Now they buy pigs

[Zander]

Exactly. Why do you think Jews and Muslims won't eat them? Because back in "ye very olden days" the early Arabs and Hebrews were pastoral nomads, living off herds of sheep and goats. Pigs were excluded exactly because you can't herd them.

That may be a reason and the most germane here but it's not the primary reason. The tapeworm that affects pigs affects humans too but the ones that cows, sheep and goats get are not normally dangerous to people.

 

[DungeonmasterCal]

Of course, they could just use a pig like this and let it do the fighting for them.
http://www.meta-religion.com/Paranormale/Cryptozoology/Extinct_animals/donhyus.htm

 

[Desdichado]

That may be a reason and the most germane here but it's not the primary reason. The tapeworm that affects pigs affects humans too but the ones that cows, sheep and goats get are not normally dangerous to people.

I never knew that. That's actually interesting.

But I've read plenty of papers that exclude pigs from pastoral nomadic societies, specifically early Semitic societies, because it was incompatible with their economic base.

 

[Desdichado]

Of course, they could just use a pig like this and let it do the fighting for them.
http://www.meta-religion.com/Paranormale/Cryptozoology/Extinct_animals/donhyus.htm

Are there stats for a dire pig anywhere?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I never knew that. That's actually interesting.

But I've read plenty of papers that exclude pigs from pastoral nomadic societies, specifically early Semitic societies, because it was incompatible with their economic base.

Maybe if pigs would have been domesticated stronger, it would have helped. But since the herding of pigs was never tried a lot because other animals weren´t as "dangerous" to eat, that never happens. Though I have no idea if that really makes sense - I guess it´s quite possible that some animals are just easier to domesticate than others (think of the difference between cats and dogs) ...

 

[Desdichado]

Maybe if pigs would have been domesticated stronger, it would have helped. But since the herding of pigs was never tried a lot because other animals weren´t as "dangerous" to eat, that never happens. Though I have no idea if that really makes sense - I guess it´s quite possible that some animals are just easier to domesticate than others (think of the difference between cats and dogs) ...

That could be part of it too--pigs aren't exactly docile, herd-dwelling animals for the most part.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I have a feeling if you tell these particular players about how hard it is to herd pigs, they'll just use sheep instead. Again, if they're making the die rolls for Animal Emapthy and Handle Animal, what's the big deal?

Though if it was my group, the whole "I use Animal Empathy on the sheep" phrase would bring the game to a crashing halt.

 

[Hjorimir]

I wanted to link that classic picture from the AD&D DMG about "One tough pig," but I cannot find it.

 

[Henry]

Pigs were excluded exactly because you can't herd them.

Well, there's also my perception that they're some of the FILTHIEST BEASTS ON THE PLANET. Properly Cooked, that's a different story. but pigs are unruly, nasty, AND what some people don't realize is that they'll attack a human if pushed. I'm not saying they'll take down a 5th level adventurer, but pigs will eat darn near anything -- including human flesh, if the human's dead or defenseless. Kind of like a goat.

Better to use a small fatted calf, or some such. Even better, the Bag of Tricks.

 

[Rel]

That could be part of it too--pigs aren't exactly docile, herd-dwelling animals for the most part.

I was always under the impression that one of the upsides of pigs was they were low maintenance. You could pretty much just let them loose in the forest and they could forage for acorns and such and wouldn't wander further than they could find food. In fact, IIRC, there was even a special tax levied under the feudal system whereby you were allowed to let your pigs forage in the lord's forest.

But the flip side of this is that in an open range sort of area (where cattle, goats and sheep tend to thrive) there isn't much for the pigs to eat so they are harder to care for.