Eqquis

Descendent of Horses

Eqquis are genetically altered
descendents of horses. Amarla, the
Onyx Empress, created eqquis from the
dying species. (Horses no longer exist
as of 3694 AR.) Like the last of the
horses, eqquis are unable to reproduce
on their own. Specialized breeders
assist in the reproduction.

"Eqquis" is both singular and plural.

Eqquis Glossary

Age ridge - hard ridge formed every
time an exoplate sheds. Each ridge
stands for two years. When the plates
thicken and harden, they cover the age
ridges.

Chest Plate - exoplate that protects
the beast's chest from arrows and
blades during battle. Sheds every two
years. Takes a month to harden a new
one. Grooves line the edges up to the
neck and underneath behind the
forelegs for straps to fit into.

Eqquis Breeders - specially trained
Elves, originally only available in
Tarsol of the Onyx Empire. They
collect approved eqquis seed to
impregnate the mares, then raise and
train the offspring.

Exoplates - hard exoskeleton plates
that form over the back, chest, and
sides. Shed once every two years. New
exoplates take a month to harden.

Mane - long, thick hair that starts
from the cheeks and atop the head and
ends at rear base of neck. Braided
from the cheeks to form reign-braids.

Reign-Braids - braided mane loop. Rider
braids the mane from the cheeks and
ties the braids together behind the
eqquis neck in order to direct the
beast.

Saddle Bladder - A flexible, strong
membrane filled with water, just
beneath the saddle plate. Adds cushion
to absorb shock for the rider. Can
burst if pierced or if ridden after
the saddle plate sheds.

Saddle Plate - exoplate that covers the
saddle bladder and moves slightly. A
ridge of flexible tissue surrounds it
and can be pierced. Sheds every two
years. Takes a month to harden a new
plate.

Stirrup Lift - a triangular metal block
wrapped in leather and bolted to the
ridge of a stirrup plate. Only needed
if the rider is too short to reach the
beast's stirrup ridge.

Stirrup Plates - exoplates that cover the
sides of an eqquis and have a hard
ridge for the rider's feet. Stirrup
lifts can be added to adjust for
height. Shed every two years. Take a
month to harden new plates. Two groove
lines flank either side of saddle
plates and down the stirrup plates for
straps to attach underbags.