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“ Swear I heard one of them brahmin speak. "Moo, I say," or somesuch. ” Ed

Brahmin or brahma are mutated cattle with two heads and giant udders. They are found all over the post-War United States. They are raised throughout the wasteland for their labor, milk, fertilizer, hair, leather, and meat.

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Background Edit

Brahmin are one of the most important mutated species that emerged in post-nuclear America. Descended from the Indian brahman cattle variant imported to the U.S. for crossbreeding purposes, they developed two heads as a result of irradiation. These toasty brown critters were quickly adopted by survivors as the most versatile and capable livestock animal in the wastes.[1][2] Their major advantage is the fact that while ornery, they are actually easy to manage with as little as a pointy stick.[3]

The reason is simple. Brahmin are universally useful. Living ones can be used to pull carts, cars, plows, provide milk (that's terrifyingly different, yet similar to modern milk), provide efficient fertilizer and fuel for fires (crap,[4] in other words), hair for weaving, and so on and so forth. When slaughtered, they become even more useful as source of meat, leather (tough and durable, fit for everything including tents, clothes, armor, belts, saddle bags, shoes, you name it), bones (which can be fashioned into clubs, tools, dice, hoes, arrowheads), tails (perfect as brushes), and even fat for soap making. They also don't need much to survive, as they can go without water for extended periods of time and can subsist on whatever weeds they find in the arid wasteland,[1] digesting them in eight-compartment stomachs (double the number compared to pre-War cows).[5]

These advantages made them the cornerstone of many a post-nuclear economy, most notably the New California Republic, whose vast brahmin herds are the driving force of its industry and the influence of the powerful brahmin barons. By extension, they also fuel the economy of parasites, such as New Reno during the 2240s, when cattle rustling brought much needed income to the crime families of the city.[1]

Biology Edit

Brahmin are mutated cattle with two heads. In addition to twice as many heads, they also have eight stomach compartments,[6] males have four testicles,[7] and females have enlarged udders. They have lost much of their hair, leaving their skin a toasted brown, orange, or pink color, and attack by head-butting or trying to gore someone with their horns.

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.

Wild brahmin can forage for themselves, and they 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 - well, except deathclaws, because no one messes with deathclaws.[1]

Occasionally, a brahmin is born with a single head - essentially, a regular cow. Ironically, these single-headed brahmin are referred to as "mutated" brahmin. Some doubt their existence.[8]

Variants Edit

Brahmin Edit

The standard, docile variant found throughout the wastelands.

Mad brahmin Edit

Mad brahmin are brahmin that have gone insane. It is not known whether the brain degeneration is from radiation or from a disease, but one thing is for sure: they will be hostile to nearly anyone they encounter.

Wild brahmin Edit

Wild brahmin are undomesticated creatures, who roam the large steppes of the wastes in large herds.

Behind the scenes Edit

Originally, the brahmin, as designed by Scott Campbell, were supposed to be lumbering, mutated gophers with long hair. Their appearance was changed, however, because the early brahmin were too similar to the banthas of Star Wars movies. Therefore, they were replaced by two-headed cows. [9]

movies. Therefore, they were replaced by two-headed cows. One brahmin appears as an easter egg in Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura , shown in a freak show and described as coming from "a far away wasteland".

, shown in a freak show and described as coming from "a far away wasteland". The name "Brahmin" likely came from the Brahman breed of cattle. In Hinduism, Brahmin is used for a varna (caste) that specializes in producing priests and teachers of sacred law. Among its traditions is a reverence for cattle. This religious association has led to the name being banned in Indian versions of Fallout 3 .

breed of cattle. In Hinduism, Brahmin is used for a varna (caste) that specializes in producing priests and teachers of sacred law. Among its traditions is a reverence for cattle. This religious association has led to the name being banned in Indian versions of . The Fallout Bibles are incorrect in regards to the origins of Brahmin, stating that it has something to do with the Forced Evolutionary Virus, which it does not.[10]

Gallery Edit

See also Edit