Markhirin

The markhirin are native to the plains of Eden but can be found in nearly every part of the realm. Relatively fast, very strong, and capable of traveling long distances, these animals are often used as beasts of burden and as a means of travel. Though they are slower than horses -- the most common animal employed in transportation --, they are more resistant to weather and rough terrain. Not bred for dense forests, sand, or steep mountains, they do still slow down considerably in these areas, but they push through where horses would not.

Wild markhirin are really only found in Eden. Their population has remained fairly steady over the last hundred years. They have not been able to expand due to their native environments slowly shrinking, as the Caesarean Dominion continues to build camps, villages, and towns.

The markhirin have an unconventional type of hoof. Instead of one solid hoof, they have human-like feet, each toe tipped with keratin, like a hoof. This allows them more flexibility over unstable terrain.

Perhaps their most prominent feature is their horns. Most markhirin have two serpent-like horns that curve backwards. The females, too, have horns, though they are not curved; they are serpent-like and stick straight up into the air.

Markhirin have thick coats of medium-length fur, often with various patterns of stripes near the neck.