Hirikka

A hirikka is an endangered beast found in the Northern Kingdoms.
==Characteristics==
An increasingly rare creature, even more so than a dragon, hirikkas live in the mountains. Their bodies are covered in thick skin, colored light yellow or brown, and long fur which hangs by sides and abdomen.A. Sapkowski's Russian site – Bestiary While young hirikkas tend to be about human height, adult indivduals grow 4-5 cubits high and 7-8 cubits long. Their diet comprises mostly of grass and venison. They hunt mice first, moving to larger game with age. Hirikkas also gain significant amount of weight for a time, although they still can develop a the speed of a horse while chasing prey. If any cows or sheep share a field with hirikka, they will slowly die off due to poisonous grass in hirikka's saliva and excrements.
Although generally harmless when not hungry, hirikkas are responsible for much more death than the dreaded dragons just like wolves are. Commoners would hardly be able to pierce its skin, as it can't be penetrated by mere pitchforks. To kill a hirikka, a silver sword swung by a skilled witcher is needed.
==In culture==
A potato and parsnip stew made out of properly-grilled hirikka meat and poached egg used to be immensely popular. In fact, the demand for the creature's meat grew so high that the chef who came up with the recipe was blamed for hirikka being almost extinct.
== Gallery ==
Hirikka2.jpg|Bestiary page about hirikka.
==References==
de:Hirikka
pl:Hirikka
pt-br:Hirikka
ru:Хирикка
uk:Гіррікі
Category:Creatures