Pony Wolf

Chimera Animal

A successful animal hybrid created through the chimera process.  The front half is a wolf, while the rear is a pony. This allows the pony wolf to have the excellent vision and front paws of a wolf, helping to maneuver over rough terrain, while leaving the pony's rear legs intact for kicking and main running power. Today these chimeras are only found on the island kingdom of Lopan, where they can be found running in herds.

Lopan is known to capture and train pony wolves to be used as exotic mounts, and commonly sell to the Western Empire where rich nobles often give them to their daughters as presents. Mated pony wolves remain together for life, and if ever isolated from its mate the pony wolf will constantly try to escape. If escape proves impossible the pony wolf will fall into depression and do little at all, not even eating, until reunited. This has proven a mated pair as unable to be trained, unless both are trained and sold together as a pair.

According to legend the first pony wolf was created as a wedding present to a princess of Lopan who loved both wolves and horses. If the legends are true the Mosaic Mage who created them was in love with the princess even though she was betrothed to another. It took him several months of sleepless nights, isolation, research, and non-stop experiments before he could perfect them (and somewhere out there a graveyard of failed experiments).

After he gave the pony wolf as a present, the mage transferred his life into it so he could be with her and always protect her. While the legend is likely untrue, or at least most of it, it does cause the pony wolf to be romanticized by many. The attitude of mated pairs only helps to add to the allure of such legends.

Size: Generally shorter than four feet (1.2 m) at the shoulders.

Weight: 1000-1400 pounds (454 to 635 kg).

A.R.: Not applicable.

Hit Points: 4D6+6

S.D.C.: 2D6+18

P.P.E.: 6D6

Attacks Per Melee: 3

Damage: Bite does 2D6+3, front claws 1D4 damage, rear kick does 2D6+4 damage.

Bonuses: +2 on initiative, +4 to strike, +4 to dodge, +4 to save vs. horror factor.

Natural Abilities: Great endurance, sure-footed, carry or pull up to 600 pounds (270 kg), leap four feet (1.2 m) high and eight feet (2.4 m) long, and can perform a leaping pounce. The pony wolf also has nightvision 30 feet (9m), swim 60%, track (by smell) 80%, can smell prey up to one mile (1.6 km) away.

Speed: 50 (35 mph/ 56 km), but maximum speed is 58 (40 mph/64 km).

Average Life Span: 10 years.

Value: Untrained: 2000-6000 gold; trained: 8000-24,000.

Habitat: Prefer grasslands and plains.

Range: Native to the island of Lopan, though they do sell them to other nations.

Behavior: These large animals associate in herds of 15 to 30 when in the wild. While a pony wolf can graze, they much prefer meat. They typically feed on small animals, but have been known to hunt as a herd running down larger animals such as deer, or even wild horses and wolves. Mated pairs remain together for life. A single young is born after 12 months of gestation. The pup is independent after another year. These animals are fast, aggressive, and intelligent. Trained pony wolves show an amazing amount of composure even when confronted with loud and confusing noises. They are very loyal to their herds or masters, depending on upbringing.