Asperi, also known as wind steeds, are magical horses found in Adar that possess keen minds, telepathic powers, and the ability to fly.
Description[]
Asperi appeared as normal horses, averaging around 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. They have hides that are dun, gray, or white and long manes that are most often light gray, silver, or white.[1]
Behavior[]
Asperis are sentient creatures, more intelligent than most humans. They are usually very gentle, except when it comes to their enemies.[1]
Abilities[]
Asperis are rarely surprised, boasting natural low-light vision. Cold-based and wind-based attacks have no effect on asperi either. And though extremes of heat do not especially faze them, fire-based attacks hurt them more than usual. They possess the natural ability to manifest feather fall as a spell-like ability four times each day.[1]
Asperi communicate via telepathy that can be understood by any intelligent creature. It is limited to a range of around 60 feet (18 meters) from the individual however.[1]
Combat[]
If forced to defend themselves, asperis do so quickly and efficiently. With sharp teeth and powerful front legs for kicking, they attack the faces and wings of their opponents.[1]
An asperi's agility in the air serve them well defensively. Though for every 150 lb (68 kg) or so of weight they cary aloft, they slow noticeably. Their flight is based on a natural levitation, combined with an ability to 'ride' winds— the stronger the wind, the faster they can fly. It is an incredibly smooth ride too, allowing riders to cast spells from atop a speeding asperi with no difficulty.[1]
Society[]
Although unlikely to be encountered in numbers greater than three, a herd of asperis can be up to twenty-strong.[1]
Advanced individual asperis are rarely encountered, but possess an iridescent hide and rainbow manes and tails.[1]
Homelands[]
Asperi can be found in the mountains of Adar, where they easily ride the winds of Adar.[2]
Asperis dwell in asperi "neighborhoods" or "asperi rookeries" within Kasshta keep, and are treated as citizens.[3]
Relationships[]
Asperi usually keep to themselves but herds with a desire for fish are known to raid coastal communities and fishing boats for their catch. They consider hippogriffs and griffons their mortal enemies and almost always attacked them on sight. Rocs are also sometimes attacked, but usually left alone. Conversely, asperis got on well with pegasi.[1]
Some individuals in Adar, including kalashtar, have a special relationship with the asperis. Asperis and kalashtar get along due to their mutual telepathy. Asperis either visit or live as allies and citizens to the larger Adaran settlements or monastery-fortresses of the land.[2]
Usages[]
A captured young asperi sells for 7,000 gold pieces to potential trainers.[1]
See also[]
- Horses
- Rendesa
- Valenar steeds
Appendix[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Ed Bonny, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter (September 2002). Monster Manual II 3rd edition. (TSR, Inc), pp. 25–26. ISBN 07-8692-873-5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.