Rhinos from TTrotsky on 1997-12-16 (Glorantha Digest Vol 05)

From: TTrotsky <TTrotsky_at_aol.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 16:13:23 EST

Sergio:

<< My question is: how does a Wastes and Prax rhino look like? AFAIK current RW rhinos are the survivors of a very ancient lineage of different species of rhinos with great variations both in size and features. Are Gloranthan rhinos like today's RW rhinos or are they like some extinct variant? Or are they completely different from any of present and past RW rhinos?>>

Drastic: Prax quotes the scientific name of the Praxian rhino as _Ceratotherium simum_. I don't know Steve's source for that, but if true, then the Praxian rhino is the same species as the present day 'White Rhino' of S and NE Africa. This makes sense, since it is the only rhino surviving today (and you're right that there were a much greater variety in the past) to prefer a more-or-less arid environment. It's one of the larger rhinos, pale grey in colour and relatively smooth-skinned for a rhino, with two large horns.

IMO there are a variety of different rhinos in Pamaltela, a number of which represent forms extinct in the present day. Indeed, we know of one - the Baluchothere is in fact a very big, hornless, rhino.

<<IMHO we could find two species of rhinos in Glorantha:

- 'Common' rhinos would be similar to african rhinos but they would have a shorter horn, and be more 'gentle'. These would be the basis of the rhino tribe 'cattle'. The second species would be to common rhinos like RW fighting bulls are to cattle. They would be called Khan Rhinos, or Urox Rhinos, or Storm Bull rhinos, or Storm Rhinos, or even Bull Rhinos. Physicaly they would be smaller then RW rhinos but they would be stronger and more wild. They would have a bigher and more dangerous horn, they would be more agile and more intelligent. These would be the rhinos that nomad warriors would have to capture to use as their mount.

Comments?>>

Personally, while I agree that these two forms of rhino may well exist, I doubt they are separate species. The Praxians have been breeding rhinos for over 1500 years; in that time I think they could produce 'herding' and 'warrior' breeds. Agreed, this removes the fun idea of the young rhino warrior having to go out and tame a wild steed, but it seems as plausible as RW people breeding dogs for violence or cuddliness, say.

Forward the glorious Red Army!

Trotsky