Taurocamp Credits: bull, sea background
If you’ve never ridden a bellowing, snorting taurocamp through the Pacific, you’ve never lived. There’s nothing like reining in the power of a magical beast as you sail in and out of kelp forests, over seamounts and around submerged volcanoes. But for most explorers, human and sea sprite alike, the burning question is—how do I get one?
There are two possible ways. Renting, of course, is the easiest and safest option. But this can be an expensive and complicated proposition involving mages and enchanted contracts. How do you save up enough pearls for such a splurge? And what if the mage demands a cutting of your hair, a drop of your blood, or even worse—the chance to name your first child? I know of a sprite whose mother agreed to that. He ended up being called Whaledung. As an adult, he managed sanitation at the Deep Pacific Aquarium, but no one took him seriously.
Nevertheless, experts agree that if your needs are pressing, and you bear no magic yourself, taurocamp rental is the best alternative. It’s also an attractive choice for mages who have not yet tamed a mount of their own or prefer to avoid the risk.
On the other hand, if you’re feeling bold and place minimal value on your life and limbs, tracking and taming taurocamps can be quite rewarding. They are commonly found in the shadowy glades of the kelp forest, traveling in herds. Take care not to startle them or you may trigger a stampede. Instead, creep into their territory and observe their behavior patterns. Are they restless? Fighting one another? Or simply grazing? If they’re asleep, swim away without disturbing them. The last thing you want is to wake them from their pleasant dreams. Enraged taurocamps are a sight to behold, their horns lowered, furious bubbles streaming from their nostrils as their scaly tails thrash through the water. But this is not the time to tame them. Wait until they’re awake, placidly chewing their cud. Then set out a pile of fresh-cut seaweed.
Once you’ve gained their trust, isolate one of the beasts by luring it away from the herd with small piles of grain. Kelp seed works just fine. This is when you draw on your magic, especially if the taurocamp stiffens its fins, lowers its head and barrels toward you. The key is to lasso it with your enchanted leather rope (you did bring one, right?) then leap onto its back. It is perhaps an understatement to advise you not to fall off. If you do, it’s game over. But if you somehow manage to hold on to the bucking bull (or cow, as the case may be) until it bonds with you, you will have a magical steed with which to sails the seven seas for the rest of your life. If you don’t, you will have a magical steed intent on killing you for the rest of your life, which will be disappointingly short.
Watch for signs that your taurocamp is bonding with you. These include a sudden drop in bucking, a decrease in snorts and bellows. Once the taurocamp becomes motionless save for the occasional attempt to nuzzle you or nip affectionately at your knees, the danger is over, the mastering complete. All that remains is to forge a fierce friendship with your magical beast. This is best accomplished through years of exploration and battling deep-sea monsters.
Note to nonmagical explorers: If you are brave and have plenty of time, you may want to employ (persuade, threaten or bribe) a mage to help you. Just be sure they won’t flee if the taurocamp attacks. Another (safer) option would be to tame an aigicamp (goat head, fish tail) instead. Although they are far less respected among undersea society, they are still useful creatures and rarely kill anyone.
Surviving the Deeps is pleased to offer you this vital deep-sea training. May it keep you safe, happy, healthy and alive. In the unfortunate event that it does not, Surviving the Deeps accepts no responsibility for pain, suffering, or anything else remotely unpleasant. No animals were harmed in the development of this taming guide, although a few employees lost their fingers.
Coming soon: How to survive in a submerged volcano.
Until next time, swim free, dive deep, and stay alive!
What creature would you like to ride through the sea?
