Muskoxen (also: musk ox or: musk-ox) were a species of bovine and a type of herd animal.[1]
Description[]
Their bodies were very similar to that of an ox and they had short, curved horns.[2][note 1]
Behavior[]
Being herd animals, musk-oxen were generally non-aggressive. They would sometimes stampede away from those they considered threats to their safety.[1]
Combat[]
Musk-oxen typically fought other creatures with their hooves and horns.[1] When not running away from aggressors, a herd of musk-oxen would gather around in a shoulder-circle formation, facing outward towards their enemy, with their young in the center. If their enemy came too close they would proceed to charge forward and attempt to trample them.[2]
History[]
The existence of musk-oxen on Toril dated back to the days of Netheril.[3]
Ecology[]
Habitats[]
These creatures were typically found in the forests and tundras of cold climate regions.[4] They were known to inhabit the Great Glacier, particularly in the Ibelgrak Valley and Novularond,[5] as well as the World Pillar Mountains.[6]
Usage[]
Other creatures were known to use their hides to construct blankets and robes. Their hides generally fetched 5 gp, while blankets made from them could go for up to 50 gp.[7]
In the Great Glacier, the Iulutiuns were known to both hunt and raise musk-oxen for their meat as well as their thick, creamy milk.[8] Outside their largest settlement, Lilinuk, there were large herds of musk-oxen enclosed in pens with ice-block walls.[9] Frost folk were also known to herd musk-oxen.[10]
Some arctic rangers were known to have musk-oxen as animal companions.[11]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Rothé: Thought by some to be a species of musk-oxen,[12] these two animals bore a close resemblance.[13]
Notes[]
Appearances[]
- Novels
- Sword Play • Mortal Consequences
- Board Games
- Mertwig's Maze
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 51. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 David Howery (September 1988). “Into the Age of Mammals”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #137 (TSR, Inc.), p. 47.
- ↑ Clayton Emery (January 1998). Mortal Consequences. (TSR, Inc.). ISBN 0-7869-0683-9.
- ↑ David Howery (September 1988). “What's For lunch?”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #137 (TSR, Inc.), p. 14.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1992). The Great Glacier. (TSR, Inc), pp. 58, 61, 66. ISBN 1-56076-324-8.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1997). “Campaign Classics: The Roof of the World”. In Dave Gross ed. Dragon #241 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 88–95.
- ↑ David Howery (September 1988). “Treasures of the Wilds”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #137 (TSR, Inc.), p. 17.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1992). The Great Glacier. (TSR, Inc), p. 37. ISBN 1-56076-324-8.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1992). The Great Glacier. (TSR, Inc), p. 64. ISBN 1-56076-324-8.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur, James Jacobs, George Strayton (September 2004). Frostburn. Edited by Greg Collins. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 130. ISBN 0-7869-2896-4.
- ↑ Rick Swan (1993). The Complete Ranger's Handbook. Edited by Elizabeth Danforth. (TSR, Inc), p. 31. ISBN 1560766344.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised), A Grand Tour of the Realms. (TSR, Inc), p. 69. ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 207–208. ISBN 978-0786966011.