Ivy and Chrome PbP Forums

Below is a skills list that Mark Browning and I put together. Please add comments if you have any other skills that you think are appropriate or any comments/suggestions on the ones listed here. If I like your suggestions then I'll incorporate them into my list.

• Loyal - Horse won't generally allow others near without approval from owner.
  • 55% ..... +5% per level
• Stand Watch - Even when asleep, horses awaken at the slightest sound. With this skill, the horse has also been trained to alert it's owner if the source of the sound is new or unknown.
  • 45% ..... +4% per level
• Steady - Does not spook easily (+3 to save vs. horror factor)
• Set Back - Horse will maintain tension on a rope tied to the saddle horn without the rider
  • 55% ..... +5% per level
• Ground Tied - Horse will stay reasonably put with the reins dangling on the ground
  • 65% ..... +5% per level
• Trick Riding - Horse is trained for trick riding (adds +10% to rider's skill roll when doing tricks)
• Kick on Command - Horse will kick out with both hind legs upon a given cue either audible or inaudible (must be riding the horse for inaudible). Counts as one of horse's melee actions whether the kick was successfullly executed or not. A failed roll means that the horse did not recognize the command.
  
  Skill can be taken twice, once for an audible signal and once for inaudible. Trigger must be specified when skill is taken. (ex. Tripple clicking with the tongue, pressure with feet back in the flank area, etc.)
  • 50% ..... +5% per level
• Combat Ready - Horse is trained for close quarters combat. Will bite, kick and maneuver as needed in battle (During mounted hand to hand combat: +1 to rider's strike and dodge; +2 to horse's dodge; will stand watch over fallen rider)
• Hold Enemy - (combat skill) Attempt to trap a fallen enemy on the ground with a hoof.
  • NOTE: I added this for completeness, but would caution against using it against an enemy that can do MDC damage.
  • 40% ..... +4% per level
• Find Home - If separated from rider, the horse will attempt to find it's way to the most recent camp and after 1d4 days waiting will attempt to go Home. (Home is a location that the pair has spent a significant amount of time, weeks or months, most recently. Please specify location. Can be changed with approval from GM.) Failed roll means horse has become lost. Add half the distance from home and roll again.
  • 60% ..... +5% per level
• Farm Hand - Is trained to pull a wagon, plow, etc. Allows rider to use reins to control the horse from a distance just as if he were riding the horse. Without this skill, the horse must be led or ridden while pulling objects. Removes any penalties associated with the object being pulled (skittishness due to noises from the object being pulled, etc.)
• Barrel Riding - Allows a horse to make tighter turns than usual. At GM's discretion reduces or eliminates penalties while riding at high speeds through areas with a lot of trees, buildings or other stationary objects. (Also adds +10% to riders skill level during these types of maneuvers.)
• Herding - Horse is trained in moving groups of animals with owners signals. Also can be used if someone is running away and the horse could catch up and try to herd the person in a different direction. (Once horse is in position, treat like an attack action at +2 to strike. Horse doese not actually strike the opposing being, though, just forces the being to change directions.)
• Distraction - Horse is trained on queue to make noise or rear up to try and gain the attention of the target. Specify trigger queue when taking skill. Counts as one melee action to attempt to give signal.
  • 50% ..... +5% per level
• Drag to Safety - Horse is trained to drag owner or whoever owner signals to safety if needed. Horse will attempt to get whoever is being dragged to some sort of cover (if available) or if not away from the situation. Counts as one melee action to attempt to give signal. (Failed roll means that horse did not hear or understand the signal.)
  • 40% ..... +5% per level

I might actually use the above, considering that the current DMH game has a crap ton of people who use horses.

Offtopic: How is Mark doing? I remember him playing in the main I&C game.