Difference between revisions of "Horseracing (sage ability)"

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[[File:Horseracing (sage ability).jpg|right|490px|thumb]]
 
[[File:Horseracing (sage ability).jpg|right|490px|thumb]]
'''Horseracing''' is an [[Knowledge Points|expert]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] that gives the player acumen at urging horses to greater speed in [[Horse Race|horseracing]], while getting the most from a horse's physique. The ability provides recognition of a horse's shape and musculature that suggests it's capable of winning a race.
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'''Horseracing''' is an [[Knowledge Points|expert]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Horseback Riding (sage study)|Horseback Riding]] that gives the knowledge and finesse required to guide horses towards peak performance in [[Horse Race|racing]], optimizing their physical capabilities. This skill involves discerning a horse's form and musculature, enabling the recognition of its potential to emerge victorious in a race.
  
Winning a race is a combination of a horse's four [[Horse Breeding (sage ability)#Pedigree|physical attributes]]: speed, robustness, courage and health, with their listed importance in that order.  Add to this the weight of the rider, the number of knowledge points the rider possesses, the length of and condition of the track being run and the type of race it is.
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Victory in a race hinges on four of a horse's [[Horse Breeding (sage ability)#Pedigree|physical attributes]]: speed, robustness, courage and health, with their respective significance in that order.  Additionally, factors such as the rider's weight, the rider's accumulated knowledge points, the track's length and condition, as well as the race type, all play pivotal roles in determining the outcome.
  
Dice are rolled in the process of determining the winner — but the weight given to these dice are deliberately minimal and in fact will rarely be the deciding factor. For the most part, races are won before they're run, by the statistics of each animal and rider; but as these numbers are not known, except to the DM, it requires an actual race to reveal the winner.
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The process involves rolling dice; however, the influence of these dice is intentionally kept minimal and rarely serves as the ultimate decider. In most cases, the race's outcome is determined beforehand, primarily by the combined statistics of the horse and rider.  Unfortunately, these crucial numbers remain concealed from all but the Dungeon Master, necessitating an actual race to unveil the victor.
  
== Amateur Jockey ==
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== Unskilled Jockey ==
Riders without any horseracing skill must have a minumum of [[Horse Handling I (sage ability)|handling I]] ability, but in the race they are effectively dead weight the horse must carry. It's possible that a horse far-and-away superior from its competition would carry such a rider to victory, but unlikely.
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Riders lacking horseracing skills must possess a minimum of [[Horse Handling I (sage ability)|handling I]] ability.  However, in a race, they essentially become burdens that the horse must bear. While it's theoretically possible for an exceptionally superior horse to overcome this handicap and secure victory, such an outcome is improbable.
  
 
== Authority Jockey ==
 
== Authority Jockey ==
Once a character has achieved authority-status in horseback riding, they may reduce their body weight by the number of knowledge points they possess'''For example''', a character weighing 145 lbs., with a knowledge of 38 in horseback riding, would count as an additional 107 lbs. above the horse's mass. The rider is an afterthought to the weight of a horse, but even a small difference can matter when horses are very close; naturally, the smaller the rider, the better.  
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Once a character has attained an authority-status in horseback riding they gain the ability to reduce their effective body weight by the number of knowledge points they have accumulatedThis slight disparity can become significant when horses are closely matched. Naturally, a smaller rider offers a distinct advantage.
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: For example, a character weighing 145 lbs. has a horseback riding knowledge of 38 points.  While riding, their weight would therefore count as just 107 lbs. above a horse's weight.
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Traditionally, lighter riders are favored as they can more effectively utilize the weight subtraction described. Nevertheless, in the interest of maintaining a level playing field among all competitors, weight is typically added to every jockey to achieve an equilibrium.
  
 
== Expert Jockey ==
 
== Expert Jockey ==
In addition to the adjustment of mass discussed above, experts are familiar with numerous tricks to get the most from a horse's speed and courage. In the expert rider's hands, the horse's speed and courage are both counted at 1 point higher than the natural numberThus, a horse with a speed of 19 would count as a 20 in an expert's hands.
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In addition to the mass adjustment discussed above, experts are well-versed in various techniques to maximize a horse's speed and courage. When guided by an expert rider, these attributes are both treated at 1 point higher than their natural valueFor example, a horse with a natural speed of 19 would have a modified speed of 20 in the hands of an expert.
  
Experts also receive a +3 bonus to their dexterity when participating in a [[Steeplechase]]. In an [[Endurance Horse Race|endurance race]], involving distances of hundreds of miles, experts are able to increase a horse's robustness by 1 point, while enabling horses to heal 1 hp/day without requiring them to rest.  This healing ability is limited to four days per single competition, within the space of the first week.  After this time, the horse is too tired to be healed.
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Experts also gain specific advantages in different types of races. In a Steeplechase, they receive a substantial +3 bonus to their dexterity, enhancing their performance. In an endurance race, which covers extensive distances often spanning hundreds of miles, experts can increase a horse's robustness by 1 point and enable horses to heal at a rate of 1 hit point per day, even without rest.  However, this healing ability is limited to a four-day span and no more.
  
Obviously, these additional skills make it far more likely that an expert will win a race, even upon an slightly inferior animal. Therefore, except in local events, all riders in a competition are sure to be experts.
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These additional skills, combined with the expert's greater overall knowledge, increase an expert's likelihood of winning a race, even when riding a slightly inferior horse. As a result, unless it's a local event, you can expect that all riders in a competition will be seasoned experts.
  
  
See [[Horseback Riding (sage study)|Horseback Riding]]
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See also,<br>
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[[Horse (domestic)]]<br>
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[[Horse Feeding & Diet (sage ability)]]
  
[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Don't Review until 2022]]
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[[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 19:07, 27 October 2023

Horseracing (sage ability).jpg

Horseracing is an expert-status sage ability in the study of Horseback Riding that gives the knowledge and finesse required to guide horses towards peak performance in racing, optimizing their physical capabilities. This skill involves discerning a horse's form and musculature, enabling the recognition of its potential to emerge victorious in a race.

Victory in a race hinges on four of a horse's physical attributes: speed, robustness, courage and health, with their respective significance in that order. Additionally, factors such as the rider's weight, the rider's accumulated knowledge points, the track's length and condition, as well as the race type, all play pivotal roles in determining the outcome.

The process involves rolling dice; however, the influence of these dice is intentionally kept minimal and rarely serves as the ultimate decider. In most cases, the race's outcome is determined beforehand, primarily by the combined statistics of the horse and rider. Unfortunately, these crucial numbers remain concealed from all but the Dungeon Master, necessitating an actual race to unveil the victor.

Unskilled Jockey

Riders lacking horseracing skills must possess a minimum of handling I ability. However, in a race, they essentially become burdens that the horse must bear. While it's theoretically possible for an exceptionally superior horse to overcome this handicap and secure victory, such an outcome is improbable.

Authority Jockey

Once a character has attained an authority-status in horseback riding they gain the ability to reduce their effective body weight by the number of knowledge points they have accumulated. This slight disparity can become significant when horses are closely matched. Naturally, a smaller rider offers a distinct advantage.

For example, a character weighing 145 lbs. has a horseback riding knowledge of 38 points. While riding, their weight would therefore count as just 107 lbs. above a horse's weight.

Traditionally, lighter riders are favored as they can more effectively utilize the weight subtraction described. Nevertheless, in the interest of maintaining a level playing field among all competitors, weight is typically added to every jockey to achieve an equilibrium.

Expert Jockey

In addition to the mass adjustment discussed above, experts are well-versed in various techniques to maximize a horse's speed and courage. When guided by an expert rider, these attributes are both treated at 1 point higher than their natural value. For example, a horse with a natural speed of 19 would have a modified speed of 20 in the hands of an expert.

Experts also gain specific advantages in different types of races. In a Steeplechase, they receive a substantial +3 bonus to their dexterity, enhancing their performance. In an endurance race, which covers extensive distances often spanning hundreds of miles, experts can increase a horse's robustness by 1 point and enable horses to heal at a rate of 1 hit point per day, even without rest. However, this healing ability is limited to a four-day span and no more.

These additional skills, combined with the expert's greater overall knowledge, increase an expert's likelihood of winning a race, even when riding a slightly inferior horse. As a result, unless it's a local event, you can expect that all riders in a competition will be seasoned experts.


See also,
Horse (domestic)
Horse Feeding & Diet (sage ability)