Tsen

The Tsen (T’kko - Tsòn (ʦɵn); Ril’ya - Zhen (ʒen)) is a large, horned, quadrupedal ungulate native to central Kashar-Maht. They have evolved from a smaller ancestor species and are related to the smaller Tsokki found in southern Kashar-Maht. Tsen possess great strength and endurance, and are able to conserve moisture well, which has made them the riding and pack animals of choice for the people inhabiting the continental desert.

## Description

Tsen have a life expectancy of 20-25 years, though some individuals have been known to live up to 40. They measure anywhere between 150 to 180 cm in size. Tsen size is measured at the withers, since their head is usually kept low and inclined forwards and thus does not represent the full height of the animal. Their weight usually varies from 450 to 700 kilograms, with females weighing slightly more than males. The tail consists of a thick tuft of longer hair. The Tsen has short, sand-colored fur that reflects the sun during the day and keeps it warm at night. A wide variety of fur patterns exists, usually either white or gray, though dark brown variants also exist. A distinctive feature of the Tsen are the large, curved horns on the head of males. Compared to the smaller Tsokki more common in tropical regions, the Tsen sports a single pair of horns that consist of living bone surrounded by hard, ridged keratin. These horns grow from a single keratin brow ridge, protruding at roughly 45 degrees just above the Tsen eyes and curve slightly inwards and upwards. Tsen females have vestigial horns, usually much smaller than the males. These horns are used for defense and dominance, and grow over the course of their lifetime, allowing for easy assessment of a specimen’s age.

## Biology and Ecology

Tsen are omnivores, though they prefer to eat plants. Their diet consists mainly of succulents and the leaves of the few plants that grow in the Kashar-Maht desert. Other food includes rodents and smaller mammals. Despite their large size, Tsen require less food than most animals of similar size, having adapted to preserve and maintain energy. They have six pairs of molars and six pairs of premolars, to chew up their typically tough food. As diurnal animals native to the desert, Tsen have adapted in surprising and impressive ways in order to preserve nutrients, in particular water. Their nostrils are lined with fine cilia that absorb vapor when exhaling, for it to be reabsorbed by the body. Long brow and ear hairs keep the sand out; and a thick, leathery underbelly insulates them from the heat when they lie down on the ground. They are furthermore able to regulate their body temperature very efficiently, even throughout the extreme swings between day and night.

## Domestication

Tsen are widespread throughout the Kashar-Maht desert and are considered semi-domesticated. Feral herds of wild Tsen are a common sight especially in the southern and eastern parts of the desert. T’kko, Aessor, Kultar, Amallghiri, Sval, and Ril’ya have all captured and domesticated wild Tsen, and use them as beasts of burden, pack animals, or occasionally in warfare. In addition to these uses, Tsen are used as sources of food and raw material as well. While their fur is short, it offers excellent insulation and is often used for tent linings or overcoats, especially for those people that inhabit the mountains or cold deserts of south-west Kashar-Maht. Their tail hairs can be woven into ropes, which is especially useful in areas with limited access to plant fibers. Female Tsen are milked by herders. While the milk is sour and usually not consumed in its raw form, Tsen cheeses form an integral part of many diets across central Kashar-Maht.