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Hiraeth Creature #561 - Xeropalisk

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Cosmopoliturtle
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Description

Those who cross the deserts of Hiraeth and brave the sandy winds will enter the savannahs and jungles of the deep south, which are lush and teeming with beasts of all sizes. A common beast seen in herds made up of sisters and friends are the Xeropalisk; nimble animals who size up hunters before deciding either to joust or dash away. Xeropalisk are hardy and brave beasts, the matriarchs lead the front of the herd with her trusted stewards, who, on her command, circle around a threat and stampede. The keen horn of the Xeropalisk can pierce thick hides, and many carnivores who don't have an extra edge can do little but run away if they don't plan ahead. When not in danger, their horns are normally for carving away at trees and other rough vegetation to help them find food. If the horn breaks it is said to regrow over many years-- alchemists, blacksmiths and collectors value the horn, but the local hunters are said to not hunt the Xeropalisk, and often go out to gather them during rutting season.

The herds wandering the open grasslands are made up of females and young males, while the adult males stay together in small bachelor groups. They band together in shrub forests, and make their way onto the plains during rutting season. Some males pair up together instead, either leaving together or staying with the pack if strong friendships have formed, continuing to help train younger males for combat. The southern people have always had a great respect for the Xeropalisk's tenacity, and they were believed to be the companions of divine spirits. Ancient tales say a mighty herd of Xeropalisk would patrol the sky and graze on the Sun's flames as it billowed like fields of wheat in the wind. Come nightfall they would leap from the Sun, mouths brimming with flame to chase away monsters lurking in the unknown. This celestial herd is represented by a line of stars, believed to be a matriarch with her stewards behind her, and the southern people would use this line of stars to help guide them if they were lost in the shadows of night.
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Hiraeth - A World Within (BOOK UPDATE)

8 Facts About Hiraeth
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