Mooncattle

Appearance

Mooncattle has quite the unique look. The first thing one notices is that they are much larger than regular cattle, with a pronounced hump on their necks. Their fur changes colour with the waxing and waning of the moon.
During the nights of absolutes darkness, when there is no moon at all, they appear to be pitch black and when the moon is in full display, they are almost a complete ghost white. Each individual has a spot on their body from which the colour seems to seep out with the rising moon, it is said that no two spots are alike. Experienced farmers use these to tell the individual apart.
This can be altered by a group of Moon Drinkers.

Behaviour & Ecology

As a wholly domesticated creature, the Mooncattle generally does as it is told. It grazes where the farmer leads it and rarely makes a run for freedom. Occasionally a "wild" individual can be seen among the remaining herds of the aurochs, having joined them after escaping from a pasture, or being lost on a drive.

Notable Traits or Abilities

Apart from its history of being bred from regular cattle and the native Aurochs, the only interesting element about the Mooncattle is their coats.
While the pitch black variants pose a striking visual, the ghostly white ones have the slight magical if making the wearer harder to detect by magical means. You might not be hidden, but moving at the fringes of a spell will still leave you "invisible".
This changes when the herd has been visited often by a flock of Moon Drinkers. Those affected by the creatures loose the black colour in parts and appear splotchy, with individual patterns of white and black. Those tend to grow larger and stronger, but loosing the the slight magic ability of their pelts in turn.

Cultural Significance or Myths

Many a merchant has grown rich and fat from the trade of these animals. Their meat is tasty and they are easy to raise and slaughter, making them perfect for anyone that can afford the land to let them graze.
The Ghostly Herd is a spectral apparition, comprised of Mooncattle, that will take on the evil and wicked of the world.

Adventure Hooks

• the cattle has gone missing, find it!
• a mysterious illness is plagueing the cattle, find a cure before it is too late
• cattle drive