Dogsleds
An important vehicle anywhere in Durol, right up there with locomotives, sky-ships and sailing ships, the humble dogsleds, and their summer dog carts, are very important to the more rural areas of the nations of the Durolian continent and in particular in Suranth. Nimble, fast moving, quiet, and with far more flexibility in how they travel than would be accomplished by horses and larger wagons, or locomotives and their set tracks, dog sleds and their mushers are vital in moving and shipping goods all about the more rural and frontier edges within Suranth, Depenwood and Raechin.
Properties
Pulled by teams of five to nine dogs, generally wolf dogs and with at least the lead being a pure bred Santhuli Wuulfhund, these nimble pieces of gear are capable of moving more small and moderate sized goods than one might first expect. Dogsleds are basically the rural mail and goods service all across Suranth, and it is a dangerous job. These vehicles are built sturdy, lightweight frames of imported oak, with sturdy steel reinforcements, the most expensive ones perhaps even using a mithrium alloy to cut weight, while maintaining and even increasing carrying capacity. They can come in a variety of shapes and sizes, however most nations operate with the Suranthi standard for any organized postal and shipping service that may exist. This standard operates at three sizes, though only one would really be important for the discussions around shipping and logistics. The Santhuli Runner.
The Santhuli Runner is designed specifically for a team with a Santhuli Wuulfhund as its lead dog, and requires a nine dog team to be used efficiently with minimal risk to the dogs and musher. It is some 14 feet long, the bed (or cargo area) making up about 11 feet of that in length, about 2 feet wide. Its long enough to allow strong loads, but with proper team spacing, allowing the Santhuli lead dog and its extreme senses to lead the way, it is still nimble and agile enough for even the hardest terrain. Capable of moving some eight hundred pounds of cargo, though generally the musher will take up near a hundred of that with basic gear for travel, survival and camping should it be needed, or even two hundred if the route is known to take time, in which case food and water for themselves and the dogs will be included, as well as hunting supplies and fuel for a fire.
A step down, designed for a seven dog team, is the Suranthi Slider. This sled is about 10 feet long, with an 8 foot long bed, and about the same width, capable of moving some 450-500 pounds of cargo. Once again, the spacing with this larger sled is quite key, to compensate for its size approaching awkward lengths, giving the Santhuli lead dog the time to run their team, to utilize their keen senses. Generally these are operated by one musher, but if a long distance run is not going to be at maximum capacity, but is under a time crunch, sometimes a pair of mushers will team up, each taking shifts driving, whilst the other is bundled up in the bed admidst the cargo, catching a bit of sleep. Both the Suranthi Wolf-dogs and the Santhuli Wuulfhund are unique beasts, needing very little sleep so long as they have regular access to food and water, able to operate for two to three days off as little as three hours sleep, which also allows some runs to be completed at great speed.
Though a useful and marvelous boon and the vehicle that arguable, more than trains, sky-ships, wagons or sailing vessels, conquered and is conquering most of Durol, operating these or their cart counterparts is a dangerous craft. You are alone, the team tied to the sled not in the best position to defend themselves or you if need be. Your best defense is to outrun problems if possible. That is not to mistake the dogs, or especially the Wuulfhund as helpless. Wuulfhunds easily are 400-500 pounds of raw lean canine muscle, a massive breed, bred to run, pull sledges, hunt and fight, and they do all of it very well. But raiding beastment, orcs, goblins or other such foul beasts can be a major problem and concern. To that end it is common practice for mushers to be reasonably well trained a gun or crossbow of some kind, and generally a good stash of ammo and that weapon of choice will be a key part of their allotment on the sledge or cart. These vehicles are lightweight and sturdy but should not be confused for being armored or any such madness, as they are meant for rapid and continual transportation, not combat.
The Santhuli Runner is designed specifically for a team with a Santhuli Wuulfhund as its lead dog, and requires a nine dog team to be used efficiently with minimal risk to the dogs and musher. It is some 14 feet long, the bed (or cargo area) making up about 11 feet of that in length, about 2 feet wide. Its long enough to allow strong loads, but with proper team spacing, allowing the Santhuli lead dog and its extreme senses to lead the way, it is still nimble and agile enough for even the hardest terrain. Capable of moving some eight hundred pounds of cargo, though generally the musher will take up near a hundred of that with basic gear for travel, survival and camping should it be needed, or even two hundred if the route is known to take time, in which case food and water for themselves and the dogs will be included, as well as hunting supplies and fuel for a fire.
A step down, designed for a seven dog team, is the Suranthi Slider. This sled is about 10 feet long, with an 8 foot long bed, and about the same width, capable of moving some 450-500 pounds of cargo. Once again, the spacing with this larger sled is quite key, to compensate for its size approaching awkward lengths, giving the Santhuli lead dog the time to run their team, to utilize their keen senses. Generally these are operated by one musher, but if a long distance run is not going to be at maximum capacity, but is under a time crunch, sometimes a pair of mushers will team up, each taking shifts driving, whilst the other is bundled up in the bed admidst the cargo, catching a bit of sleep. Both the Suranthi Wolf-dogs and the Santhuli Wuulfhund are unique beasts, needing very little sleep so long as they have regular access to food and water, able to operate for two to three days off as little as three hours sleep, which also allows some runs to be completed at great speed.
Though a useful and marvelous boon and the vehicle that arguable, more than trains, sky-ships, wagons or sailing vessels, conquered and is conquering most of Durol, operating these or their cart counterparts is a dangerous craft. You are alone, the team tied to the sled not in the best position to defend themselves or you if need be. Your best defense is to outrun problems if possible. That is not to mistake the dogs, or especially the Wuulfhund as helpless. Wuulfhunds easily are 400-500 pounds of raw lean canine muscle, a massive breed, bred to run, pull sledges, hunt and fight, and they do all of it very well. But raiding beastment, orcs, goblins or other such foul beasts can be a major problem and concern. To that end it is common practice for mushers to be reasonably well trained a gun or crossbow of some kind, and generally a good stash of ammo and that weapon of choice will be a key part of their allotment on the sledge or cart. These vehicles are lightweight and sturdy but should not be confused for being armored or any such madness, as they are meant for rapid and continual transportation, not combat.
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