Koufa

Koufa stand upright on two digitigrade legs ending in cloven hooves, balancing with their large tail that either touches the ground or curls upwards. Their skin is thickest on their shoulders and backs, where small, leathery plates (scutes) trail down their spines to the tops of their tails. Most of their body is covered with at least a thin layer of body hair, most of them having thick manes and patches of fur. This is also true of their forearms which are noticeably thicker than their upper arms.   They have broad, bovine noses and ears but humanoid faces. Their eyes are usually between shades of red and yellow.

Koufa reproduce according to their "estrous cycle", also known as being "in heat". During the mating season, or frenzy (rut), there can be an increased restlessness, aggression and sexual interest in both males and females. This is not universal and there can be many individuals that do not possess these traits and, instead, choose to rest during the mating season.    It is not uncommon for same-sex couples to engage in mating merely to relieve the stress that comes from the increase in hormones. This is particularly true of individuals who do not wish to reproduce but still want to join in the fun.   Pregnancy usually means one child, though twins are not uncommon. Gestation usually takes around 7-8 months.

Koufa will reach adulthood around 15 years and most will live for around 50-70 years, a number which has steadily risen with the cultural and technological development of Eskarr.

Plainstriders are strict vegetarians. Their digestive systems have changed little from their primitive beginnings as grazers. They have embraced the farming of wheat and the baking of breads, which they have incorporated into their contemporary diets. This diet mainly consists of vegetables, fruits, nuts, breads and some kinds of grasses that are not a reliable or nutritious food source for the Skadi.

The Koufa have spread as far as the forests to the north, but refused to go much further due to their aversion to cold temperatures. They have spent generations living in and adapting the climate of the plains, steppes and deserts. This is also because of cultural reasons; the Koufa are nomadic and known for their shepherding, neither of which are easy in dense, forested areas.   There are a number of sub-groups of Koufa that vary based on their environments.  

Steppes Koufa

The most common kind  

Desert Koufa

Fewer in number  

Forest Koufa

Even less common  

Mountain Koufa

The least common, even encroaching into Isturoth.