Broo Threat to herd, Slave Collars

From: Hal Bowman <bowman1_at_mail.bcpl.lib.md.us>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 1997 15:41:53 -0400 (EDT)


BROO THREAT:
Sandy told a good story about why even 1 (feral) broo could be a real problem for a herd of Sables and their owner. Not to take away from the horror of the situation, but there are a few things the Sable riders would probably have developed over the years to protect their herds:
  1. "Sable"herds: someone to watch over the flocks throughout the night. There are shepherds and goatherds, so maybe also for these animals. Certainly, this would help protect the herd from other nasties (hyenas, raiders).
  2. Guard animals: such as dogs or the like, especially useful when combined with herders. They could bark, even if they were too scared to attack a broo.
  3. Awakened herd beasts: an awakened Sable could really make a difference. They could make the special "Broo Call" noise to alert anyone up, or maybe run over to ring the "Broo Alarm", or maybe even attack the Broo (what a surprise!). If it is unreasonable to expect 1 Sable to be aware enough all night (though the ruckus should wake it up), have a few. (No small task, I know)

There are probably 100 objections to these ideas, but _I'd_ try them if I were a Sable rider.

SLAVE COLLARS: Having read the desciption of how these work, I am still wondering...do they stop divine magic? I thought so (a cameo in LoT, I believe, mentions a weapon that does so, and is described as working like a slave collar), but am not sure. If they don't, several messy complications regarding POW's come to mind...

Also, let us assume that these expensive pieces of gear are not in everyone's hands (hunschen, etc). In that case, what would one do with POW's, knowing that a man - even buck naked and with no tattoo foci- could still deliver a nasty divine (and sorcerous?) surprise?

SANDY: The Pamaltela stories are great! Thanks!

Hal Bowman


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