> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://machina-1.gitbook.io/machina-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://machina-1.gitbook.io/machina-docs/llamas/getting-started.md).

# Getting started

Caravans is **server-side only** — drop the jar in and there's nothing for players to install. You'll need a few **tamed llamas wearing chests** (the caravan works with pack-llamas), then two crafted tools.

## The two tools

Everything is done with these — no commands to learn.

### Drover's Stick

The herder's goad. Craft a **string above a stick**:

|     |                                                                                                      |     |
| :-: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-: |
|     | <img src="https://mc.nerothe.com/img/1.21.4/minecraft_string.png" alt="String" data-size="original"> |     |
|     |  <img src="https://mc.nerothe.com/img/1.21.4/minecraft_stick.png" alt="Stick" data-size="original">  |     |
|     |                                                                                                      |     |

### Khipu

The knotted-cord ledger. Craft **string, lead, string** stacked:

|     |                                                                                                      |     |
| :-: | :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------: | :-: |
|     | <img src="https://mc.nerothe.com/img/1.21.4/minecraft_string.png" alt="String" data-size="original"> |     |
|     |   <img src="https://mc.nerothe.com/img/1.21.4/minecraft_lead.png" alt="Lead" data-size="original">   |     |
|     | <img src="https://mc.nerothe.com/img/1.21.4/minecraft_string.png" alt="String" data-size="original"> |     |

{% hint style="info" %}
Both are built from ordinary items and quietly tagged, so a normal stick or lead still behaves exactly like vanilla.
{% endhint %}

## Form your first caravan

1. Hold the **Drover's Stick** and **right-click each of your chest-llamas** — they fall in behind you. **Donkeys and mules** join the same way, as plain vanilla haulers.
2. **Walk.** They trail you in an evenly-spaced line. Sprint off and they rubberband to catch up.
3. **Right-click the air** to whistle stragglers in; **sneak + right-click the air** to halt the caravan.

A recruited llama keeps the **strength it naturally rolled** and earns its way up to the full 15-slot grid as you play — see [Earning the slots](/machina-docs/llamas/saddlebags.md#earning-the-slots).

That's the whole loop. From here:

* [**The caravan**](/machina-docs/llamas/the-caravan.md) — who can join, how follow/whistle/halt feel, and the movement under the hood.
* [**Saddlebags**](/machina-docs/llamas/saddlebags.md) — carry far more than 15 with paged storage, earned as you play.
* [**Storage runs**](/machina-docs/llamas/storage-runs.md) — record depots with the Khipu and send your overflow home.
* [**The lead camel**](/machina-docs/llamas/the-lead-camel.md) — appoint a camel to lead the caravan and speed your runs.
* [**Guardians**](/machina-docs/llamas/guardians.md) — post a llama to spit at hostiles, or set a wolf to protect the caravan.

***

*Caravans is built by* [***Machina***](https://wearemachina.com) *— custom Minecraft plugins and more at* [*wearemachina.com*](https://wearemachina.com)*.*


---

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