The animals of the Rkespiwa would need to have some form of importance, for they are either for food or transportation.
Food Animals
A common delicacy among the Rkespiwa has to do with the cooking of beetles. You\’d be surprised to learn that beetles are insects that are eaten in various parts of the real world. Beetles that are bred for consumption are usually bred inside beetle-cotes, the same way dove-cotes were reserved for doves used to relay information.
Transportation Animals
The types of animals that would be used for labor would specifically be reserved for those that help carve artificial rivers and lakes. As such, I mentioned that the Cambrian predator called the Opabinia would be instrumental in carving the rivers and lakes after the water came rushing from the shoreline. So, the construction sites and the most important buildings would obviously be located near the shore. In the case of the Opabinia, it is yoked by a carving boat that scrape the bottom of the new river in order to be used as fertilizer. So, this is similar to the artificial island-crops called the chinampas used by the Aztec in the absence of crop rotation. Just as well, the Rkespiwa cities tend to have multiple artificial rivers that act as roads or highways.
Before that point, the aurochs would be needed to carve up the soil in order to make the new river. When the Mesvris Empire expanded to the easternmost Kzezersokl continent, they introduced elephants as the plowing animal for larger river-roads.
[1/13/23] Another important animal has to be domesticated moles. Specifically, these moles would be larger than wild moles and have digging claws fashioned to resemble shovels. They are used to build the artificial rivers.
Symbolism
- The Opabinia represents commerce and industry, for it is crucial for river construction and transportation of civilians.
- Elephants represent prosperity and new beginnings.
Sources
- Gies, Joseph and Frances. \”Life in a Medieval Village.\” Harper-Collins. 1990.
- Trevena, Angelina. “30 Days Of Worldbuilding: An Author’s Step-By-Step Guide To Building.” Angelina Trevena. 2019.