Adult Female
Name: unnamed
Species: Zebu
Birthday: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Owner: zylle
Element: Neutral 
Fully grown zebus are strong, intimidating creatures, generally having less insulating fat than young zebus do, putting their powerful muscles on full display. Though adult zebu are more than capable of defending themselves with their sharp, curved horns and their great strength, they are usually placid creatures, not inclined to violence unless directly threatened. Similar in stature to draught oxen but much, much stronger, they are favored by magi in warmer climates for pulling heavy loads that do not need to be delivered urgently, especially as zebus can forage for themselves easily, and one is usually sufficient for all but the heaviest of tasks. However, anything needing swift delivery must be pulled by different creatures, as the zebu's habit of disappearing every night for half the month, and their general slow pace on the ground, does not lend itself to speed.
Though they are now common in the hotter lands of the known world, the origin of zebus is shrouded in mystery. The oldest scrolls in the Keep's library with mention of them claim they come from unknown lands across the ocean, where they are revered by a moon cult, a sky cult, or the dominant religion, depending on how one interprets the text. Since adult zebus that aren't caring for a young one have a habit of jumping into the sky on the night of the full moon and not returning until morning, and repeating this every night until the moon has fully waned, it is not difficult to see why they might be held in some religious significance in their land of origin. In the lands around the Keep, Zebus are kept primarily as draught creatures for their great strength, calm dispositions, and ability to eat any plant regardless of its toxicity, though they do not do well in cold, and therefore are rarely seen north of Synara. Occasionally, a zebu might bring a particularly well-liked companion strange grey rocks upon returning from their nighttime disappearances. Magi who study the night sky speculate that these rocks might be from the moon, especially as they resonate particularly well with rituals involving the moon, but so far have been unable to prove it.
Sprite art: Mysfytt (adult) | Description: Kestrad