Stormbound Runner

"See 'em running? That's not just speed, it's thunder bottled in flesh. One bolt of their lightning and you're blind for a week. But don't blame 'em; it's nature's doing. If you're smart, you'll keep your distance."

— Calra of the Winded Plains, herdsman

 

Spark of the Savanna

  Creature of relentless motion and electric might, standing nearly eight feet tall at the shoulder, these herd animals possess a sleek, sinewy build designed for unending speed. Their short, copper-hued fur glistens in sunlight, as though perpetually dusted with fine metal filings. Most striking of all, their long, spiraling horns arc back toward their shoulders, crackling faintly with static energy when the air is dry.   To the untrained eye, they might resemble common herd beasts, agile and graceful, but their true nature becomes apparent when they move as one. A herd of stormbound runners can summon storms simply by running. The friction of their hooves against the earth and the synchronous swish of their tails generate static electricity that builds and builds, creating an audible hum in the air. As the herd accelerates, this hum crescendos into a symphony of crackling energy, and the sky itself begins to darken. Clouds gather, drawn to the charge, and bolts of lightning split the heavens as the runners gallop across the plains.  

Static Stormrunning

  This peculiar ability has led many myths about their origin. Some claim they were shaped by a god of storms, while others say they are remnants of an ancient magical experiment gone awry. What is known for certain is that their delectrical discharges serve a virtal purpose. When predators approach, a herd willl stampede in unison, their combined energy culminating in a blinding burst of lightning. This momentary chaos allows the runners to escape, leaving behind stunned and singed foes.   Despite their dangerous nature, the nomadic tribes who brave the savannas hold the runners in reverence. The boldest hunters attempt to collect the scorched earth left in their wake, which is said to have properties of protection against lightning and storms. However, few succeed, for to approach a stampeding herd is to flirt with death itself.   Stormbound runners embody the raw power of the storm - untamed, beautiful and deadly. Watching them is a privelege; surviving them, an honour.