| Brahmin | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Naming | |||
| Binomen | N/A | ||
| Morphology | |||
| Average height | 5-6 ft. (estimate) | ||
| Intelligence | |||
| Sapience | Non-sapient | ||
| Aggressivity | Medium | ||
| Ecology | |||
| Habitat | Post-War Wastelands | ||
| Diet | Herbivore | ||
| Lifespan | DD | ||
| Subspecies | N/A | ||
| Status | Least Concern | ||
| Behind the Scenes | |||
| Universe | Fallout | ||
Brahmin or Brahma are mutated cattle with two heads. When the bombs fell, cows mutated and grew two heads, and were given the name brahmin. They also have 8 stomach compartments, twice as many as normal cows.
Overview
The brahmin are a toasty brown and quite hardy, as they are used as pack-animals as well as for food and farming purposes. They attack by head-butting or trying to gore someone with their horns. Occasionally, a brahmin is born with a single head - essentially, a regular cow. Ironically, these single-headed brahmin are referred to as "mutated" brahmin. Brahmin bulls have four testicles.
There are "Mad brahmin", which are believed to be either a brahmin with a pre-War disease known as "Mad Cow Disease", or simply a brahmin that has suffered brain degeneration to the point of hostility. Little is known about the condition, or why brahmin would become aggressive. They are sometimes sighted among inexplicably rotting corpses of other brahmin, suggesting some form of disease in the herd. Though mad brahmin may be hostile, they are not deadly. Mad brahmin can be outrun, as well as being tipped and beaten with choice melee weapons.
Brahmin serve a vital environmental niche in the post-War wastelands -- they form the foundation of survival for many species; most notably, humans. Brahmin can pull carts, old cars, plows, and dead bodies. Brahmin can be driven into herds then used as stampedes on rival tribal villages. Brahmin hair can be woven into bags and ropes. Brahmin sinew can be used for bowstrings or thread for stitching. Brahmin droppings are a great for fertilizer and fuel for campfires- the fumes from their feces are also used to synthesize Jet, a type of narcotic. Brahmin meat is delicious - if only when compared to other sources of food. Brahmin are a source of milk that is like modern day milk, yet strangely different, it has been said to help heal radiation poisoning. Brahmin bones can be used as clubs, knives, arrowheads, eating utensils, hoes, or even dice. Their hide can be used to make tents (or teepees), clothing, belts, saddle bags, shoes, and leather armor.
There are domesticated brahmin and wild brahmin. Wild brahmin can forage for themselves, and can be found across the wastes, gathered into small herds, wandering here and there, munching on the dirty weeds scattered throughout the desert. Fortunately for the ecology of the wasteland (and the survival of their species), brahmin can go for long periods of time without water - they don't need much to survive. They have a strong sense of smell, and they don't hesitate to stomp over any wasteland predator that threatens them or their calves - with strong exception to the deathclaws, which prey upon them among countless other, less powerful creatures.