Wicker Slings

Created by Adam Tingley // Wreckerdwarf

The nomadic orcen that have claimed the plains of the east have developed many pieces of kit that aid them in their lifestyle. One of the key differences between the nomadic cultures of the world and those that chose to remain in a single location, is the requirement for items to be light and to serve many functions.

Description

The wicker sling is a large teardrop shaped basket that is made to be worn across the chest. It is sealed at the larger bottom side but has a sizable opening close to the smaller top section. The sling is meant to be worn with the opening facing inwards towards the wearer's chest. The wicker used is dried, lightweight and loosely weaved so as to not restrict air flow through the container.

Functions

When turned outwards, the sling can aid in the gathering of kindling, berries and fruits. With an added cloth insert, it can also be used to collect much smaller foodstuffs such as grains, pulses and wild rice. The opening at the top is large enough to slip a waterskin into the sling that can be used to gather water and easily carry it back to camp. The top of the sling is small enough to allow the top of the waterskin to pop out and allow the water to be poured without having to remove it from the sling. The sling is also of great use when hunting. Being able to hold arrows or small javelins and offer quick access when chasing down prey. Additions to the straps that hold the sling in place can also allow the wearer to easily transport skinning knives, hide grips and butchery blades. During the birthing season, the slings are lined with scented cloth and are used as a mobile home for offspring. The orcen kind seldom has more than one child at a time but variants of the sling have been known to house twins or siblings that have been born within a short timeframe.