Author: Rebecca M. Horner

A spinner of yarns (of the story sort, though I do crochet...and sew, and learning to make armor...)
Pet Spotlight: Cats

Pet Spotlight: Cats

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

If we have dogs, of course we have to have cats. It’d be the end of the world otherwise. Of course, sometimes cats tend to pick the girl rather than the girl picking the cat, but that makes them a bit like the Astranar Wild Horse, doesn’t it? They fit inside of your saddlebag, but also can be carried or walk alongside you. Cats are available in every district, and they aren’t a pet you can tame so you’ll have to pay the adoption fees for one. (Stray cats become station cat conductors!)

Tabby Cat

Much like with our dogs, we’ve created a “starter” list that we’ll open the game with of different cat varieties, including both long hair and short hair. Other colors and specific breeds will be available through updates, but there’s a catch. Most of the “flat” faced cats won’t be available unless there’s a more humane option, since we are aiming to promote healthy animals over breed specifics with breathing problems. (Becca already has to freak out over her 1-year old rescue kitten since his nose is just flat enough to concern her.)

Orange Tabby

The initial grouping hopefully leaves something for everyone. We had a starting grouping of colors, from blonde to red to brown to black and mixes of different colors, with each breed having one of these colors or patterns to start with. Long or short hair, the patterns will initially be the same regardless, though of course, with further updates, we can change it up. Personality wise, there are always shy cats, adventurous cats, witchy cats (and I don’t mean the hat, just the personality), and many others who will be happy to sit in your saddle bag and purr as you go along.

White Cate

Whichever cat you end up adopting, they will see you as the center of their world…or at least, the one who opens the cans of food, which is basically the same thing. Will you bring one home, or will you hold out for some of our…less conventional…pets that are upcoming?

Pet Spotlight: Dogs

Pet Spotlight: Dogs

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Our first pet post has to be about man’s best friend. Or rather, in this case, girl’s best friend. These friendly balls of energy and fur are all smaller breeds, convenient to keep in your dorm rooms, your saddle bags, and to follow you along on foot. Dogs are available in every district, and they aren’t a pet you can tame so you’ll have to pay the adoption fees for one.

two-scottish-terriers-sitting-together

So what kinds of dogs will you have to pick from? Well, all kinds, but we’ve created a “starter” list that we’ll open the game with, and different coat colors and breeds will come along as part of an update schedule. They will always be of a small or toy breed though–we want you to be able to carry your friend with you in your second saddlebag, after all. Though there will be puzzles that you can train your pet to help you solve as they can get to places that you can’t. But for them, it’s just fun!

prance-8

The initial grouping hopefully leaves something for everyone. There are tough-looking dogs (that we all know just want to lick our faces), frilly dogs with lots of curls, silly dogs that just want to run and play, and no real nationality gets favoritism. (Except maybe Corgis because we are biased.) We had a starting grouping of colors, from blonde to red to brown to black and mixes of different colors, with each breed having one of these colors or patterns to start with.

American-Cocker-Spaniel-Photo

Whatever your speed, these pups will be with you the whole way. Whoever you take home is a best friend for life. Of course, hopefully your horse agrees and doesn’t get jealous! (You never know, they get so fussy…)

Breed Spotlight: Persano

Breed Spotlight: Persano

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Persano

Another cousin to the Andalusians and Arabians, the Persano is a tricky horse to find information on! This Italian horse is considered critical in terms of how many are still in existence, which helps that make at least a little sense. (The rest is pure laziness by people going, “It’s effectively an Anglo-Arabian.”) This is an extra breed, so you will have to pay real-world funds in order to add it to your stable.

Because most compare it to the Anglo-Arabian, that’s the best knowledge we have for build. The bases of the breed were Andalusians, Arabians, Turkomans, and Mecklenburgers, which makes the Akhal-Teke another (though distant) cousin. They would be described as a less refined version of an Arabian, with a less dishy-look to the face. They would also be a bit taller, since most Anglo-Arabians are English Thoroughbred crosses. A cavalry horse even to this day, the Persano is noted as one of the few breeds able to survive the conditions of the Russian steppe, suggesting the breed is touch and capable of handling different climates.

Persano 2

The Persano was the primary mount used for the last successful cavalry charge in history, between Italy and Russia in 1942. After the second world war, only fifty horses remained within the government, though others remained with private owners. They are still utilized as cavalry horses within Italy, and an association is maintained for the breed. Its military history makes it well suited for the dressage ring while the breed’s endurance means it can handle the differing climates of Emerald with ease.

Persano 1

Breed Characteristics:
Persano are found in limited solid colors, such as bay, grey, chestnut (red coat with red mane), black, brown, and sorrel (red coat with blonde mane, again for our purposes, see above). No markings are prohibited.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    3                                              Discipline:        4
Endurance:         4                                               Agility:              3
Strength:             3

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Next week, we’ll take a small break from horse breeds and focus on our other furry friends. (Well, sometimes furry, some have feathers, you get the gist.)

Breed Spotlight: Paso Fino

Breed Spotlight: Paso Fino

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Paso Fino

A cousin to the Andalusians we talked about last week, the Paso Fino is a horse with two strains, one from Puerto Rico and the other from Columbia. While independently developed, both strains tend to be put together under the same umbrella as “Paso Fino” and many organizations register both, including on Astranar. This is an extra breed, so you will have to pay real-world funds in order to add it to your stable.

Paso Fino were bred by Spanish land owners to use on their plantations, using horses brought over from Spain (including Andalusians, Barbs, and jennets), and share their heritage with numerous other horses, including the American mustang. They are powerful for their size, but don’t have a consistent body type among them. The Puerto Rico line is said to have short backs with prominent withers and clean legs, at least. They are described as “lively,” with a natural eagerness to work and work with their rider.

Paso 1

The Paso Fino was bred for their endurance and the comfort of their rider. Therefore, it isn’t a surprise to horse experts that this is an ambling horse, not a traditional trotting horse. Ambling gaits are lateral movement, which gives a much smoother ride for the rider instead of the bounce of the trot or rocking of a canter. They are one of the few remaining horse breeds who naturally walk that way, and in fact many breeders actively seek out those who transition between the gaits even if they have other, less desirable characteristics. While normally an endurance horse wouldn’t fit in among the dressage horses of Emerald, the ambling gaits give the Paso Fino the edge it needs to carve out its place in the show-circle.

Paso 2

Breed Characteristics:
Paso Fino are found in all solid colors, such as bay, grey, chestnut (red coat with red mane), palomino, black, buckskin, and sorrel (red coat with blonde mane, again for our purposes, see above). No markings are prohibited. There is also a rare eye color that is only available in the Paso Fino, called tiger’s eye, where the eye appears amber, yellow, or orange.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    3                                              Discipline:        3
Endurance:         4                                               Agility:              3
Strength:             4

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: Andalusian

Breed Spotlight: Andalusian

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Andalusian

Living in the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, the Andalusian has been used as a war horse, a stock horse, for dressage, and as a gift to nobility for diplomatic purposes–for a time, all kings rode Spanish horses. When the breed became available for export in the 1960’s and the breed was in dire straights from disease and cross breeding, Astranar was eager to swoop in and gain their own book. This is an extra breed, so you will have to pay real-world funds in order to add it to your stable.

Andalusians can be traced to cave paintings from 20,000 to 30,000 BCE, though all modern Andalusians trace their lines back to a small group bred by religious orders in the 18th and 19th centuries. They are known as being intelligent, sensitive horses. The bodies are described as elegantly and strongly built, with long and broad necks and massive chests. They have short backs, and strong, broad hindquarters, with clean legs (excessive feathering is frowned upon). A study has shown that this breed overtracks less and has highly flexible joints, which make contribute to how excellent they are at dressage. When treated with respect, they are eager to learn and cooperative.

Andy 2

While originally bred for stock work and war, including having heavier set horses introduced into the bloodline for this purpose, the modern Andalusian is used primarily for dressage and show jumping. Arabian and other warmbloods were added back to the bloodline to balance out the heavier horses. They have a few subtypes, but most aren’t regarded as separate breeds, so the Andalusian remains “the Horse of Kings.” Because of their regal bearing and flashy stepping style, they are commonly used in the film industry. There isn’t much about the Emerald District that reminds the Andalusian of home, but with dressage being their featured race, they are still set to succeed.

Andy 1

Breed Characteristics:
Andalusians are most commonly found in grey and bay. Other solid colors are possible, such as chestnut (red coat with red mane), palomino, black, buckskin and sorrel (red coat with blonde mane, again for our purposes, see above).

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    3                                              Discipline:        5
Endurance:         3                                               Agility:              3
Strength:             3

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: New Forest Pony

Breed Spotlight: New Forest Pony

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

New Forest Pony

Another quasi-feral breed (it’s complicated), the New Forest Pony is far more regulated than its prior two contemporaries. Only purebloods can be added to the registry anymore, so Astranar is quite lucky to be able to start their own breed book. As a pony, the New Forest pony is one of the options for a pony-mount the player will need to complete the game and will be given a quest line for funds. Unfortunately, that isn’t in the same district as this pony resides. Maybe you can arrange your play-order of districts to help you pick it for your own pony friend?

This pony dates all the way back to the Ice Age! It is indigenous to the New Forest in southern England, where it continues to thrive to this day. They are amusingly enough described as being workman-like in their composition by the registry. They have a sloping shoulder, powerful hindquarters, and straight legs that end in rounded hooves. Their gates can be described as “free,” without being too over-exaggerated, so no dramatics here. They are usually intelligent, agile workers known for their sure-footed steps and speed.

New Forest 1

Despite being quite beloved in their home region for work and agility work, including gymkhana, show jumping, dressage, and other eventing, the New Forest Pony has been labeled a minority breed. Steps were taken to improve the quality of foals, and then in 1960, the New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society began to publish their stud book. The pony found itself being exported throughout the world, and other countries began their own studbooks and registries that have helped the breed. Being from England, the moors and craggy shorelines of Citrine must feel like home, and they have their own studbook there.

New Forest 2

Breed Characteristics:
New Forest ponies are most commonly found in chestnut (red coat and mane for Mystic Rider purposes), bay, or grey. Other solid colors are possible, though blue eyes and excessive white markings (i.e. paints) are not allowed. Lighter coats palomino and sorrel (red coat with blonde mane, again for our purposes, see above) are only allowed in mares and geldings.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    1                                              Discipline:        3
Endurance:         2                                               Agility:             6
Strength:             3

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: Brumby Horse

Breed Spotlight: Brumby Horse

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Brumby Horse

Another wild horse, the Brumby is the result of horses escaping, running wild, and forming new family groups called mobs or bands in Australia as it was being settled. While this makes them a bit tricky to identify, they are welcome additions to Astranar. They are a bonus horse, so in order to own one, you’ll need to purchase it with real-world currency.

Some of the Brumbies’ ancestors date back to lost or runaway horses of the European founders, but there are always more recent additions too. For the most part, they are a combination of “Capers”, Timor ponies, various mish-mash of British pony and horse breeds, and, to quote Wikipedia, “a significant number of Thoroughbreds and Arabians.” While the mobs inhabit many places across Australia, including national parks, they are widely regarded by some environmentalists, governments, and ecologists as pests. Other supporters however consider their survival necessary as preserving Australian history.

Brumby 1

Because they are such a mixture, there is no “breed standard,” and their pest/wild status appears to have prevented any kind of registry or breed book from being established either. One brumby may look very different from another, though depending on where in Australia the mob is from, they may lean one way or another. Because of them being good stock horses and Pony Club horses when domesticated, Astranar has offered to take on some of the population to help with the more densely populated areas. They live in the Citrine district, which has lush moors that must feel like home to these rugged horses.

Brumby 2

Breed Characteristics:
As a sign of their mixed heritage and breeding, brumby come in all varieties of coats, from solids to paints and all markings in between. Much like other breeds however, there is the presence of graying genes that can make some markings different than others. Because the brumby are imported to help with the population in Australia that are becoming too prevalent and into problem territory, Astranar only has geldings and mares for sale.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    3                                              Discipline:       3
Endurance:         4                                               Agility:             3
Strength:             4

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: Camargue Horse

Breed Spotlight: Camargue Horse

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Camargue Horse

In contrast to our last breed spotlight, the Camargue horse is an ancient breed indigenous to the south of France. The breed book managed in Astranar is what is referred to as Camargue hors berceau because they are born outside of that region. It is an optional horse, so you will have to pay real-world funds for it.

For thousands of years, the Camargue horse has inhabited the marshes of southern France in their namesake region. They live in semi-feral family groups referred to as manade. It is a compact horse, with a short neck and deep chest. The mane and tail are noted as being very full, with the tail set low. Its limbs are strong, long, and in proportion, ending in solid and wide hooves that have developed due to their marsh living conditions. Their heads are frequently compared to Barbs, being heavy, square, with wide, expressive eyes, in contrast to their short ears. Pictures of them galloping through water are considered very romantic and are a popular image in posters.

Camargue 1

Because of their ancient association to the south of France, they can be tied to many other breeds, including Iberians, the Spanish jaca, the Chilean horse, the Criollo, Barbs, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds. The French government began setting breed books to protect the breed in 1976, especially as they continued to be cared for and used by the gardians, the Camargue version of cowboys who manage the black bulls for the bull fighting present in Southern France. With their calm temperament, intelligence, and hardy nature, they are valued for dressage, games unique to the gardians, and endurance riding, which helps explain why the Citrine district is eager to keep the breed book.

Camargue 2

Breed Characteristics:
Camargue horses are only available for purchase in grey/white. While foals are born dark brown or black, when they shed their fuzzy baby coats, they turn full white by maturity (and of adequate age to be sold).

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                   3                                              Discipline:        3
Endurance:         5                                               Agility:             3
Strength:             2

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: Vanners, also called Tinkers

Breed Spotlight: Vanners, also called Tinkers

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Vanners/Tinkers

A relatively new horse on the scene, at least in terms of formal paperwork, the Vanner, also called a Tinker, is commonly referred to a cob rather than a draft. However the breed association in Astranar has requirements that make it similar to a light draft. It is one of the options for the player to purchase a draft horse, though it isn’t available in the same district that supplies that quest.

From about the 1850’s in the British Isles, traveling families used a trademark horse for pulling their carts that were also their homes. The color and characteristics of the breed were further refined after the second World War. It is a heavily-muscled horse with a medium, strong neck, and a “sweet,” refined head. There are strict rules for the proportions of the horse’s frame, legs, and build that can vary a little between association, but usually fall within a set range. Feathering is usually abundant, but not necessarily required. They are also judged by their gaits and strides, including a flowing, effortless appearance to them. Larger horses within the breed are considered something of a status symbol, as after a while smaller horses were bred into the bloodlines to bring their size down without losing the strength.

Tinker 1

Tinkers are known for being sweet, kind horses that are intelligent and eager to work with their riders and drivers. Because the breed book was primarily spread through oral communication for many years, tracking lineages before the founding of associations can get a little tricky. The general consensus is that the foundation horses were the Old Coal Horse and Sonny Mays’ Horse. Tinkers came over to America in the 1990’s, which is about when various associations came into being wanting to promote the breed and give it formal credence. They are still used for draft purposes, but they are also accepted as dressage and show jumping horses due to their intelligence, strength, and dexterity.

Tinker 2

Breed Characteristics:
Vanners come in all solid colors, with white markings and particularly white paints are highly sought after. Some, however, can be harder to get since the greying gene is prevalent in the breed. The feathers match the hair underneath in the same way hooves do–so if there is light or red hair, it’s white, but if it’s black, it’s dark. Feathers aren’t usually a requirement in the breed, but almost all of Astranar’s have them.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    2                                              Discipline:       4
Endurance:         3                                               Agility:             3
Strength:             5

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”

Breed Spotlight: Black Forest Horse

Breed Spotlight: Black Forest Horse

by Rebecca M. Horner ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Black Forest Horse

An endangered horse breed dating back to the 15th century, the Black Forest horse is good for forestry, agriculture, and in more recent times, for harness and riding work. However, agriculture and war-efforts is part of what threatens its numbers. It is one of the options for the player to purchase a draft horse, though it isn’t available in the same district that supplies that quest.

The first breed book for the Black Forest Horse can be found in an abbey, and breeding primarily stuck to the northern part of the region, with heavy ties to monasteries. The first association cropped up in 1896, but it was 1875 where the standards of the breed began to be defined, and it moved from a heavy draft horse to what is referred to as a light-to-medium draft. It is a well-muscled horse with a short neck, and an equally short head. Unlike most people’s picturing of draft horses, there is no feathering around their broad hooves.

Black Forest 2

The breed was merged with another in 1935, though the association had to be restarted following World War II. However, with the mechanization of agriculture and transport, like many other working breeds, the Black Forest Horses’ numbers began to rapidly decline as demand for them lessened. In 2017, 88 stallions and 1077 mares were all that remained registered. Never one to risk losing a horse breed, Astranar quickly swept in and gained just enough horses to begin their own breeding program in the Sphalerite District, where a light draft has plenty of work to do.

Black Forest 1

Breed Characteristics:
Only sorrels are accepted for Black Forest horses, ranging from a normal sorrel to the famous “dark fox” coloring with a nearly black coat and white mane and tail. Because they are so exceptionally rare as a breed, they can be a little more expensive.

Starting Stats: *
Speed:                    2                                              Discipline:       4
Endurance:         3                                               Agility:             3
Strength:             4

* Note, these numbers aren’t set in stone. They are Becca’s way of trying to reduce her knowledge/research of breeds and their particular skills and traits into numbers so when animators and programmers have to look at these horses, they can go, “Oh, this horse can’t turn worth beans but this one can on a dime, noted!”