Domesticated Beasts

See also: Lore

Just as a society’s culture reflects the nature of the land which its people inhabit, so too do the livestock they depend upon for their livelihoods. Knowledge concerning different varieties of kept beasts and their uses is an asset on any journey to unfamiliar lands.

From Wild to Mild

Domesticated beasts provide mankind with various boons. Their fleetness of foot and wing allows riders to travel afar, their fur and skins make for fine clothing, and their meat and milk provide vital sustenance. But what differentiates them from other beasts?

To simply say they are creatures with value to bestow is insufficient, for wild beasts are oft hunted for their meat and skins, and some will even bear riders given the proper incentive and training—but domesticated they are not. Only those beasts who have been fed and bred for generations by the hand of man, carefully cultivated to possess the traits most beneficial to their keepers, can be deemed truly domesticated.

Take, for example, the prolific sheep. Its wild ancestors, the mouflon, were tamed for easier procurement of meat and milk, then became the subject of selective breeding by Hyur tribes in need of ample fleece during the Age of Endless Frost. This process gave rise to the cloud-like appearance associated with the modern species—a trait that, though vital to mankind’s production of woolen yarn and felt, would be more curse than blessing in the wild. Without the care of their keepers, modern sheep would be covered in pests, fall infirm from heat trapped by their overthick coats, and become entangled in the undergrowth when trying to flee from predators. With a shepherd’s intervention, however, sheep can flourish and reproduce in safety. Thus are domesticated species defined by their symbiotic relationship with man.

As its shape with the wool attached would indicate, a shorn sheep remains rotund; however, its body is significantly smaller without the coat. Unlike their much leaner and more graceful ancestors, modern sheep are fairly plump owing to their being bred for food as well as wool, but their skeletons provide a glimpse of the elegant beasts they once were.

Man’s Closest Companion

The question of which species was the first to be domesticated has long been a source of arguments both grave and petty in scholarly circles. However, recent discovery of a wolf-like skeleton in a gravesite dating to the First Astral Era by Sharlayan naturalists has lent immense credence to the theory that dogs were man’s first tame companions.

It is common knowledge that dogs descended from wolves, who were perhaps easier to tame than most due to their instinctual desire to form packs. Wolves were invaluable hunting partners, as their sense of smell and innate ferocity made them ideal for tracking prey, and it is theorized that they naturally evolved into dogs through centuries spent in such partnerships. Today, there are many breeds of domesticated dogs, with different appearances, sensory capabilities, and even personalities. As such, they are no longer seen as mere hunting or guard animals, and are kept as mounts and pets. By faithfully filling a vast variety of roles across the ages, dogs have earned their reputation as man’s closest companions.

The shiba, native to Hingashi, were bred to easily slip through the underbrush surrounding Daitenzan in pursuit of prey. As such, they are best known for their diminutive size and intense loyalty, but a fierce predatory streak lies within.

Livestock

It is thought that mankind, after domesticating dogs, soon went on to tame larger beasts such as goats and boars. These creatures provided sustenance, clothing, and, once even larger beasts like buffalo and dao were successfully domesticated, labor. With the strength of massive creatures thus harnessed, agriculture advanced through the employment of massive plows, and resources could at last be transported in bulk. Its work with beastkin settled, mankind in time set its sights on cloudkin. The flightless dodo and chicken were among the first, providing a convenient source of flesh, eggs, and feathers. With each species domesticated, man’s quality of life increased markedly.

Buffalo

These hulking herbivores were introduced to Eorzea from the Near East as a source of meat, but are also strong enough to have historically seen use as pack and plow animals.

Dodo

The dodo, native to the island of Mazlaya, was introduced to the mainland by seafaring Qiqirn. Adult dodos produce massive eggs, but can only be safely approached if their poison glands were removed as fledglings.

Dzo

Originating amongst the northern peaks of Othard, dzo are particularly important to the peoples of the Azim Steppe, whose lifestyles depend on their meat, milk, and pelts.

Sheep

Sheep are raised in abundance in La Noscea and Coerthas. A near-identical breed, brought over at one time via Near Eastern trade routes, is also found in the Far East.

Chicken

Originally domesticated in Othard, the common chicken now proliferates across the world. The introduction of chicken and eggs led to a significant increase in varieties of cuisine.