Swamp Mule

Monstrum cervus
Picture
Typical Adult Male Swamp Mule 5-8 ft | 152-243 cm at the top of shoulder. Lifespan: 10 years.

​About:

The Swamp Mule is an aggressive, stag-like species. Despite the name, they are found in a variety of flat and open areas–the term “Swamp” comes more from their ghastly appearance. When young, they appear as a normal stag, but as they age, the toxins found in their saliva slowly rot away the flesh on their face and skull–with arcane light in the eye socket where eyes once remained. Older specimens have been found with this rot travelling down the throat and chest–eventually causing death. As Swamp Mule meat is often greasy and bitter, they have no known natural predators. However, their pelt, hooves, skull, and antlers are worth a pretty handful of gold for armor-making purposes due to their superior durability compared to other materials. Their saliva can be harvested to be used as toxic coatings on both armor and weaponry–as it causes any organic matter it comes into contact with to rot away. 
Swamp Mules live in vast herds consisting of members of all genders and ages, with the males of the species tending to roam at the outskirts of the herd–with the females and young inside of a protected ring. From a distance they pose little threat as they are terribly short-sighted. However, they do have excellent hearing, and are able to track the movements of any potential threats hundreds of meters away. When provoked, their main defense is brute force in the form of a charge–in close range, they will use their antlers, hooves, hard skull, and spew their toxic saliva or bite to defend themselves. Though not particularly agile, they are incredibly strong.
Males of the species are larger with a shaggier pelt, and also have a large rack of antlers, while females are smaller and more dun-colored, with short “spikes” in place of full antlers. Their diet consists of all sorts of rotted matter–they do not seem to care whether this matter is of plant or animal origin.
​Hunting Recommendations:Toxicate potion appears to nullify their toxic saliva–it is required to hunt Swamp Mules!
Auralight, Icefinger, Winterbreeze, and Heartstone potions may also come in handy!
They have the same weak points as a typical deer or stag, and can be hunted with conventional weapons–ranged weapons are recommended. 
Luring a Swamp Mule onto uneven terrain is an effective strategy–they do not appear to be particularly agile.
Terrain with lots of brush or trees appears to disorient Swamp Mules, use this to your advantage!
Mail and armor are recommended to avoid bites and attacks from antlers and hooves of this highly aggressive species. 
Watch out for their charges on open ground! A swamp mule can severely injure a horse and rider!
​Habitat & Diet:Swamp Mules are most commonly spotted in Malgosfrom and Kothandyl–though they have also been occasionally found in Korandyre near arcane sources. They stay in the open, preferring plains, meadows, swamps, bogs, and plateaus–it is rare to see a Swamp Mule in forests or areas with cover, as they rely on seeing threats coming from afar. This also makes them easy to locate and track. 
Breeding season: Assumed to be in the fall season–with young born in the spring and summer months.  
Dragon Artwork by: Virna-K