Azru Aoudad
 Found wild throughout northern Alkelbulan, this species of caprine's closest relatives are goats. There are a few variants which differ by region, their Kaithur reflecting their habitat. These are the Tafuyt Aoudad of the Shamsi Desert, Tisnt Aoudad of Parsa and the Rmla or Jjaj Aoudad of Arabiyyah. But all Aoudad, regardless of habitat, inherit either Gokmar's Step or Gokrilvek's Movement. Oddly, only females will inherit Step while only males inherit Movement manifestations. To onlookers, females are able to disappear into stony outcroppings while males will flit straight up any slope with ease and are extremely hardy. Females also use their abilities so their herd can rest in Gokmar's Plane during the heat of the day, moving between mountain ranges and emerging at dawn and dusk to graze.
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First AbilityGokmar's Step Female aoudad with Gokmar's Step can enter and exit Gokmar's Plane through large enough stone to pass through and travel the plane freely, without injury. They can bring others with them while maintaining contact. Portals are instances of mineral stone large enough to fit through!
Gokrilvek's Movement Male Aoudad with Gokrilvek's Movement are able to retain footing and balance despite whatever force, enduring and maintaining movement despite normal physics. Their strikes always follow through, their balance is always steady and sturdy, they can maintain this on any surface even upside down, have increased strength and remain unmovable against their will. Finally, they can endure damage unusually well and they are heavier.  Second AbilityRithaldis' Shield Tafuyt Aoudad with Rithaldis' Shield are immune to damage or ill effects from both radiant magic and naturally occurring radiant energy such as radiation, strong sunlight and solar plasma.
Gokmar's Manipulation Tisnt Aoudad with Gokmar's Manipulation are able to manipulate minerals present in their environment. This species specifically targets salt, their digestive system and teeth extracting excess salt from their food and water! They regurgitate this in their cud or expell it in their waste harmlessly, essential to living in the Salted Badlands of Parsa.
Ilnid's Manipulation Rmla Aoudad with Ilnid's Manipulation are able to manipulate sand, glass and quartz present in their environment. They are not immune to sand magic but they can repel, attract, move and control materials related to Ilnid, including amid sandstorms to protect their herd!
Ilnid's Skin  Jjaj Aoudad with Ilnid's Skin can turn their fur and skin into quartz or glass, building up layers and expanding it around themselves in different shapes. They are immune to sand magic as well and cannot be harmed by materials related to Ilnid, natural or magical. |
Anatomy |
Aoudad are large and stocky caprines with long and shaggy hair called a ventral mane hanging from their neck and chest. These are larger on males than females and both genders have horns. These horns curve back and out before the point goes inward towards their neck. And much like a domestic goat, their eyes have horizontal pupils.
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Adaptions |
Much like Gazhaal al-Raqs, Aoudad can survive long periods without drinking water by relying on the moisture found in their food. Crepuscular in nature, they avoid the heat of the day by emerging at dawn and dusk to feed, but are still highly tolerant to hot and cold temperatures. Even without magic, they can climb extremely well and jump up to seven feet high from a standing leap!
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Life Cycle |
Mating occurs from September through November and females are pregnant for 154-161 days. Single calves or, occasionally, twins are born and calves can stand and climb rocky hills almost immediately! Females are sexually mature by 8 months and most give birth by 19 months old. Aoudad are polygamous, males competing for groups of females. Those who aren't successful live in bachelor herds the rest of the year, waiting to try again.
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Behavior |
 This species enacts a dominance hierarchy where males are the dominant sex, drastically bigger than females. However, a dominant female will also lead the group into Gokmar's Plane in his absence. They communicate this heirarchy using several postures and by directing their horns toward those they are in conflict with. Aggressive behavior includes head-on charges or wrestling. Most often these fights occur between males but fights between females are absent of charges.
In combat, two male Aoudad will butt heads with their horns, a fearsome sight thanks to Gokrilvek's Movement--two steadfast, immovable forces colliding! Sometimes these battles take place on verticle surfaces, the sound echoing through craggy regs and sheer wadis cliffs. After colliding, Aoudad hook horns, twisting and making gouging movements at each other. Those with Ilnid's blessings will coat their horns or fur in glass, shattering dramatically and sending shards scattering—sometimes blinding their opponent. Others shield themselves with thick sand insulation or quartz armor. Unlike goats or sheep, Aoudad don't kick. |
Habitat
Aoudad wander nomadically throughout the craggy highlands and wadis of the Shamsi Desert, Parsa, Birit Narim, Arabiyyah and Balkurtiz. They thrive best in arid, mountainous habitats with large rocky features and little water. |
Diet
These herbivores graze on a variety of grasses, shrubs, flowers, young plants and leaves. They can climb to reach plants unavailable to most other grazers and propagate seeds for many species. Their only competition is Raqs Gazelle. But Aoudad are much hardier than these tiny dancing gazelle, able to stand their ground against all but the largest of predators such as the Hadje Sabertooth or Uwriun Scorpion.
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 Human InteractionsAoudad are hunted for their meat, pelt and horns but are extremely difficult to hunt, wary and difficult to chase. They easily maneuver the craggy landscape thanks to their adaptions and magic, quickly scaling precipitous slopes too steep for most pursuers or vanishing entirely. In more sandy environments they will go still, their fur blending them into the dunes. Because of their abilities, Aoudad have become symbols of strength, resilience and bravery to local peoples. Their horns are displayed as symbols of status and power. Glass pelts are also extremely beautiful in the light! |
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