Hoofing It

[Samloyal23]

Okay, as a general rule I don't want to be overly anachronistic, so if something was not invented till modern times I am not likely to include it. That said, I don't feel standard boots will fit a hooved character. So I have some options--- custom boots that fit over a hoof, the use of magical horseshoes, and the use of anklets enchanted to work like boots or horseshoes. Cattle apparently were shoed in some areas, but did they use the same type of shoe as a horse?

 

[El Mahdi]

OK, tell that to the Welsh.

Perhaps you could actually quote the relevent part. I'm not about to search through a thesis sized document to find what specifically you're referring to.

But, if you've found an historical reference to cows being shoed, I'm betting it was for purposes of use as a draft animal: pulling a plow, pulling a wagon, pulling tree trunks/roots, etc...which would all be tasks not requiring the animal to be particularly dextrous in it's movement (which is why they have two independently moving toes/hooves).

If such historical uses do exist, then I'd say a Minotaur Character is perfectly welcome to use them...that is if they want a reduction in Mobility or Dexterity. Probably wouldn't be very helpful for a creature that needs to engage in melee combat.

And for those who think that humans wearing shoes would be the same as having your toes nailed together ( @SkidAce , I'm looking at you)...then I've got some wood, a hammer, and some nails if you're willing to offer yourselves up as guinea pigs.*



*which by the way, guinea pigs do not have hooves or shoes...

 

[kitcik]

Perhaps you could actually quote the relevent part. I'm not about to search through a thesis sized document to find what specifically you're referring to.

But, if you've found an historical reference to cows being shoed, I'm betting it was for purposes of use as a draft animal: pulling a plow, pulling a wagon, pulling tree trunks/roots, etc...which would all be tasks not requiring the animal to be particularly dextrous in it's movement (which is why they have two independently moving toes/hooves).

If such historical uses do exist, then I'd say a Minotaur Character is perfectly welcome to use them...that is if they want a reduction in Mobility or Dexterity. Probably wouldn't be very helpful for a creature that needs to engage in melee combat.

And for those who think that humans wearing shoes would be the same as having your toes nailed together ( @SkidAce , I'm looking at you)...then I've got some wood, a hammer, and some nails if you're willing to offer yourselves up as guinea pigs.*



*which by the way, guinea pigs do not have hooves or shoes...

I am sorry to hear of the demise of your search function. The shoes were used in droving, which is about the most dexterous thing cattle did - you will not find any historical references to hooven creatures fighting in melee (I mention this since the Google Fu seems weak in you).

On the other hand...

Why be a hater on magic footwear for centaurs? Seems like a lonely place to be.

 

[Samloyal23]

So, a cloven hoof does not normally get shod, so I'm thinking a minotaur who gets shoes nailed in is going to suffer a penalty on climibing checks. Which brings up another subject, can a centaur climb a vertical surface? Hmmm... Metal shoes for minotaurs and fauns should not be standard items, they will normally use things like anklets to serve the same purpose.

 

[Jackinthegreen]

So, a cloven hoof does not normally get shod, so I'm thinking a minotaur who gets shoes nailed in is going to suffer a penalty on climibing checks. Which brings up another subject, can a centaur climb a vertical surface? Hmmm... Metal shoes for minotaurs and fauns should not be standard items, they will normally use things like anklets to serve the same purpose.

A centaur could probably manage a vertical surface by going vertical itself. It'll look funny as hell though, hence a reason I've never heard of a centaur going rock climbing for instance.

I don't think most cloven hoofed races would truly shoe themselves unless they had to keep their hooves clean due to infection or something. Their form of a shoe would be something worn below the ankle that covers the hoof/toes.

 

[Samloyal23]

A centaur could probably manage a vertical surface by going vertical itself. It'll look funny as hell though, hence a reason I've never heard of a centaur going rock climbing for instance.

I don't think most cloven hoofed races would truly shoe themselves unless they had to keep their hooves clean due to infection or something. Their form of a shoe would be something worn below the ankle that covers the hoof/toes.

The problem for a centaur is the comparative weight of the lower torso with the strength of the upper torso. Does a centaur have the upper body strength to support its body when climbing?

 

[Jackinthegreen]

The problem for a centaur is the comparative weight of the lower torso with the strength of the upper torso. Does a centaur have the upper body strength to support its body when climbing?

What would most likely happen is the upper torso would steady the body, while the front legs would do most of the actual work if there's a way to get a hoofhold. If there aren't hoofholds then of course climbing would likely be impossible. I certainly don't see a centaur climbing a rope or pole for instance.

 

[Dandu]

Did anyone at the table notice the rules seem to indicate those were just for animals?

Horseshoes of Speed
These iron shoes come in sets of four like ordinary horseshoes. When affixed to an animal’s hooves, they increase the animal’s base land speed by 30 feet; this counts as an enhancement bonus. As with other effects that increase speed, jumping distances increase proportionally. All four shoes must be worn by the same animal for the magic to be effective.

Faint transmutation; CL 3rd; Craft Wondrous Item, haste; Price 3,000 gp; Weight 12 lb. (for four).

Well, centaurs are party animals!

(It is funny because Greek legend portrays them as libidinous to the point of being rapists.)