Re: Raiding vendref

From: KYER, JEFFREY <jeff.kyer_at_...>
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2001 14:17:32 -0500

Juha Ratilainen wrote:
>
> >>>Some questions remain though: Do the exiles raid and if so, who do
> >>>the exiles raid?
>
> >> Both Sartar and Tarsh. And the Grazelands for good measure, I
> >> imagine.
>
> > Whenever they can. I think the Horse-Spawn might be a prime target
> > though they have no cattle. However, the vendref villages are
> almost helpless -- poorly defended compared to Joe Heortling's stead.
>
> But wouldn't the Grazers have to protect them - vendref are their
> property after all, and if vendref are completely helpless and robbed
> by anyone, they won't be very productive. And if someone raids

The vendref villages are more poorly defended. If one can avoid the horse-spawn, it would be somewhat easier to raid. I suspect that some sort of 'raiding magic' would help with the avoidance and penetration. It might even help you get back quickly too.

> vendref, i'd imagine that the Grazers, having horses, could strike
> the returning warband while they are still in Grazelands - and have a
> significant advantage.

You are probably right. However, the Exiles live in some very horse-hostile territory -- even the Lunars think twice about casually mounting reprisal raids. And Orlanthi are known for moving FAST on occasion. It would be a race -- fast horses trying to catch the slower, burdened raiders before they can get into the hills. of course, if they pursue too fast, the raiders might leave behind a nice ambush while some of the group takes the loot back. Such 'speedbumps' are common tactics among raiders, making pursuit of them NOT a casual 'catch up and overrun'  

> Maybe raiding slaves would also be viewed as not-so-glorious (at
> least among the Orlanthi)?

Oh, possibly. But they may be there to free some of them -- kinfolk enslaved by the Horse Spawn, for example. However, the vendref are considered somewhat wealthy if I remember my KoS aright. And loot's loot -- especially when you are a hungry warrior living in the rather stark Exiles area.

Jeff

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