Heliotian
A creature of mounted warfare used anciently by the Yophenthean rulers of the Pallathantic, the heliotian curiously blends a horse and a ram in appearance with the speed and agility of the former and the dogged aggressiveness of the latter. The heliotian is a horned beast with a heavy frame, slightly larger than a draft horse. They have a thick coat of fur, ranging in color from golden-tinged white to light tawny. Their heads are not quite as proportionally long as a horses and have wrinkled noses like a saiga with long furry lappets on its cheeks. Its horns are curling like a ram's. Heliotians are omnivores, eating both grass, fruits, flowers, and small game. Their teeth are similar to a bear's although their muzzles are longer.
The heliotian is today the purview of the Arathracian Church and wealthy landowners who can afford to stable, feed, and pay for the training of these magnificent beasts which are slightly larger than draft horses. They were widely bred and used in ancient Yophenthea by the ruling nobles and high-ranking military commanders.
According to Arathracian legend, the creatures were given as gifts by the god Rhio to the first Arathracian kings of Erechóreb to bear them in war. The Yophentheans believed that the heliotian was a creature of the higher worlds that would carry the souls of Yophenthean warriors into the afterlife, similar to how golden eagles were thought to bear Yophenthean nobles into the afterlife. The creatures were neglected during the Middle Ages and nearly went extinct except in the Disdrirn Forest where they roam feral to this day. Today, the heliotian is a rare creature, saved from near extinction about three centuries ago, and bred by enthusiasts in Erechóreb, Nymentho, southern Pytharnia, and Corundy. Heliotians are omnivores with aggressive temperaments and great strength. They are more difficult to tame and train than horses, but very loyal to their rider after extensive conditioning. They consume more grass and hay than draft horses and require a large field in which to frolic when not in use. They also consume small animals like mice.
In combat, a heliotian can bite and attack with rear hooves. In a charge, a trained heliotian can use bull rush to push an enemy or attack with a headbutt at the command of its trained rider. Heliotians stand 5 ½ to 6 ½ feet tall at the shoulder and weigh between 1,300 and 1,800 pounds.
See Also
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