Svera

Svera are a large, aggressive species of deer living on the western part of Eutera, prized by hunters for their meat yield and pelts but difficult to kill.

Physical

Svera are large members of the Cervidae family, outsizing most draft horses, but smaller than most Naturions. They have dense, oily coats that lengthen to form a coarse mane around their necks that serve to protect the throat from large predators. Females are dull in color, while males are brighter; calves are dark and dull to blend in with their surroundings. Both sexes feature massive, blocky antlers, though during different times of year. Bucks are antlered during the fall mating season, where they compete by sparring to mate with females. They lose them at the beginning of spring. Does are antlered during the spring calving season, enabling them to protect their calves (along with their prominent canine teeth). They lose them at the beginning of fall. Svera are generally bulky in build, with bucks being smaller and leaner than does. Does are harder to hunt, but their meat is more valuable; though both sexes are tough, does have a sweeter taste. They are difficult to kill due to their bulk and manes, usually requiring a clean arrow shot to the eye to go down without goring the hunter.

Habitat

Found on: western Eutera

Svera have a small range, contained within the dense woods of western Eutera, where the kingdom of Lycanthra lies. They are not seen outside of this range or in other habitats, and are too aggressive to be moved or introduced elsewhere by people.

Diet

Svera are opportunistic grazers; they subsist on plant matter ranging from grasses to branches, with preference given to softer materials. However, they are far from exclusively herbivorous. Most often observed in does who are about to calve or have freshly calved, svera can and will scavenge dead or live and injured animals as an extra source of calcium and other nutrients.

Behavior

Domestication: wild, aggressive

Svera live in herds of 4-5 individuals of the same sex. Does will raise their calves together for protection, and calves remain with their mothers for nine months. Bucks compete within their own herd during mating season; this competition is rarely lethal, as their herd provides safety from large predators. Both sexes are aggressive toward all outside species, including people. Does are most aggressive when they are protecting their calves, and will prefer to fight rather than flee. Most mature Svera will only flee a fight if one dies, in which case they move far from the body and do not return; this is believed to have evolved due to diseases picked up from the deceased.