Horse Breeding (sage ability) - Revision history

Tao alexis at 17:22, 1 March 2025

2025-03-01T17:22:20Z

Tao alexis: /* Purchasing */

2025-03-01T17:22:07Z

Purchasing

Tao alexis at 17:21, 1 March 2025

2025-03-01T17:21:38Z

Tao alexis at 17:12, 1 March 2025

2025-03-01T17:12:20Z

Show changes

Tao alexis at 19:56, 5 January 2022

2022-01-05T19:56:15Z

Tao alexis: /* Purchasing */

2022-01-05T19:31:06Z

Purchasing

Tao alexis: /* Example */

2022-01-05T19:30:46Z

Example

Tao alexis: /* Example of Mating */

2022-01-05T19:20:26Z

Example of Mating

Tao alexis: /* Mating */

2022-01-05T19:20:12Z

Mating

Tao alexis: /* Pedigree */

2022-01-05T19:14:35Z

Pedigree

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 1 March 2025
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	See [[Horseback Riding (sage study)]]		See [[Horseback Riding (sage study)]]

−	[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: ~~Don't Review until 2023~~]]	+	[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

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 The lower likelihood of negative mutations reflects centuries of selective breeding, where inferior horses have been steadily culled from the breeding pool. In this setting, magic has further refined the process, ensuring that beneficial traits are reinforced more reliably than in human history. Pedigree scores above 24 are possible through continued careful breeding, allowing for the gradual development of superior horses over time.
 == Purchasing ==
 Only characters with Horse Breeding ability can recognise the exact characteristics of a given horse upon examination. However, even unskilled characters can discern when horseflesh is noticeably superior or inferior when comparing animals from different [[Market|markets]].
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 When purchasing a horse, the number and quality of available animals depend on the size of the market. Small markets with 1 point of [[References (trade)|reference]] only offer "average" horses, where each pedigree characteristic is rolled on 4d6 with no modifications. In larger markets, horses tend to be of better stock; for each point above market-1, ½ point is added to the average pedigree. Thus, a market-7 offers horses with an average pedigree of 17 rather than 14.
 Since horses can be examined before purchase, a horse breeder is able to recognise the pedigree numbers for each animal. This examination takes about 10 seconds per horse when assessing health, robustness or fertility below 12, as these flaws are outwardly visible. More detailed evaluation of other characteristics requires 5 minutes per horse. If many horses are available, the DM may opt to reroll any pedigree characteristic of 11 or lower for visible traits and allow the breeder to inspect the remaining animals as long as desired.

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 When purchasing a horse, the number and quality of available animals depend on the size of the market. Small markets with 1 point of [[References (trade)|reference]] only offer "average" horses, where each pedigree characteristic is rolled on 4d6 with no modifications. In larger markets, horses tend to be of better stock; for each point above market-1, ½ point is added to the average pedigree. Thus, a market-7 offers horses with an average pedigree of 17 rather than 14.
-[[File:Horse breeding 02.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
+[[File:Horse breeding 02.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
 Since horses can be examined before purchase, a horse breeder is able to recognise the pedigree numbers for each animal. This examination takes about 10 seconds per horse when assessing health, robustness or fertility below 12, as these flaws are outwardly visible. More detailed evaluation of other characteristics requires 5 minutes per horse. If many horses are available, the DM may opt to reroll any pedigree characteristic of 11 or lower for visible traits and allow the breeder to inspect the remaining animals as long as desired.

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 The total chance of a mutation is 6% — 2% from the male and 4% from the female, based on their initial fertility.  In this case, if a successful mutation occurs, the offspring's fertility would be improved by 1-2 points; and likewise with either the offspring's health or courage (random 50% chance of each).  If a negative mutation is rolled, two random characteristics lose a point each.
-The chance of a negative mutation is made lower than a positive because it's assumed poorly bred horses have been consistently culled from the breeding pool for millennia (and, with the help of magic, better than was done in human history).
+The chance of a negative mutation is made lower than a positive because it's assumed poorly bred horses have been consistently culled from the breeding pool for millennia (and, with the help of magic, better than was done in human history).  Note that "24" is not the maximum pedigree a horse can achieve; higher numbers are possible through breeding.
 == Purchasing ==
-If a horse is not purchased in a market, or if the number of horse [[References (trade)|references]] in a given market is less than 1, then the pedigree of a horse is rolled upon 4d6 without adjustments.  For every full reference point, add +1 to the total rolled for each pedigree characteristic.  Thus, if a given market were to have 4 or more reference points for horses, the average pedigree for each characteristic would be 4 pts. above normal.  This assumes that the number of horses, and the ability of the character to discern good horses from poor, enables the character to ''find'' the better horses among the much larger population.  For any other unskilled person purchasing horses in a larger market, the pedigree of the horse is not given this bonus.
+Only characters with horse breeding ability can recognize the exact characteristics of a given horse on examination, though even unskilled characters will recognize when the horseflesh is recognizably improved from one [[Market|market]] to another.
 [[File:Horse breeding 02.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
-A horse breeder will be able to examine the horse and know in advance the quality of what is being bought.  It can then be decided if the purchase is desirable.  Unless the seller is also a horse breeder, it is likely that the character will have some trouble haggling over the price, though this remains possible through role-play.  A non-horse breeder will, if encouraged, drop their price at least 5% if the buyer is obviously a horsebreeder and the overall pedigree of the horse is less than 70 pts. combined.
+As purchasers are permitted to examine horses, a horse breeder can recognize prior to purchase the pedigree numbers for each horse.  This examination takes about 10 seconds per animal with visible pedigree — health, robustness or fertility — that's below 12, as the outward flaws are instantly recognisable.  A deeper knowledge of other considerations requires 5 minutes.  It's recommended that when enough horses are present, the DM can simply re-roll any number of 11 or less for visible characteristics, and allow the character to "look" as long as they wish at the remaining product.
-Horse breeders can be commissioned to buy better horses, if others wish to spend a 10% fee over the value of the horse.
+: For example, a horsebreeder has 5 horses in a small market to choose from.  Starting with the three visible pedigrees, we roll a "10" for the first horse's health; at once we move on to the remaining horses, because the buyer probably doesn't care about that one.  The second horse has a health of 16 and a robustness of 9 ... so we skip that one also.  This saves us time on having to roll out every characteristic on every horse, allowing the process to move more quickly.
-The very best horses are purchased at [[Auctionhouse (sage study)|auction]].
+Horsebreeders can encourage sellers to drop their [[Prices (trade)|price]] if the horse has a combined pedigree of less than 70 points; the new cost would be a percentage of the horse's pedigree divided by 70 and multiplied against the local price.
 == Bloodlines ==
-Numerous horse breeds already exist, possessing a standardized pedigree that could be established through the list above.  I have no specific intention of doing so, unless it is needed for a specific campaign I'm running.  However, it is imaginably possible that characters, through true-breeding characteristics over a number of generations (where the stallion and mare have interchangeable characteristics so that it matters little from which the offspring takes its pedigree), could establish a unique or semi-unique bloodline.  In which case, it would be sensible to establish specific [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_coat_color coat colors] and distinctive markings as the bloodline is established.  This could probably be done ad hoc, with the player's input, since it would have little game effect.
+Numerous horse breeds already exist, with standardized pedigrees established over time.  No list of [[Horse Breeds|horse breeds]] exist at this time, though eventually this should be addressed.
-<br>
-<br>
+It's possible that characters, through true-breeding characteristics over a number of generations (where the stallion and mare have interchangeable characteristics so that it matters little from which the offspring takes its pedigree), could establish a unique or semi-unique bloodline.  In which case, it's sensible to establish specific [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equine_coat_color coat colors] and distinctive markings for the created bloodline.  This could probably be done as needed, with the players having input, since they would be, in part, responsible for the final breed's existence.
 See [[Horseback Riding (sage study)|Horseback Riding]]

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 If a horse is not purchased in a market, or if the number of horse [[References (trade)|references]] in a given market is less than 1, then the pedigree of a horse is rolled upon 4d6 without adjustments.  For every full reference point, add +1 to the total rolled for each pedigree characteristic.  Thus, if a given market were to have 4 or more reference points for horses, the average pedigree for each characteristic would be 4 pts. above normal.  This assumes that the number of horses, and the ability of the character to discern good horses from poor, enables the character to ''find'' the better horses among the much larger population.  For any other unskilled person purchasing horses in a larger market, the pedigree of the horse is not given this bonus.
-[[File:Horse breeding 02.jpg|left|440px|]]
+[[File:Horse breeding 02.jpg|left|420px|thumb]]
 A horse breeder will be able to examine the horse and know in advance the quality of what is being bought.  It can then be decided if the purchase is desirable.  Unless the seller is also a horse breeder, it is likely that the character will have some trouble haggling over the price, though this remains possible through role-play.  A non-horse breeder will, if encouraged, drop their price at least 5% if the buyer is obviously a horsebreeder and the overall pedigree of the horse is less than 70 pts. combined.

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 ==== Example ====
-A stallion with 18 health, 15 robustness, 9 speed, 10 courage and 16 fertility is mated with a mare whose like characteristics are 16h, 10r, 10s, 16c and 18f.  We roll a 50% chance for each to determine the dominant partner in each characteristic, and find the dominant is the female, male, male, female, female.  Thus, the offspring's characteristics are 16h, 15r, 9s, 16c and 18f — which, rolling randomly, chances to be markedly better than both parents.
+A male stallion with 18 health, 15 robustness, 9 speed, 10 courage and 16 fertility is mated with a female mare whose like characteristics are 16h, 10r, 10s, 16c and 18f.  We roll a 50% chance for each to determine the dominant partner in each characteristic, and find the dominant is the female, male, male, female, female.  Thus, the offspring's characteristics are 16h, 15r, 9s, 16c and 18f — which, rolling randomly, chances to be markedly better than both parents.
-The total chance of a mutation is 6% (2% from the male and 4% from the female).  I did not roll a success.  But had there been a successful mutation, the offspring's fertility would have been improved by 1-2 points; and likewise with either the offspring's health or courage (50% chance of each).  If a negative mutation had been rolled, two random characteristics would have lost a point each.
+The total chance of a mutation is 6% — 2% from the male and 4% from the female, based on their initial fertility.  In this case, if a successful mutation occurs, the offspring's fertility would be improved by 1-2 points; and likewise with either the offspring's health or courage (random 50% chance of each).  If a negative mutation is rolled, two random characteristics lose a point each.
-The chance of a negative mutation is made lower than a positive because it is assumed poorly bred horses have been consistently culled from the breeding pool for millennia (and, with the help of magic, better than was done in human history).
+The chance of a negative mutation is made lower than a positive because it's assumed poorly bred horses have been consistently culled from the breeding pool for millennia (and, with the help of magic, better than was done in human history).
 == Purchasing ==

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 Obviously, the bloodlines of stallions and mares must be kept clean.  Second cousins increase the chance of a negative mutation to 10%; first cousins, to 20%; and between siblings or direct ancestors, to 40%.  Normally, horses won't mate willingly with their siblings and direct ancestors.
-== Example of Mating ==
+==== Example ====
 A stallion with 18 health, 15 robustness, 9 speed, 10 courage and 16 fertility is mated with a mare whose like characteristics are 16h, 10r, 10s, 16c and 18f.  We roll a 50% chance for each to determine the dominant partner in each characteristic, and find the dominant is the female, male, male, female, female.  Thus, the offspring's characteristics are 16h, 15r, 9s, 16c and 18f — which, rolling randomly, chances to be markedly better than both parents.

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 == Mating ==
-This formula enables the game to reproduce a wide distribution of specific horses, potentially adjusting a horse's price or giving a tremendous credence as to why persons might sincerely treasure their beloved horses.  Breeding is therefore easily managed in game terms, since it is presumed that the horse breeder is fully aware of the horse's pedigree as described above.  Therefore, the stallion and mare are selected; the resultant offspring will randomly assume the pedigree of one horse or the other — and in each case, the combined mutation % (d100) is rolled for the offspring.  If the mutation occurs, then the highest two pedigree characteristics of the offspring will be raised by 1-2 points.  If more than two pedigrees show as the highest number, then randomly roll to determine which two pedigrees are raised.
+The formula enables the creation of a wide distribution of unusual horses, potentially adjusting a horse's price or giving a tremendous credence as to why persons might sincerely treasure their beloved mounts.  Breeding is therefore easily managed in game terms, since it's presumed the horse breeder is fully aware of the horse's pedigree as described above.  Therefore, the stallion and mare are selected, with the resultant offspring randomly assuming the pedigree of one horse or the other.  The mutation for the offspring is rolled on a percentile die; if the mutation occurs, then the highest two pedigree characteristics of the offspring will be raised by 1-2 points.  If ''more'' than two pedigrees show as the highest number, a random roll determines which two are raised.
-If "00" (or 100) is rolled on the mutation die, then the mutation is a negative.  If so, two random pedigree characteristics (regardless of importance) are each lowered by 1 point.
+If "00" is rolled on the mutation die, then the mutation is negative.  If so, two '''random pedigree''' characteristics, regardless of importance, are each lowered by 1 point.
-Obviously, the bloodlines of stallions and mares must be kept clean.  2nd cousins will increase the chance of a negative mutation to 10%; 1st cousins, to 20%; and between siblings or direct ancestors to 40%.  Normally, horses will not willingly mate between siblings and direct ancestors.
+Obviously, the bloodlines of stallions and mares must be kept clean.  Second cousins increase the chance of a negative mutation to 10%; first cousins, to 20%; and between siblings or direct ancestors, to 40%.  Normally, horses won't mate willingly with their siblings and direct ancestors.
 == Example of Mating ==

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 For game purposes, a simplified method is used for the pedigree of horses.  Each horse is scaled according to its health, robustness, speed, courage and fertility.  Health registers the resistance of the [[Animal|animal]] to disease and fatigue; robustness, the overall strength and endurance of the horse as a working animal; speed, its value as a racehorse; courage, its temperament when exposed to [[Combat|combat]]; and [[Fertility|fertility]], the ease with which it procreates and the chances of a positive mutation.
-All horses, wild or domestic, already have [[Horseback_Riding_(sage_study)#Breeds_.26_Size|specific characteristics relating to their type]].  These types are the results of thousands of years of breeding; any horse is, therefore, measured against its type with regards to its pedigree.  Thus, the measure of a working horse's robustness is applied to a different template than that of a pony.
+All horses, wild or domestic, already have [[Horseback_Riding_(sage_study)#Breeds_.26_Size|specific characteristics relating to their type]].  These types are the result of thousands of years of breeding; any horse, therefore, is compared by its pedigree.  Thus, a workhorse is bred primarily for robustness and health, while warhorses are bred for courage, and to a lesser extent, speed.
-Each of the five characteristics above is rolled for on 4d6, the average of which is 14.  Each point of deviation from 14 indicates a 1% deviation from the standard template that applies to each horse type.  For example, a pony has 1-10 [[Hit Points|hit points]]; this initial number indicates the pony's bodily units.  If we roll on 4d4 and gain a result of 16, then the pony's ''health'' is 2% above normal; this does not increase the pony's hit points, but does make the pony 2% more resistant to disease.  A similar result against the pony's robustness would enable a 2% greater load that could be hauled or carried; if applied to speed, the pony would be 2% faster; in battle, it's [[Morale|morale]] would be improved by 2%; and with regards to fertility, it would be 2% more likely to reproduce and 2% more likely to produce a mutation in its offspring.
+==== Rolling Characteristics ====
-This seems a slight adjustment; however, when applied to millions of domestic horses worldwide, remarkably slight improvements have the power to win races, permit a rider to survive a fight or can be applied a permanent adjustment in a horse type — the method by which wild horses were eventually bred to be warhorses.
+Each point above or below 14 indicates a 1% adjustment from the "average" health, robustness and so on of that breed.
 == Mating ==