Ryshadium

"The Ryshadium cannot be tamed, nor can they be bred. They will not leave the wild unless they decide to by picking a rider. Nal'vat are not "breeders", they only maintain their fields so the Ryshadium are comfortable, and of course negotiate with a potential rider in their stead, acting as a bridge between the two."

Monarch Ressam Lafanin
Ruler of Jah Keved

Basic Information

Anatomy

The Ryshadium are similar to their cousins the common horse, however there are a few key physical differences between the two. First, Ryshadium stand about 2 hands taller than common horses. Second, the Ryshadium's endurance and strength is much higher than the common horse, able to carry more than 600 lbs and still be able to break into a full gallop and maintain that speed for much longer than common horses. According to tests with Ryshadium bonded with a person and horses, the Ryshadium (weighed down with 650 lbs) was able to maintain to gallop at the same speed as the common horse (with no weight), and maintained that speed much longer than the common horse.

Ryshadium are the only horses capable of bearing the weight of a shardbearer in shardplate and wielding a shard blade.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Ryshadium are mammals, and thus reproduce like other mammals. Gestation also is identical to common horse's (11 months), though it seems that Ryshadium reproduce much less often than common horses, a mare having approximately 6-8 foals in her lifetime, in comparison to the 12-14 common mares often have.

Growth Rate & Stages

Ryshadium grow at an identical rate to common horses, usually reaching maturity at 12 to 15 months. Similar to other wild horses, Ryshadium often travel and mate in familial groups, with 1 stallion and a varying number of mares. Once a foal reaches 1-2 years of age, they are encourages (or forced) to leave the family group and join another, or create one in the case of young stallions.

Ecology and Habitats

The Ryshadium thrive in dense forests and open fields. A Ryshadium herd will spend most of the spring in the fields, as this is the period foals are generally born. Once summer arrives, Ryshadium return to the forests where they spend the rest of their time. Because of the requirement of field and forest, the middle of Jah Keved contains the majority of non-bonded Ryshadium. Ryshadium have been known to travel through Alethkar, however these are incredibly rare. Alethi Rhyshadium tend to reside close to the center of forests, the furthest away from human contact available. Herds in Alethkar are almost non-existent, and experts estimate outside of House Aladar's territory there are about 1-3 herds, and a small number of perhaps 20-100 lone Ryshadium.

Because Ryshadium herds often travel great distances during their time in forests over the course of a year, they make little impact on the ecosystem from an ecological standpoint. When in the field during spring, they consume the abundant grass. This would be their biggest ecological impact, however, Jah Kevedian Nal'vat, or Jah Kevedians who are considered Ryshadium "breeders", maintain the fields, making sure there is more than enough grass and other vegetation for the Ryshadium. Ryshadium do not trust humanoids in general, however Nal'vat are at least tolerated to provide vegetation for them, and negotiate with a potential humanoid who is looking to bond with a Ryshadium.

Ryshadium have no natural predators, as even a small herd could easily trample an Owlbear to death. Certain creatures such as aberrations and extremely powerful monstrosities have consumed a Ryshadium before, however most will try to consume easier prey to catch, such as humans.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Ryshadium forage for vegetation to eat in forests and fields. They prefer natural grasses, however they have been witnessed eating leaves, bushes, and other forms of vegetation when grass is not available.

As for habits, Ryshadium exhibit many behaviors that are unique to the breed. They posses a certain level of sentience though it is unclear the exact degree of sentience they posses. There are multiple cases throughout history where a Ryshadium appears to understand its rider when he or she speaks to them. Such intelligence and understanding can be seen in their relationships with their riders. Humans will often carry on conversations with Ryshadium and the horses will seemingly answer, either through body language or sounds such as snorts.

In turn, humans take great care not to upset them. A Ryshadium will not be stabled with regular horses, but rather on its own pasture, large enough to run around in. Ryshadium require minimum one pasture to consider its home pasture. However, more than one is preferred for them. Ryshadium will accept being put in a stable, provided no common horses reside in the stable while it is there. Ryshadium will also acquiesce to being tied to posts, though they generally prefer (again) to be away from regular horses. All in all, Ryshadium will prefer a pasture 10 times out of 10, however a rider can usually convince it to stay elsewhere during travel when needed, provided they "make up for it" when appropriate. On the rare occassions that a Ryshadium needs to carry someone other than their rider, the rider typically has to spend a long time convincing the horse to do so. This being said, common grooms typically don't know how to care for a Ryshadium, and once back in its home pasture, the horse is sometimes left to fend for itself.

Biological Cycle

Ryshadium do not hibernate, instead often moving to southern forests in Jah Keved, Herdaz, and even the lands of House Aladar during winter to avoid snowfall. Once winter is over and the days begin to lengthen, mares will recognize it will soon be time to return to the fields.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Ryshadium form familial units comprised of a dominant stallion and a dominant mare. These two are the core of the family unit for Ryshadium. The stallion focuses generally on protecting the herd from other creatures, and while he can lead the herd in situations where an escape from a foe might be needed, he generally does not lead the herd. The dominant mare leads the group, deciding where to go for food during the year, and when to begin returning to the field for mating.

Generally, the two dominant Ryshadium will be surrounded by anywhere between 3-15 mares, with an additional 1-8 foals under 2 years old, depending on how many mares there are in a unit, and how many breed in that year. When a mare or stallion reaches maturity, they are often encouraged by the two dominant Ryshadium to leave the herd, and either form a new one, or join an existing one.

Ryshadium can also travel alone, and often many 1-2 year old stallions and mares who have left their parents herd do. However, usually these lone Ryshadium will form or find a herd in the spring.

Domestication

This species is not domesticated, nor does it seem able to be domesticated. Generally horse breeding methods are met with extreme resistance by Ryshadium. Jah Kevedian "breeders" called "Nal'vat" who maintain fields in central Jah Keved for Ryshadium have found that building a form of mutual respect by providing for 1 or more herds (or many Ryshadium who are not in a herd) with vegetation from a field will benefit both parties. The Ryshadium will have a well maintained place to feed and birth their young, while the Nal'vat is able to introduce humanoids to the Ryshadium, any whom may decide to form a bond. Should that happen, the Nal'vat is able to make a huge profit (one "sale" can earn the Nal'vat hundreds if not thousands of spheres, which will last them many years). Ryshadium will resist all attempts to be removed from the wild, except after forming a bond with a rider.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

Ryshadium are incredibly useful warhorses, coveted by the Alethi. In battle, Ryshadium will hold their ground even in circumstances when other horses would flee, either through training or their natural abilities.

Should a Ryshadium and its rider be separated (but neither killed), the Ryshadium will attempt to return to either the last known spot where their rider was seen, or their home pasture. If after a year a Ryshadium has not found their rider or returned to their home pasture, they will often sever their bond and return to the wild. In the very rare chance a Ryshadium is reintroduced to their rider after a bond is severed, there is a high chance they will bond again with the rider. The exception to this rule is when a rider purposefully abandons their Ryshadium, then there is almost no chance that the Ryshadium will form a new bond with the old rider.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Generally in the forests of Jah Keved, Herdaz, and House Aladar's territory, except in spring when herds migrate to Jah Kevedian fields for mating. Some wild Ryshadium are known to live in central Alethkar, however these are very rare.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Ryshadium are also known to be more intelligent than common horses, some scholars even positing that Ryshadium have some form of sentience. This is exemplified by Ryshadium often responding to their riders vocal commands, and will use body language, snorts, and other noises as if responding to a rider when they speak to their Ryshadium. While rumor, fantasy, and conjecture obscure whether this is true or not, it is rumored that some Ryshadium have the ability to communicate telepathically, however that has never been proven to be true. It is also rumored that Ryshadium (or at least some of them) have additional supernatural abilities beyond their strength and intelligence, however these are but rumors, possibly even fantasy's created by dark eyes, enamored by these resplendent and powerful horses.

Symbiotic and Parasitic organisms

The Ryshadium and the Nal'vat have a symbiotic relationship, however this in not biologically necessary.
Ryshadium can contract parasites such as worms and bots. However, Ryshadium do not appear to develop thrush (hoof rot aka Pododermatitis), horse experts believe this is because Ryshadium's hooves are made of different material than common horses. Though research is still ongoing, the prevailing theory is Ryshadium's hooves are made of stone or a similar material.

Civilization and Culture

History

The Ryshadium have unknown origins. No known historian can find documentation of discovering Ryshadiums, which has lead many scholars to hypothesize that Ryshadiums are the descendants of ancient horses from the Tranquiline Halls, who traveled with humanoids to Roshar.

Ryshadium are known for choosing and obeying only a particular rider. Many riders have described the experience of having a Ryshadium accept them as a rider as “indescribable”. It is indicated that one must be “worthy” to be chosen by a Ryshadium, some even going to every Nal'vat in Jah Keved, and still not finding a Ryshadium to bond with.

There have been stories of bandits, foolish Herdazian locals, and glassy eyed romantics attempting to steal (or in the romantics case force a bond) with a Ryshadium. However, this has been met with a strong kick in the case of the romantics, or a deadly trampling in the case of bandits. Ryshadium in general seem to be able to determine intention to some extent, which is why those who intend to do true harm while receive a much more painful punishment than somebody blinded by fantasy.

In Jah Keved there is a cultural understanding that Ryshadium cannot be stolen short of micro-dosing them with a poison. However, this method is difficult to do, as it requires a Ryshadium be constantly under a poison's effects, and administering even a little too much poison to perpetuate the effects can kill a Ryshadium. This in tandem with almost no potential buyers (since an un-bonded Ryshadium will escape from a purchaser as soon as they are able) makes fencing a Ryshadium almost impossible, dangerous, and definitely not profitable.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

Ryshadium can and sometimes do interbreed with common horses. This does not produce any hybrid offspring, but instead a common foal.

Aside from that however, Ryshadium generally avoid common horses, especially when bonded to a rider, and when the common horse is owned and serves a humanoid.

Scientific Name

Equus Potens

Origin/Ancestry

Jah Keved
Previously
The Tranquiline halls

Lifespan

30-35 years

Conservation Status

Uncommon, but not endangered

Average Height

5'9"-6'8" feet tall

Average Weight

1,200-2,400 lbs

Average Length

8 feet

Average Physique

Ryshadium are extremely powerful, which could place their strength somewhere around 15-18

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Usually of one solid color (black, brown, etc). Marks are very rare.
Average Intelligence
Ryshadium have a heightened intelligence, which could be placed in the range of 11-14 in INT

Ryshadium met by the party:
-Felon (bonded to Quiletta Gellantra)