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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
 Posted - 03 May 2005 : 07:37:47
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The original article is likely by Toby Mekelburg, and contains the following horse races of the Realms.
- Andalurian
- Akhal-Tara
- Balserran
- Cyaddar
- Dales Pony
- Duquala
- Everlundian Ranger Horse
- Fordskin
- Fell Pony
Andaluarian
The Andaluarian comes from the realm of Impiltur, and is primarily used as a cavalry mount. The Andaluarian has a distinguished appearance, usually appearing in the colors white and light gray, and occasionally bay. It is a compact horse with excellent proportions, and usually stands at 15.2 hands. The mane and tail are abundant, and the breed has a flat or slightly convex nose, small ears, and its head is set on a substantial neck. The chest is quite massive and the quarters are lean. The Andaluarian is renowned for its ability to learn and its superb temperament. This particular breed was established in 1135 DR, during the early rise of the Impilturians and their battles against hobgoblins.
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Edited by - Mumadar Ibn Huzal on 03 May 2005 09:54:11
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 07:42:12
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Akhal-Tara
The Akhal-Tara comes from the Arabian lands of Zakhara. Sages and horse breeders say the Akhal-Tara has been around for over 2,000 years, making it one of the oldest known breeds on Faerun. This breed is another cavalry horse, seeing widespread use among the armies of the Land of Fate. It is said that one of the ancient Grand Caliphs received the first Akhal-Tara stallion from a friendly genie. Akhal-Tara horses have long and slender heads with expressive eyes. It has a short, silky mane, or often none at all and a short tail. This breed has a narrow chest, long back, and flat ribs. The legs are long and slender, clearly revealing the tendons. It averages 15-15.1 hands in height. It is often dun in color, although it can be bay and gray, with a pale golden coat preferred. Wealthy caliphs often are able to get a shiny, golden color to the horse's coat. These exquisite horses are rarely found outside of the Land of Fate. Should any be found in the Barbaric North, the price could easily exceed 60,000 gp. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 07:44:36
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Balserran
The Balserran sees widespread use in Western Faerun, being a superbly fast galloper. The Balserran is quite gentle, and excels in jumping, games, reining, roping, endurance and as gentle family horses. The Balserran's coat is often colorful and features unique coat patterns, and many are of bay, white or gray in color, with black spots near the rump. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 07:45:47
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Cyaddar
The Cyaddar is another of the unique horses of Faerun, being found exclusively in the Anauroch Desert. The Bedine tribes keep a few of these horses, primarily to counter the Zhentilar presence withing their desert. Bedine legends speak of the first appearance of the Cyaddar breed when the swirling winds sent by Kozah manifested as a horse that could "fly without wings". The Cyaddar is extremely swift and hardy, requiring little water, which makes it perfect for the harsh enviroment of Anauroch. The breed's eyes are prominent on the head, has large nostrils and a small teacup muzzle. Its gracefully arched neck rises out of a long sloping shoulder and broad chest. A short, strong back and high trail carriage complete the picture. Cyaddars come in grey, chestnut, bay and roan and an occasional solid black. Most of the breed stand between 14.2 and 15.2 hands in height and weigh between 800 and 1,000 pounds. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:45:02
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Dales Pony
This breed is native to the Dalelands area as its name implies. Dales ponies are bred specifically for the farming communities of the Dales. They are able to navigate rough country under heavy weight, and their strength and surefootedness of the ponies lends them to farm work where larger horses are unsuitable. These hardy ponies are up to 14.2 hands in height, although they are frequently in the 12 to 13 hands spectrum. Their predominant color is black, other colors include brown, gray, bay and occasionally roan. Their hooves are of a hard blue horn, and well-shaped legs have the dense bone. Their action is straight and true, really using their knees and hocks for powerful drive. They have tremendous stamina, an iron constitution and great intelligence, all combined with a calm temperament. An abundant long mane of straight hair covers a muscular neck that is well laid onto sloping shoulders. The body is compact with strong loins and well-sprung ribs. Short, well-developed forearms are set into a broad chest. Under saddle they are steady and calm enough for children, but are better suited to adolescents or adults. In harness they will perform any task asked of them; dressage, plowing or carting. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:46:04
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Duquala
The Duquala is a relatively new breed of horse appearing in Maztica. Enterprising Amnian merchants have managed to breed a few of these magnificent horses on their plantations in Payit near Helmsport. The Duquala is well suited for the humidity of Maztica's jungles. The head is lean, and the facial profile is straight or slightly convex. The size of the head is medium in the female and moderately more developed around the jaw in the male. The profile is erect, the eyes full, expressive and lively. The muzzle is medium sized, firm and with movement. The excellent senses of the Duquala have enabled it and its rider to escape from ambush. The neck is wider at its base and much finer the closer to the head, which should form a striaght angle. The manes are abundant and beautiful. Adult horses stand 14.1 to 15.2 hands high in the female and 14.2 to 15.3 hands in the male. The coat is silky and all colors are permissible, but albinos are quite rare and frowned upon. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:49:13
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Everlundian Ranger Horse
This breed is maintained by horse traders in Everlund in the North. The breed is often sold to rangers traversing the Northern wilds. The Everlundian breed is very fickle and temperamental, which makes it uniquely suitable for the ever roaming rangers and wilderness scouts who keep track of the ever increasing goblinkin. The ranger horse has a high arched neck which ripples with hard muscle. Its body is also well muscled and thick around the midsection, enabling it to carry a fair size load of equipment. It is extremely hardy and its powerful legs enable it to reach speeds of almost 35 mph. The colors of the coat do not follow any breeding pattern, which lends more credence to the horse's fickle nature. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:50:28
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Fordskin
The Fordskin can be found throughout the Heartlands and North or Faerun. This is another horse that sees widespread use in daily life. The color of the Fordskin is varied and the more beautiful or rare the color the more superior the genetic heritage they possess. Fordskins have been long noted for their superior qualities and strength. They have more stamina, more determination, harder feet, better bone and are generally hardier than other horses. A Fordskin with weak or spavined legs is a rarity. "Tough as wet leather" is a good description of a Fordskin. |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 09:51:39
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Fell Pony
This breed sees heavy use as the mount of choice for Cormyr's mountain patrols, as well as a patrol horse into areas like the Stonelands and Goblin Marches. Its docile temperament makes it popular with riding and trekking stables, and is also a credible jumper and has the ability to trot for long distances at a steady speed. The fell pony requires less keep than most horses and ponies that are used by the Purple Dragons. Horse breeders near Tyrluk and Arabel turn out several hundred every year for the express use of the army. The Fell pony stands up to 14 hands in height and has a fairly long neck, which together with well laid back shoulders gives the rider a good length of rein. The quarters are muscular and powerful and good legs are one of the qualities of the breed. The hooves are hard and open with the characteristic blue horn, and the mane and tail are long and thick. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 11:20:58
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quote:
Originally posted by Mumadar Ibn Huzal
The original article is likely by Toby Mekelburg, and contains the following horse races of the Realms.
Where did the article originate? |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
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George Krashos
Master of Realmslore
Australia
6666 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 13:23:16
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On the Realm-L mailing list.
Didn't Eric Boyd and Tom Costa do a bunch of horses in their recent FR monster anthology?
-- George Krashos
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"Because only we, contrary to the barbarians, never count the enemy in battle." -- Aeschylus |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 14:01:08
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So, would this be considered completely "unofficial", or have the horse breed names been actually mentioned somewhere?
I don't recall them though, so I'm assuming they're "unofficial" as well.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
Edited by - The Sage on 03 May 2005 14:05:56 |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 03 May 2005 : 17:13:23
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| Well, there are enough FR authors on the board, and they could pick up reference left or right and voila the item becomes 'canon'. Alternatively Ed (via LHO) might still answer the question and provide 'canon' names for races... |
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The Blue Sorceress
Learned Scribe
107 Posts |
Posted - 06 May 2005 : 05:09:55
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
So, would this be considered completely "unofficial", or have the horse breed names been actually mentioned somewhere?
I don't recall them though, so I'm assuming they're "unofficial" as well.
It was on the "unofficial lore" part of the Candlekeep website, so that's what I figured too. I'll wait for Ed, I guess.
-Blue |
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
I see your walrus and raise you a carpenter |
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Thaingrim
Acolyte
12 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2005 : 10:54:29
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| does anyone know what the name of the horses bred by the Crinti (sp?) would be?? and what the stats would be ( or where to find them)? |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 May 2005 : 14:35:01
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I believe they were called Dambrath horses. I don't recall any stats for them ever being published though.
This article by Elaine Cunningham further explores the relationship between the Crinti and the horses of Dambrath.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 01:05:31
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| The one place that has a character kit for Dambrath says that they start the game with a light warhorse of maximum hit points, but no other information is given about them. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 01:45:38
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Because my curiosity demanded such attention, I scoured some of the older FR sourcebooks and found that the 2e Shining South tome has statistical information on the horses of Dambrath. It's what you're looking for Thaingrim.
They're detailed on pg. 41.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Hoondatha
Great Reader
USA
2449 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 04:33:19
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| Thanks Sage, I was too tired to scour Shining South. I thought Demihumans of the Realms might have had a description of the horses in their Dambraii Runaway kit as the horses are so integral to the realm, but I was mistaken. |
Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well. |
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The Blue Sorceress
Learned Scribe
107 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 06:12:19
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The Bestiary of the Realms does actually have some lovely horse information. You can get it off of Mr. Boyd's website. The information makes sense as far as I can tell.
Yay for ponies. The Cormyrian Destrier looks particularly nice. :)
-Blue |
Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.
I see your walrus and raise you a carpenter |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 11:39:05
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quote:
Originally posted by The Blue Sorceress
The Bestiary of the Realms does actually have some lovely horse information. You can get it off of Mr. Boyd's website. The information makes sense as far as I can tell.
Yay for ponies. The Cormyrian Destrier looks particularly nice. :)
-Blue
And, for a link:
The Realms Bestiary, Volume 1 by Eric L. Boyd and Thomas M. Costa |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 17 May 2005 : 17:41:01
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Now, here's hoping that we will see Volume 2 some day ...
Indeed. There's some really good stuff in the first volume... I've found use for the werecat (which has finally gotten into an official product), and I want to use the Alias Vessel template... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 18 May 2005 : 05:56:20
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I still haven't had the opportunity to use any of the material as yet...  .
As for the Alias vessel... What plans have you got for that?
I'm not sure yet... But I'm thinking of the Alias clone that's a Waterdhavian courtesan. I think what I'm going to do is make her the lady of one of the Lords in my Lords of Waterdeep project (the oft-mentioned project that's seen little real progress). |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2005 : 15:51:41
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Sorry to be late to the conversation.
Nice work Mumadar.
Regarding the horses in Bestiary of the Realms, thanks for the kind words. Most are unofficial and IIRC there is a reference to those that are official of which only the 4 from the Hordelands boxset were ever statted up, though a few, like the Dambrathan, were mentioned in official products.
Regarding Bestiary Vol. II, it's coming and will be 3.5E. Aiming for 101 monsters again, but will have far far fewer animals and more original monsters this time (20-25% I'm guessing). Happy to consider FR-related monster requests if you email me at THOMASC148@aol.com.
Thanks again for the compliments. (I had fun working up the Alias vessel, so I'm glad you've liked it too.) |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2005 : 17:18:03
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quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
Thanks again for the compliments. (I had fun working up the Alias vessel, so I'm glad you've liked it too.)
It's a good template, and it tracks nicely with both the original published stats of Alias and the flavor in the novels. 
So, about Volume 2... Can you give us a hint of what we can expect for it, critter-wise?  |
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Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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TomCosta
Forgotten Realms Designer
USA
971 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2005 : 17:46:38
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When I get home I'll see about posting a tentative list of what I've got so far....
BTW, if I had to go back I'd probably give the Alias vessel a +3 ECL -- bardic knowledge, region, skill, and feat bonuses counting as +1, misdirection as +.5 (since despite its power, you can't turn it off and has limited utility), and abilities as +1.5 (which are significantly better than the standard adventurer's array, but are less so when you consider most characters' abilities, powers, etc only really use 2 or 3 ability scores with any frequency). I didn't have a strong understanding of ECL back then when it first came out. That said, I could see arguing for even higher... |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36804 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2005 : 18:19:19
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quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
When I get home I'll see about posting a tentative list of what I've got so far....
Coo! Thank you!
quote:
Originally posted by TomCosta
BTW, if I had to go back I'd probably give the Alias vessel a +3 ECL -- bardic knowledge, region, skill, and feat bonuses counting as +1, misdirection as +.5 (since despite its power, you can't turn it off and has limited utility), and abilities as +1.5 (which are significantly better than the standard adventurer's array, but are less so when you consider most characters' abilities, powers, etc only really use 2 or 3 ability scores with any frequency). I didn't have a strong understanding of ECL back then when it first came out. That said, I could see arguing for even higher...
Yeah, I could see that. It is kinda powerful... |
Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
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I am the Giant Space Hamster of Ill Omen! |
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Thelonius
Senior Scribe
Spain
730 Posts |
Posted - 20 May 2005 : 19:27:58
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Cat Wyvernspur is one of the Alias vessels!!? Now i must go to sleep, mi head is starting to ache.   |
"If you are to truly understand, then you will need the contrast, not adherence to a single ideal." - Kreia
"I THINK I JUST HAD ANOTHER NEAR-RINCEWIND EXPERIENCE"- Discworld's Death frustrated after Rincewind scapes his grasp... again.
"I am death, come for thee" - Nimbul, from Baldur's Gate I just before being badly spanked
Sapientia sola libertas est |
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Horsebreeds of the Realms
