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You won't kill hirikkas, because they're an endangered species... |  | |
| - Dandelion to Geralt, pg. 190 Sword of Destiny (U.K. edition) | |||
A hirikka is an endangered beast found in the Northern Kingdoms.[1]
Characteristics[]
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Why is it that dragons have been promoted in your eyes to become the foremost enemies of man? Why not other – a hundredfold more dangerous – creatures, those that have a hundredfold more victims on their consciences than dragons? Why not hirikkas... | | |
| - Dorregaray, pg. 42 Sword of Destiny (U.K. edition) | |||
An increasingly rare creature, even more so than a dragon,[1] hirikkas live in the mountains. Their bodies are covered in thick skin, colored light yellow or brown, and long fur which hangs by sides and abdomen.[2] While young hirikkas tend to be about human height,[3] adult indivduals grow 4-5 cubits high and 7-8 cubits long. Their diet comprises mostly of grass and venison. They hunt mice first, moving to larger game with age. Hirikkas also gain significant amount of weight for a time, although they still can develop a the speed of a horse while chasing prey. If any cows or sheep share a field with hirikka, they will slowly die off due to poisonous grass in hirikka's saliva and excrements.[2]
An adult hirikka, on all four, chewing grass.
Although generally harmless when not hungry,[3] hirikkas are responsible for much more death than the dreaded dragons just like wolves are.[1] Commoners would hardly be able to pierce its skin, as it can't be penetrated by mere pitchforks. To kill a hirikka, a silver sword swung by a skilled witcher is needed.[2]
In culture[]
A potato and parsnip stew made out of properly-grilled hirikka meat and poached egg used to be immensely popular. In fact, the demand for the creature's meat grew so high that the chef who came up with the recipe was blamed for hirikka being almost extinct.[3]
Gallery[]
