VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 21:42:06 12/29/01 Sat
Author: Wessae/Erika
Subject: *takes a deep deep breath*

Okay, here are some possible chumps for the Master Herder position. I forgot one of the names I e-mailed to Benden, so I'll just write a new name. I'll post the people at the Joining Board as well, but I wanted to put this stuff here now in case I am dragged away by the horror that is my AP English essay. And I'm on VACATION too, imagine that! School needs to be torched and eaten by grubs. *mutters and shoves her characters forward*

Name: Veystak

Age: 40 or so

Description: A strong, plain man with a shock of deep brown hair, his unspoken words are often more important than his spoken ones. He taught all his children to ride and has a rapport with runners


Name:Mylak

Age:20

Description: Strong and brawny, Mylak is like his father with a deep tan and an aptitude for hard work. He assists in anything he can and is prone to working more with the herdbeasts.


What I know About the Craft:

The mission of the Herdsman is to breed better and stronger domestic stock for Pern. Healthy viable youngsters that produce healthy viable calves means a prospering Pern. The common people rely on the herdbeasts for meat, milk, and draft work. The runners are a mode of transportation and often assist in planting harvest and message relay. So anyone can see why stock should be improved, it's up to the Herder and his journeymen and apprentices to ensure that the livelihood of these animals is kept intact. The herdsman teaches his apprentices to revere and cultivate the stock for improvement and furthering of the breeds available.

Runnerbeasts are rather horse-like in several ways, they can be trained for riding, though this process takes patience and several years in a young animal. The implements being saddle and bridle, same as a horse but for minor adjustments with the elongated (llam like) build of the runner. They also need regular foot care, especially if the terrain is rough. Sensitive hooves need trimming and repair, and maybe even a trip to the forge. They have been bred up for their tasks and though are an almost entirely domestic species, they do require a great deal of repsect. Several strains exist on Pern. Fast ones with hot blood and lithe build for races, message relay, and amusement. Strong ones with softer natures and a more robust build for the hard day's work in the field.

Herdbeasts are a different matter altogether. Considered of a 'lower' intelligence, they have a shaggy hide and a strong hefty build. Plodding creatures, the bulls and mothers with calves can be exciteable if roused. Like bovines, they are depended on for their meat, milk, and sometimes hides. They can be trained to pull carts and are often used for such labor, transporting goods from one place to another faithfully. Though thought of as menial, they are, like the runners, to be respected. They as well are bred for improvement, to be bigger, stronger faster.

Canines: (I think there was mention of some) They can be used to assist a Herder in well...herding. Shepherds and nondescript, intelligent breeds of canine can be used. Shepherds were originally introduced into Pern, but have bred with some others, later there may be talk of a branch of canine imrpovement breeding as well. The criteria for a worthy herding dog being quick, intelligent, and eager to do the work.


The Facilities: The only facilities a Herdsman cares about are those used for his stock. Stables are roomier than human quarters, seperate stabling for herdbeasts and runners. Each stable is equipped with grooming and bathing supplies, stall cleaning equipment and first aid supplies. The stable aisle is fixed with plenty of tie-rings so that the animals can get a good grooming in. The pastures are broad and sprawling, with powerful fencing to contain valuable stock and to insure against a careless itch or two. The Hall itself is a tad small, supporting it's following comfortably with ample quarters and kitchen. The apprentices are shuffled each day to the stables for dawn chores, so their quarters are closer to the stables and outbuildings.


RP Sample:

Bending over the quivering foot, the man's grey eyes rove over every inch carefully, inspecting for hoof rot. Satisfied, he taps the frog of the sound foot and gently places it back to the ground. Smiling, he pats the faintly glimmering rump of the nervous female runner and chuckles.

"Steady now, Trina, you're just fine. Nothing that I can see. Saddle training for you isn't treating anything bad." One white rimmed eye circled to rivet on the tall man and he heard a tense snort from her as she flicked her feet in a jittery dance. "Okay, I read that loud enough." Unhooking her lead rope from the tie-circle he gives it a barely perceptible tug and a stream of soothing whispers. Following at a half assured walk, the young, high tempered runner flings her head up and utters a tiny whinny as she is ushered back to her stall. Carefully checking on her feed, Veystak turns on his heel and heads back down the aisle.

"Dad! One of 'em just calved!" The eager baritone drawl of Mylak preceded his arrival. The younger man's tunic was a canvas of new blood, dirt, and grass, his face a beam of absolute joy. "A big strong bull calf! Up in the pasture! You should see the shoulders on him da, could wear a collar ten miles long and haul twelve times what our bulls now can. I couldn't be happier!" A jovial bark accompanies this statement as a swift herding dog glides to Mylak's heels.

"That's great, son. You made sure she cleaned him up and made him stand?" At his son's nod, he strides patiently toward the herdbeast barn, readying both a a larger stall for the new mother and milking buckets for the next session. Bull calves brought a lot of milk, especially to a new and first time mother. "And we'll have something to learn the apprentices on, won't we?"


So there you have it people, that's what I know. My tiny little inkle of knowledge, I hope you like it! *gulps again and shuts her eyes tight*

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.