In the summer months, herds of dark
Tatanka roam the rolling hills of the
Cradle of Clay, often not straying far from the villages that care for them. Their space to roam is hundreds of miles, stretching to the edges of the
Clay Giants' homeland, even to the northern reaches against the chill of the
Neither Tundra. These animals roam wild and free, but their shepherds keep an ever-watchful eye on their herds. The
Tatanka need little help against the predators of the
Cradle of Clay, but it is the unseen things that prey on the great beasts that are the most deadly.
Even with their thick coats, the winter months bring dangers for the
Tatanka herds. Disease and lack of shelter during the snowy months spell death for the older and youngest amongst the herds, thinning those that are meant to build the herd to strength. This is where the
Clay Giants step in, creating another tradition surrounding their love of their animals and the crops they raise. As the days turn cold and the snows begin to fall, the herds of
Tatanka are gathered in great corrals with plentiful shelter in the safety of hollows and valleys that do not feel the effects of the winters like the rest of the
Cradle of Clay does.
The yearly Tatanka Roundup is an event planned, prepared, and looked forward to for months, minds turning to the winter event as soon as the last hours of
Harvest come to an end. Coordination across the
Cradle of Clay is paramount, people from every bit of the area coming together to protect the herds that give them so much life. For millennia, little has stopped this event from happening, not even the horrors and battles of the
Eldritch War stopped the necessity of this event. For many, the Tatanka Roundup brings the same electric excitement of the
Vollan Rue, although with much less bloodshed on the part of those participating.
The Roundup
The Roundup has occurred since the
first appearance of the
Tatanka as the new breed had some distinct differences from its ancestors. While the giant
Tante was not susceptible to the cold and sometimes harsh winters of the
Cradle of Clay, the
Tatanka required shelter to stave off the cold and help prevent illnesses. Certain diseases became prevalent with the
Tatanka that never existed with the
Tante, such as
Wasting Disease which would cause the horns and hide of the animal to begin to rot while the animal was still alive.
Keeping a close eye on the herds during the winter months became extremely important, as well as allowing an opportunity to grain feed and vaccinate for the various diseases that could easily be stopped or cleared up through the use of specific potions or poultices. Through stewardship in the winter months, the herds become much stronger and healthier, sustaining themselves so that some of the herd can be hunted throughout the year. The
Clay Giants see this roundup as a requirement of proper animal husbandry.
Preparation
Tatanka are large creatures descendant from the giant
Tante that once roamed the
Cradle of Clay. Breeding efforts of the
Clay Giants led to the first
Tatanka.
The Roundup often takes months to prepare for, with preparations beginning as soon as
Harvest is finished. Corrals built in
Tantes Hollow to hold the herds must be maintained and any issues repaired before the roundup can begin. Watering and feeding areas are established throughout the large area, usually at a spread of about ten
Tatanka to each station. This keeps the herd from fighting amongst itself for sustenance during the winter months when their roaming area is greatly diminished.
Another key part of the roundup involves the horses that the
Clay Giants use. These horses are raised and bred in the
Cradle of Clay to be slightly larger and stockier than horses found elsewhere in
Vóreios to handle the size of the
Clay Giants. Throughout the months leading up to the roundup, the horses are trained around the smaller herds of
Black Stout that are often kept in large pastures near villages. Here, the horses can get used to other large creatures as well as the movements of herding. Only the horses that do the best with the
Black Stout are chosen for the roundup.
Celebration
Once preparations are complete and the time has come for the roundup, large numbers of
Clay Giants from across the
Cradle of Clay saddle up and begin the process of moving the many herds to
Tantes Hollow. This can sometimes take days or weeks to accomplish as all
Tatanka are counted and all stragglers are accounted for. Once all animals are corralled, the celebrations really begin.
Much like
Harvest, all people of the
Cradle of Clay have some part in the celebration,
whether it be the preparation, the actual roundup, or the celebrations after the fact. As all
Tatanka are accounted for, a week of celebration begins, including feasts, storytelling, dancing, and more. During this time, vaccinations for the
Tatanka will begin while food and drink are continuously served in a barn near the edge of
Tantes Hollow. This is where the herd's caretakers will spend the winter, but for now, it is a place of constant celebration.
Nice article and fun that it is inspired by real life! Also interesting to have vaccination in a fantasy setting which you don't see that often. It seem like they they good care of them :)