Goat Horns

Summary

Goat horns are a fashion accessory that achieved widespread popularity in New Smoke during Session 8 of the campaign. The trend replaced the previous fashion of wearing wolf heads. Despite their popularity, genuine goat horns became extremely difficult to acquire, with most stalls selling out by noon. The scarcity stems from the "goat people" who tightly control the image of what is described as "the one goat that exists in the world." The fashion trend is particularly mysterious because nobody in the world has actually seen a goat, yet the horns remain the most sought-after accessory at the New Smoke Aftermarket.

Properties

Goat horns function purely as a fashion accessory with no stated magical or practical properties beyond their social cachet. Genuine goat horns are distinguished from counterfeits, though the physical description of authentic horns is not specified in the session. Merchants at the aftermarket report they cannot keep genuine horns on their shelves due to overwhelming demand.

The trade in goat horns is regulated by the "goat people," who maintain strict control over the item's image and distribution. Merchants fear selling counterfeit goat horns, worried about getting in trouble with this controlling group. This enforcement creates a black market for substitutes, with some vendors willing to sell alternatives like antlers to customers desperate to participate in the fashion trend.

History

Session 8

Goat horns emerged as the dominant fashion trend in New Smoke, having replaced wolf heads as the previous style. Cat explained to Sucks Benedict that "that wasn't what was in style then... now it's goat horns."

When Sucks Benedict attempted to purchase goat horns at the New Smoke Aftermarket, he discovered genuine horns were completely unavailable. A merchant informed him, "I've been sold out of goat horns since 12. Well, see, I told elk we can't keep. We can't keep them on the shelves. People are buying them so fast." The merchant expressed confusion about the trend's intensity but confirmed the relentless demand.

The Counterfeit Goat Horns Merchant initially refused to sell fake horns, warning Sucks Benedict: "Counterfeit goat horns. Get out. You're gonna get me in trouble with goat people, they want to very carefully control the image of the wolf. One goat that exists in the world." Despite this reluctance and the threat of consequences from the goat people, Sucks Benedict eventually convinced the merchant to sell him antlers as a substitute for 20 coins. The merchant admitted the stall wasn't even his before fleeing with the money.

The session established that "nobody's seen a goat," making the entire fashion phenomenon based on an animal that exists only in reputation and carefully controlled imagery.

Cat developed a fashion marketing strategy around the antlers Sucks purchased, [planning to convince Greta that goat horns are outdated and that antlers represent the next trend](timestamp://204388dc-0679-4921-96e4-b8ad017b376b/00:00). As Cat explains: "We need to convince her that goat horns are a thing of the past. And the upcoming cool thing are antlers." Cat even suggests an investment opportunity, stating "Also, let's invest in antlers." Rather than discarding the fraudulent purchase, Sucks planned to wear the antlers as part of his outfit for his date with Greta.