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Many of these horses are descendants of police and racing horses left abandoned from the fall of humankind, however, sprinklings of genes introduced from released horses, runaways, or even other wild or feral horses have been able to make their way in over the many years since. Many of the older individuals of these herds have either seen or dealt with Luperci, and have passed on their knowledge to their offspring. These groups may yield, at max, only 1-3 foals per year in the spring. However, not all foals or yearlings make it to adulthood.

• General Notes:
  • Typically noted for being swift-footed and sturdy in build
  • Wary of/alert to the presence of Luperci, but not necessarily aggressive towards them. Lupus-form canines, however, may frighten them or cause aggression
  • Usually lithe and athletic; some may even look sleek from their racehorse heritage
  • Have thicker coats than usual, owing to the cool climate of the Wildwood

These are the largest groups in the Wildwood, and the ones that are the most likely to actually be found by passing Luperci, as they claim the largest stretches of territory.

2.1  Coast Herd

• Territory Range: Hugs the eastern-most shoreline of the Wildwoods before dabbling deeper onto the island itself. Much of this territory is claimed by rocky beaches and sea cliffs near the water's edge. The land inland is relatively flat, and is populated by sparse trees and grassland.
• Population: 10 - 15 individuals
• Description:
  Horses of the Coast herd tend to be more brazen and curious than the rest, and are a solid medium size with an average build (likely police-horse bloodlines).

2.2  Glen Herd

• Territory Range: Hugs the western-most shoreline of the Wildwoods. Glen's territory is comprised of rolling hills and wide, sweeping grasslands. As one draws closer to the eastern edge of this herd's land, the ground becomes more rugged, and thick forests congregate.
• Population: 10 - 15 individuals
• Description:
  Horses of the Glen herd tend to be larger in build with hints of draft/draught ancestry, but are, in general, an equally mixed herd.

2.3  Mire Herd

• Territory Range: Hugs much of the north and northeastern portion of the Wildwoods. To the south, this herd's land is swampy and muddy, and densely populated with vegetation. As one creeps north, however, the marshes give way to pleasant and plentiful forests.
• Population: 7 - 15 individuals
• Description:
  Horses of the Mire herd tend to be flighty and vigilant and are tailored to their environment with slighter builds (hints of racing bloodlines) and powerful legs and feet.

Significantly smaller than the three main herds, these bands are often hard to find or stumble across unless one is actively looking for them or happens to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

3.1  Thicket Band

• Territory: These individuals lay claim to the southwestern-most portions of the Wildwoods, and are the band that are the most likely to be found. This band's territory is made of low brush and sparse trees.
• Population: 3 - 9 individuals
• Description:
  Horses of the Thicket herd are an even mix of police and racing bloodlines, and are average in build.

3.2  Gelid Band

• Territory: Individuals of this band may be found in the northern-most portions of the Wildwood, and may even venture further north towards the mainland on occasion. Their home to dense northern forests and chilly weather.
• Population: 3 - 9 individuals
• Description:
  Horses of Gelid have dense coats and show strong signs of their once racing ancestry.

3.3  Roamers Band

• Territory: This band is a bachelor group (stallions-only). They are the most elusive of the bands due to the group constantly moving throughout the Wildwoods and even venturing out into the island or closer towards the mainland. They have the widest range of territory, however, they lay claim to none of it. Individuals from this band interact and mingle with the other Wildwood herds and bands, and its members are often exchanged between them.
• Population: 3 - 9 individuals
• Description:
  The Roamers have the most diverse mix of genes due to its membership constantly fluctuating as members come and go between the other bands and herds, or even wander into or leave the Wildwoods altogether.

Historical "Herds" Map (2016)

As mankind began to die off, many working and hobby animals and pets were either set free or otherwise left to fend for themselves. The horse of the Wildwoods were no different in their ancient beginnings. The original Wildwood horses were all descendants of those used for police work and racing, and, left to their own devices, were allowed breed indiscriminately in the fall of humankind. Natural selection rewarded the best-fit genes for the environment these horses came to call home, allowing for those that remained to be a hardy and athletic breed. These horses grew in number as the years went by, forming bands that came and went, and eventually allowing some to grow larger still as they remained, as a whole, unbothered by their fortunate lack of many large predators or sparse interactions with Luperci — unlike their more mainland cousins.

It wasn't until 2014 — when they were first discovered by Midnight Shores — that many of these horses saw their first, true interactions with Luperci on a more-or-less frequent basis. The pack mostly left the horses alone until Midnight Shores' leadership decided to do a joint round-up event with their neighbors, Sapient, in May 2016 in an effort to both obtain horses and to create a firmer bond with the pack that had helped them during their foundation. With the round-up, six groups were officially named; the larger of them were the Coast Herd, the Glen Herd, and the Mire Herd, while the much smaller groups were called the Gelid Herd, the Rise Herd, and the Thicket Herd. Wanting to safeguard this new resource, Midnight Shores and Sapient agreed to share "ownership" of the horse herds. The Midnighters, being closer, would monitor the groups and be a more readily-available defender from would-be poachers. Meanwhile, Sapiens would be more vigilant of troublemakers that might pass by through the mainland, and would come to the Midnighters' defense of the horses when needed. This agreement was short-lived, however, due to Midnight Shores disbanding in December 2016. Sapient continued their vigilance, however, remained less involved with the horses as the years went by. When the Sapient itself fell apart in the summer of 2018, the horses were left, once more, without regular Luperci interactions.

Due to the ever-wavering instability of the smaller bands' membership, the smallest of the bands, the Rise Herd, was dispersed in winter of 2020. A bachelor herd — later referred to as the Roamers — came to firmly find its foothold in the Wildwoods in late spring 2022.

1. Round 'em up (15 May 2016)
   With the aid of Faizel and Leonardo, Skana helps capture one of the horses of the Coast herd.
2. Some Test You, Some Teach You (16 May 2016)
   With the aid of Shaamah and Tierney, Skana helps capture one of the horses of the Glen herd.
3. And after all this time, my time has come (18 May 2016)
   Skana helps capture one of the horses of the Mire herd with Sybil and Faizel.
4. I'll keep on making those new mistakes (May 2016)
   Miwa and Faizel work to capture some horses.
5. (RO) The Horses On the Coast (Jul 2019)
   Having heard of the Wildwood herds, Shale goes to see if she can find them, and watches them respectfully from afar.
6. (RO) On To The Next Big Thing (Aug 2019)
   Sedona learns about the Wildwood horses from ex-Midnighter, Felix, and goes to see them for herself.
7. (RO) I was too afraid of the fall (Jan 2021)
   In a 2-week long scouting expedition, Kamari and Velimir discover the Wildwood horses, and are making their way back to Salsola when they take a brief break.