Large herbivores, please

[jb.]

Typically in cRPGs, it seems the very large beasts (eg dragons) are all carnivores, or so aggressive that they attack on sight. This is contrary to what we observe in our world, where most very large animals (mammoths, elephants, whales) are herbivores, and for good reason; big animals need a lot of food. Plants are much more readily available than meat, and they don't try to run away from you, so you can make do with a slower metabolism.

 

In PE I'd like to see the occasional massive beast wandering around eating leaves and not attacking you on sight. You may choose to fight it and gain xp, but it could be an extremely powerful creature, and there may be a herd of them.

 

Story possibilities are here too, such as angering the local druids by poaching, or working with them to stop poachers. Thoughts?

 

(apologies if this has been posted before. threads on this forum go by so fast it's impossible to keep track of them all)

[Macbeth]

Pretty cool idea actually. Wouldn't mind a triceratops wandering the woods!

[kenup]

Well, whales, dependant on the species, can eat anything. In fact they mostly eat fish.

 

But I do like the idea of non attacking on sight large herbivores. Though I don't see why they should be "extremely difficult". Lions have a nice way of dealing with elephants, especially the little ones. I don't see them being hard for trained warriors, possibly with magic and firearms(however primitive).

[Orogun01]

I support killing giant vegans hippies.

[jb.]

But I do like the idea of non attacking on sight large herbivores. Though I don't see why they should be "extremely difficult". Lions have a nice way of dealing with elephants, especially the little ones. I don't see them being hard for trained warriors, possibly with magic and firearms(however primitive).

 

 

Sure, they need not all be extremely difficult; a range would be ideal. But it'd be nice if there were some that were very tough. Although your party may have weapons and magic, the beast could have some form of magic as well, even if it's just a supernaturally tough skin. In our own world, I'm imagining an armoured warrior attacking a rhinoceros, and it seems like an ill-advised venture. If the people in the PE world can have exceptional abilities, it's only reasonable that some animals do too, and they needn't all be aggressive.

 

Sidenote: I didn't know that lions would attack elephants. At least, fully grown ones. Gonna google it.

[Kai]

I like the idea, also would make sense for various people to try and use them as a mean of warfare with various levels of success. Or having a druid spell "summon giant herbivore" with a 25% chance that the beast simply ignores the enemies and starts to eat some plant instead.

[Macbeth]

Creatures like this were a cool concept in Risen: they only became hostile if you attacked them or became too prominent on their territory. Felt kind of natural.

[kenup]

But I do like the idea of non attacking on sight large herbivores. Though I don't see why they should be "extremely difficult". Lions have a nice way of dealing with elephants, especially the little ones. I don't see them being hard for trained warriors, possibly with magic and firearms(however primitive).

 

 

Sure, they need not all be extremely difficult; a range would be ideal. But it'd be nice if there were some that were very tough. Although your party may have weapons and magic, the beast could have some form of magic as well, even if it's just a supernaturally tough skin. In our own world, I'm imagining an armoured warrior attacking a rhinoceros, and it seems like an ill-advised venture. If the people in the PE world can have exceptional abilities, it's only reasonable that some animals do too, and they needn't all be aggressive.

 

Sidenote: I didn't know that lions would attack elephants. At least, fully grown ones. Gonna google it.

Well, it might be cheetahs, I'm not sure. But I do remember a feline species hunting elephants in a documentary.

 

You make a good point. But the same can be said about natural predators in PE. A rhino is definitely a hard target, an elephant isn't as much.

Edited October 15, 2012 by kenup

[kabaliero]

Large harmless insects!

Edited October 15, 2012 by kabaliero

[rjshae]

Well, it might be cheetahs, I'm not sure. But I do remember a feline species hunting elephants in a documentary.

Yep, I remember that. There's a lion pride that specializes in taking down elephants. Some will also go after giraffes, which is dangerous work since a giraffe kick can cave in a chest.

[jb.]

Well, it might be cheetahs, I'm not sure. But I do remember a feline species hunting elephants in a documentary.

 

I think I just watched that on youtube, and the commentary grossly overplayed the situation... yes, seven lions attacked a lone adult female elephant, but they were unable to bring her down. I don't think they make a habit of it, especially if there's more than one elephant, which is usually the case as females travel in groups. Male elephants travel alone, but they are much larger than females (up to twice the weight) and more aggressive, so lions seem to steer clear of them.

 

It's quite common for lions to attack a young elephant though.

[Wirdjos]

Well, it might be cheetahs, I'm not sure. But I do remember a feline species hunting elephants in a documentary.

 

I think I just watched that on youtube, and the commentary grossly overplayed the situation... yes, seven lions attacked a lone adult female elephant, but they were unable to bring her down. I don't think they make a habit of it, especially if there's more than one elephant, which is usually the case as females travel in groups. Male elephants travel alone, but they are much larger than females (up to twice the weight) and more aggressive, so lions seem to steer clear of them.

 

It's quite common for lions to attack a young elephant though.

 

Lions hunting elephants didn't make much sense to me either considering what a hippo can do to a lion. Like Macbeth mentioned with Risen, I like the idea of giant herbivores because it sounds like it would make the world feel a little more natural. And honestly, I would like it if the world wasn't constantly trying to kill me for once. That gets a little old after a while.