War Moose

The moose is the largest species in the deer family that has been discovered to date. War Moose antlers drop each year, leaving the males bareheaded for the winter. Males have palmate flat antlers with small projecting prongs with the spread of antlers over 6 feet in width. Antlers grow again in the spring taking only a few months to reach full growth in time for moose mating season. During this time, both sexes will call to each other. The male War Moose produce a loud grunting sound that can be heard from quite a distance while females produce a wail-like sound.

Much like another large herbivore - the horse, a moose can be trained and its offspring breed to be willing to stay in combat situations that lesser breeds are not. Reports do not indicate if the War Moose was ever used as a mount or accompanying animal in conflict. The name may have occurred because it was seen as a hunting creature one must ‘battle’ to beat. Either way, the War Moose in its range is a difficult creature to overcome.

Moose are long-legged with heavy, stocky bodies. The front legs are longer than the hind legs, creating a sloping back. (This again gives rise to the possibility that the War Moose was not intended for riding. Standing an average 7 feet high at the shoulder, the War Moose is slightly larger than its other moose subspecies. The moose’s color ranges from golden brown to almost black, depending upon the season and the age of the animal. (The skin itself provides a warm, comfortable cloak.) Its muzzle is long and broad with a heavy, bulbous nose pad. A fold of skin, the "bell" or dewlap, dangles from the throat region. Like the Bos, the War Moose has four toes on each foot and walks on the central two which have grown together to form the hooves.

The War Moose is mostly diurnal; however, sufficient noise will disturb it from its slumbers. Its diet varies from leaves and twigs to grasses, from pond weed to sedges. The sight of a grazing moose, head lifted with weeds dripping from either side of its mouth may seem a funny one…until it charges.

A full-grown War Moose has few enemies but packs of other creatures in its range may occasionally pull one down. The Sabertooth Catbeast, in rare pack activity (most likely siblings) has been observed dining on the remains of a War Moose. Adventurous once again poses the major threat to the adults of this species.

Jael Bletsung, when asked of her thoughts on the War Moose: “Plenty of thoughts. Mostly of survival.”

Scally, speaking of seeing a War Moose battle when he was younger: Well, as I said, I was young - so at the time, it seemed like two of the largest monsters ever, moving the land itself. That being said, It was a short lived, but violent affair - a great deal of power. But as I came to understand, the display was merely a contest of dominance. It seems even those beasts know the right time to retreat, when they don;t stand a chance.