Mules were pack animals, a cross between horses and donkeys, specifically bred for the purposes of labor.[2]
Abilities[]
Mules were bred with the intention of sharing the best traits of its two parent species. They were more sure-footed, hardy, and longer-lived than horses. Compared to donkeys, they were faster and more intelligent.[2] However, they were an infertile species.[2][5]
History[]
In the late-15th century DR, mules were one of many beasts of burden that could be found in the Outer City district of Baldur's Gate, as such animals were outlawed from entering the Lower and Upper City districts.[6]
At that time in the history of Baldur's Gate, the Flaming Fist mercenary company paid some stables in the Outer City to maintain a reserve group of them.[7] And whenever merchants traveling the Coast Way or Trade Way came to the city, they would leave their mules in either the Outer City or Blackgate.[8]
Availability[]
Places in the Realms where one could find mules being bred or sold included the following:
- The business man Horl was a major supplier of mules in Faerûn. His business began in Rassalantar, where he had a proper ranch. Over time he expanded out to have palisaded paddocks and breeding yards outside of Berdusk, Red Larch, and Secomber.[5]
- In Berdusk, mules could be traded, rented for use in the surrounding Sunset Vale, or bought outright.[9]
- Deepingdale commonly bred and trained mules for exportation elsewhere.[10]
- Norge Greenbank's Horses in the city of Ravens Bluff bred, sold, and rented out mules to both citizens and visitors alike. Despite the fact mules produced no offspring themselves, the business kept books on their pedigrees and lineages as the bloodline of their parents' could be important.[11]
- The Way Inn commonly bought and sold mules.[12]
Ecology[]
These creatures were often herded among other grazing beasts in order to protect them from wild predators, such as coyotes or wild dogs.[13]
Diet[]
Mules were well accustomed to eating grass, requiring no separate fodder.[14]
Relationships[]
Mules were a common beast of burden among both gold dwarves and shield dwarves.[15] The former typically bred their mules from Lhesperan or Meth horses.[16]
In Khôltar, mules were used to drive pumps that carried water from the small city's reservoir and into the cisterns of buildings.[17] Other places in Faerûn were mules were common beasts of burden included Turmish[18] and Waterdeep.[19]
Beyond being beasts of burden, mule flesh was favored by halfling cooks.[5]
Notable Mules[]
- Gary, a mule that was owned by the planewalking merchant Fai Chen.[20]
- Lab
- Sal, a one-eyed mule owned by Friar Cookpot of Ravens Bluff.[21]
Trivia[]
- A mule could be summoned by the conjure animals spell.[22]
- A mule could be pulled from a robe of useful items.[23]
Appendix[]
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Appearances[]
External Links[]
Reference[]
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 333. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 276. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 194. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 72. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Ed Greenwood (2013-03-15). Horl, Breeder of Mules. Forging the Realms. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01. Retrieved on 2021-11-09.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Matt Sernett, Steve Winter (August 20, 2013). “Campaign Guide”. In Dawn J. Geluso ed. Murder in Baldur's Gate (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-6463-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Matt Sernett, Steve Winter (August 20, 2013). “Campaign Guide”. In Dawn J. Geluso ed. Murder in Baldur's Gate (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 0-7869-6463-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Matt Sernett, Steve Winter (August 20, 2013). “Campaign Guide”. In Dawn J. Geluso ed. Murder in Baldur's Gate (Wizards of the Coast), p. 29. ISBN 0-7869-6463-4.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 173. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2013-02-06). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2013). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2020-11-19.
- ↑ Terence Kemper (January 1995). “The Living City: The Horse Businesses”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #103 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 13–14.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 67. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, The Hooded One (2009-06-16). Questions for Ed Greenwood (2009). Candlekeep Forum. Retrieved on 2021-09-24.
- ↑ David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 166. ISBN 978-0786903283.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 14, 20. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (April 2001–May 2003). Elminster Speaks archive (Zipped PDF). Elminster Speaks. Wizards of the Coast. pp. 62–63. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2016-09-03.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (November 1994). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Turmish Customers and Festivals”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #101 (TSR, Inc.), p. 22.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jeff Grubb (September 1988). City System. Edited by Karen Boomgarden. (TSR, Inc.), p. 30. ISBN 0-8803-8600-2.
- ↑ Ted Atkinson (2019). Faces of Fortune: The Story of Fai Chen (DDAL09-05) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Avernus Rising (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 3, 12.
- ↑ Scott Douglas and Craig Petillo (August 1993). “The Living City: Friar Cookpot”. In Jean Rabe ed. Polyhedron #86 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 222. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
- ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 227. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.