Tulpar

Tulpar are a race of psionic steeds that serves as mounts for the White Riders of Eroth These intelligent magical beasts are much stronger and hardier than even even the Roganian Equine Royal Line. In addition they have psychic powers that allows them to blend in to their surroundings, psychically attack their opponent and speak mentally to others. This last power is usually only used to communicate to their riders as they prefer to appear as normal steeds, but they do occasionally speak to other they trust.


The Tulpar are raised in Golddale in a secret valley. prospective riders, are brought to the valley when they finish the first part of their training, and there they spend time amongst the Tulpar. At this point most riders do not know of the creatures special abilities. There each prospect is judged by the Tulpar who use thier abilities to to see deep into the minds of the person. They probe for several things. First the prospect must be loyal and good at heart. The Tulpar are good creatures and will not suffer anyone with a different morality to join with them. Second they ensure the prospect has the resolve to serve in a position where thier life may be constantly in danger. Third the Tulpar judges their competence. A rider is expected to be able to make quick decisions and adapt to situations where they have no support. Last a Tulpar ensure the prospect has a compatible personality. Like any other intelligent being Tulpar's have their own personality traits, and it is important that a rider and his Tulpar think the same way as they must often be of the same mind to work together on sensitive missions. If a Tulpar judges a prospect worthy, he will bond with that person, and the prospect earns the title of white rider.

The White Rider Bond

When a Tulpar accepts a rider they form a psionic bond. This bond is permanent as far as anyone has been able to determine. The only way to break the bond is with the death of one of the other. The death or a bonded companion is a traumatic event. Some say it is even more devastating than losing a partner or child, as the two has spent years constantly hearing the other thoughts. It is akin to losing part of oneself and it is very rare for one of the pair to bond another.

The bond itself links the two in thoughts and in body. Not only does it allow constant communication through the Tulpar's Mindlink power, but it goes deeper allowing each to know the other's thoughts. While it is possible to keep thoughts or memories away from a bonded companion, it is a constant task, and the other can usually tell there is something being hidden. Still it is not uncommon and each of the pair usually respects the other's privacy. The bond also allows the tulpar and rider to lend each other strength, especially in a battle. The bond also increases both of the companions endurance, and prevent them from tiring as often. The bond also allows any magical or psionic trait that affect one to affect the other if they are touching each other.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Tulpar resemble horses that have been bred for speed. Thier coats are always pure white, with a grey mane.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Tulpar are strickty herbavores and can feed on grass and hay thought most prefer other vegatebles.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Tulpar all live in a valley deep in Golddale. While they may look like horses they are not and are more alike humans when ti comes to social structure. They care for thier young until they are old enough to be on thier own, but even then, they maintain close famillial ties. They all concider themselve one large extended family. There are not subgroup besides that of a parent and its children. Siblings do tend to be closer, but not always, sometimes friend groups take their place.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

A tulpar seems to have the same physical senses of the species they resemble but they are able to see well in darker condition than most horses. Thier psionic abilities give them a much greater insight thought. Thier ability to read surface thoughts and emotions allow them to be able to tell when most people are lying, and get a sense for the general morality of a person. They can also get a sense of wrongness about areas that have a strong taint or magic or evil. They can easily detect psionic beings or residual effect of psychic powers that have been used.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Tulpar tend to take names from Old Erothian.

History

The origin of the Tulpar is a mystery even to the Tulpar themselves. The general concensus is that they are decendant of celetial steed that roam the good aligned outer planes and were sent to Nor by the Gods. There intrinsically good nature seems to lend some credence to this theory but it is not the only one. Some believe that the Tulpar may be reincarnated White Riders which is what allows them to form so strong a bond with thier riders.

Lifespan

80 years

Average Height

An average Tulpar stand 5'10 inches at the shoulder.

Average Weight

Most Tulpar weight about 1000 pounds.

Average Length

8 feet on average from nose to tail.

Geographic Distribution

• Eastern Aranthar