themalum [> >] & Roderick and Ellen Robertson [>] wrote:
> > I've a question for the list. I'm considering a scenario for my
> > players which takes place among the shielings of the clan. I wanted
> > something where the characters would feel isolated, yet would be
> > there with their families, and I could think of nothing better than
> > the summer pastures, since I presume they must be located some
> > distance away from the steads. However, I could find no indication of
> > just how far the shielings are from the steads, other than the
> > description of the tula as being fifteen miles by twenty-five. Any
> > ideas?
>
> They're up in the hills, so the "distance" may be more a case of terrain
> than actual as-the-crow-flies miles. Since steads *tend* to be down in the
> more fertile valleys, the shielings are more likely to be on the border
> regions.
>
> The actual distance might be as short as a mile, or up to ten or so.
>
I have just been walking in the Peak District today and I can tell you that getting to one small valley to the other is hard work and takes time. In small tight valleys the terrain is a lot steeper and is usually sheer cliffs or rocky ridges. Also the ground is rough, often formed of loose shale of sandy soil. The hills will also be wooded and moving through them always slows you down and also may dis-orient travellers. It is possible to walk and climb which could take over half a day or more but not if you have to move resources [such as cattle, tools or food]. Even moving through Dovedale across the valley floor takes some time [especially to an unfit, beer drinking city living, fat bast**d like me!] and that has nicely maintained footpaths, unencumbered with undergrowth. It would be easy I think to feel isolated in the shielings away from the main centres of habitation. It would take probably take one day to get help and another for it to arrive.
All in my opinion of course.
Cheers,
DARRAN SIMS.
darransims_at_... darransims_at_... darren.sims_at_... -------------------------------------------"In conversation, if you say you have a black cat Darran will have a blacker one!"
Powered by hypermail