>BTW, I don't agree with Jeff Richard that all Dragon Pass winters are
>bitterly cold, but I do think it snows enough that the cattle can't
>forage for themselves.
Depends on where in Dragon Pass, too. The lowlands along the Creek-Stream likely have milder winter weather than the uplands to the east. Makes it more comfy for the dinosaurs, too, which are another (though occasional) source of protein for the Orlanthi that they don't share with any RW counterparts.
(Side note: I think Gloranthan dinosaurs are warm-blooded or, at least, display levels of activity that I would associate with being warm-blooded.)
Any place that has a regular grain surplus of its own (or access to cheap Esrolian grain) could raise beef cattle for local consumption or export. This could include the Vendref, the Sun Domers, the Volsaxi, and even the Esrolians themselves. Cattle drives in the Grazelands, anyone? Naturally, the "traditional" Orlanthi use their own native breeds for plowing in order to keep Barntar happy.
On Cattle as Sacrifices:
I just finished an interesting book, "Courtesans & Fishcakes: The Concuming Passions of Classical Athens" by James Davidson (ISBN 0-06-097766-3) where the author makes the point that all domestic animals (beef, pork and mutton) were butchered after sacrifice in a manner to ensure that all the participants received equal portions, with no effort to distinguish between various cuts. That meant that some portions were mostly fat and bone while some were mostly rump or fillet, so that lots had to be drawn to give everyone an equal chance at a good bit. I am undecided as yet if the Orlanthi in general follow this practice. I'm sure someone somewhere does.
Gary R Switzer
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