Creature
The fastest mount in Balior
A flightless, bird-like creature commonly kept and ridden across Balior. Standing just over a Height and a quarter, a Pastru towers over any man. Despite their long necks and feathered bodies, they have no wings, and rely on their long, sturdy legs to carry them at speed instead. Plumage varies widely between individuals, from deep bronze to vivid turquoise, green and orange, paired with a blue-grey beak and large, dark eyes.
Pastrus are sturdy and capable of long journeys, though riding one over distance is demanding on the rider more than the animal, and a saddle is typically used to ease the strain. They communicate through a range of sounds, from an excited screech to a low, disapproving rumble when displeased, and can grow closely attached to a single rider over years. Riding a Pastru within Borrac's city walls is against the law, making a mounted rider a conspicuous sight. Pastrus also carry a natural Terran affinity, hardening the earth beneath their feet as they run until it holds firm as metal. This leaves them all but untouchable by their natural predator, the Solgrafa, whose claws are built for breaking earth, not metal-hard ground. A hunting Solgrafa must instead wait and strike while a Pastru is at rest, when the ground beneath it goes soft again.