Large Rim/Dryworld Steppe/Savannah Ranch

In the vast frontier regions of dryworlds such as the Borderlands of Losshaven, duststorms and weather can be a serious problem. To counter this, large, sheltered ranches, with extensive repair, storage and maintenance facilities are one of the more efficient means of surviving and making a living. These large ranches manage vast areas of tractland on which the hardy Bantha's can roam, though many try and supplement their income by breeding and maintaining Nerf's in the more sheltered areas of their demesne. To survive against the flesh-stripping dust- and sand-storms many of the living quarters and storage areas are underground, with only simple surface features showing for use in balmy weather. To a newcomer they resemble ancient fortresses with high ramparts, or glacis, built from compacted sand and rock protecting the living- and working- areas.

The plans given here are for one such ranch on the Losshaven Borderlands.

On Losshaven, in the Medj'K'ai Nebula, the ranches are equipped with several Steppe-crawlers as well as extensive herds of the local Steppethine or Tauntaun. The staple vehicle of the Rancher, the Ranchhand Speederbike, is very common and even the occasional hardened landspeeder can be seen, though being unable to resist or outrun a dust-storm it is normally used for ferrying small quantitites of medical and veterinary provisions when the weather is known to be safe.

The staging pens and corrals are either used for mass innoculation or just temporarily to control the herds whilst they are waiting the slaughterhouse. Given that Bantha are able to withstand the adverse conditions, these pens are often outside the shelter offered by the glacis. Within the shelter of the ramparts are the living areas (often within an exceptionally sheltered area), working areas, corrals for the riding animals and staging areas for the more fragile and docile nerf. 'Vaporators abound, with richer farms even maintaining an external water tower or formal pond to display their water-wealth.
On rich farms a private wood is sometimes grown around the ranches cemetery, both to act as a pleasant recreation area and also to show off the Ranches' wealth. Many ranches also have a small, cleared landing area for shuttles and smaller merchant starships to land - when the weather permits, of course.

The corrals, pens and enclosures are protected by Mass-reactive Stunfencing. This consists of artificial molecular-bonded cables strung between duracrete posts, to withstand the wind. They rely on wind- or heat- power (both of which are plentiful) to generate a painful stun charge when touched which ranges from a strength equivalent to DC12 for smaller creatures (say humans) to DC18 for larger creatures such as Bantha. In both cases it also does 1d4 damage. Not only does the charge stun for 1D4 rounds, but even if it fails the pain tends to discourage herd creatures from investigating any further. The cables are typically spaced 25cm from the ground, then every 50cm to a height of around 1m75-2m25. This means humans could easily pass between the cables, if careful, or can fly over on Speederbikes, but Bantha, Nerf and their pups and calves cannot pass.

The main living areas are also fitted with Stunfencing, but the gaps are much narrowers, preventing egress to all but children or creatures teh size of ewoks or jawas.