Dire Stag (animal)
Native to the labyrinthine forests of Kalathipsomi, the dire stag is a positively towering beast that can feed an entire village for a significant time when hunted down - provided, of course, the hunters themselves do not end up impaled on the animal's great antlers. Unlike its mundane counterpart, the dire stag does not shy away from retaliating when provoked, and many a foolhardy hunter has met their unexpected demise against this giant.
The Dire Stag of Kalathipsomi is one of the region's most renowned local game. Villages oftentimes organize collective hunts to bring down one when it strays too close, for the amount of venison it yields is enough to fill larders for months, and hunters from across the Shattered Coast flock to try their luck with slaying the majestic beast.
What many underestimate, however, is just how dangerous the giant stag is. Though strictly plant-eating and content to ignore creatures that pose no threat, they are known to viciously retaliate when provoked, and their lumbering size does not slow them down one bit compared to their mundane counterpart. Many a foolish hunter has met his end impaled by the creature's antlers, not expecting it to actually strike back after their shot fails to kill it.
In front of me, I watch the beast that my party has been tracking for days, and I ready mylong range weapon. Hitting the thing anywhere but the most sensitive parts of the body will do nothing but annoy it, and put me in grave danger. I only have one shot.