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Which dinosaur species would make good mounts and beasts of burden?

Started by golan2072, December 22, 2013, 12:19:20 PM

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golan2072

December 22, 2013, 12:19:20 PM
In my Barbarian Conqueror King setting for the Adventurer Conqueror King Syste, (ACKS), most mammals are replaced by dinosaurs (and giant insects)!, with the exception of humans and cats. So most of the uses of animals in our real world would be filled, in that world, by dinosaurs. So far, I have decided that the sheep-sized Protoceratops would serve as a common herd animal raised for its meat and eggs; but which other dinosaur species do you think would make good animals for the locals to tame, either as a meat (and egg) source, as beasts of burden, as mounts and as engines of war? I have preference for the dinosaurs of the Maastrichtian stage, but in a pinch, any dinosaur would do.
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The Traveller

#1
December 22, 2013, 01:04:13 PM
You'd probably want a herd animal, and not one with spiky bits. I mean you don't see anyone riding rhinos around the place. I'd probably go with something like edmontosaurus, fast moving and amphibious.



For war, well if you can tame it you can ride it, anything goes really.
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Premier

#2
December 22, 2013, 03:59:29 PM
- Triceratops (or other ceratopsians) for an elephant-equivalent. You could ride in a small howdah on its back for travel or war, or fashion some sort of yoke to use them as work animals.

- Various ankylosaurs might also be used as work animals if large enough.

- Allowing fantasy intelligence for animals, smaller predatorial therapods might take the place of hunting and guard dogs.

Anyway, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_and_fauna_of_the_Maastrichtian_stage
Obvious troll is obvious. RIP, Bill.

JeremyR

#3
December 22, 2013, 07:34:36 PM
Why not have everyone drive around in Flintstones like cars?

TristramEvans

#4
December 22, 2013, 10:14:04 PM
Triceratops would make awesome war mounts, but for beasts of burden I recommend ankylosaurs

Omega

#5
December 23, 2013, 04:06:57 AM
Watch Diniriders. They turned a diplodicus into an APC...

Tetsubo

#6
December 23, 2013, 08:13:27 AM
Quote from: Premier;717761- Triceratops (or other ceratopsians) for an elephant-equivalent. You could ride in a small howdah on its back for travel or war, or fashion some sort of yoke to use them as work animals.

- Various ankylosaurs might also be used as work animals if large enough.

- Allowing fantasy intelligence for animals, smaller predatorial therapods might take the place of hunting and guard dogs.

Anyway, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_and_fauna_of_the_Maastrichtian_stage

I'm with Premier here. I would want to go with most being herbivores. Carnivorous dinos are cool but heck to feed. Unless in the dog-size range being ridden by halflings and such.

mcbobbo

#7
December 23, 2013, 09:48:02 AM
Agree with the above - herd herbavores.  But I think the triceratops would be too well equipped for domestication.  Even cattle get trimmed horns to de-weaponize them.  I don't know what you'd trim on a trike, and I always imagined they go around ramming things with their heads.  Think too of rams, which aren't very popular when compared to their goat cousins.  It's a popular dino, but seems an unlikely choice.

I could also see small domesticated carnivores as companions.  A recent study says dogs developed from wolves who feed on human trash piles.  Would be the same for scrap feeding dinos.
"It is the mark of an [intelligent] mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."

golan2072

#8
December 23, 2013, 11:44:49 AM Last Edit: December 23, 2013, 11:48:51 AM by golan2072
Quote from: mcbobbo;717883Agree with the above - herd herbavores.  But I think the triceratops would be too well equipped for domestication.  Even cattle get trimmed horns to de-weaponize them.  I don't know what you'd trim on a trike, and I always imagined they go around ramming things with their heads.  Think too of rams, which aren't very popular when compared to their goat cousins.  It's a popular dino, but seems an unlikely choice.
Maybe use the Montanoceratops instead? Probably as a work animal, is it wouldn't be too fast on its legs.

Quote from: mcbobbo;717883I could also see small domesticated carnivores as companions.  A recent study says dogs developed from wolves who feed on human trash piles.  Would be the same for scrap feeding dinos.
Some, such as the Troodon, seem VERY well-suited to this. Smart little dinosaur, and omnivorous as well. maybe tame Velociraptors as guard animals, too.
We are but a tiny candle flickering against the darkness of our times.

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Sacrosanct

#9
December 23, 2013, 12:10:27 PM
the  only time I would probably go meat eater is if you're goal is speed.  Other than that, herbivore is the best beast of burden to have.
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Omega

#10
December 24, 2013, 06:25:10 AM
Wasnt there an RPG some years ago, possibly d20 based, about cowboys and dinosaurs on some alien planet? With Velociraptors as native indians?

JeremyR

#11
December 24, 2013, 06:57:00 AM
Quote from: Omega;718181Wasnt there an RPG some years ago, possibly d20 based, about cowboys and dinosaurs on some alien planet? With Velociraptors as native indians?

Broncosaurus Rex, the first product from Goodman Games

Werekoala

#12
December 24, 2013, 04:28:53 PM Last Edit: December 24, 2013, 04:54:35 PM by Werekoala
My first thought was of formalized jousting-type rituals with Pachycephalosaurus.

Also, you HAVE to work in these guys somehow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beelzebufo, if nothing else than for the name alone.
Lan Astaslem


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Ronin

#13
December 25, 2013, 12:49:21 PM
Quote from: JeremyR;718183Broncosaurus Rex, the first product from Goodman Games

I always thought that looked interesting. I never picked it up though. Perhaps something to go on the wish list for the Christmas moneys.
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golan2072

#14
December 25, 2013, 01:47:01 PM
Quote from: Werekoala;718334My first thought was of formalized jousting-type rituals with Pachycephalosaurus.

Thanks for the idea! Looks perfect as a mount.

Quote from: Werekoala;718334Also, you HAVE to work in these guys somehow http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beelzebufo, if nothing else than for the name alone.
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We are but a tiny candle flickering against the darkness of our times.

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