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Runnerbeasts, or runners, are a Pernese mammal that are in fact Terran horses. They have many uses, being employed by farmers, runners, traders, and almost all other people.

Ruatha Hold Keroon Hold

Description[]

Terran horses were brought on the colony ships that brought the settlers to Pern, some being placed in cold sleep. Ova and Sperm were also transported for breeding stock. The horses, which came to be called runnerbeasts, were specially adapted to survive on Pern. Runnerbeasts were very diverse, ranging from faster racing stock to heavier draft breeds. Two holds were known for breeding runnerbeasts: Ruatha and Keroon. Ruatha was the source of Pern's finest racers and spent thousands of turns perfecting its prized breeds. Runners were often marked to identify their home hold, in the event of theft or loss. Many crafts and holds made extensive use of runners for work or transportation. Runnerbeast racing is often seen at Gathers, especially at Ruatha.

History[]

Mares were brought by the ships during First Crossing. One mare produced Cricket and many others. Only breeding stock made it north during the Second Crossing. Red Hanrahan, who settled the area that became known as Ruatha Hold, began breeding runners, working toward a Clydesdale/Shire to replace the mechanical plows. Red's descendents would continue to hold Ruatha and continued to breed runnerbeasts, with the area becoming known for producing some of Pern's finest stock. Keroon Hold would also become known for runnerbeasts, due to their expansive plains. A plague in the Sixth Pass would heavily affect the stock. Later on, Fax's conquest of Ruatha was theorized to be due to their runnerbeast breeding.

Following Jaxom's ascension as Lord Holder of Ruatha in the Ninth Pass, he would work to revive the breeding of Runnerbeasts. Piemur, during his travels in the Southern Continent would meet and tame a runnerbeast he named Stupid.

Appearances[]

Notes[]

  • In a major departure from Pern canon, in the novel Dragon's Code, Piemur's runnerbeast Stupid is described as having 6 legs. As runnerbeasts are descendants of Terran horses, this would have required some major genetic manipulation which had not been mentioned previously.
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