Crodlu

Crodlu are a species of flightless, scaled avian-like creatures that roams the wilderness in herds. They have powerful hind legs, which were built for jumping great lengths. Crodlu have very poor eyesight, but make up for it with an excellent sense of smell. Crodlu have great endurance, almost better than a mul's, and can run at high speeds for long periods of time.

Crodlu
''This creature is a large, flightless combination of bird and reptile. It has wicked claws at the end of its long fore and hind limbs, and its scaly hide is a yellowish red, with similar colors along its side and underbelly.''

Tactics
Crodlu attack with their fore claws first, and then bite. Sometimes they will substitute hind claws for fore claw attacks if they happen to be holding something or are unable to use their fore claws.

Description
Crodlu make great mounts, but are hard to control and train as such most of the time, unless they are caught as chicks and are trained as mounts as they are being raised.

Crodlu, Heavy
''A large, flightless combination of bird and reptile, this creature is more heavily muscled than most others of its species, and its clawed feet splay more broadly in the sand. A strong creature, used to heavy loads, it has a reddish–yellow scaled hide, with similar variations on its sides and underbelly.''

Tactics
Heavy crodlu are fierce opponents if provoked, but centuries of breeding have rendered them more docile than their cousins, and they tend to become skittish if cornered. When pressed, however, they respond with a pair of ripping foreclaws and a savage bite. Raking strikesfrom their rear claws are also used, preferably as part of a pounce from a superior position.

Description
The heavy crodlu has been specifically bred for carrying heavier loads (or passengers) and occasionally for light skirmisher activity. It is a little larger and a fair deal stronger than its smaller cousin, but lacks the keener combat abilities of its warfaring big brother.

Heavy crodlu possess the same wicked claws and sharp beak of its fellows and have a similar life cycle, but their herds were originally released into the wild by breeders. They have long since developed into an identifiable strain, but these herds remain valuable commodities nevertheless.

Crodlu, Heavy Warmount
''A flightless combination of bird and reptile, this large and fierce animal has long, curving claws and thickly armored scales and holds its head aloft with keen alertness. It is clearly a beast bred for war.''

Tactics
Heavy warmount crodlu are fearless and formidable foes, striking at the slightest provocation, unless their riders and handlers keep their belligerent natures in check. They prefer to charge an enemy and then unleash a devastating flurry of claws and snapping jaws. They are steady on their feet, allowing for mounted attacks by their riders.

Description
The heavy warmount crodlu, also known as the war crodlu, is a breed of crodlu reared for its superior strength, armor and weaponry. Occasionally used as heavy beasts of burden, war crodlu are most frequently put to use in combat as mounts for specially trained cavalry. Heavier and slower than the regular and heavy crodlus, the heavy warmount crodlu makes up for these weaknesses through its proven usefulness to sorcerer– monarch, merchant house and nomad alike.

Heavy warmount crodlu have the same ecology as other crodlu but are never found in the wild. War crodlu are bred exclusively through animal husbandry and are commensurately expensive.

Description
Crodlu inhabit warm plains, and are not found close to civilization except when domesticated. They mainly feed on seeds and other plant matter; occasionally they also eat insects such as locusts and hurrum, but will eat almost anything given the opportunity.

The life span of a crodlu is from 30 to 70 years, with 50 being typical. The mating season is long, lasting from Fortuary to Morrow. Territorial males will typically use hisses and other sounds to fight for a harem of two to seven female. The winner of these fights will breed with all the females in an area, but will only form a pair bond with the dominant female.

Crodlu are oviparous. The females will lay their single fertilized eggs in a single communal nest, a simple pit, scraped in the ground by the male. The nest may contain 15 to 60 eggs. They are glossy and cream in color, with thick shells marked by small pits. The gestation period is 45 to 60 days. Typically, the male will defend the hatchlings, and teach them how and on what to feed.

Crodlu resemble large ostriches, but their forearms end in wicked claws and their tough, scaly hides are yellow to red, with other colors along their sides and belly. Females are slightly smaller and lighter colored than males, but there is otherwise little difference between the sexes.