Deer were four-legged Beasts known for their agility, alertness, and distinctive antlers; these only grew on males, who were referred to as "stags", with females being called "doe". Smaller than Elk, their bodies were lean and built for speed, with long legs, short tails, and large dark eyes suited for spotting danger. Most had brown or tawny coats that blended into the undergrowth, sometimes marked with white spots or darker patches depending on the species and region. Stags shed their antlers in colder months and regrew them in the spring, using them in displays and combat during the mating season to establish dominance.
They lived in temperate forests, grasslands, highland valleys, and in some cases, tundra or marsh. Their diet included grasses, shrubs, bark, and fallen fruit, and they typically fed at dawn and dusk. During the rut, stags marked territory by scraping trees or pawing the ground, and their loud calls echoed through the hills as challenges to rivals. Herds were usually led by older females, while males roamed alone or in small groups outside the breeding season. Their movements shaped migration paths and feeding patterns across many wild regions.
Deer meat provided food, their hides were used for clothing and shelter, and their antlers were carved into tools, buttons, and charms. In some regions, trained deer were used to help find water or forage. To many Mortalkind, deer symbolized grace, speed, and the balance of nature. They were seen as messengers of the wild, sacred to some traditions and hunted with respect in others. Their antlers, shed and regrown each year, were often taken as signs of renewal or the cycle of life.