YALE
by Gregory Detwiler
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-8
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 24?
HIT DICE: 3 + 3
% IN LAIR: Nil
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 horns
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-8 or
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
or 2 hooves
1-4
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: L
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III/60 + 4/hp
The yale is a horse-sized herbivore of
rather bizarre form. Built like a stag,
it has
the head of a boar, with tusks (not used in
combat) and a pair of 4?-long horns grow-
ing out of it. The head is colored like that of
a normal boar; the horns are as white as
ivory (though they are not this substance),
and the body, neck, limbs, and tail are a
solid, dull black.
Yale graze in small herds and will aggres-
sively defend themselves if threatened. The
animal can manipulate its horns, pivoting
the base upon which each is fastened to the
head so as-to be able to attack two oppo-
nents at the same time (1-8 hp damage per
strike). The yale can also concentrate both
horn attacks against a single foe, and can
change the configuration of its horns from
round to round if so desired. Against a
small-sized opponent or one which is
downed, the yale will prefer to attack with
strikes from its front hooves, doing 1-4 hp
damage on each hit. The animal cannot use
both modes of attack in the same round.
Despite their ferocity, yale are sought
after in the areas they frequent, since the
flesh is considered a delicacy (particularely
by elves). In some elven societies, a young
warrior?s skill is tested by having him go up
against a solitary yale with long sword in
hand, instead of using a bow, which is seen
as a fair test of the warrior?s ability since the
Yale?s prowess with its horns is roughly
equivalent to that of the warrior?s handling
of the sword.