Ridden H'ostriches

From: D. Pearton <pearton_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 10:14:43 -0700 (PDT)


> >And which Gloranthan ones [riding animals] are the silliest? Rhinos?
>
> No, Ostriches (or Kangaroos!) get my vote.

Um, having ridden an ostrich and looked down the wrong side of a rhino - let me tell you I'd rather ride the ostrich again! Seriously - ostrriches are not that difficult to ride - a little uncomfortable if you're large, but pygmies would be fine. I remember a number of ostrich races and they can reach quite a pace! Also, given that rhino's are notoriously short-sighted and bad-tempered I wouldn't like to be on one when it decided to get into it's tiny skull to charge that skullbush/other rhino/tarantulor/whatever...

Also, some potential MGF, rhino's are famous in bush lore for hating fire. They are reputed to stamp out campfires whenever they find/smell them (regardless of the presence of people around them). I can just see it - the group of pcs are huddled around their pitiful dung fire on the praxian plains when, trundling out of the darkness, charges a majestic rhino who proceeds to trample out the fire, as well as any foolish pc's and equipment that fails to get out the way. It would also mean that rhino rider encampments are cold, dark and miserable during darkness season.

Also, while I like the elf discussion going on at the moment, I must support Pam. Real world ecosystems are _not_ nice harmonious communities all working for the good of all. It is a cut-throat battle for survival and reproductive success. I would view the whole elf/tree/plant-life thing on a slightly different level. Sure, we know the forest as a whole must continue and expand, but the individual members of that forest, be they elves, trees, runners or pixies, are engaged in competition within that greater context. Personally I think this view leads to more MGF, much as it goes against my personal liking for a socialist utopia ;). My experiances as Lestus Creeping Ivy, the Evil Expansionist Elf (TM) in Broken Council certainly emphasised that aspect.

Well, anyone who wants to get into a discussion of the magico-ecological aspects of Glorantha is welcome to join Pam and I (and the rest of the PNWFC) at GloranthaCon, Victoria.

Yours,
YAk
- --
Dave Pearton
pearton_at_u.washington.edu

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Down he sank in a chair-ran his hands through his hair-	+
     And chanted in mimsiest tones			+
Words whose utter inanity proved his insanity,		+
     While he rattled a couple of bones.		+
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"The Hunting of the Snark" Lewis Carroll		+
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