From: Argrath@aol.com
Date: Fri 02 Sep 1994 - 05:05:39 EEST
Re: Morokanth
Thanks to all who replied on the subject of "How come the
Morokanth aren't extinct?" I'd elaborate on a couple
suggestions:
Terrain. Prairie Dog warrens might prove a resort if better terrain is not available. I agree with Sandy that bogs and cliffs are good for the Morokanth & herdmen, even though they have to fight broos in the former and cliff toads and the occasional Ostrich Rider in the latter. Ian pointed out the advantages of rocky ground and prepared positions. I would hope that broken or rocky ground would be fairly common in Prax, so as to provide an amount of area which befits one of the Five Great Tribes.
Shields. I think I'll save this for circumstances where the Morokanth expect to be in smooth terrain, such as with the slaver party several people seem to have encountered. Not all Morokanth can afford a bronze or even wooden shield, getting by with just a hide shield (rhino is best, but has to be bought) or a tanned herdman skin and bone shield (gives new meaning to "skin and bones," doesn't it?). A herdman normally carries this, and may even deploy it in battle.
Limitations on Missiles. Sandy mentioned the historical facts from Western warfare, though a better analogy would be Mongol hordes or Plains Indians (who, in the movies, used a lot of arrows). Joerg mentioned the time & rarity factors in making arrows, both very valid points.
Fear of Becoming a Herdman. Pam Carlson makes this very valid point.
Digging. I would add to the suggestions of others that Morokanth, given no better options, dig trenches. They're fairly well equipped for that, and the herdmen might be trained to help. This provides cover from arrows and (equally important) obstacles for charging lancers. Dig a couple rows of trenches close together, plus a few little pits for stumbling into, and you deter charging foes.
I found the ecological basis which Sandy Petersen provided convincing and fun.
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Re: Praxian animals
Another large predator is the lionbird, which I think I already uploaded to this forum. If not, let me know, and I'll send it. Or if I did, and anybody missed it, I'll send it by email.
I vote for coyotes as the canids of the plains, partly because they're smart and fast-breeding and partly because they provide another trickster spirit (see below).
Speaking of coyotes, I'd bet that Praxians like to have a few High Llamas around in their herds to protect the other animals--especially the impala and sable deer, which are prey for coyotes even when full-grown. As has been mentioned in various magazine and newspaper articles I've seen, llamas have no fear of coyotes (or wild dogs or bears, for that matter) and happily take charge of herds of sheep to protect them.
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Re: native Praxian tricksters
Jonas asks if there are any Trickster worshippers in Prax. Aside from Raven cultists, there are Hyena folks. I'd vote for a native Trickster tradition, simply on the basis of Maximum Gloranthan Fun and some (admittedly vague) idea of historical analogues. On the other hand, if one of the "trickster" traditions is of the backwards warriors--watch out!
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Harald--
Bravo on your "heresy." Yelm is a composite, and his Glorious
ReAscent is really the rise of a self-ruled Dara Happa with a
unified mythos (most likely as a result of a unified cult).
[Comment about a certain famous god of our world who is a
composite from different traditions deleted in the interests of
A) not getting flamed and B) not offending people.]
--Martin
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