Quarry Mammoth

Viewed from the rim, the quarry yawns so deep that the workers at the bottom appear to be mere ants. In their midst lumber a number of massive brown shapes, towing enormous carts laden with stone.

Of all the beasts of burden native to Veturoth, few are as spectacular or highly sought after as quarry mammoths. Though mammoths have grown rare in the last era due to overhunting and habitat encroachment, the specially bred quarry mammoths remain fairly plentiful and easily available--albeit at a steep price. Bred for immense strength and smaller size than wild mammoths, quarry mammoths possess unmatched endurance and are perfect for hauling astronomical amounts of stone up narrow quarry paths. They have also been use to tow large loads long distances, but due to their slow speed and high price, most caravan masters find it more efficient to purchase several carts and teams of either oxen or mules.

Quarry mammoths are known to be fairly docile creatures--"Beautiful beasts without a single thought between their ears," as one mammoth breeder lovingly said--though quarry workers getting squashed beneath their feet or gored by tusks if they pestered the beasts too much is not entirely unheard of. As such, most quarries keep as least one mammoth wrangler on hand to help prevent such accidents.

Basic Information

Ecology and Habitats

Due to their thick fur coats, quarry mammoths do best in cold climates, though even the southernmost reaches of Veturoth aren't warm enough to cause them much issue. They are better suited to mountainous terrain than their wild cousins, but those released into the wild still tend to favor open plains and tundras.

Biological Cycle

Much to their handlers' irritation, quarry mammoths shed starting in late spring as temperatures increase, and much time must be spent cleaning up the extra fur.

Conservation Status

Though mammoths are not protected, due to the decreasing population numbers, some breeders release a few quarry mammoths into the wild each year.