satyr footwear

comissioned portrait of Aleesia the Satyr by Zeta Gardner

Aleesia the satyr, vintner and Fumayan Rover

"Our ancient ancestors were given goat traits as an insult, but they chose to take pride in their goathood. We modern satyrs are similar. We don't like to cover our horns with hats or headdresses and we don't like to cover our hooves either.
Our footsteps make a loud and distinctive 'CLOP' compared to most other mortals, and we generally like to CLOP loudly and proudly.

I like to CLOP proudly myself. I work the night shift at the local hospital once, sometimes twice a week. It is rude to go clopping about while people are trying to sleep. So when I'm on the night shift, I will wear thick padded socks over my hooves, so as not to disturb sleepers. These are nicknamed satyr slippers.
Satyr CLOPS are more distinctive the harder the ground is, especially the stone and wood floors of a castle. Satyrs that are part of a lord or lady's staff in a castle will often wear satyr slippers just to avoid making a disturbance. Good servants are supposed to be seen and not heard right? That's why you don't see a lot of satyrs hobnobbing with the human or elf nobility.
Satyr slippers are also used by satyrs that wish to conduct theft or espionage. I've only used my slippers for matters of politeness, never for personal gain. I certainly never put on slippers while engaging in an elaborate espionage action against a shady Swynfaredian spymaster..."

by Me with Hero Forge

Basim, Confederate Satyr And Apothecary And Reagent Dealer

"Goats and horses both have hooves but their hooves are very different. Horses can have their hooves damaged on hard stone roads, but goats don't have this problem.
Since our hooves are very similar to goat hooves, metal shoes nailed on will do no more than cause pain and discomfort.

My grandparents told me stories of how dark elves inflicted this punishment on satyr slaves that ran away and were captured. Much like how some runaway human slaves had their feet broken only with an animalistic twist.
This doesn't seem to be popular because it permanently damaged their property. Chains and weights were more often than norm on fleet footed slaves, regardless of race.
Satyr slaves were often considered more valuable than human or goblin slaves and our footprints were very distinctive. A few enterprizing runaway slaves had rigged fake shoes that go over hooves to leave human-like foot prints. I hear in other lands satyr soldiers and satyr criminals will sometimes wear boots rigged to leave human footprints, so they are not fingered for whatever actions they do.
One problem with satyrs wearing fake human shoes is that usually the best we can do is mimic the footprints of humans with large feet. A dead giveaway for any experienced tracker.
On a happier note, I have seen a satyr acting troop where they wear human-like shoes to cover their hooves when protraying human or elf characters. Often they wear robes or dresses to hide their furry goat legs. It doesn't actually fool anyone that they are human, but it works for the immersion of a play at least.
Protective shoes? We don't really ever need them, unless a satyr is clopping around an area with caltrops but in that case even a human wearing boots could get injured.
I hear the Kionus satyrs and other satyrs who travel through very cold environments sometimes wear leggings for warmth, but not often. I never met one but I hear the snow goats have shaggier legs and don't need leggings for warmth. I like to travel, but I'm a warm weather goat, so you'll never find enough gold to entice me to visit the Land of the Yeti."

Social Impact

comissioned portrait of Aleesia the Satyr by Zeta Gardner

"There is an expression referring to a useless person or object by saying 'It's useless as a cobbler in a herd of satyrs.'
Not that I harbor any ill will towards cobblers of course."
Aleesia the satyr, vintner and Fumayan Rover

Access & Availability

Most satyrs know the proper way to wrap their feet. They often learn this as kids while playing hide and seek.

Complexity

Satyr "slippers" are essentially padded socks or simple mukluk wraps.
Fake shoes are well crafted shoes designed to accomodate hooved feet.

Discovery

Satyrs have been wrapping their hooves almost as long as they existed.

Related Species

• satyrs