THE
KIANG
DONKEY
(NYBELMAR
KIANG) |
The Nybelmar Kiang (pl. Kiangi) is a small, sturdy donkey that is found across most areas in the southern part of the continent. Several races in Nybelmar use the donkey, most notably the humans, for transportation, and the orcs, for meat.
Appearance.
Though larger and sturdier, the Kiang is thought by
most scholars to be related to the quagga and the
Sarvonian
brinn’si horses, which it
resembles greatly. Unlike the quagga,
the kiang is not striped, but has a pelt that varies in colour, though it is
usually dark brown or grey. White or black pelts have been known to occur, but
are rare. The Kiang is almost always a solid colour
with a slightly paler underbelly, except for a black dorsal stripe which runs
from withers to tail. This stripe has two cross bars, one at the withers and one
across the back, just behind the saddle area. The pelt is short furred and
shaggy.
Kiangi have large heads, thick, short necks and bodies, short, slim legs
and small delicate hooves resembling a horse’s feet
rather than those of the three-toed brinn’si.
Its ears are about a palmspan
and a half long, and its hearing is excellent. The eyes are large and usually a
deep blue colour. They are long-lashed to protect the Kiang’s
sight from sand or dust. An adult male, called a moke, usually stands about
12-13 palmspans
at the withers and measures 16-17 hands from nose to rump. Females, called
jillies, are rarely higher than 12
palmspans,
and usually closer to 11.
Like the brinn’si, the Kiang’s
tail is short with a long tuft of hair on the end. This tuft and the
Kiang’s mane are coarse and bristly. The mane is not
upright, however, but hangs down the animal’s neck like that of a
horse, though it does not grow as long.
Special Abilities.
Kiangi are highly adaptable animals. Though some are more suited to lusher,
greener areas, most can survive on the least likely of vegetation. They do not
need nearly as much food or water as
horses do and can go for longer periods of time without
having to eat or drink. Kiangi are excellent at locating
water, a crucial trait for those in the
desert areas.
Territory.
These animals are found through the southern half of the continent of
Nybelmar. They are especially prevalent in
the area of Orcal and the Zhun, where many are
domesticated for labour purposes, but may be found elsewhere in
Nybelmar as well.
Habitat/Behaviour.
In the wild, the Kiangi form small, loose groups of perhaps 8-10 animals,
usually led by a moke or an older jilly. They are not as territorial as
horses, and travel around to find food and
water. The mokes are the herd protectors
and can be very fierce in fighting off dangers such as desert
cats, snakes, and even orcs. Normally,
however, the kiangi are mild natured and not easily spooked or startled. They
are exceedingly intelligent animals and very clever at escaping captivity. Many
of them have tricked a would-be owner by squirming under the lowest bar of a
pole fence, opening latches with their teeth, chewing through all but metal
tethers, and so on. However, once domesticated, they are usually obedient, loyal
and hard-working little animals.
Diet.
Kiangi will eat nearly anything. They have an extremely tough digestive system
and can subsist on the most mininal food. However, they usually eat plants such
as various types of grasses or grains,
yu-chi, khmeen leaves,
ar’pun grass, shyizon weeds and other
desert plants such as cacti.
Mating.
Like female horses, jillies go into heat throughout the year, at six to eight
week intervals if they are not pregnant. A day or two before a jilly is due to
go into heat, she will approach a male and indicate receptivity to mating, by
nuzzling his head, neck and withers affectionately. The two will remain together
for the rest of her heat period, mating frequently. During this time, the moke
is very solicitous and protective, pushing others away when they find food or
water so that his jilly may satisfy her
needs first. The other herd members generally tolerate this behavior patiently
and non-aggressively. After the heat period, or once the female conceives, this
behavior ceases and the two revert to their normal herd relationship.
Female Kiangi gestate for approximately one year, usually giving birth to one
foal, though twins do occasionally occur. At birth, all foals are a soft mottled
grey colour, without the distinctive stripe patterns. The coat colour changes
and develops its adult pattern and colour by the time a Kiang is a year old.
They will not be full adults until age four, at which point they will be able to
mate and take on other adult behaviors. Male or female Kiangs may interbreed
with horses. The offspring, called mules, are rarely
fertile, though it has been known to happen.
Usages.
Domestically, the Kiang is generally used as a working or riding beast, though
some peoples have eaten them. The flesh, however, is tough and not very tasty.
The Kiang’s protective instincts make them excellent guards for herds of goats
and sheep. Many shepherds have a tough little moke with them to help warn of and
fight off predators.
Kiangi milk has also been used for years as a substitute for mother’s milk when
a woman is unable to nurse or has died in childbirth. It is rich, healthy, and
has saved the life of many a human baby.
Zhunite women also use the milk as a beauty aid, to soften, smooth and
moisturize the skin.
Myth/Lore.
The Kiang figures in much Zhunite folklore as the clever, sly trickster and many
an amusing tale is told of the animal’s cunning. The Zhunite have a saying
“quick as a hawk and sly as a kiang”, to describe a mentally agile, creative
person.
Information provided by
Alysse the
Likely
|