  Aptly named, Sanctuary's Giant Caldera Reindeer are no pushovers. Likely evolved to deal with the larger predators of the caldera, and perhaps even distantly bred as mounts by the caldera's previous inhabitants, these animals are huge. Coming in at 5'8" at the shoulders on average, and 1,300lbs, they can hold their own against predators like the scimitar cat easily.They have other adaptations too. Their shoulders and hips are somewhat wider than other reindeer, and they possess a moose-like hump that gives them extremely powerful shoulders. Below, they look to have feathered fetlocks, but these hairs are much more bristly than they look, and are waterproof, allowing snow and ice to slide right off. Their dewclaw is also longer, and slightly lower to the ground.
CAN A GIANT CALDERA REINDEER BE RIDDEN TO HARBOR?
Technically? Yes. Practically? No. The reindeer don't really like the caves to start with, and they really can't handle the heat once they're through. Most get sick fairly quickly in the tropical heat unless they're keep consistently cool.
HOW STEALTHY ARE THEY?
Not very. You can generally hear the average reindeer coming, thanks to the tendons that constantly click in their legs. A Giant Reinder's tendons click much louder, and their breath plumes are also a large visual give away in colder weather. They pant rather than sweat.
HOW FAST ARE THEY?
Their general running speeds are about 35 miles per hour, but they can reach up to 45mph in short bursts. A general trot falls somewhere between 10-15mph. Unlike most mounts, however, they can travel easily in deep snow and over slick ice without slipping or getting stuck. |
 HUNTING SEASON (Click to Expand!)
To ensure the reindeer population in Sanctuary remains healthy, hunting the caldera's giant reindeer is a controlled activity. Hunting is allowed from August to September, and the forested area north of the city is off limits for hunts. If the population drops below a certain level, hunting is disallowed entirely until it recovers. Only a certain amount of bagged reindeer are allowed per person, and an even smaller amount of female reindeer. There are no limits on farmed reindeer, however, which do quite well. Hunting licenses specifically for the Giant Caldera Reindeer can be purchased at Sanctuary's AotM outpost in the city's main square or at the front desk of the Omphalos through the Gate. |
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