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Proof of ownership

Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2019 5:41 pm
by Yepesnopes
Do any of you know how one did in the middle ages to proof that, let’s say, the horse he rides is legitimaly acquired and it is not just stolen from the nieghbouring village merchant for example?

Re: Proof of ownership

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 12:01 am
by Braddoc
Branding seems the obvious choice, but that would invovled branding it everytime it get sold.

I would figure that coaching companies and armies brand their horses, but that Erik the Farmer doesn't mark his horse, which is just a work animal rather than a riding beasts.

If we limit ourselves in the middle ages, only nobles and those with means would have horses really, a peasant with a horse is either a thief, a bandit or a Yeoman.

Re: Proof of ownership

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 7:22 am
by Hyarion
There were probably witnesses to the transaction, and that's why the buyer should insist on having them.

Re: Proof of ownership

Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:05 am
by Orin J.
i think a lot of it would be "well everyone knows who i sold it to" which is to say most people don't travel much and so their village gossip would function as sufficient receipt "oh, yeah, johaan bought that foal from old gunderssons last year. you leave him be, now".

of course this doesn't help travelling people much, but those people are just shifty and untrustworthy anyways....

Re: Proof of ownership

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 3:15 pm
by Yepesnopes
The question comes because one of my players lost his horse. The horse paniqued and fled (the PC as well). I thought, that it could be cool to do that someone finds the horse and keeps it or sells it. Later, in a village nearby, the PC will recognize his horse. That is why I asked about proof of ownership. How would you play such situation?

Re: Proof of ownership

Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2019 5:37 pm
by Hyarion
If the horse panicked and fled, then it probably fled with it's saddle/tack/gear still on it. The saddle might have the PC's name inscribed on it (see the opening scene from the movie Silverado where Paden gets his horse back), if the finder of the horse doesn't have a chance to hide/remove the gear or tries to sell it along with the horse, it could be easier to get the horse back (the re-buyer wouldn't want to go before the magistrate for buying stolen property).

If the player has owned the horse for a long time, they probably have bonded a bit and it would recognize him. offer to let the player make a series of Ride checks or something else (If I've never seen the horse before, how would I know about the scar on it's back leg in the shape of an S from a goblin or the fact that *this* horse loves having it's neck scratched (which might be unusual for horses, I don't know a thing about horses)) to demonstrate the bond between horse and rider.