Sheep

Sheep were a common species of mammal and herd animal.

Description
Sheep were covered in thick, curly wool. Male sheep had a pair of sharp horns on their head.

Behaviour
Sheep were domesticated and lived in herds of various sizes.

Combat
Sheep avoided combat, fleeing predators when possible. Male sheep defended their herds, charging a target and inflicting damage with their sharp horns. A herd could panic and stampede, trampling most creatures in their path.

Biology
Many creatures hunted sheep.


 * Dire hawk
 * Wyvern

Uses
A flock of sheep was tended by shepherds. The larger the flock, the more shepherds were needed to safely manage the sheep.

Shepherds moved flocks from one area to another for grazing. This was due to the fact that sheep, when grazing, ate grass in its entirety, including roots. This combined with the damage caused by many sets of hooves, degraded the soil and left it exposed to the sun and wind. Improper management of a flock of sheep could turn a once lush field into a barren dusty field.

As livestock, a typical sheep was worth between 1 and 2 gp. If needed, a sheep could also be used as a pack animal.

Sheep were a source of wool. Wool was widely used as a material to make clothing.

When entering an unexplored dungeon, uncaring adventures were known to send a flock of sheep ahead of them to trigger any traps that laid ahead.

Sheep could be used as a source of leather. Sheepskin was prepared in such a way it was used as a parchment. Sheepskin could also be fashioned into a portable vessel for carrying water or wine.

The bladder of a sheep could be inflated and used as a ball in recreational activities.

Sheep fat had a cosmetic use. It was used to make the wearer's skin glisten and shine.

Paladin's often used sheep as part of their daily exercise routine. This routine involved the paladin, in a full suit of armor, hiking up a mountain with a sheep strapped to their back.

Sheep were sometimes used as a sacrificial animal. Once a month, the villagers of Volkumburgh transported up to five sheep to Mount Drakkor Rouge. There, the sheep were offered as a sacrifice to the red dragon Larghauseth, in hopes of keeping the dragon away from their village.

Habitat
Sheep were common across the Realms and beyond. Sheep tolerated cold and temperate climates well, but did not tolerated hot climates such as deserts or areas where the temperature exceeded. Sheep preferred to stay out of forests and swamps, although human barbarian tribes living in the High Moor managed to raise sheep. Sheep could even be found in the Underdark, kept in small pens on the Isle of Rothe in Menzoberranzan.

Farmers in Calimshan, Daggerford , the Moonshae Isles , the Savage Frontier ,

Sheep were herded by both gold and shield dwarves. The gold dwarves of Underhome kept a large herd of sheep. They were herded within the Great Rift and was guarded by fully armored, and heavily armed, dwarven shepherds.

The farmers of the Dalelands herded sheep. The largest herds of sheep in the Dalelands were found in Mistledale.

Colonists in Ulatos introduced sheep to the continent of Maztica. The sheep were transported by ship from the Sword Coast.

The gnomes of Dothion, the first layer of Bytopia, kept herds of silver-wooled sheep. Silver-wooled sheep were also found on Arcadia.

Sheep were common in the Feywild. Many Feywild settlements kept herds of sheep.

Among halflings, sheep were considered a valuable part of a farm.

Nomadic tribes of Jann traveled with their herds, which included sheep, between fertile lands and oasis.

History
Circa, Mirabar began offering large sums of silver to entice sheepherders and their flocks to migrate to the city. The purpose was to provide Mirabar with a ready supply of wool for their harsh winters.

Mountain Sheep
Frost folk kept herds of mountain sheep.

Not sure where to put
The Durinbold, a noble family on the Sword Coast, were known for their sheep farms.