Kupe Pamal

The Kupe Pamal at first glance seem to be standard dairy cattle. However, they are descended from cattle that survived The Catalcysm by spending thirty years underground. They were fed tubers and fungi instead of grains, as that was the only food that was available as Urnatis found ways to survive during the The 30-Year Winter.

This diet caused the cattle to undergo subtle changes to their genetics and milk production, and the cheeses produced from these cattle developed a distinctive flavor and look.

The Kupe Pamal tend to be smaller than average cattle, a product of living underground in confined spaces.

These dairy cattle are bred specifically to eat tubers and fungi grown underground. They can eat grasses, and often these grasses are chosen specifically for the flavor they impart to the cheeses.

The Kupe Pamal come from the East Rinzeremel Mining Region, and are found exclusively there. Very few dairy farmers have the patience and desire to raise them as they require much time underground. The most successful of these farmers is Fubdo Barcellus, who comes from a long line of dairy farmers since The Cataclysm.

The Kupe Pamal reproduce more slowly than average dairy stock, but tend to live much longer. The average cow will live in the range of 5 years, with the last three being the productive years for milk. Kupe Pamal live nearly 20 years, with the years from age 4 to age 17 being productive. When they stop being productive, they are generally put out to pasture or bred until they die from natural causes.

The first four years of the Kupe Pamal life is spent underground. Once weaned, they are fed tubers and fungi to acclimate their systems to producing the milk needed for culturing their unique cheeses.

At age three, they begin to be introduced to the world outside the caves and begin ingesting some grasses, depending on the cheese they will be expected to produce. However, those who produce milk for Koronni are never brought out from the caves, ensuring they produce the unique cheese exclusively for the Royal Family of Orsholon.

As they near 15 years of age, they are watched for a reduction in milk production. When their output has reduced to half of what they previously produced, they are considered aged and are sent to pasture to breed and live out the rest of their lives. Those who are successful in breeding are taken into the caves near the end of their gestation so that the newborn calves are born in the caves.