In reply to Sakemoko (msg # 750):

Two nervous looking grooms lead a horse into the compound. It looks like a riding or pack beast, but on closer inspection, its mane and tail seem to be of a solid piece abd its black eyes do not seem to track.

In reply to Guai ma (msg # 751):

Can Saishi determine what it is? What roll would be needed?

16:42, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 7 using 3d6.  Teamster ~ 12.

16:41, Today: Chye Isuel rolled 13 using 3d6.  riding ~ 14.
Chye first mounts the beast, and canters a bit before dismounting to get the beast harnessed for the wagon.

Chou-Zhen's interest is drawn to the strange animal.  He approaches it slowly.

"Most horses will go to great lengths to avoid me, but this doesn't seem a normal horse.

"Where did you find this, Lord?"

In reply to Chye Isuel (msg # 753):

the horse feels odd to Chye, he feels no bones move beneath its hide, and the texture of it is strange to the touch, and slightly rubbery.

Saishi has no knowledge that would explain the oddness of the creature.

In reply to Guai ma (msg # 755):

"One of the things which prompted my journey to Northport was a casting of the oracle, describing a bad star and a horse. this beat was born three months ago, and lovked in the stables after its mother died... it had been creeping through the crack in the door to ea grass at night, and would slide through the same opening ech morning. it took only a few strings of cash to prevent the farmer from burning it in thr barn."

In reply to Yoshimura Fuwara (msg # 756):

Does appear to still be an animal,or something else?

[Private to GM: Saishi rolled natural 4 for naturalist, skill 13]

"This is very strange, like it's from another plane..."

"Are you auspicious, or should we be suspicious?"
Chye says patting the beasts flank, trying to discern more.

"It bears some similarities to myself.  Early maturation, for instance -- I was physically adult at age eleven, while a foal a mere three months old should still be quite obviously a foal.  The crude-seeming approximations of mane and tail.  Seeming lack of bones or other hard structures."

Chou-Zhen approaches the horse-thing more closely, watching closely for signs of agitation, and speaks to it in Eldritch.

"Rytsas, riña.  Ymg' ah hup naIIIIor agl?"

[Private to GM: "Hello, girl.  Are you from the Outer Realms?"]

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 760):

the horse thingturns toward Chou-Zen and nickers softly.

Saishi Jin seems to think it a horse... but he can't put his finger on what is odd about it. The grooms made warding signs as if it were cursed.

In reply to Guai ma (msg # 761):

Wow, not even with a critical success? Can I at least determine what I should roll to learn what it is?

"Mgepah ya gnaiih ymg' mgulnah l' ya?"  Chou-Zhen continues to speak softly in the jarring Eldritch language, much the way a groom or rider will do when meeting a strange horse.

[Private to GM: "Did my father send you to me?"]

In reply to Saishi Jin (msg # 762):

whatever it is, it is outside the natural scope of things, and appears to be approximating a horse.  zif it squeezed under or theough a barred door, it may have no bones. That is weird.

"Raised by horses? Why play at horse?"
Chye says

"I wonder how Congee-san,and this "horse" react to one another..."

Chou-Zhen continues slowly approaching the "horse", watching for the nervous dancing that would indicate an ordinary horse was about to rear, bolt, or otherwise panic.  He continues murmuring soft nonsense in Eldritch as he approaches.

[Private to GM: 20:23, Today: Chou-Zhen Mou rolled 10 using 3d6.  Animal Handling (Equines) (default 8).  Let me know if I need a different skill for this, please.]

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 767):

"This is no natural beast. Keep it on a short leash..."

"Much the same has been said of me, Saishi.  All of us are capable of evil.  That includes you, me, Tekeli-li, and Guai Ma here.  Our choices determine our path."

"Seems docile enough and well behaved...How about horsepower? With no bones or muscles, it could have unnatural strength..."

"Wonder if oats, apples,and carrots, are it's usual fare.."

In reply to Iskander (msg # 771):

"You, it would seem, have proven yourself. The others are yet to. That is all I am saying. We should not make assumptions based on their docile appearances..."

"I have no bones, and my strength and speed are barely average for a human.  I eat and drink the same things you do, however, and Guai Ma has been eating like a horse, or initially a foal, for three months, it seems.  I wonder if she was nursed by another mare after her dam died, or started eating hay and grain immediately?

"What I see as the special thing about Guai Ma is that she seems not to fear me as natural animals do, so that it's possible I might ride rather than walk.  Even if she is no faster than a plodding plow horse or cart nag, still she will be faster than I can walk with a full pack.

"I must get her saddle and tack, and myself a few quick lessons in riding.  Because horses fear me, I have never sat on one's back, nor even driven a buggy or wagon.  She seemed to respond much like a horse, though, when Chye jumped on her back."

[Private to GM: Standard saddle and tack costs (reins, blankets, saddlebags for her feed, and so forth)?  I don't see grain for feed listed anywhere.]

"A suitable ride, for rider in need. Good!"

In reply to Chou-Zhen Mou (msg # 773):

the odd horse lowers its face to some ornamemtal grasses, and withdraws it after a moment, leaving a perfect circle chewed into the sparse foliage.