What's the story on this cow?

[Angel]

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=318714602 I found it outside Whiterun while hunting deer. No npc's were present.

[Meepus Moopus]

That's an event where you can find a farmer leading a painted cow to a giant camp as a "ceremonial gift". Because you didn't see the farmer chances are that he got killed on the way there.

[Eternie]

There are lots of random events in Skyrim the cow, or single Giants, or Special Dragon attacks .... there are lots of these! Once you know a place that will create a random event whenever you enter that area it could be anything.
So if you save a lot and can go back to a save prior to seeing that cow reload it and walk that path .... the cow won't be there but it may be another random event or Bandit attack!

[BelphegorATS]

*sigh* The Lads have made another attempt at their Free Edgar movement. Have they forgotten that it doesn't matter which cow it is? Edgar is the one in the hole.

[[RvB] RedArmyGrif]

Originally posted by BelphegorATS:

*sigh* The Lads have made another attempt at their Free Edgar movement. Have they forgotten that it doesn't matter which cow it is? Edgar is the one in the hole.

Or maybe this cow is a sacrifice FOR Edgar? Remember when almost everyone fought him, he was pretty bloodthirsty so maybe Edgar needs monthly sacrifices to be kept appeased.

[BelphegorATS]

Originally posted by o.W.n. RedArmyGrif:

Originally posted by BelphegorATS:

*sigh* The Lads have made another attempt at their Free Edgar movement. Have they forgotten that it doesn't matter which cow it is? Edgar is the one in the hole.

Or maybe this cow is a sacrifice FOR Edgar? Remember when almost everyone fought him, he was pretty bloodthirsty so maybe Edgar needs monthly sacrifices to be kept appeased.

Ryan's already got that covered.

[Zefram Cochrane]

Originally posted by Pieni Mursu:

That's an event where you can find a farmer leading a painted cow to a giant camp as a "ceremonial gift". Because you didn't see the farmer chances are that he got killed on the way there.

This. If you look at some the giant's camps, particularly ones that you get bounties from the Jarl for killing, they have these cows on top of burning firewood stacks (dead obviously) they presumably intend to eat for dinner later. The markings look like the ones painted on Giant camp stones, presumably its significant in some way to the Giants.

[BelphegorATS]

Originally posted by Zefram Cochrane:

Originally posted by Pieni Mursu:

That's an event where you can find a farmer leading a painted cow to a giant camp as a "ceremonial gift". Because you didn't see the farmer chances are that he got killed on the way there.

This. If you look at some the giant's camps, particularly ones that you get bounties from the Jarl for killing, they have these cows on top of burning firewood stacks (dead obviously) they presumably intend to eat for dinner later. The markings look like the ones painted on Giant camp stones, presumably its significant in some way to the Giants.

It's a ceremonial gift because the cow signifies a mutual agreement between the giants and the farmers. The farmers can live in peace without fear of giants ruining their farmlands. The giants can acquire cows they likely use for food as Zefram stated, or for some other purpose.

[HellsBain]

I just saw a giant walking with a painted cow between riverwood and witerun. They turned the corner i stopped confused to see a giant there and they both looked at me then kept walking down the hill

[Docsprock]

Originally posted by HellsBain:

I just saw a giant walking with a painted cow between riverwood and witerun. They turned the corner i stopped confused to see a giant there and they both looked at me then kept walking down the hill

Painted cattle belong to giants.

If you are feeling brave, look closely at mammoths. If their tusks have carvings, they too belong to giants.