o O w e g .

/ Q L W R S K X y i h a

Hareh Harkama’s
Guide to the
Horses of
Glorantha

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I cannot for the life of me locate my copy of “Fazzur's Treatise on

Horse Breeds”, and if the temple library has still has one it was
probably lost in the transition of the index from Rolli’s Reciprocal
Runes to Dunadir’s Derivative Digits.

The loss of the text is not, in truth, a great tragedy to scholarship as in

my considered opinion Fazzur was an unmitigated idiot who not only
bored consistently but erred on far too frequent a basis.

I have therefore decided, having time, paper, pen and ink aplenty, to
commit to paper my not inconsiderable knowledge regarding the breeds
of horse I have encountered in my 53 years to paper – which is all of
them, as far as I am , at least as regards any that occur in any quantity
or are of any consequence.

Hareh Harkama

The Wildest Sage of Lankor Mhy

Pavis, Clayday, Fire Season, 1607

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A Short History of Horse Breeding

The horse was the first encountered by man in lost Danmalastan. When Danmalastan sank,
few horses survived, and over the hard years that follow they lost their previous massive
stature and any domestication and became wild populations of what we now call the Dariti in
Fronela, the Galana in Ralios and Maniria and the smaller type of Sered in Pent and
Kralorela. Each type suited the land in which it dwelled. Some degenerated further still and
became the diminutive Ekoi, although they now number but few.

As men spread, they domesticated horses again, for some in memory of the first time, for
others who had lost that memory, as if it were the first time.

In time, humans bred Daritis to become the Darons. Sereds also developed in size as a result
of humans selectively breeding them; in truth, Sereds could easily be divided into two types as
the Dariti and Daron are. Only Galanas, perfect as they were for the foothills and the
mountains and hardy chariots pullers in the plains, remained more-or-less the same as they
were, even under domestication. These are the ancient breeds of horse.

Horses of mostly Daron blood are called Eastern, those of mostly Sered blood, Western. If
one were to simplify things to the level of a young child, Eastern blood brings with it size and
phlegmatic temperaments, Western blood carries speed and fiery temperaments. Eastern
blood also has little potential in it for variation in coat colour, unlike Western blood. In fact,
it’s my opinion the only Daron that are not dun owe their colouration to admixture with
Sereds in the distant past. Galanas are something horse breeders argue about when they have
a drink, as their bodies scream of the West but their coats of the East.

In more recent times the Daron has been further improved and enlarged into the Fronan, and
the Swadal, the latter at least with admixtures of Western blood.

Likewise, in more recent times the larger type of Sered has given rise to the other horses of
the West; the Chuaran and the Vusano of Kralorela, the Jillaran of Peloria and the
Goldeneye of the Grazelanders. Eastern blood has been mixed with Western blood in
Kralorela to produce the Palangso.

One will encounter some breeds or horses claimed to be of breeds not listed herein.

In most instances it will be a minor variation of one of the breeds listed here, and if of
Western blood that variation will likely be a line that has a certain coat colour; for example
the “Painted” Galanas of the Curtali with their Skewbald and Piebald coats, the spotted
Galana of the Vantaros (both Sartarite tribes in Dragon Pass), the white Sereds of Raibanth
or the dark starry coated Sereds of Yuthuppa.

But I live to learn; if you know better, send me details via the Temple of Lankhor Mhy in
Pavis, or more reliably come find me of an evening in Gimpy’s Tavern, as most likely if I am
in Pavis, I will be there. Do not come calling at my house, I don’t approve of unannounced
visitors and will not be held liable for any consequences that befall them.

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Chuaran
The Chuaran is a rare breed, even in its
homeland of Kralorela on the other side of the
Great Waste and the Shanshan Mountains.

Nevertheless, due to the unique qualities and

breath-taking appearance of the breed, some can be
found far from their native pastures. There are
those who want you to know that not only are they
a connoisseur of horse-flesh, but are also wealthy
enough to pay the vast sums these horses attract
outside of their native land – not that they are
cheap there!

Fleet of foot and strong of limb, they range from 14.2 to 15.2 hands in size, with their innate strength
allowing them to carry heavier loads than their light frame would make you imagine.

Chuaran (the plural form takes no terminal ‘s’) are exquisitely formed, with small, wedge-shaped
heads that are moderately dish-faced, large eyes and disproportionately large nostrils in a small
muzzle. Their necks are long and arched, running down to moderately high withers and a short back
with a flat croup. Their coat, tail and mane are fine, and they are normally black, white or grey in
colouration, although some lines are a delightful deep chestnut.

Their paces are effortless and floating, with a very high carriage of tail and neck. They display a calm
temperament, for all the spirit they display in their carriage.

Chuaran are alleged to be the result of the Dragon Emperor “turning his attention” to a
herd of pregnant mares – a story that whilst it may be true is still quite amusing to me as
it was when I first heard it as a teenager. As if that was not bad enough, in Kralori
their name means ‘beautiful wind’. I have had the privilege of seeing several over the
years and of riding one once. I would say they match Vusanos in their absolute speed,
and although they are normally stronger than Vusanos, the Vusano has greater
endurance. Which is unfortunate, as if the people pursuing me had not been mounted on
Vusanos I might still have that Chuaran.

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Dariti
These dun-coloured ponies of between 12 and
14 hands are found in Seshnela, Ralios, Fronela,
and across the Denestlazam Ocean in far-off
Umathela.

Of medium build, they are often used as

packhorses as their larger cousins, the Daron, are
more suitable for carrying people.

They are not the most elegantly formed of breeds

having somewhat flat faces, wide foreheads and
round muzzles. Their necks are rather short and
broad at the base. Their withers are low, and they
have a long back slightly sloping croup. They have short, strong legs. The mane and tail are
full, with coarse hair, and the tail is set low. Whilst not as hardy as Galana, Daritis show their
Fronelan origin as they have a double coat and fare exceeding well in the cold becoming quite
shaggy in (those kept year-round in warm places never develop the winter coat).

In terms of temperament, they are known for being somewhat placid.

I find it hard to say anything of interest about Dariti. I suppose they do make
admirable pack ponies, can carry more than a Galana, and are well suited to cold
conditions. But they lack the Galana’s hardiness, surefootedness or spirit. Maybe the
Dragon Emperor could be called in to improve the stock? Having said that, I doubt
that even he would be attracted to these stubby, pointless beasts. Even their name is
unimaginative (‘small horse’ in an ancient Western dialect).

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Daron
Darons are horses of a medium build derived from
the Dariti pony. They usually share the dun
colouration of the Darati, except in Seshnela where
they have breed them to be black, white or grey.

Ranging from 14.2-16 hands in size, the larger and

strongest ones can carry an armoured warrior.

They share the same conformation and

temperament as the ancestral Dariti stock, and occur
in the same areas, namely Seshnela, Ralios, Fronela,
and Umathela. Like the Dariti, they are good horses
for colder weather due to the Fronelan origin of the stock from which they are derived.

The Daron is almost as uninspiring as the Dariti and is equally imaginatively named
(‘large horse’ in an ancient Western tongue). But if you are looking for a serviceable
cavalry horse that can carry you in armour, they represent the cheapest option, and they
are easy to train. That and their suitability for cold weather means that sometimes, they
are the best choice of mount.

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Ekus
The Eki (plural of Ekus) are diminutive horses of 6-8.2h in size. They are rare and exist
almost exclusively in the wild in the foothills of the Shanshan Mountains and parts of Ralios
and Maniria, although certain tribes of small humanoids such as the Durulz have
domesticated them and use them as mounts.

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Fronan (or Carmanian Charger)

Fronans are large and powerful horses, capable
with the right training of being the cavalry
mount or warhorse for a fully armoured warrior.

Said to have been bred by the renowned Filipus

from the very best stock of the Daron, they are
now a breed in their own right, ranging from
15.2 to 17.2 hands.

As might be expected, they share the same

colouration and similar conformation as the
Dariti from which they and the Daron are
derived, although they are notably less placid if not exactly spirited. They have the same
double coat and tolerance for the cold as the Dariti and Daron do, further evidence of their
Fronelan origin.

Fronans are found in the same regions of Seshnela, Ralios, Fronela as their relatives, but are
also known in Peloria where they are used as the mounts of elite cavalry in Carmania, thus
their alternative name (the standard name obviously refers to their place of origin).

I will eat my best strap-on beard if the inestimable Filipus (it means ‘lover of horses’ - it
would seem that there is a theme amongst those who have improved stock) only used
Darons in creating Fronans. They tend to be finer in conformation, for all their heavier
build, and are not ambulatory sacks of sand like some Dariti and Daron are. I would
wager that Filipus bred Sereds with the largest Darons he could get hold of.

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Galana
These graceful, surefooted and hardy ponies are
ubiquitous to Ralios, Maniria and wherever else
Orlanthi may be found.

Ranging in size from 12.2 to 14.2 hands, they

are preferred to larger breeds such as the Sered
in the mountains, even though they lack such
the carrying ability of such breeds.

They have small, fine heads with large eyes, a

muscular neck, arching from poll to medium-
high withers, with a short back and sloping croup. In colouration they tend toward dun, bay
and brown, but as with the Sered, come areas have bred lines specifically for their
colouration.

Their character is perfectly suited to the obstreperous Orlanthi, as they have a reputation for
knowing their own minds.

In comparatively recent times, when horses capable of carrying a fully armoured warrior
were in short supply if available at all, Galana were used to pull the swift war chariots
that the Orlanthi preferred before they began riding horse in (as opposed to) battle.
Originating in Ralios, they are not quite as well-suited for the cold as Dariti, but
outside of that exception are somewhat hardier. The meaning of Galana is somewhat
obscure. It might be related to a now extinct tribe of Orlanthi but I have found no trace
of evidence for this. An alternate explanation is that is means ‘little stone dancer’ in an
old Ralian dialect of Theyalan, but I admit it takes a bit of a stretch and a romantic
mind to make it fit.

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Goldeneye (Hyal, New Hyal)

The Goldeneye is an outstanding mount. Any
greater speed the Jillaran possesses is probably
rendered moot if the horses have an armoured
rider astride, due to the greater strength of the
Goldeneye.

Their head is pretty, with large eyes and narrow

ears. The neck is long and thin, and its withers
are quite prominent. The back is long, as is its
narrow chest. The legs are fine, and its coat is
thin. The mane and tail are sparse, and it
sometimes lacks a fetlock.

If you’ve never seen one it might sound unprepossessing, but they are quite striking, and the
range of colours they are seen in, some of which are unique to the breed (black, gray,
chestnut, bay, dun, palomino, cream all occur, roans are frequent as are those with darker
shading on the legs, a golden sheen on any of the above colours is relatively uncommon but
prized) set it apart. As might be expected, the unvarying cosmetic commonality are the eyes
for which the breed is named.

Bred by the Grazelanders of Dragon Pass, they are a deliberate attempt to recreate the extinct
Hyal, an ancient and magical breed.

Ranging from 14 to 16 hands, they are easily strong enough to serve as a war or cavalry horse
to an armoured warrior. In terms of temperament, something in their breeding has resulted
in the Goldeneye has recreated the magical nature of the Hyal somewhat, as they normally
possess far higher innate Power than most horse. They are somewhat highly-strung, and are
well-known for their loyalty to their rider and their keen intelligence. This all makes a fully
trained Goldeneye warhorse a formidable supplement to the martial skills of its rider.

As much as one might yearn for a Chuaran, the Goldeneye is a far more attainable
steed, and definitely more practical for everyday use, let alone martial conflict. I’d have
to be hard-pushed to part with my own favourite Goldeneye, even for a brace of
Chuaran or Jillarans. All breeds of horses have a natural affinity to leaping over
obstacles, but it is worth of note that there is nothing that jumps like a Goldeneye, and
only the addition of wings would let them jump higher. They are also dangerously smart,
and prone to let themselves out if the lock or catch keeping them in can be reached by their
lips or teeth and does not require a key.

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Jillaran
Native to Southern Peloria, the Jillaran is, like
the Goldeneye, an extinct breed recreated by
determined breeding efforts (in this case of the
inhabitants of the city of Sylila in Jillaro). They
remain rare and are highly sought after.

Jillarans are all grey in colouration and of 14 to

16 hands. They have a refined head on a long
neck with well-defined withers and a short back,
a deep chest and powerful hindquarters with a
flat or slightly sloping croup. Lean and long-
legged, they are extremely graceful in their
carriage.

Nothing can catch a riderless Jillaran, and over a short distance with a light load they are still
unmatched by any other breed. They also, of all horses, love to run and are very spirited
mounts.

Watching one of these at full speed is a true experience; they make most ordinary breeds
look like mules. Grazelanders claim they can outpace an equally laden Jillaran on a
Goldeneye, but whilst I’ve been told this a lot, I am yet to see it over a short distance.
They do, however, require a skilled rider to prevent them from going to see what is over the
next hill.

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Palangso
This breed originates from crossings of Vusanos
and Darons. It provides a far stronger and more
robust horse than the Vusano, for all that the
size range is largely the same (14.2-16 hands).

It is a far more spirited horse than the Daron,

and faster than the Fronan, being an excellent
cavalary or warhorse for all but the largest and
most heavily armoured warrior. It has also gained
the far wider variation in colouration of the
Vusano (black, white, gray, or chestnut).

They mostly take their size from the Daron, and their conformation from the Vusano, being
quite refined in appearance. They have a well-chiselled head (albeit lacking the distinctive
dishing of the Vusano). The neck is long and arched, they have fairly prominent withers, and
the back is long with a flat croup. They have a well-balanced spirit but with an underlying
gentleness for those it knows. Originating in Kralorela, they have spread throughout Pent.

Palgansos (‘rolling thunder’ in Kralori) are now quite widespread in Pent, despite the
best efforts of the Kraloreans to the contrary. Anyone with access to decent quality
Darons and Vusanos can, within a few generations, produce Palgansos that breed true
if they have a skilled eye to match sires and dams.

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Sered
This is the most common breed of horse, and
is found throughout Peloria, Fronela, Pent
and Kralorela.

It has an extremely large size range (from 12.2

to 15 hands), although the horse-sized Sereds
are normally only ever bred with other horse-
sized Sereds (producing offspring of 14.2-15
hands), with the same being true for the
ponies (producing offspring of 12.2-14
hands).

It now shares much of its range with the Dariti

and the Daron but is, unlike the aforementioned breeds found in almost any colouration and
is generally more graceful, with a finer head, less rounded muzzle and curved neck. Their
backs are long, with a slightly sloped croup. Originating in all likelihood from Peloria,
although very adaptable they are not as suited for extreme cold as the Dariti or Daron.

Pentan and Pelorian Sereds normally have zebra-striping, at least over the rump. Some
regions breed special colours. Dariti tend to be a little smaller than Sered ponies, whilst
Darons tend to be larger and stronger than Sered horses. Sereds are noted for being livelier in
disposition than Daritis and Darons. They are very capable over long distances and have a
respectable turn of speed. As such, they are the root stock from which all the fastest breeds -
Chuaran, Goldeneye, Jillaran and Vusano - are drawn.

Sereds are ubiquitous. Give a Bazalring a cave wall and ask them to draw a horse, and
they will draw one with the zebra markings of the Sered. There is good reason for this, as
outside of extremes of cold or the size and strength needed for a cavalry or war horse, it is
a better ride, being swifter and having greater endurance. They also tend be more fecund,
and twin foals at the foot of a Sered mare are not uncommon.

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Swadal
The mightiest breed in terms of size, the Swadal
are seldom seen outside of their native Kingdom
of Loskalm in Fronela.

Running from 16 to 18 hands, they are

extremely strong and quite literally bred to be
war horses, having a surprising turn of speed
even when carrying a fully armoured warrior.

They are heavily built with wide, arched necks,

large, noble heads with gently curving faces, a
long back and a sloping croup. They tend to be black, although other colours are known.
Named after the family that were instrumental in developing the breed, they are almost
unknown outside of Loskalm.

The only reason I can claim to have seen Swadals in the flesh is because I have been to
Loskalm! Loskalm is determined to keep the breed to themselves, due to the advantage it
gives them against the Kingdom of War. There have been multiple instances of
Swadals that were smuggled out of the Kingdom of Loskalm being found dead in their
stable, even as far afield as Heortland or Tarsh. Rumour has it that they are trained to
attack anyone other than their rider who tries to mount them. I suspect that they are the
result of breeding the largest Fronans and adding in admixtures of Western blood.

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Vusano
This breed is not only fast but has high levels of
endurance. However, their light build and
musculature does mean they can be prone to
injury or overexertion in unskilled hands.

They are another breed the Dragon Emperor is

rumoured to, quite literally have had a hand in,
allegedly being the result of him stroking a
beautiful mare.

They are quite similar to the Chuaran in

confirmation and size ranging from 14-15.2
hands, but their faces are far more dished. They
are better suited to long distance riding than the
Chuaran, Jillaran or Goldeneye. The only breed that surpasses them over distance is the
relatively humble Sered, but the greater speed of the Vusano means that in a contest of speed
the Vusano will disappear from sight in the morning even if by dusk the Sered has over-hauled
it.

The Dragon Emperor strikes again, or maybe in this case strokes again. Having said
that, the head of a Vusano is more than a little draconic in appearance, although far
smaller, less scaly, and significantly less likely to breath fire. This breeds fault is it’s
advantage over the other fastest breeds – its endurance. More so than any other breed I
have encountered, it has the spirit to carry on going as far and as fast as it can and over
long distances it needs a rider to set a pace that will not make it founder or become
prostrate from exhaustion. They are delightful horses, but have as much sense as an Enlo
crammed into their pretty little heads.

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