Swine Herding

Summary

Swine herding is a profession and industry practiced in New Smoke that involves the care and management of pigs for various purposes. In Session 9, Yassandra identifies as a swine herder and sommelier, describing himself as someone who loves "a good swine." The profession distinguishes between three categories of pigs: work pigs, pet pigs, and food pigs. Swine herders organize tasting events featuring what Yassandra calls "the finest savia," where they showcase their pigs in a manner similar to wine sommelier culture.

The profession becomes a focal point in Session 9 when Yassandra experiences an existential crisis about his career path, ultimately questioning the value of herding swine versus "herding people" as a mayor. He describes swine herding as "such a flooded kind of industry," lamenting his career choice among the oversaturated market of herders in New Smoke.

Details

Swine herding involves multiple aspects of pig care and cultural presentation. The practice requires herders to understand and maintain the distinctions between different categories of pigs based on their intended purpose. Yassandra explains that there is a clear "difference between like a work pig, a pet pig, and a food pig," suggesting that proper categorization is essential to the profession.

The industry includes a social component in the form of swine tastings, where herders present their finest specimens. Yassandra invites others to attend such an event, stating: "If you want to stick around, in a few days, we're going to be having a swine tasting. All the finest savia." This indicates that swine tastings are scheduled events that serve as opportunities to showcase quality stock.

As a service, swine herders also offer pig care for others. Yassandra quotes a standard rate when the party inquires about leaving their pigs Cat and Sucks in his care: "So you just give me, like, five coins and then I go take care of your pigs." This establishes five coins as the going rate for professional swine care services in New Smoke.

The profession's oversaturation in New Smoke creates economic challenges for practitioners. Yassandra expresses frustration with the competitive landscape, questioning his original career decision: "It's just like such a flooded kind of industry. Right? Like herds, herders. What was I thinking?"

History

Session 9

Swine herding is introduced in Session 9 through Yassandra, who identifies himself to Safia and Vasso as both a swine herder and sommelier. When explaining his profession, he emphasizes his passion for the work, declaring "I'm a sommelier. I love a good swine."

During the philosophical discussions that occur in the session, Yassandra shares his professional knowledge about pig categorization, explaining the distinctions between work pigs, pet pigs, and food pigs. He also extends an invitation to the party to attend an upcoming swine tasting event featuring "the finest savia."

When the party inquires about leaving their pigs in professional care, Yassandra offers his services at the standard rate of five coins, demonstrating that swine herders provide care services in addition to raising and showcasing their own stock.

The session culminates in Yassandra's career crisis, triggered by the party's questions about his life and purpose. He reflects on the oversaturated swine herding market in New Smoke and begins to question whether herding swine holds the same value as "herding people" in a leadership role. This philosophical turning point leads him to abandon swine herding in favor of pursuing a career as a hero, marking a significant shift away from the profession that defined his identity.