Savage Mountain Goats

Like other members of the Bovidae family, goats are cloven-hoofed animals with a four chambered stomach. They have four toes on each foot and walk on the central two which have grown together to form their hooves. Both male and females have horns and they grow throughout their lifetime. Goats have horizontally split pupils which gives them a vaguely menacing look.

The goat is a browser eating mainly branches and twigs. Goats prefer to browse on the tips of woody shrubs and trees, as well as the occasional broad leaved plant. But they will eat almost any plants when necessary.

While it has been rumored that the breed known as Savage Mountain goat has turned omnivorous, this has not been proven. It is known that they have accounted for the deaths of many reckless travellers who attempt their mountainous homes as they are more territoral than most of the breed. While generally goats are herd animals, in the crags they have adapted to a more solitary life. However, where one goat is, others are often about out of sight.

Their major predators are the mountain cougar and members of the Adventurous subspecies.

Goat hair may be collected and used in a variety of felt and cloth making techniques. Gatherers set out from Fartown and under secure watch gather what they can during the seasons when the goats shed the most. Most prized is the sorfter insulating hair of the undercoat. This hair must be painstakingly seperated from the guard hair (overcoat).

Raffe: I don’t like them. They’re always trying to eat my goldspun. And they smell funny.

by Meriel