Grognard's Grimoire: Teteku

(Much of my writing time these days is devoted to The Vaults of sha-Arthan, the science fantasy setting of my next campaign. While my focus has been on a draft of certain sections to give to prospective players, I've also been working on detailing the starting locales of the setting itself, including the native wildlife. Here's one such animal.) 

Teteku (Scaled Strider)

Standing between 6 and 8 feet tall at the shoulder, teteku are reptilian creatures with long, slender necks and gracile heads. These creatures walk on two muscular hind limbs, forelimbs being mostly useless outside of mating displays. Wild teteku roam in herds across all five continents of sha-Arthan, while domesticated breeds have played important roles in most societies, both human and non-human, since at least the First Cycle, if not longer.

Riding Teteku

Bred for swiftness, these teteku can survive on a purely vegetarian diet, such as krutha-grass or ulevanma-weeds.

AC 6 [13], HD 2 (9hp), Att 1 × bite (1d6), THAC0 18 [+1], MV 240’ (80’), SV D12 V13 P14 B15 S16 (1), ML 7, XP 20, NA 0 (0), TT None

• Beast of burden: Carry up to 40 STR worth of items unencumbered; up to 70 STR at half speed.
• Domesticated: Not encountered in the wild.

War Teteku

Bred for strength and ferocity in battle, these teteku are adapted for short bursts of speed rather than long-distance riding. Some breeds of war teteku, such as the Ga’andrin yanenka, are carnivorous, but most retain herbivorous ways.

AC 6 [13], HD 3 (13hp), Att 1 × bite (1d8), THAC0 17 [+2], MV 120’ (40’), SV D12 V13 P14 B15 S16 (2), ML 9, XP 35, NA 0 (0), TT None

• Beast of burden: Carry up to 35 STR worth of items unencumbered; up to 70 STR at half speed.
• Charge: When not in melee. Requires a clear run of at least 20 yards. Rider’s lance inflicts double damage. Teteku cannot attack when charging.
• Domesticated: Not encountered in the wild.
• Melee: When in melee, both rider and teteku can attack.

Wild Teteku

Adapted to run at high speed, these teteku still exist in large numbers on the continents of Alakun-Tenu and Beyash (and in smaller numbers elsewhere).

AC 6 [13], HD 2 (9hp), Att 1 × bite (1d4), THAC0 18 [+1], MV 240’ (80’), SV D12 V13 P14 B15 S16 (1), ML 7, XP 20, NA 0 (1d10 × 10), TT None

• Stampede: Herds of 20 or more can trample those in their path. 3-in-4 chance each round. +4 to human-sized or smaller creatures. 1D20 damage.
• Taming: Wild teteku can be trained as mounts (riding teteku).