Equestrian
Situations requiring mastery of mounts (such as horses, donkeys, camels, and etc.) fall under the equestrain ability. An Equestrian Ability of 1 demands effort on the part of the rider in order to remain on horseback. In contrast, a horseman with an Equestrian Ability Score of 10 effortlessly manipulates his steed like a part of his body. The number produced from 1d6 determines a PC's initial Equestrian Ability Score. Furthermore, an Equestrian Ability Score never rises above 10 or goes below 1.
Cavalrymen and British Army officers holding the rank of captain or above need at least average proficiency in Equestrian (3 or above). In addition, junior officers from cavalry units (cornets & lieutenants) have the option of training in Equestrian Ability as part of their regimental duties. On the other hand, infantry, artillery, and Royal Navy officers - plus civilians - must schedule time at a riding school:
Number of Weeks 1 |
Cost 2 |
Ability Bonus |
1 Week |
10 Crowns |
0.1 |
2 Weeks |
25 Crowns |
0.25 |
3 Weeks |
50 Crowns |
0.5 |
4 Weeks |
100 Crowns |
1 |
Lord Chesterleigh, Colonel of the First Regiment of Horse Guards, chooses to undergo an entire month of Equestrian training. After four weeks spent learning how to ride, Viscount Chesterleigh increases His Lordship's Equestrian Ability Score by 1 (from 5 to 6). Since Lord Chesterleigh belongs to the Household Cavalry, His Lordship need not expend money to receive inculcation.
When a PC's circumstances demands use of the Equestrian Ability, his player rolls 1d6 (or the GM in play by email games), then consults the Equestrian Result Table:
Equestrian Ability |
Die Roll |
|||||
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
1 |
6 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
In combat, an Equestrian Result of 1 may possibly save a PC fromdeath & provide other benefits:
Conversely, Equestrian Results of 6 steer characters towards potential peril:
On campaign in France, Lord Chesterleigh's cavalier sorties compromise His Lordship's ability to return from enemy territory (+5 Bravery). Thus, the GM casts 1d6 for Viscount Chesterleigh's Equestrian Ability. With a die roll of 6 - an Equestrian Result of 1 according to the Equestrian Result Table - the young viscount adds a +1 bonus to His Lordship's Death Roll.
Next, the Game Master rolls another six-sided die for Viscount Chesterleigh's Battle Result. A Military Ability of 5 produces a Battle Result of 4 on a roll of 2. His Lordship's unmodified Death Roll on an Battle Result of 4 for Field Operations - 8 or higher on 2d6 - lowers to 3 or higher on 2d6 because of His Lordship's excessive bravery (8 - 5 = 3).
However, Lord Chesterleigh's rank of colonel (+2 to Death Roll), in addition to His Lordship's affiliation to Life Guards (+2 to Death Roll), and the viscount's extraordinary riding (Equestrian Result 1 = +1 to Death Roll) means that His Lordship adds a +5 to His Lordship's Death Roll.
3 plus 5 equals a roll of 8 or better on 2d6 - a significant improvement to His Lordship's survival rate. So, the GM rolls 2d6, which generates a 6 (3 & 3). Therefore, by gallantly leaping over a French picket line, Viscount Chesterleigh barely escapes the jaws of death!
In more peaceful pursuits, Equestrian Results of 1 bestow these advantages:
On the other hand, negative effects derive from poor Equestrian Results of 6:
Doctor Arthur Dent gains permission to jockey Sir Norman Stanley-Fletcher's Prepared at Royal Ascot. For an Equestrian Ability of 2, the game master's d6 roll roll of 1 translates into a poor showing for Sir Norma's steed (Equestrian Result 6). The -1 penalty reduces Doctor Dent's Ascot Roll to 2 (3 - 1 = 2). While the Blues' Regimental Surgeon manages to stay seated on his mount, the other contestants leave Prepared behind to finish the race at last place.
Players, based on Equestrian Results, improves Equestrian Ability Scores:
Equestrian Result |
Ability Score +/- |
Equestrian Result 1 |
+0.5 |
Equestrian Result 2 |
+0.25 |
Equestrian Result 3 |
+0.1 |
Equestrian Result 4 |
-0.1 |
Equestrian Result 5 |
-0.25 |
Equestrian Result 6 |
-0.5 |
Also competing, Doctor Simon Creed rides Heart of the Desert at Royal Ascot. His Equestrian Ability Score of 8 creates an Equestrian Result of 1 when the GM rolls 5 on 1d6. Adding 1 to his Royal Ascot Roll, the Game Master's die roll of 5 becomes a 6. Combining superior Arabian stock and masterful horsemanship - Doctor Simon Creed & Heart of the Desert easily win Royal Ascot (raising his Equestrian Ability Score from 8 to 8.5)!
Depending on a player's Equestrian Result, social gain or loss follows as tabulated below:
Equestrian Result |
Social Points |
Equestrian Result 1 |
3d6 Positive Social Points |
Equestrian Result 2 |
2d6 PositiveSocial Points |
Equestrian Result 3 |
1d6 Positive Social Points |
Equestrian Result 4 |
1d6 Negative Social Points |
Equestrian Result 5 |
2d6 Negative Social Points |
Equestrian Result 6 |
3d6 Negative Social Points |
Following Doctor Creed's victory at Royal Ascot, his reputation surges as conversations and news reports ceaselessly praise his riding skills. 3d6 score a 4, 5, & 6 - for a total of 15 positive social points.
Finally, riding a purebred mount (i.e. Arabians, Throughbreds, etc.) increases Equestrian Result by 1. In contrast, an inferior mount reduces Equestrian Result by 1:
Type |
Cost |
Modifier |
Inferior |
50 Crowns |
-1 to Equestrian Result |
Normal |
100 Crowns |
None |
Purebred |
200 Crowns |
+1 to Equestrian Result |
If Doctor Creed's Heart of the Desert raced against ordinary mounts, the Arabian stallion's superior breeding significantly favours him over more common steeds.