Livestock: << Previous | Table of Contents | Next >>
[Top]
Sheep
Domestic sheep came with the first settlers to the island of Hârn. They are the second-most common livestock on mainland Lythia. Sheep were among the first domesticated animals. Wild sheep are assumed to be feral, and tend to be smaller than the domestic sheep.
Selection for wool type, flocking instinct, meat density, and other economically important traits over the centuries has resulted in more than 50 distinct breeds of sheep occurring throughout north-western Lythia. However, they differ only slightly in color, location of wool and size. Sheep come in two types: hair breeds and woolly breeds.
Fine wool sheep produce wool fibers with the smallest fiber. Their fleeces have the highest commercial value and greatest versatility in the textile industry. Fine wool sheep are best adapted to hot, dry climates, though they may be raised in any climate. They also have a strong flocking instinct. They long wood breeds produce wool fibers with the largest diameter and longest staple length. These breeds are best adapted to cold, wet climates. Their long, lustrous fleeces are often favored by spinners.
Hair sheep breeds produce wool that is intermediate in fiber diameter between fine and long wool. These breeds are generally not raised when wool production is the primary goal. Carpet wool breeds produce wool fibers that are coarser than long wool and are used in the manufacture of carpets, as their name suggests. Some breed produce colored fleeces, which is desirable when selling fleeces to hand spinners. Hair sheep have coats that contain a mixture of hair and wool fibers that is shed annually without the need for shearing.
Fine wool and hair sheep (sometimes called fleece sheep) are only slaughtered if the herd is diseased or starving, as the wool of a sheep provides more income than its meat alone. Sheep skin is always used for vellum rather than leather due to the constant demand for vellum. The sheep's small size, in comparison to a cow or even a horse, keeps the demand high.
A few sheep breeds are raised for their meat and not their fleece. This is especially prevalent in brushy or woody terrain where burrs, thorns, and vegetation can stain or mar the fleece. Such breeds tend to be meatier and have thinner coats than fleece breeds.
A gestation of 180 days produces 1-6 kids in late summer. The kid can walk within minutes and grows to maturity in one year. They suckle for a three months.
Some sheep are milked, especially if their kids are stillborn or die young. Sheep can be trained to stand still while being milled, but it is not a natural trait. Sheep will kick or bite if cornered, but prefer to bleat for help while running madly away. If frightened, a herd will scatter, leaving kids undefended. Most shepherds use dogs to try and keep the sheep together, for they will wander off in search of fodder, leaving the safely of the herd behind.
[Top]
Animal craft (sheep/Goat)
The same skill is used to herd goats as to hear sheep; tricks taught to sheep and goats include: holding still while being milked, allowing herders to handle them, sheering, kidding/lambing, and penning. Neither sheep nor goats can be taught to willingly be shorn or branded. For the former they must be held and the latter they must be tied down. Help is offered during kidding/lambing to the expectant mother only if they need help.
[Top]
HM III Rules
| Sheep | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Any | ||||||
| Height | 0.76 -1.2 M (2.5 - 4.0 ft.) | ||||||
| Weight | 54.4-13.4 KG (120-250 lbs.) | ||||||
| Diet | Vegetarian | ||||||
| Life span | 12-15 years | ||||||
| Group | 4 - 400 | ||||||
| Load | 13.6 - 18.14 KG (30-40 lbs) | ||||||
| Price | 12d | ||||||
| ATTRIBUTES | |||||||
| 13 | STR | 15 | EYE | 03 | INT | 14 | END |
| 14 | STA | 16 | HRG | 04 | AUR | 32 | MOV |
| 14 | AGL | 20 | SML | 15 | WIL | ||
| SKILLS | |||||||
| 75 | Initiative | 68 | Awareness | ||||
| 70 | Dodge | 72 | Jumping | ||||
| 60 | Trample 3B | 60 | Stealth | ||||
| 50 | Bite 1P | 50 | Swimming | ||||
| 70 | Gore 3B | ||||||
| ARMOR | |||||||
| B5 E4 P1 F3 | |||||||
| STRIKE LOCATIONS | |||||||
| 01-06 | Head | ||||||
| 07-09 | Neck | ||||||
| 10-14 | • Fore Leg | ||||||
| 15-55 | • Flank (thorax) | ||||||
| 56-83 | Abdomen | ||||||
| 84-90 | • Quarter (hip) | ||||||
| 91-99 | • Hind Leg | ||||||
| 00 | Tail | ||||||
[Top]
Market value
| Item | d | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Meat | 2d/lb. | Manor/Market |
| Sweet Meats | 3d/lb. | Manor/Market |
| Pelt | 6d | Manor/Market |
| Vellum | 1d | Hide worker |
| Eyes | 1f/ea. | Manor/Market |
| Hooves/Horns | 1f/set | Manor/Market |
| Leather | 8d | Hide worker |
| Hide | 10d | Hide worker |
| Milk/Butter | 1d/pt. | Manor/Market |
| Cheese | 1d/lb. | Manor/Market |
[Top]
Livestock: << Previous | Table of Contents | Next >>
This page was last updated on
April 27, 2005
Questions/Comments should be directed to the Webmaster.
All works are Copyright their respective
authors, 2002.