Trotsky and Dunham put a stick in my chariot spokes and teach me to be more
specific about my totem animals. =) I was refering to those Hsunchen who have
totem animals that could potentially be ridden in an effective, war-like
fashion, similar to the way the Galanni of the East Wilds ride horses.
Re-reading Trade Talk #3's article on the "Orlanthi" of the East Wilds gives me
some hope however. Maybe some of the Elk Hsunchen kept their link with their
totem animal when they became Orlanthized such that some use elk instead of
horses to pull their chariots. Maybe chiefs and heroes do some sort of
heroquest while the rank and file use horses but mount antlers on their chariots
to show the connection to their ancestors. Didn't some Swedish kings still use
goat-drawn carts into the Viking age? In any case, I found a way cool Elk Rider
figure in Heartbreaker's "Chronopia" line; check out #2820 if you have access to
a catalogue.
As my title suggests, it seems likely to me that, just as there is no one
singular kind of Orlanthi or Westerner, the Hsunchen of Genertela vary all over
the map in how close they come to the "ideal" presented in the Genertela
Player's Book. In the East Wilds the line between "Hsunchen" and "Orlanthi"
might be a little blurry, depending on when your campaign is set. I think this
is a Good Thing.
"In Orlanthi lands there are 60 gods and only one sauce.~~an unknown Western
philosopher"
Gary R. Switzer
Aero Hobbies