Well I wouldn't start from there!
Start with "Herd of Cattle XX", which you cement. Subsequent raids mean you can improve XX by spending HP (XX+1 for 1HP and XX+2 for 3). You could improve it at the same rate in a session where you spend time dealing in the local cattle market, or persuading the Uralda Godi to bless you. If you are out fighting off Broo, or ambushing Lunar Patrols then it would be XX+1 for 2 HP...
As to what XX is - now that is a trickier question! If it is an "ordinary" herd of cattle (that is the GM hasn't pre-assigned them any "special abilities" like "Bountiful milk cows 1w" or "Mighty Plough Oxen 3w2") then it would seem that XX is 12 - as has been pointed out, this can make it quite expensive to pick up a new skill /item and raise it to a "reasonable" level - and more so as your other skills rise. If they come with an ability pre-assigned then I think you start at that level (yes, this means a begining character, best skill 5w can pick up "Arkats Unbreakable Sword 10w6" and cement it for 1HP - but only if the GM puts it there for him to pick up - if you put a permenantly enchanted Bladesharp 24 sword in a RQ adventure the player wouldn't have to pay anything to use it in subsequent games...
The other suggestion is to make the herd a follower - that way the herds skills become (your best skill -8) and rise as you do. Now to be honest I'm not sure that you can really call a herd of cows a Follower - it does seem to be stretching things a little - but if you are a Hero with Thane or Chiefly (or higher!) ranking or ambitions then you could certainly have a follower who is your head herdsman (Mighty Herd, Cattle Lore) - translate the new cattle into an improved relationship with him, and use his "Mighty Herd" rating to augment your wealth when appropriate...
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