Crodlu

Since they can survive in Athas’s merciless environment, crodlu are well able to take care of themselves. The beast’s two powerful hind legs kick, while each hand can claw, while the wicked beak bites. If both claws grasp an enemy, the crodlu can grappled with its foe, allowing the beak to cause more damage.

Crodlu travel in herds of 5 to 30. Of these, one-fifth are chicks and the remainder are adults. Each herd is led by a single adult male. If attacked, adult crodlu form a defensive ring around the young and, if necessary, die to defend them. If taken from the herd as chicks, crodlu may be trained to serve as mounts. Only 10% of adult crodlu may be so trained, while male leaders can never be trained.

Each female crodlu may give birth to a single young each year. The chicks are able to run and fight within a few minutes of birth. Crodlu are omnivorous, feeding off anything edible they find, sometimes even resorting to pack hunting techniques against smaller animals. When used as riding beasts, crodlu are unparalleled, carrying their riders with great speed and endurance. While crodlu normally flee rather than fight if carrying a rider or cargo, war crodlu may be trained to use their substantial combat abilities in battle. Also valuable as beasts of burden, crodlu can carry substantial loads, although larger amounts reduce their movement, as shown in the following table.