Didrik Magnus-Andresen

The Tarkaun.

Added 2025-08-24 13:39:20 +0000 UTC

The Tarkaun, or ox-men, are lumbering hulks bred for strength and size, just like their namesake.

Standing taller than even most elves, they are giants among men. If their height alone does not strike fear into an opponent, then the sheer mass of their muscles surely will. These brutes can easily lift and toss a grown man; armed with mace and armor, few indeed are those who can stand against them. For this reason, they are highly prized by elven lords, who take great pride in possessing one—especially if the creature has accomplished some deed worthy of renown.

Yet, due to their enormous cost and the vast amount of food they require, it is rare to see even a single Tarkaun in the field. Still, stories persist of elven princes commanding entire warbands made up of these hulking warriors.

Though they are a formidable force on the battlefield, they can also be a danger off it. Naturally aggressive and easily bored, they grow restless during peacetime, and having such a volatile creature confined to a village is a recipe for disaster. To prevent chaos, they are often appeased with food, drink, and women in the hope of keeping them complacent until the next campaign. Even so, there are tales of elven lords beaten to a pulp simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.