Godla

Brief

Xhousong is a land of extremes. Heat, scare vegetation, and hardy predators makes travel across the vast landscape incredibly difficult. Add to that the Magical Storms that conceal all manner of monsters, and it is almost inadvisable for the inexperienced and the unarmed to travel at all. One of the most important animals sought for such a thing, though, is the godla. Strong, durable, and capable of withstanding all but the strongest of predators, these animals have become the most reliable beast of burden anyone on Xhousong could ask for.

The trip had taken too long and, now that the city was within sight, now it dragged on. Keller just wanted to be there. The bulky, short legged animals pulling the wagons weren't fast, though. They weren't meant to be. Rather, their stout stature and horned face was for dealing with the dangers of Xhousong. Predators and bandits roamed the Wastes. Wouldn't do if they had their mounts killed during travel. The muscled, armored hide of the godla would deter most wild animals. Their attachment to the drivers would prevent them from being stolen from bandits.
Leave it to Nyar to afford such things for travel.
It had meant they'd only needed to stop once for the whole trip. The godla didn't really need rest, could eat while they walked. It was only for water, which they needed very little of, that they'd stopped at all.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Godla have four stout legs and hard, almost armor-plating like skin, with horns that run down their back and protrude from their face. Heavy, slow moving creatures, the godla stand just over 6' at their shoulder. Heavy with muscle, godla are capable of pulling or dragging five times their weight for long distances.

Genetics and Reproduction

Godla pair off for life and become quite lethargic without their mate once they do. The female becomes fertile only when resources become abundant - when she's received enough nutrients over an extended period of time, her body will go into heat. It then takes almost a year for the calf to be born. Once it is, the calf is fully capable and ready to walk within minutes of being birthed. Running is achievable within the hour.

Godla calves will stay with the mother for nearly five years before they're ready to be separated.

Growth Rate & Stages

Godla are long lived herbavores. Though they remain young and grow slow, the oldest on record is just shy of a century. When properly cared for, they easily outlive their human owners and are frequently an animal that is passed down through families.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Godla are so prized because of their ability to survive the Xhousong wastes. They can go long distances off of little water, can eat nearly anything organic - and will, and are big enough that most of the natural predators of the wastes won't bother them. What's more, they don't have to rest very often. While not fast, the godla are capable of a steady pace for days without needing to stop. This time is shortened if they are pulling a heavy load, but they can be relied upon to steer clear of storms.

Additional Information

Social Structure

In their natural habitat, godla are herd herbavores. Generally passive, they move together and protect the young. There is usually an equal number of males and females - a handful of mated pairs. If / when they've the opportunity to have young, they rear them until young adulthood. Then, the young will travel with the herd until they scent another herd and branch off. New godla are generally welcomed. They rarely, if ever, fight amongst themselves.
For godla, finding the right mate is a matter of sound, looks, and pheromones. No one really knows exactly what makes one godla choose another, but there doesn't ever seem to be a problem of them becoming lonely if there is another around for them to pair up with. Jokingly, the people of Xhousong just say the godla "aren't choosey".

Domestication

Godla are relatively easy to domesticate, especially if they are birthed and raised amongst people. Then they tend to view 'people' as part of their herd. They do have a difficult time being traded or sold off to strangers and periods of adjustments can be difficult for the new owners, but by their very nature, godla are passive, generally calm creatures especially around things they don't perceive as a threat. They take intruction well, though patience might be required to teach them. Any sort of pain or forcefulness in their training will not work - a godla is easily bigger than a person and, when force or cruelty is used, the animal ceases to cooperate. Worst case, the godla will attempt to escape.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Only once a godla has died of natural causes or of old age is it pieced out - away from other godla. The skin is used for parchment, other parts and organs for meat, and the borns and horns are shaped and filed into various tools and instruments. No part of the animal goes to waste.
Given how useful they are, and how expensive it is to own an animal in Xhousong, they are only pieced out after they have died. Godla are not expressly slaughtered to eat or use beforehand.

Average Intelligence

Capable of understanding basic commands and recognizing familiar faces and scents. They attach to other godla and will only ever have one mate. Godla have a very base understanding of tone and intent, and will cease to cooperate if force or cruelty is used.

Rhagon & Maiden by Entei Ryu

Geographic Distribution

Xhousong

Lifespan

70 years

Average Height

6ft at the shoulder

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Very light tan to almost white skin. Pale blue or green eyes.