The Man-Eating Cow

All through Nubia cattle are dying mysteriously. Often they simply disappear, but occasionally skin or bloodless bodies are discovered; magic is suspected, and the characters may come under suspicion. All these cows have their origin in Megabari lands; stolen spoils that contain carnivorous bulls that now infest Makurian herds.

magicians are able to create these creatures as revenge against those who enslave them.

The carnivorous bull appears much like a normal bull, although it is larger in bulk, and its mouth opens all the way back to the ears; with its mouth closed this feature is hard to see. It is red in color, although this is not an unusual color for cattle. Its head is armed with a pair of formidable horns, which it can swivel like ears, or hold rigid. The only diagnostic feature is that its eyes glow at night. These animals have the prowess of a lion, the swiftness of a horse, and the might of a bull.

The carnivorous bull is a cunning creature. It insinuates itself into a large herd of cows, and then picks them off one by one, eating all evidence including the bones, hide, horns, and hooves. It may also pick off dogs and herdsmen who get too close to uncovering its nature. The creature is driven by its essential nature to kill and eat, although as a magical creature it has no real need to do so.

Magic Might: 10 (Animal) Season: Summer

Characteristics: Cun +1, Per 0, Pre –4, Com –4, Str +5, Sta +3, Dex 0, Qik 0

Size: +2

Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Ferocity (charging), Puissant Brawl, Tough; Gluttonous

Magic Qualities and Inferiorities: Greater Power; Improved Attack (horns), Improved Damage (horns), Improved Powers, Improved Soak x2, Minor Virtue (Improved Abilities) x2, Minor Virtue (Lesser Immunity to piercing weapons)

Mundane Qualities: Aggressive, Ambush Predator, Fast Runner, Large Horns, Tough Hide

Personality Traits: Hungry +5, Bull* +3, Sly +2

*Essential Trait

Combat:

Horns: Init +2, Attack +13, Defense +8, Damage +11

Teeth: Init 0, Attack +11, Defense +8, Damage +8

Soak: +12

Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: –1 (1–7), –3 (8–14), –5 (15–21), Incapacitated (22–28), Dead (29+)

Abilities: Athletics 4 (charging), Awareness 3 (prey), Brawl 5+2 (horns), Guile 4 (pretending to be a normal cow), Hunt 4 (cows), Stealth 5 (stalking prey), Survival 3 (plains)

Natural Weapons: The creature's weapons have the following combat characteristics: Large Horns Init +2, Attack +3, Defense +2, Damage +3, Large Teeth Init 0, Attack +4, Defense +1, Damage +3

Powers:

Calm the Lowing Herd, 2 points, Init –2, Animal: This power keeps all animals in the vicinity of the carnivorous bull calm and quiet, allowing it to attack and eat its prey without arousing suspicion. It can affect up to 50 cows, or similar sized creatures. ReAn 45 (Base 10, +2 Voice, +2 Sun, +2 Group, +1 Size) Greater Power (45 levels, –3 Might cost, +3 Init with Improved Powers)

Appearance: A massive, red-colored bull. It can open its mouth over 100 degrees, enough to swallow a cow's head whole. If watched carefully, its nature can be divined by the occasional twitch of one of its horns, or the fact that it is not eating grass.

If the bull's true nature has not been spotted, then it automatically wins initiative on the first round of combat, and receives a +3 bonus to Attack Totals for the first round only. Carnivorous bulls have a +3 bonus to all rolls involving running.