Post by Tami on Nov 18, 2006 11:39:00 GMT -5
Faerie Steeds From the book of willows
Some of the first European changelings who arrived in the new world brought with them magnificent and graceful horses who bore the manifestations of enchantment within them. These faerie steeds prospered in the Glamour rich atmosphere of Colonial America. In kentucky, Virginia, and several other regions of the South, landed commoners who specialized in breeding horses also worked to preserve the faeroe bloodlines of their enchanted mounts. Freeholds within the plantations and farms of these horse breeders allowed access to the Dreaming.
When sidhe burst through the mists via the newly opened portals, many rode through the gates mounted on Arcadian steeds. Some of the elegant and ethereal horses died immediately upon contact with Banality, their faerie natures unable to withstand the cold soulless reality that confronted them as they entered the mortal world. Others managed to mimic the actions of their fae riders, instinctively achieving the same kind of transferences as their masters by implanting their faerie essences into the bodies of mortal horses. These Arcadian steeds, while capable of breeding with commoner steeds, comprise a 'bloodline' in and of themselves.
Faerie horses can be bred to prodice other faerie horses, probably because their spirits, unlike the sidhe, are not as highly individualized or particular. Faerie blood - that is, descended from one of the long-time commoner steeds or the newer Arcadian 'breed' - is all that is required to pass along the faerie 'gene.' Usually only one parent needs to have the faerie blood; if both sire and dam are faerie steeds, the resulting horse exhibits exceptional or above-average traits, but is also more sensitive to Banality.
Normal faerie steeds (with one non-fae parent) can withstand the mortal world sufficiently to compete in horseraces, dressage meets and other competitions. Commoner steeds are a little hardier then their Arcadian counterparts (who suffer from the same increased sensitivity to Banality as sidhe). Nevertheless, Arcadian steeds are able to participate in many activities alongside normal horses.
Doubel-blooded fae steeds, however, have problems racing or hunting outside areas charged with Glamour. Their activities (and most of their existence) are confined to freeholds and other enchanted lands. This is, perhaps, fortunate because they're so much faster, stronger, and 'finer' than their mortal cousins that their presence in a race or horseshow against non-faerie horses would undoubtedlt result in the unmaking of their true essence. despite the time they spend in freeholds, faerie steeds do not contract Bedlam, as their animal natures make them immune to it.
Faerie mounts can be bred with different breeds of horses to prodice variations such as steeplechasers, pacers, quarter horses, and draft animals. Arcadian steeds most often combine with Arabians, Paso Finos, Tennessee Walkers, and other horses known for their fine confirmations and elegant gaits. Breeders of faerie steeds used for races try to alternate commoner and Arcadian bloodlines when infusing faerie blood into their Thoroughbred and Standardbred lines.
Image: Always large and beautiful, faerie steeds appear in the mortal world as particularly sleek and healthy specimens on their respective breeds. They evince a variety of colors, just as their mortal counterparts do. To faerie sight, these steeds all appear to glow somewhat, as if lit from within or from a glimmering much like glitter that sparkles on their coat and manes.
Attributes: STR-6, DEX-3. STAM-5, APR-4, PER-3, INT-2, WITS-2
Abilities: Alertness-3, Athletics-3, Brawl-3, Dodge-2, Empathy-1, Intimidation-2, Kenning-2
Attack: Trample or kick-5 dice, bite-3 dice
Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated
Glamour-5, Banality-3, Willpower-4
Special Powers: Faerie steeds can enter the Dreaming along trods. They are capable of following a Silver Path so long as it remains visible, and can even leave the path without becoming lost if the area they enter equates to a homestead or freehold. Thus, they are able to race while within the Dreaming as easily as they enter it.
Some of the first European changelings who arrived in the new world brought with them magnificent and graceful horses who bore the manifestations of enchantment within them. These faerie steeds prospered in the Glamour rich atmosphere of Colonial America. In kentucky, Virginia, and several other regions of the South, landed commoners who specialized in breeding horses also worked to preserve the faeroe bloodlines of their enchanted mounts. Freeholds within the plantations and farms of these horse breeders allowed access to the Dreaming.
When sidhe burst through the mists via the newly opened portals, many rode through the gates mounted on Arcadian steeds. Some of the elegant and ethereal horses died immediately upon contact with Banality, their faerie natures unable to withstand the cold soulless reality that confronted them as they entered the mortal world. Others managed to mimic the actions of their fae riders, instinctively achieving the same kind of transferences as their masters by implanting their faerie essences into the bodies of mortal horses. These Arcadian steeds, while capable of breeding with commoner steeds, comprise a 'bloodline' in and of themselves.
Faerie horses can be bred to prodice other faerie horses, probably because their spirits, unlike the sidhe, are not as highly individualized or particular. Faerie blood - that is, descended from one of the long-time commoner steeds or the newer Arcadian 'breed' - is all that is required to pass along the faerie 'gene.' Usually only one parent needs to have the faerie blood; if both sire and dam are faerie steeds, the resulting horse exhibits exceptional or above-average traits, but is also more sensitive to Banality.
Normal faerie steeds (with one non-fae parent) can withstand the mortal world sufficiently to compete in horseraces, dressage meets and other competitions. Commoner steeds are a little hardier then their Arcadian counterparts (who suffer from the same increased sensitivity to Banality as sidhe). Nevertheless, Arcadian steeds are able to participate in many activities alongside normal horses.
Doubel-blooded fae steeds, however, have problems racing or hunting outside areas charged with Glamour. Their activities (and most of their existence) are confined to freeholds and other enchanted lands. This is, perhaps, fortunate because they're so much faster, stronger, and 'finer' than their mortal cousins that their presence in a race or horseshow against non-faerie horses would undoubtedlt result in the unmaking of their true essence. despite the time they spend in freeholds, faerie steeds do not contract Bedlam, as their animal natures make them immune to it.
Faerie mounts can be bred with different breeds of horses to prodice variations such as steeplechasers, pacers, quarter horses, and draft animals. Arcadian steeds most often combine with Arabians, Paso Finos, Tennessee Walkers, and other horses known for their fine confirmations and elegant gaits. Breeders of faerie steeds used for races try to alternate commoner and Arcadian bloodlines when infusing faerie blood into their Thoroughbred and Standardbred lines.
Image: Always large and beautiful, faerie steeds appear in the mortal world as particularly sleek and healthy specimens on their respective breeds. They evince a variety of colors, just as their mortal counterparts do. To faerie sight, these steeds all appear to glow somewhat, as if lit from within or from a glimmering much like glitter that sparkles on their coat and manes.
Attributes: STR-6, DEX-3. STAM-5, APR-4, PER-3, INT-2, WITS-2
Abilities: Alertness-3, Athletics-3, Brawl-3, Dodge-2, Empathy-1, Intimidation-2, Kenning-2
Attack: Trample or kick-5 dice, bite-3 dice
Health Levels: OK, OK, -1, -1, -2, -2, -5, Incapacitated
Glamour-5, Banality-3, Willpower-4
Special Powers: Faerie steeds can enter the Dreaming along trods. They are capable of following a Silver Path so long as it remains visible, and can even leave the path without becoming lost if the area they enter equates to a homestead or freehold. Thus, they are able to race while within the Dreaming as easily as they enter it.