Drifter Bay Horse Herd
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Introduction
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Salsola and Inferni established this semi-wild herd of horses in 'Souls, following the Boreas Conflict in 2012. These groups oversaw and protected the herds from poachers and predators until the Inferni-Salsola War. Following the war's conclusion, Salsola assumed sole control of the animals as part of Inferni's terms of surrender. When the coyote clan crossed the Halcyon Mountain, they "poached" several of the horses in order to start their own herd. The horses live, largely, without the influence of Luperci. Due to many having experience with them, however, they are skittish and will not linger when Luperci are present. These animals are wild horses, and ones without the protection or oversight of any pack or group, the Bay Horses can be captured by any Luperci bold and experienced enough to do so. As with any wild horse, this process can (and should) be difficult. Cooperation between individuals is paramount to success. Larger round-up type events are likely to attract the attention of Salsola, whose members have been known to attempt to ward off potential poachers and predators. The pack occasionally captures horses from among the herds. If you're looking for encounters with Salsola characters who may be in the area, Thread Requests & Plotting would be a good place to start. If your character intends to capture one of the wild horses listed below, please be sure to edit the Wiki page to include relevant threads and reflect any changes to the bands. If you have direct questions about this process, or want to confirm that your plot follows realism guidelines, contact the 'Souls Assemblage. |
Credit: pxhere.com |
1. The Bay Horses
Most of the origin for these horses came from mustang-types that originated from American southwest; smaller in size but extremely hardy. A few larger draft crosses were present in the original herds, but no horse is of purebred origin. They are all grade horses (a horse whose parentage is unknown, unidentifiable, or of significantly mixed breeding) as with most creatures that were formerly selectively bred by humanity.
Additionally, as the starting stock of the Bay Horses was of variant breeds, there is a great deal of variation between one individual and the next. There is also no selectivity in wild horses allowed to join the herds. Therefore, the Bay horses are essentially being allowed to develop as they would, forming a "landrace" of horses most suitable to the Maritime provinces. Some of the older horses (ie; those born before 2017) are branded.
Nonetheless, some dominant features are present throughout some members of the herd, and may later' become omnipresent in future progeny:
- Average size of 13.2–16 hands (54–64 in / 137–162 cm) in height, 700 to 1000 lb (320 - 453 kg) in weight. Some bands are typically larger than others.
- Stocky, muscular, and athletic -- generally with a "rugged" sort of look.
- Small, refined heads.
- Thick coat, long manes and tails. Can be differentiated from most of the other typical wild horses in 'Souls by this feature -- their long hair is very thick and silky.
Over time the horses in this locality, without firm intervention and influence from Luperci, have developed landrace traits suited for extreme climates and open space traversal: long legs and round nostrils suited for a highly mobile lifestyle, sturdy and balanced frames with muscular shoulders and flanks, and coats which grow in thick come winter only to blow out sleek come summer. 1
2. Bands
The herd is made up of three primary bands, each occupying a piece of territory between Salsola and as far east as The Waste stetching north to Halcyon. Some horses will wander away from the established herds and bands of the Bay, like in the case of a handful of young horses branching away and joining the Rolling Hills' horse band populace. As of 2022, the original Ghost band dissolved after a decline in population and ultimate dispersal after seismic activity scattered the remaining animals - however, after Salsola's 2023 round-up of populations of the existing herds, upheaval resulted in the reformation of the band as individuals splintered.
A fourth "bachelor herd" (or a series of small bachelor bands with loose social structures) will sometimes emerge when older colts are forced from their places of origin. This does not usually last: these animals either leave the area or are captured by poachers. In rare instances, predators cull their numbers.
2.1 Ash Band
Range
These horses range through the flatlands of Drifter Bay and are frequently seen around the Sunflower Sunsets area. |
Population Changes
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About
|
Likely Foal Yield |
Base Coats |
Bay (Common), Chestnut (Uncommon), Black (Uncommon) |
Markings and Modifiers |
Modifiers: Single Cream Dilute (Common), Silver Dilute (Uncommon), Flaxen (Uncommon)
|
Stallion |
Birth Year: 2018
|
Observable Personality: Equally smart and strong. A very capable defender. He's adventurous, decisive, and incredibly high-spirited, lending to his rather indomitable stature. |
Origin: Ghost (original) band. Took control of the Ash herd in Spring 2021. |
Mares |
Birth Year: 2013
|
Lead Mare
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Origin: Introduced after the foal round-up in Spring 2014. Assumed control via seniority. Offspring
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Nickname: "Wrench"
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Observable Personality: Capable, sure-footed, and crafty. She's highly mobile and energetic, and slippery as a result. While not particularly confrontational, she does not tolerate being 'boxed in' or stressed, and is quick to kick. |
Origin: Ghost (original) band. Dispersed upon the band's splintering during seismic activity in 2022, and joined up with the Ash band. Offspring
|
Birth Year: 2015
|
Observable Personality: This mare is intuitive, and keenly intelligent. Perpetually alert, she's generally the first to take note of potential threats - making her an exceptional lookout for the herd. |
Origin: Ash band Offspring
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Birth Year: 2018
|
Observable Personality: Protective and mildly aggressive if provoked. Generally, this mare has a more relaxed and patient demeanor, especially with younger horses. She is far from a pushover, though. |
Origin: Ash band Offspring
|
Yearlings and Foals |
Colt
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Observable Personality: -- |
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Filly
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Observable Personality: -- |
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2.2 Smoke Band
Range
Most commonly be seen on the easternmost edge of Drifter Bay and more frequently, The Waste. Their lead mare sometimes leads them close to the mountains and the fertile grazing along the foothills of the Halcyon Mountain peaks, after learning to do so from the band's past stallion. |
Population Changes
|
About
|
Likely Foal Yield |
Base Coats |
Bay (Common), Chestnut (Rare), Black (Rare) |
Markings and Modifiers |
Modifiers: Single Cream Dilute (Uncommon), Gray (Uncommon)
|
Stallion |
Birth Year: 2019
|
Observable Personality: Sharp-minded, intelligent, and unshakably confident. This stallion can be daunting, especially given just how deeply protective and territorial he can be. Has a tendency to charge threats and pins his ears when presented with confrontation. |
Origin: Smoke band. Was driven out upon maturation, though returned and seized control of the band in 2022. |
Mares |
Birth Year: 2007
|
Lead Mare
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Origin: Unknown. Has presumably lead the band since its foundation. Offspring
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Birth Year: 2007
|
Observable Personality: Athletic and driven, this mare has not been slowed over the years and is amongst the fastest of the group. Somewhat hot-headed. Has a tendency to alert others with stilted, almost irritable sounding snorts. |
Origin: Released into the area, and joined up with the band in 2012. Offspring
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Birth Year: 2014
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Observable Personality: Aggressive. Mean. This mare likes her space, and actively drives other horses from it, much less threats; not content merely to kick offenders, this unflappable horse prefers to bite, and does so readily with minimal provocation. |
Origin: Smoke band Offspring
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Birth Year: 2014
|
Observable Personality: Affable and spirited, this lively mare has a mischievous streak and a deep font of energy to draw from. She can prove flighty and nervous around sudden movement, and her legs are capable of delivering swift and powerful kicks, both in playful jest as she throws up her heels, or when lashing out in self defense. |
Origin: Smoke band Offspring
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Birth Year: 2020
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Observable Personality: Curious, and somewhat bold. This plucky mare readily approaches objects - or other horses - of interest with little hesitation, and can prove pugnacious at times. |
Origin: Ash band. Dispersed during seismic activity in 2022, and joined up with the Smoke band. Offspring
|
Yearlings and Foals |
Filly
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Observable Personality: Seems particularly fond of wild marijuana... |
|
Filly
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Observable Personality: -- |
|
2.3 Ghost Band
Range
Highly mobile, and exceptionally evasive. These horses roam the open flats of Drifter Bay in warm, summer months, though spend much of their time retreating within the terrain of the Halcyon mountain range which makes tracking them difficult. Rarely, they venture westward towards the edges of the Pictou River, though they never linger there long. |
Population Changes
|
About
|
Likely Foal Yield |
Base Coats |
Bay (Common), Chestnut (Uncommon), Black (Uncommon) |
Markings and Modifiers |
Modifiers: Single Cream Dilute (Common), Champagne Dilute (Common), Double Cream Dilute (Rare)
|
Stallion |
Birth Year: 2020
|
Observable Personality: Brave and undeniably defiant. He possesses an air of challenging calm, and is unflinchingly defensive. While seemingly patient, he is not impervious to provocation, and once perturbed enough will doggedly pursue agitators. |
Origin: Ash band. Chased out on maturation. Took advantage of local population upheaval in the wake of roundups, and poached several mares, thus seizing control of the re-formed Ghost band in 2023. |
Mares |
Birth Year: 2018
|
Lead Mare
|
Origin: Smoke band. Dispersed during seismic activity in 2022, and joined up with the Ash band, only to disperse and form up with the Ghost band in 2023 in the wake of roundups. Assumed control via seniority. Offspring
|
Birth Year: 2020
|
Observable Personality: Playful! But, unfortunately, something of a nuisance - her high energy and drive make her a perpetual motion machine, and belies an undercurrent of a potentially hot-headed personality. |
Origin: Dispersal from the original Ghost band during seismic activity in 2022. She joined up with the Ash band, only to break away and and rejoin the Ghost band in 2023 in the wake of roundups. Offspring
|
Birth Year: 2020
|
Observable Personality: Asocial and standoffish, this mare tends to stick to the outer edges of the group and possesses an uncertain air about her. Her subdued behavior makes her unpredictable - while she isn't dominant, she is not particularly keen on being approached by herd members or otherwise. |
Origin: Dispersal from the original Ghost band during seismic activity in 2022. She joined up with the Smoke band, only to break away and and rejoin the Ghost band in 2023 in the wake of roundups. Offspring
|
Birth Year: 2021
|
Observable Personality: High-spirited, driven, if unfortunately cranky. Seemingly self-reliant, this mare's lionhearted and at times obdurate mannerisms mark her as a boisterous addition to the herd. Maybe something of a loose cannon. |
Origin: Smoke band. Dispersed and formed up with the Ghost band in 2023 in the wake of roundups. Offspring
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Yearlings and Foals |
Colt
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Observable Personality: -- |
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Filly
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Observable Personality: -- |
|
3. Other Horses
Some horses, especially young stallions, are often chased away from their herd as they age. Though these horses frequently end up traveling together, this is not always the case. Over time, these horses may eventually splinter off and leave the Bay herd territories altogether.
Bachelors |
Birth Year: 2021
|
Observable Personality: A deceptively quiet troublemaker. He's nosy, curious, and nippy, and regularly antagonizes other stallions to engage them in chase, often to his own detriment within the intricacies of social standing with other bachelors. Sociable, but regularly finds himself pushed to the fringes of groups. |
Origin: Ash band. Chased out on maturation. |
4. History
4.1 Formation
The Boreas Conflict occurred, pitting Salsola and Inferni against a group of anti-coyote wolves. After some months of struggle, the packs were able to vanquish their attackers, leaving them free to loot the spoils. As the Boreas wolves had many equines of good stock, Salsola and Inferni's leadership (Ezekiel de le Poer and Sirius Revlis) came to an agreement regarding the horses. Some would be taken by each pack as spoils, and the rest would be released to roam between their two pack territories, over the Drifter Bay. The pact included provisions for the horses' future care and protection, design and application of the brand, and the later recapture of horses by both packs.
This agreement was kept in place by their predacessors, as Inferni's Myrika Tears and Salsola's Salvia Eternity further cemented their trade agreement. The horses thrived, but did not reproduce to the extent expected and so after a sucessful first roundup the groups never reorganized another. They continued to oversee the horses.
During the Second Boreas Conflict, a number of horses were captured and consumed.
Disagreements over rights to these animals occured, and would become one of the catalysts that drove the Inferni-Salsola War forward. Though largely unaffected by the conflict, in the immediate aftermath members of Inferni, under the new leadership of Vicira Tears, captured many of the horses from the Smoke Band.
4.2 Threads
Please remember to add any interactions your characters have with this herd here using the following template:
# '''[[Thread:00000|Title]]''' ''[-(Date)-]'' — Brief summary of the thread with [[Characters/Character]] (and [[NPCs/NPC]] ''[-(xNPC)-]'') names included. |
2012 |
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2013 |
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2021 |
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2023 |
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5. Footnotes
1 See the Sable Island horse and the Kiger Mustang for influences and examples of feral horses which share similar physical builds. ⇑