Murkherd

Large Magical Beast (Extraplanar)
Hit Dice:	4d10+16 (38 hp)
Initiative:	+1 (+1 Dex)
Speed:	60 ft.
Armor Class:	16 (-1 Size, +1 Dex, +6 Natural), Touch 10, Flat-f
Base Attack/Grapple:	+4/+14
Attack:	1 head-butt +9 melee (1d8+6)
Full Attack:	1 head-butt +9 melee (1d8+6) and 2 hooves +7 melee (1d4+3)
Space/Reach:	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:	-
Special Qualities:	Darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, ethereal jaunt
Saves:	Fort. +8, Ref. +5, Will +2
Abilities:	Str 23, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills:	Listen +5, Spot +4
Feats:	Multiattack, Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush (B)
Environment:	Plane of Shadow
Organization:	Solitary or herd (4d8)
Challenge Rating:	2
Treasure:	None
Alignment:	True Neutral
Advancement:	5-8 HD (Large)
Level Adjustment:	-

Murkherd resemble tall, spindly bison; looking like a cross between a buffalo and a horse. They are horned animals, heavily muscled beasts with long legs, and soft fur that is usually grey or black. They often have similar colour patterns to horses. Zebra-striped variants are known but rare.

Murkherd are one of the many species of umbrimal native to the Curmudgeon Plains. Being capable of surviving on the Plane of Shadow, while also being fast and strong, murkherd are often sought out as steeds or beasts of burden.

Combat

Murkherds are by no means the most dangerous animal on the plains, although they are difficult to fight and capture. They attack on masse, like many other herd animals. They usually begin a fight by charging (+2 to attack rolls and bull rush checks, -2 to AC until next turn).

Ethereal Jaunt (Su): A murkherd can use ethereal jaunt spell effect (self + 50 lbs only) as a standard action 1/day. However, it rarely does so, because there is little outside the shadow plane which can sustain them.

Habitat/Society Murkherd are herd animals, and as such have a very simple societal structure. The males are rarely competitive, although when mating season occurs they can frequently be seen charging each other in contests of dominance. These matches rarely result in deaths or injury, as the losing party typically takes ethereal form at the last possible moment in a manner not unlike a delinquent playing 'chicken' in traffic.Ecology

Murkherd are frequently preyed upon by carnivores, although the size of their herds and ferocity of their fighting keeps them from being wiped out. Their ability to go ethereal makes them highly sought-after, and as such a fully-grown murkherd can fetch prices in excess of 1,000 gp. However, few have been captured, and no-one has successfully bred murkherd in captivity. When used as steeds, they have a movement rate of 24, and can carry as much as a medium warhorse. Their intelligence and morale, if properly trained, makes them the ideal battle-steed on the Plane of Shadow.

Original concept by Gloomwing from Shadegate.Converted (v3.5) & edited by Seraph.