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=== Major Planetary Zones | Regions | Wildlife===

====== KIVARA ======

{{ :kivara_gg_scenic_2d.png?200|}}
===== Overview =====

The Kivara is a small, herd-dwelling mammal native to the [[tijonara_mountains|Tijonara Mountains]] in the [[tijonara_region|Tijonara Region]] on the [[desert_side|Desert Side]] of [[the_planet_voi_700_d|VOI 700 D]]. These nimble creatures have evolved to survive the scorching, sunlit environment of the Desert Side, relying on burrowing behaviors and heat-reflective fur to regulate their body temperature.

Kivaras are the primary prey of the [[akzna|Aknza]], which hunt them in coordinated packs. Additionally, [[borr|Borr]] scavengers often track Kivara herds, waiting for weak or injured members to fall behind. Despite these threats, Kivara herds thrive due to their rapid reproduction cycle and highly alert nature.

===== Physique and Appearance =====

  * **Shoulder Height:** 40 cm
  * **Body Length:** 70-90 cm
  * **Weight:** 12-18 kg
  * **Fur:** Short, sand-colored, reflective coat to minimize heat absorption
  * **Ears:** Large, highly sensitive to detect distant predators
  * **Eyes:** Small, adapted to the bright, never-setting sun of the Desert Side
  * **Tail:** Long, thin, used for balance while sprinting
  * **Speed:** Sprinting: 60 km/h | Sustained Run: 40 km/h

==== Special Features: ====

  * **Heat Adaptation:** Their reflective fur and large ears help them withstand extreme temperatures.
  * **Burrowing Instinct:** Kivaras dig shallow burrows in rocky outcrops to cool down and escape predators.
  * **Explosive Speed:** Capable of rapid, zig-zag sprinting to evade ambush predators like the Akzna.

===== Game Mechanics =====

  * **Armor Class (AC):** 12 (due to agility and small size)
  * **Hit Points (HP):** 22
  * **Speed:** 50 ft. (dash), 35 ft. (steady movement)

==== Attacks: ====

  * **Kick Escape:** +3 to hit, 1d4 bludgeoning damage (used when cornered).

==== Special Abilities: ====

  * **Burrow Instinct:** When attacked, a Kivara can attempt to burrow into soft ground as a reaction.
  * **Herd Reflexes:** Gains advantage on Perception checks when near at least two other Kivaras.
  * **Zig-Zag Sprinting:** When dashing, attackers have disadvantage on ranged attacks against them.

===== Behavior =====

  * **Diet:** Herbivore; feeds on drought-resistant shrubs, desert mosses, and fibrous root plants.
  * **Social Structure:** Travels in herds of 10-30 members for safety in numbers.

==== Survival Traits: ====

  * **Alert Herding:** Kivaras rotate sentries to detect threats early.
  * **Evacuation Strategy:** At the first sign of danger, Kivara herds scatter, making it harder for predators to focus on a single target.
  * **Burrow Cooling:** During peak heat, Kivaras retreat to burrows or shade near rocky outcroppings.

===== Reproduction and Lifecycle =====

==== Reproductive Traits: ====

  * **Gestation Period:** 4 months
  * **Litter Size:** 2-4 offspring per birth
  * **Maturity:** Reaches adulthood within 1 year

==== Lifespan and Growth: ====

  * **Average Lifespan:** 6-8 years
  * **High Mortality Rate:** Due to predation, few Kivaras survive beyond 5 years in the wild.

===== Tactical Advice for Dungeon Masters =====

Kivaras function as prey animals that players may encounter during travel in the Tijonara Mountains.

  * **Predator Tracking:** Players may use Kivara migration patterns to anticipate Akzna ambush zones.
  * **Scavenger Attraction:** If a player hunt leaves wounded Kivaras behind, Borr scavengers may arrive soon after.
  * **Disruptive Stampede:** A panicked Kivara herd may trample over players or draw unwanted attention from predators.

===== Related Pages and Further Information =====

  * [[desert_side|Desert Side]]
  * [[tijonara_mountains|Tijonara Mountains]]
  * [[the_wildlife_of_the_desert_side_from_a_to_z|Known Wildlife of the Tijonara Region]]


**Known Predators:**

  * [[akzna|Aknza]]
  * [[borr|Borr]] (as scavengers)