Ferric Ibex
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"Had me a climbin’ pick made from one o’ them horns a while back. Then one of the damned things knocks it out me hand and nearly sends me falling to my death."—Kruber Johanes, mountain climber
The Ferric Ibex, also referred to as the Steelbones Goat, is a large species of ibex that dwells high up in the mountainous regions of Haven. Known for both their climbing skills and iron-enriched bones, the Ferric Ibex is a very hardy animal. It is also known for having its bones being used as a substitute form of steel among many communities.
Characteristics
Appearance
The Ferric Ibex is a large goat species that stands around as tall as a person. Its body is covered in short, shaggy fur that gives it excellent resistance to the often-chilly temperatures of its mountainous home. Its hooves are split, meaning it can use them almost like claws as it grips onto steep terrain, giving it excellent climbing capabilities. It is not uncommon to see groups of Ferric Ibex scaling steep, rugged terrain with ease, crossing the mountains in a fraction of the time it would take most other species to scale them.
Both the male and female Ferric Ibex possess an impressive set of horns, used for both defense against predators and competition among their own kind. The male’s horns are much larger and heavier, with the female’s horns being considerably smaller and thinner. These horns are often flecked with shimmering iron streaks, which appear more as the ibex ages. The oldest Ferric Ibexes are said to have horns made completely out of iron.
Biology
The Ferric Ibex’s bones have a very high iron content, largely due to the creature’s habit of gnawing on mineral-rich rocks to aid in digestion. As such, their bones have become very, hard enough to let it survive hits that would cripple or outright kill creatures of similar size. However, due to these bones being so heavy, the Ferric Ibex has become so dense that it cannot swim, sinking like a rock whenever it enters a large enough body of water. Fortunately, the Ferric Ibex rarely has to deal with the issue of deep water, save for the occurrence of a flash flood.
The Ferric Ibex is a herbivore, feeding on the tough shrubs that dot the mountain slopes and the grassy lowlands surrounding the peaks. However, these items often lack the mineral content that the ibex needs to survive. As such, it also feeds on iron-rich rocks that it can sense via electromagnetism, using its horns almost like a compass needle. When it finds iron ore within rock, it uses its horns to chip its way through until it reaches its prize.
The Ferric Ibex mates in late summer, with the females giving birth six months later. The newborn ibex typically stays close to its parents for the first few years of its life, learning how to fight and climb. Its horns start coming in after a year or so, steadily growing as the young ibex learns to deal with the new weight on its head. Sometimes, the horns end up growing too fast, leaving the young ibex struggling to keep its head upright.
Behavior
The Ferric Ibex dwells in high-up mountain ranges, often at ranges far higher than what most people think. During the warmer months, it often sticks to the peaks and slopes, taking advantage of the melting snow to find iron deposits exposed due to erosion. During winter, the Ferric Ibex usually retreats to the lowlands, feeding on scrubby trees and digging for roots. Though it can endure the cold, the Ferric Ibex usually has to contend with predators looking to take advantage of its lack of high ground.
The Ferric Ibex lives in herds ranging from thirty to fifty individuals in size. Herds can often be seen scaling large cliffs all at once, with the mother goats usually trailing right behind their young to keep them from falling. When an ibex grows too old, it is often left behind by the rest of the herd, collapsing as it dies from either old age or starvation. Ferric Ibexes who die this way often end up partially sinking into the ground, their half-buried bones sticking out as both a gravestone and potential treasure.
The Ferric Ibex is a rather temperamental creature, charging at anything it perceives to be a threat. If it finds itself in a situation where it can’t charge, such as on a steep slope, it uses its horns to dislodge chunks of earth to send falling down at any potential attackers. However, it must be careful to not send too much ground down, lest it destabilize the ground it's standing on and fall to an embarrassing doom.
Ferric Ibex Bone Usage
The Ferric Ibex is often hunted by those living in mountainous areas, mostly for their bones as they have a unique property when forged. When the Ferric Ibex’s bones are melted down, the iron within them mixes with the carbon of the bones to create a rudimentary form of steel, often referred to as goatmetal. This goatmetal is a valuable commodity for those who lack the capabilities to forge “proper” steel on their own, becoming a vital component for both trade and warfare.
Weapons and armor forged from goatmetal are often painted with the image of the Ferric Ibex itself, the blacksmith who forged it claiming that the animal’s spirit fights on within the weapon. Larger mountain villages tend to keep at least one herd of Ferric Ibexes around, both as livestock and as a means of defense. However, due to the value of the ibex to these communities, gangs of rustlers often form to steal the herd under cover of night, leading to many feuds between different villages.
Notable Individuals
TBA*Scope: Imagindarium