No livestock

[alsih2o]

I was reading a theory recently that the big difference between native American culture and European culture was that the native Americans never domesticated a big, burly animal that could pull huge loads.

What happens to D+D settings if all the domesticated critters bigger than a dog get removed?

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

I was reading a theory recently that the big difference between native American culture and European culture was that the native Americans never domesticated a big, burly animal that could pull huge loads.

What happens to D+D settings if all the domesticated critters bigger than a dog get removed?

You have two main choices: a hunter/gatherer society that uses large herd animals for food and supplies, traveling with them as they seasonally migrate, or an agrarian society that stays in one place most of the year and lives by farming local foodstuffs, supplemented with fish and smaller game found in the region.

In a magical setting, the creation of transport devices powered by magic would become the norm. Teleportation magic would be much more common as well, I'd think.

 

[alsih2o]

I am wondering too about a world in which mythical mosters are beasts of burden.

Plow-pulling troll anyone?

 

[LGodamus]

I bet a hydra could pull on heck of a big plow

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Yeah, the American Indians didn't exactly have many options when it came to domestication. Most of the big critters here are pretty surly. Same thing with the zebra, or so I am told.

I agree with dungeonmastercal. Summoned elementals would be very popular in high-magic areas and nomadic life would be the solution for low-magic areas.

 

[Nifft]

Who needs a plow when you have a Druid?

Soften Earth & Stone or Rock to Mud, then send out the peasants to seed the ground, then Plant Growth. Who needs fertilizer or plow animals? Throw on a few well-timed Control Weather effects, and you're going to get a great crop.

-- N

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I bet a hydra could pull on heck of a big plow

Yeah, but you'd spend a fortune on blinders.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Who needs a plow when you have a Druid?

Plows complain less and don't bore you with turgid stories about their love lives.

 

[alsih2o]

Yeah, but you'd spend a fortune on blinders.

The Funniest!

 

[DMFTodd]

native Americans never domesticated a big, burly animal that could pull huge loads

What about the horse?