Armored Trihorn
The Armored Trihorn is a large quadrupedal reptilian creature found naturally in the lands west of the Kingdom of Tyrnabay beyond the Broken Ranges.
Their name derives from the three long, bony, pointed horns that extend from their skulls as well. The two largest horns emanate from points above their eyes and curve slightly forward; the third is shorter and estends straight from the snout.
The creatures are exclusively herbivorous. Instead of teeth, they possess a beak-like mouth capable of snapping tree branches and saplings of 3-4in (7.5-10cm) in diameter. These are then crushed into pulp between bony platelike structures resembling teeth. Jaw strength is formidable.
Length
25-30ft(7-9m)
Height
12-18ft(3.5-5.5m)
Weight
12,000-20,000lbs (5500-9000kg)
Diet
Herbivore
Reproduction
Egg-laying
Following the god-war and the collapse of the Empire, the wild creatures continued to occupy their native ranges, but due to the incorporation of the fiercer war-trained beasts into the natural herds, the creatures gained a level of hostility they did not have originally.
Recently, a mercenary group in Tyrnabay, consisting mostly of Taxlatl members and calling itself the Third Empire, has begun collecting eggs from wild herds and, after hatching, training the creatures for war once again.
Today, the mercenaries that call themselves the Third Empire have adopted the same symbol as their own. Some in Tyrnabay believe this suggests their loyalty to Tyrnabay should be questioned; they see it as a thinly veiled indication that the true intent of these mercenaries is to restore the Taxlatl Empire.
Physical Description
At first glance, these creatures resemble the great herd-beasts that can be found in various other parts of Cartyrion, particularly the plains of southern Lanlokan. But Trihorns are reptilian, not mammalian. Instead of fur, they possess thick hides of round, bumpy scales. A large, flared, bony plate extends from their skulls, protecting their necks while allowing them full freedom of movement to swing their heads from side to side.Their name derives from the three long, bony, pointed horns that extend from their skulls as well. The two largest horns emanate from points above their eyes and curve slightly forward; the third is shorter and estends straight from the snout.
The creatures are exclusively herbivorous. Instead of teeth, they possess a beak-like mouth capable of snapping tree branches and saplings of 3-4in (7.5-10cm) in diameter. These are then crushed into pulp between bony platelike structures resembling teeth. Jaw strength is formidable.
Armored Trihorn
Stekhee'gak in Taxlatl
History
It is believed these creatures are native to the broad scrub plains west of the Broken Ranges. Prior to the The Great Strife, these lands were claimed by the Second Taxlatl Empire. The Taxlatl began a practice of raising the creatures in captivity after securing eggs from wild herds. The captive-bred creatures were trained from an early age to support military use. The were acclimated to the wearing of armor and the fitting of a fighting platform that could support four Taxlatl archers in addition to a driver. Heavy calvary units were formed and trained to charge in close formation, smashing anything and everything in their path.Following the god-war and the collapse of the Empire, the wild creatures continued to occupy their native ranges, but due to the incorporation of the fiercer war-trained beasts into the natural herds, the creatures gained a level of hostility they did not have originally.
Recently, a mercenary group in Tyrnabay, consisting mostly of Taxlatl members and calling itself the Third Empire, has begun collecting eggs from wild herds and, after hatching, training the creatures for war once again.
Cultural Symbolism
The Trihorns were so instrumental in the expansion of the Second Taxlatl Empire that they became the symbol of that empire. Flags and banners of the Empire bore a symbol consisting of the stylized representation of the bony crest and three horns.Today, the mercenaries that call themselves the Third Empire have adopted the same symbol as their own. Some in Tyrnabay believe this suggests their loyalty to Tyrnabay should be questioned; they see it as a thinly veiled indication that the true intent of these mercenaries is to restore the Taxlatl Empire.
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