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Chapter 7: BESTIarY
A swafa’s back narrows from the hips through the
shoulders, and is not exactly ideal for mounting a saddle. The bone ridge of its spine offers no comfortable
position, so riding a swafa bareback is nearly impossible. A proper swafa saddle attaches with bolts and thick
leather straps to a frame drilled into the swafa’s hips and
spine. The saddling requires the animal be drugged to
unconsciousness, and some never survive the process. A
new saddle can be swapped out for repair or improvement, as necessary, though the saddle frame remains
permanently affixed to the beast.
Tabahk (Thorn Lizard)
Named the tabahk by Makadan nomads, this mediumsized lizard inhabits the savannahs, preying on unwary
herd animals and wildlife. People prize the thorn lizard
not only for its meat but its hide, which can be made
into some of the best Khitan hide armor. A complete,
undamaged hide fetches a good price with the caravans
or in any city, where defensive measures become more
important with every passing season.
The tabahk lives near grasslands whenever possible.
It’s not unusual to see these reptiles chasing small rodents on up to herd animals like manju. It can grow
to be around three feet tall and weigh as much as 60
pounds.
Tabahks are fierce, aggressive, and cunning against
creatures up to their own size, but flee larger creatures
whenever possible. Cornered thorn lizards can unleash
fearsome attacks with claws and fangs. Their natural
armor is very difficult to penetrate, so hunters have devised an effective tactic to attack the spot just under a
tabahk’s neck in a single blow.
Thakal
“The moons of Khitus ride on the back of the thakal.”
The primary Khitan beast of burden is a difficult, foulsmelling but powerful lizard called the thakal. They
have been domesticated since the early Classic Age and
employed heavily in the mass migrations of humans
from the distant south to their present day homelands.
They are typically creatures of the arid plains, staying
clear of mountains and forests.
Thakal can be harnessed to the plow or wagons, even
teamed with difficulty—a drover needs great skill (or
calming herbs snuck into their food) to keep them from
fighting one another. Heavy loads can be strapped
to their backs, but their uneven, loping gate makes
it a rough journey. Goods need to be packed well and
strapped down tight to survive intact.
Thakal must be captured for domestication as wild
adults—a dangerous task given their size and aggressive disposition. Younger thakal, while more easily captured, often panic and quickly sicken and die
in captivity. Both males and females serve well as
mounts, the former generally bulkier and stronger, the
latter somewhat quicker on their feet. Males must be
castrated to keep them calm enough for use. Branding
and scarring mark the beasts for ownership, original
trainers, best uses, and so on.
Thakal saddles are wide and grip the animal as firmly
at the spine as possible, since the rest of the beast waggles back and forth as it lopes along. Creating saddles
comfortable for both rider and mount is easier said
than done; many claim to have perfected the practice,
though most riders have sore backsides that say otherwise. When still, a thakal provides a stable platform for
javelineers or archers, but aim is less accurate while on
the move.
Thakal are saddled and ridden for personal transportation, as well, and serve as heavy cavalry mounts to human armies and marauders across the wastelands. In
battle, they lash out with claws and fangs, though skilled
riders must rein in their mount’s anger to use their own
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