10-08-2016, 12:24 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
Hi. Tomorrow I'm GMing my first game. It's my own story and my own universe. Kind of a lower fantasy thing with sort of steampunkish elements. One element important to it is that characters ride around on giant dog-like creatures. I have created basic stats for one, and would like to know what people think of it. Does this seem appropriate to you guys? Any suggestions?
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/2990/W30LMV.png |
10-08-2016, 01:10 AM | #2 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
380 lbs is small for a "proper" riding animal, especially predators more optimized for attacking and pulling. Donkeys, for example, are suggested to not carry more than 20% of their weight.
As an aside, there was a real life monstrous sized dog named Zorba that weighed 343 lbs lean. Everything else seems fitting for a R.A.W. light fantasy barely sapient companion/mount.
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10-08-2016, 01:30 AM | #3 | |
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
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I increased the weight to 430 lb. I figure mid 300s to 400s is about 3 times the weight of a Great Dane, which seems to be around the size I'm going for. A little over 2x the height and I figure a bit more for being better suited for bearing the weight of a rider. That said, horses weigh more than 800 lb, so I'm probably going too light, but hey--it's still fantasy! |
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10-08-2016, 01:34 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
Rules As Written. No house rules or changes whether commonly done by most players or not.
__________________
Beware, poor communication skills. No offense intended. If offended, it just means that I failed my writing skill check. |
10-08-2016, 01:41 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
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10-08-2016, 10:19 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
RL canine hiking literature suggests dogs carry no more than 10% of their weight on long trips. Assuming that is doubled to 20% for specifically bred riding animals is not too crazy. So figure the weight of your rider plus gear, divide by 0.2, and that should be your riding dog's weight. I would then allow a +/- 10%-20% variation in individual dog weights. Your 350lb barbarian character may need to find a special breed of larger riding dogs ($$$).
When I made Worgs to be ridden by goblin warriors for my DF game, I ended up making them 800lbs. |
10-08-2016, 10:36 AM | #7 |
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
I admit, I think of something like the Polar Bear Dog from Legend of Korra
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...0a87d8fc1a.jpg |
10-08-2016, 10:43 AM | #8 | ||
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
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Last edited by Mordantus; 10-08-2016 at 10:59 AM. |
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10-08-2016, 11:07 AM | #9 | |
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: The plutonium rich regions of Washington State
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
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http://panoptesv.com/RPGs/animalia/m...dae/Canid.html Go to the table, enter any options you want (such as changing the weight), and click submit. See if anything appeals to you. Luke |
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10-08-2016, 01:26 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Re: Giant Riding Dog Creature--what do you think?
My first thought was The General series by Drake and Stirling. Takes place on a regressed colony world where riding dogs were genetically engineered pre-regression. The dogs in question average around 1,000 lbs, down to maybe 800 for a riding palfrey, up to ~1,500 for a big war dog. Basically, about 800 lbs is pretty much the bare minimum for something that an adult human can reasonably ride, and 1,000 lbs+ if we're talking an armed warrior.
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