A Call To Tusks And Antlers

Information

Class: Sociology
Wc: 433

Publishing

Aut: Unknown
Dt: ~500 A.T.
Ogn: Sellsword

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• Cervidu

This is not a call for the replacement or abolishment of the use of cervidu in farming application, but instead a call for researchers to venture out and form productive partnerships with avocs across Pale Shores. For nearly 300 years we have used the cervidu as a beast of burden, creating furrows in our land to nourish ourselves and other avocs, to pull heavy loads around, and in many places to pull ourselves around in a more leisurely form of travel. These practices have become essential to not only our economic states, but have become embedded in us culturally over generations.

Unlike a tool forged for a purpose we have domesticated the cervidu to plow and create furrows to plant our crops with their two sets of tusks. I have even been told of the animal’s ability to learn specialized instructions on plow with one side of their face at a time to dig wider or narrower furrows depending crop being planted. At this point, most of our farmers need at least one in order to sustain their production of fruits, grains, and roots. Aside from the food and care, what is the true cost of farming with a cervidu?

As they work and age, repeated farming can wear down the tusks faster than they grow, at which point what do most farmers do with their cervidu? Cervidu are often sold or kept and butchered for spare meat, food or profit for the farmer’s family. Long past are the days where their antlers were made into useful tools, we discard or sell each year’s shed-pair. For many farmers selling an worn-down cervidu is barely enough money to buy one with fresh tusks.

But there can be a better way.

For the good of Pale Shores, we must partner with our neighbors the farmers and determine the various factors that determine the usage and attrition of cervidu. Such factors might include soil composition, seasonal growth patterns in tusks, tusk length when plowing, for what distance, and at what rate the cervidu plows. Likely, diet of the cervidu is a factor in determining tusk growing rate as well as ensuring strength in surrounding musculature.

Once the data has been gathered, we can make recommendations of best practices to prolong the life and efficacy of the animal. Likely, several farmers across Pale Shores have already figured out one or two practices to get another season or two from their cervidus. If we can maximize efficient steps, every farmer can be more successful and many cervidu can be afforded improvements to their quality of life.