Re: Shielings

From: bethexton <bethexton_at_...>
Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2002 13:35:57 -0000

I suspect that this varies a lot from clan to clan. Some will have some rougher terrain that isn't suitable for the plough that they'll use for high summer grazing. Others will quite literally have high mountain pastures. Some tulas will be quite regular in shape, others of equal territory will sprawl out much more. For example, in some tribe perhaps most of the clan tulas tend to be shaped in long strips along tributary streams, with one end in the fertile valley of the river that the streams run into, and the other end fifty miles away up in the hills around the head waters, with the tula mostly being only a few miles wide. In short, Sartar has incredibly diverse geography, and no doubt each clan's distinct geography will affect its customs.

On top of that, history, ancestors, and religious focus will all also affect customs.

As a result, in one clan (perhaps one that mostly follows Orlanth Adventurous) all the young men go with the herds, along with certain grizzled veterans. While they are up there they are drilled on becoming good fyrdmen, and develop the esprit de corps which they will need in future battles. In another clan entire cottar families move up to the rough country with the herds as soon as the planting is done, and while they may be roughing it in the hills this is also their chance to govern their own lives and every summer a cottar culture that is hidden most of the year blossoms up in the hills. In yet another there are professional herdsmen who move their whole family along with the herds each year (they are mostly married to Uralda cultists), but also bring along the current crop of initiand boys who are spending a year learning about herding or farming, and also the initiand girls who are following the animal healer. Each clan knows that their traditions are right and proper, and see dreadful flaws in any other model. On a practical point, someone has to milk those ewes and cows who are no longer fully engaged in feeding their young, and then to make cheese out of any excess milk. If you don't bring along any of the women, then it probably implies leaving those animals near the steads.

In short, figure out how you want it to work in your clan, for your game, and I'm sure it is a perfectly reasonable decision.

Regards;

Bryan

Powered by hypermail