanced. For speed animals (riding horses, race animals, etc.) it might get extra movement rates. Guard/fighting animals might get better HD for attacking purposes (or lower for Nag quality) reflecting training/natural ability or such.