Territory
Roch live in the country of Tumba, pronounced toom-bah. Tumba is well known for its harsh rocky landscapes and even harsher winters. But that’s just the upper section of Tumba. This country is called Tumba for a reason. It means deep valley and that’s what this country is full of. It’s an intricate maze of valleys that go deep and has a large cave system. Humans and tame roch tend to live in these areas while wild roch roam above. Wild roch are commonly found in one particular valley system called Rochnan ( rokh – nahn). Many clans of roch claim a territory along these valleys which provides safety. But wild roch are just as likely found above as below.
Herds
Roch are known to travel in herds. Herds are mostly made of a stallion with his harem and offspring. Some herds are several mated pairs and offspring. And some herds are several stallions that each have harem and one stallion leads the whole group. The last herd type is the one that varies dramatically in size.
Herd Type 1: Stallion and Harem
- One stallion will tend to keep 2-5 mares for himself. Anymore and he would have to join a Type 3 herd.
- During mating season the stallion will cover each of his mares.
- In a couple seasons the mares will bare him offspring. Some offspring may leave. Mostly the males and sometimes the females unless in a Type 3 herd.
Herd Type 2: Mated Pairs
- Basically it’s made up of multiple couples who feel a herd is safer to raise offspring in then just two by themselves.
- Offspring leave to find their own herd or a mate and return.
Herd Type 3: Several Stallions and Harems
- The largest herd type
- Lead by strongest stallion
- Before mating season, stallions fight for several mares
- During mating season, stallions cover the mares they won
- A couple seasons later, mares give birth
- Offspring may stay or leave depending on what they want out of life.
What about domestic roch?
Domestic roch live with others owned by the same human or human family. If bred outside of that group it is because the owners came together and decided it best. Roch may also change human hands or owned by two different humans.
Roch in Other Lands
It has been a topic on the minds of humans of Tumba for many years now. They believe the roch to be a treasure of the land. Some feel the roch is only in Tumba for a reason and should be kept that way, while others feel that the roch should be exported and shared with other nations.
Though the debate has not come to any conclusion, it is highly likely that domestic roch will be exported to other lands in the near future. This occurrence will increase their numbers and possibly provide a much needed resource to other humans.
In order for wilds to occur in other lands, domestic roch would have to escape and reproduce away from human interference. Considering the loyalty roch have towards their human masters, it would have to be under dire circumstances for them to toss that notion to the wind and make a run for it. Thus the fear of humans would be instilled in generations to come.
