Thunder Hooves
THUNDER HOOVES by Reagren Wright
According to some, they were created by Nut (the mother of Osiris, Set, Isis, and Nephthys)
as a gift to her husband/brother Geb (father of the gods). When one of the Old Ones kidnapped
Nut to prevent Geb from participating in the Chaos War, the ancient god released the herd
and allowed them to roam freely. After the war, Nut never returned, and Geb lost interest
For thousands of years, large herds of these gigantic wild horses roamed freely within
the New Kingdom and what would later be called the Eastern Territory. They held such majestic
sway over the elf empire that all considered it unthinkable to attempt to rides such animals.
Only a select few elves possessed the skill to tame one, much less ride it. However,
when the Elf/Dwarf War started, every elf knight, paladin, and noble wanted one. The sight of
these huge horses urged the dwarf empire to exterminate their numbers by the hundreds. By
the end of the war, only a single herd of 20-30 animals survived in the High Grass region of the
Forest of Enchantment protect by the entirety of the faerie folks living in the region. For the
next 1000 years, the herd slowly migrated out of the region and back into the Old Kingdom
Lowlands away from the mountains. Unfortunately, they became a food source for tribes of
orcs and goblins, as well as ogres and trolls. The horses remained in small herds but because of
their isolation, the fledgling human kingdoms knew nothing of their existence. They were though
of only as a creature of legend, wipeout during the Great War.
During the last century, explorers from the Western Empire and Land of the South Winds soon
brought word of gigantic horses roaming the desolated wastelands. Some ever told stories of
ogres and giants riding such animals. Using literacy pictorial and archaeological sources, scholars
were able to confirm these animals were indeed the legendary Thunder Hooves of long ago.
Nobility from all over the world have sent trappers and hunters into the region in order to
acquire just one animal. To the horror of many, the Nimiro Kingdom instead of using these
animals as mounts has deemed the animals a food source. A single horse can feed two or three
giants. Fortunately, no one in the Giant Kingdom has been able to successfully domestic these
animals to put them into pens to be raised for slaughter. The animals are to wild and unruly for
such actions, no to mention, one of these horses is strong enough to kill a giant. Meanwhile,
the Wolfen Empire has sent experts in horsemanship into the region to investigate the
possibility of using the animals as mounts, already reports in the Disputed Lands have sightings
of a wolfen knight, paladin, or noble riding these giant steeds.
Thunder Hooves live in small herds (9-24) like those of wild horses. They are usually made up of
small bands led by a dominant mare, containing additional mares, their foals, and immature
horses of both sexes. There is usually one herd stallion, though occasionally a few less-
dominant males may remain with the group. The makeup of the herd shifts over time as young
animals are driven out of the herd they were born into and join other herds, or as young
stallions challenge older males for dominance.
Armor Rating: N.A.R.: 8
Hit Points: 1D6x10+10
S.D.C.: 2D4x10+10
Average P.P.E.: 6D6.
Appearance: A giant draft horse, with powerful and muscular build, a dense rounded body, a broad back, strong loins, powerful hind-quarters, and long legs with dense bones. Their coat is almost always a dark gray (color of thunderclouds), but there is the occasional black stallion or white mare. Their legs often have white stockings with long hairs.
Natural Abilities: Supernatural Strength and endurance, a single horse can pull a 5 ton boulder for nearly one hundred miles (160 km), nearly fearless, leap 10 feet (3 m) high or 20 feet (6 m) across, swim 55%, Sensitive to the Supernatural and Potential Psychic Energy (P.P.E.), Range of Sensitivity: 1200 feet (365 m).
Speed: 40 (28 mph/45.08 km) , but maximum speed is 60 (42 mph/67.62 m). The horses pulling speed is half its normal speed. A Thunder Hoof can maintain its average running speed for 22 hours with minimal strain/exhaustion (needs only two-three hours of rest). It can maintain its maximum speed for 1 hour and 1D6x10 minutes. A domesticated horse is extremely loyal and will run until they collapse from exhaustion. Note: If the horse is made to travel its maximum distance without stopping, after the animal rests it will spending 2-3 hours grazing or needing to be feed, before it can take off again. If the horse is not allowed to eat, it will become unruly and lash out (its hungery).
Attacks Per Melee: Three
Damage: Front kick does 3D6+6 points of damage, rear does 5D6+6 points of damage, stomp 2D4, trample 6D6, and bite 1D6+2 damage. Unlike other horse, Thunder Hooves do not instinctively leap over and run around humanoids and most other animals, they will fight by kicking and trampling. It does take much for a rider to coax a domesticated horse into attacking an opponent.
Bonuses: +1 on initiative, +5 to strike, +1 to dodge, +9 to save vs. Horror Factor, and +3 to save vs. poison and disease.
Magic: None
Psionics: Natural Sensitivity but no actual powers.
Value: Untrained 10,000-18,000; trained 60,000-110,000 gold. Note: These horses are not easily domesticated. In fact, because of their size and unruliness, they are considered exotic animals, and have to be tamed as such. Any attempts quickly figure out how to ride these animals using traditional horsemanship is done with a -20% and -25% penalty to breed (raise, break, train, etc).
Average Life Span: 25 years.
Habitat: Grasslands and plains
Range: Old Kingdom Lowlands (west of the mountains).
Language: None.
Enemies: Giants races and large predators. They are cautious around humanoids but with time and patience, they can be taught to trust
Allies: Benevolent faerie folk and trust worthy humanoids.
Size: 32-34 Hands (10.5 to 11.3 feet/3.2 to 3.4 m) high at the withers (shoulder).
Weight: 6000-6600 lbs (2700-2970 kg).
