THE
INJA
GOAT |
The Inja is a well-adapted goat, found around the vast continent of Aeruillin. It has evolved a special skin, almost completely devoid of fur, which allows it to live easily near the hot deserts. Inja are used by many Aeruillian tribes extensively, most notably the Hjoria who reply on their skins to make their homes, clothes, and provide fuel for fires.
Appearance.
The Inja stands at about two and a half peds, and weighs on average 6 hebs. As
may be expected, the Inja is not a fleshy animal. It has four, long, spindly,
yet sturdy legs, each ending in a cloven hoof. The Inja has large ears, it is
theorized that this helps in heat loss from the body, and the face is long, with
two tawny coloured eyes. It seems to have no fur, but upon closer inspection
fine fur, about a thumbnails length can be seen. The beige skin has thousands of
miniscule pores, from which is secreted an oily substance, which helps retain
water within the body, but let heat out.
Special Abilities.
The Inja have been discovered to be able to retain most their water within their
bodies, this has been deduced from the concentrated urine they produce. This
undoubtedly helps them live within their environment. There are no other special
abilities as such - it is just the Inja's adaptation to the desert climate of
Aeruillin that is considered something extraordinary.
Territory.
The Inja are exclusive to Aeruillin, they thrive easily on the plains and at
the edge of deserts around the continent.
Habitat/Behaviour.
The Inja live in herds, generally quite large in number. Unlike most other herd
animals, there is tolerance between the males. There is no dominant ram, each
share equal status, only when it comes to mating there is any sort of conflict
between them. The Inja are docile in nature, but will group together if
threatened and will use their hind legs to kick up sand and dirt into the eyes
of their aggressors.
Diet.
Quite literally, the Inja will eat anything. It is essential for them to be able
to do this due to the lack of food in desert regions. Inja's diet may include coarse grasses, spiny
bushes, some will even attempt to swallow rocks. Nevertheless, they thrive on
their varied intake.
Mating.
This is perhaps the only time that the Inja show any aggression towards each
other. Mating season is usually between the tenth and the eleventh month. Ewes who
are in heat obtain a slightly darker colour to those who are not – quite
obvious to the eye. The change can happen overnight. Once it has been noticed,
it is a case of first come, first served. Whichever ram sees the ewe first, is
able to mate with her. This can lead to fierce battles between prospective sires
should two rams attempt to mate with an ewe at the same time.
Once the ewe has been impregnated, her colour will return to normal. Gestation
lasts around six months. It is quite common for Inja to give birth to twins.
Care only lasts the minimum amount of time, on average seven months, until the
young kid can fend for itself. This is theorized to be because the instincts of
the ewe tells her that having something feeding from it means there is less
overall for her, and so, although maternal instinct is around for some time, it
soon disappears after weaning and the ewe wishes to retain all her water and
energy, and not have to waste it on another of her herd.
Usages.
Most of the Inja can be utilized. The flesh, although chewy, can be eaten. The
skin is used for a variety of things, such as clothing, tents, fuel and so
forth. Even the carcass can be used, for example, to flavour soups.
Noted Researchers.
Whilst no-one who has been particularly noted for
research has made extensive investigations into the Inja, many Aeruillian
alchemists have done so. What is of particular interest to most of them is the
oil that is secreted onto the skin. Recently some have been looking into a way
to somehow “harvest” the oil from the Inja, for general everyday use as some
sort of coating, especially on clothing.
Information provided by
Artemis
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