Camel (wild)

Camel (wild)

Species	camelid
No. Appearing	3–12
Behaviour	herd
Range	desert, steppe
Size	6 ft. 1 in. at shoulder
Weight	1,800 lbs.
Intelligence	3
Armour Class	7
Hit Dice	3
Action Points	6
Max. Stride	23
THAC0	19
Hp/Die	d12
Attack Forms	1: hoof
Damage	hoof (1–8)
Special Attacks	spit

Wild camels are large, hardy, hoofed mammals adapted to arid environments, capable of surviving extreme temperatures and prolonged periods without water. They are highly mobile, traveling vast distances across deserts, steppes, and scrublands in search of food and water. Their thick coats protect them from both the scorching heat of the day and the freezing temperatures of the night, while their broad, padded feet allow them to traverse loose sand and rocky terrain with ease. Known for their endurance, wild camels can go for weeks without drinking, relying on fat reserves stored in their humps to sustain them.

There are two species: the one-humped dromedary, which inhabits the deserts and drylands of the southern reaches, and the two-humped Bactrian, found in the vast steppe and arid regions from the Gobi Desert to the inland salt flats of the west. In both cases, these beasts thrive in harsh environments where water is scarce and vegetation is limited, surviving primarily on tough shrubs and hardy desert plants.

Wild camels are often hunted for their hides and meat. However, those with the proper knowledge can capture and domesticate them, turning them into invaluable mounts for travel across vast and inhospitable lands.

Behaviour

Wild camels roam great distances in search of water, often traveling toward mountainous regions where hidden springs can be found. When threatened, they band together tightly to ward off predators, defending themselves with powerful kicks that can be delivered from any foot, either while standing their ground or as they retreat.

Their bodies are specialized for extreme temperatures, with thick fur that insulates them against both the searing heat of the day and the freezing cold of the night. Their long legs and broad, cushioned feet allow them to traverse rocky terrain and loose desert sands without sinking or injuring themselves.

Travelling in small, loosely structured groups, wild camel herds typically consist of a dominant male and a handful of females with their offspring. Males will often engage in aggressive displays during the breeding season, fighting for dominance over a harem. When threatened, wild camels prefer to flee rather than fight, but if cornered, they will defend themselves with powerful kicks, using their long legs to strike at predators from multiple angles.

Advantages

If pressed, a camel will also spit, regurgitating foul-smelling stomach contents at its target. The spit must hit armour class 10. If successful, the target is stunned and knocked back one combat hex. If a saving throw is failed, the target is nauseous for 1–2 additional rounds, unable to take offensive actions. Once a camel has spat, it will retreat at normal speed rather than continue fighting.

See Bestiary