Stonebul

When man and elf first settled the Taiga, the great titanic beasts roamed in their hundreds. Revered by the Mons as a symbol of strength, it became a rite of passage to best the beast in the path to manhood. In the following centuries of hunting, displacement, and urban advancement, they have declined considerably. Very few of the animals that once inhabited this region survive today in any capacity. For the Stonebul a short few centuries ago it was much the same. By the foundation of Arcenix they were almost extinct. Through intervention and reservations they have made a slow but steady recovery. Though their path is uncertain, the future does look bright for these ancient titans.

#### Physiology and Anatomy

Stonebul are a species of great bison distantly related to the Rocker and Yekin. Their divergence may have occurred several geological periods ago as Azura shifted to facilitate an open grazer lifestyle. By feeding on the newly formed open grassland they furthered its expansion, contributing to the habitat of the surrounding organisms. They strip new growth to prevent the overexpansion of forests and break down inedible vegetation for smaller herbivores to pick over. Without the Stonebul, many animals would go hungry. They themselves are well-adapted to live almost exclusively off grass, ruminating it in extra stomach chambers to maximize energy collected.

Its namesake of ‘Stone Bull’ comes from the mineralized scutes upon its back and shoulders. Made largely of rock, these plates are developed from the earth that is inadvertently swallowed whilst grazing. These plates are thick enough to stop the strikes of bladed weapons and cause arrows to bounce clean off. In life these scutes appear wholly unaffected by manipulation through magic, though once the beast dies they can be remolded by Terramancers. These scutes are lined with sharpened pieces of rock which they can use to gore rivals and predators. Under considerable force like that generated from a charge these rock blades can punch through armor like chainmail and chitin. In order to make these charges, Stonebul use their powerful leg muscles to carry them at great speed -rivaling a typical horse- at the cost of being unable to turn effectively.

Stonebul calf each spring as the snow melts. Calves do not have the armor plating that their parents do, needing to develop their armor over the course of several years. A calf will not leave the side of their mother until they’ve developed at least a few scutes of armor which may take upward of a year and a half to do. By the time a Stonebul turns eight they should have their full coat of scutes unless they’ve been deprived of true nutrition. Males in particular need to develop their armor as females use it as a key metric of judgment. The more well-kept a bull’s armor, the better chance he’ll have of impressing females and fighting off rivals.

#### Psychology

Stonebul are fairly docile but like their personal space. They will communicate their intention through their tail. A tail hanging limply or idly swinging at flies is a calm Stonebul, a raised tail is a warning that a Stonebul is provoked and may charge. Stonebul will raise their tails and snort as an early warning if something comes close, charging only if they do not heed its warning. This field of space may increase when calves are present, it’s advised adventurers avoid getting close at all in these instances. A mother Stonebul can be extremely temperamental if she is provoked into defending her calf, lethally goring anything that she perceives as a threat.

Social-wise the Stonebul dwell in large herds of up to eight adult members. They’re heralded by a lead bull who directs the herd and suppresses the other males within his herd. Challenges to his authority can often prove violent and occasionally lead to lethal injury. In rare instances, Stonebul have been tamed. Bulls become unruly during their calving season regardless of their accustomed nature toward sapient races with the exception of steers who do not feel the drive at all. They’re best described as dopey beasts who will march in the direction pointed out but beyond crude command fall short.