Mounts
There are many forms of transportation available to the Peoples of Aloria, some may use artificial constructs created by Magic or technology while others may defer to the less exotic animals of the world, such as the humble horse or yak. The Mounts on this page represent some of the more unique fauna found in Aloria.
Any Mount on this page is represented by mounts found on the MassiveCraft Shop, reached here: https://shop.massivecraft.com/
Terrestrial Mounts
Two-Claw Raptor
These bipedal reptilian predators have been tamed by different peoples across Aloria, being valued for their ability to stalk targets and move swiftly through difficult terrain. The practice of taming these creatures is said to originate with the Allar, and they’re said to have been used to fearsome effect against Regalians during the Chrysant War. With the integration of the Allar in the modern day most of these animals are an uncommon, but not alien sight in Regalia.
- Red: The most common variant of Two-Claw Raptors is known for its bright vermillion scales. The practice of taming these creatures originates with the Allar, but has spread across Aloria.
- Black: Less commonly used, this version of Two-Claw Raptors is known for its aggression making them favored as Mounts during times of war. They have a sinister reputation as well for being the mount of choice by Sendrassian raiders, and even the Kathar of the Dread Empire are said to use a similar steed, though mounted warriors across Aloria are known to utilize them.
Horse
Horses are among the most common mounts in Aloria, coming in various shapes and sizes with different jobs to fill.
- Glacial: Found primarily in Ellador, northern Corontium, and Nordskag, this breed of horse is native to the snowier wastes of the world. Initially, the native Velheim populations were both mystified and terrified of these beasts, thanks to their tendency to appear only in the mistiest of cold nights. When rumors of them being ghosts died down, they were tamed by Velheim as icy mounts, which would soon spread through the world. Their presence is so frigid that most riders end up dressing heavy when working with them, but many a moonlit charge has been conducted by a commander atop a cold steed - flash freezing lakewater as they trot on.
- Magma: With craggy and magmatic forms, these steeds are primarily found in the volcanic calderas of Vultaro & Montania. These beasts were seldom seen by people due to their habitat being inhospitable to most, but a group of enterprising mages have begun introducing them to regions outside of their volcanic homes.
- Unicorn: The steeds of choice for Lanlath venturing beyond their secluded home. These steeds are often the subject of Ailor folklore, but did not initially exist in the wild. Instead, through a complex mixture of magical body-mods and interbreeding, the Allorn Empire created the Unicorn by laboratory and intense skill. Such efforts have been lost to time, and when the Cataclysm struck the Empire, the Unicorn was freed from a thousand ranches. After such, Unicorns wandered the world, with a special focus on areas such as Teled. Unlike most horses, due to the means which made them, unicorns are carnivores.
Stag
Stags are commonly associated with elven culture. Various subspecies of stag exist as a result of crossbreeding past the fall of the Allorn Empire, as a little poignant example of the many ways in which Elven culture split apart.
- Heavenly Stag: The Heavenly Stag is native to the Teledden lands, especially the tall mountains where their pale fur brings to mind the stars, clouds, and snow. It is a beautiful and majestic mount with associations of peace and tranquility, though they are additionally brave companions to elven warriors.
- Runed Stags: These stag species are found nearly anywhere Elves are, serving as loyal mounts from the Dread Empire to the wilds of Drowda. Their coloration varies based on their diet and ambient exposure to magic as a result of selective breeding over the course of centuries.
Capybara
One of the largest rodents of the modern era, Capybaras are associated with the southern end of the Regalian Archipelago. On being rediscovered there, their use as beasts of burden and their agreeable attitudes led to them becoming perhaps the most common large-sized pet in the Archipelago.
- Corontium Cavy: This large rodent has a docile and friendly demeanor, making it a popular mount across the Regalian Empire. Once thought to be extinct, explorers in Mandu rediscovered the Cavy, exporting it to many urban centers.
Wolf
Wolves are a famous sort of canines which are easily found almost anywhere within Aloria, from the temperate continent of Guldar to the chilled wastes of Ellador. Some wolves grow into massive sizes, leading many peoples to use their pack-driven nature to tame and domesticate them into war-mounts.
- Dire Wolf: Bulky, and near the size of a horse, the Dire Wolf is favored amongst the various Velheim people for its rugged nature that allows it to thrive in Aloria’s harsh northern regions. It is both a mount to ride into combat, and a hunting companion. Its image is used mostly in relation to the Arken of Pride and Fury.
- Silat Wolf: The Silat Wolf is the traditional mount of the Maquixtl, especially the Sentli, and resembles a sleek and agile wolf with a fox-like face. They are remarkably intelligent and companionable, bonding easily with both their masters and with other animals. The Silat Wolf has since become synonymous with Daen and become a heraldic image for the Sentli people.
Giant Frog
This giant amphibian is commonly found around wet marshy areas, and are commonly seen in Gloomrot Forest in the Crown Isle of the Regalian Archipelago.
Kitsune
These large vulpine mounts are commonly found in mountainous regions and temperate forests in Jadeheart and have been introduced to some ecosystems in the Regalian Archipelago as a result of trade. While foxlike in shape, these beasts are said to be more closely related to wolves due to their size, however unlike wolves they are fairly solitary creatures who rarely interact with another of their kind. The Kitsune has a variety of fur patterns and tails, but most commonly has 5 tails and a white and red fur pattern.
Great Jungle Cat
As the jungles of Aloria filled themselves with massive megafauna, the feline population adapted to take down even the largest of tuskophants. Great Jungle Cats are agile, tree-climbing cats that descend from higher ground to sink their massive saberteeth into the necks of their prey. First tamed by Allar, Great Jungle Cats’ many cousins were similarly taken in by local populations until they were spread across the world. They’re sometimes called “sabertooths”, for their matching feature.
- Arctic: Bulkier and with thicker, snow-blending fur, the Great Arctic Cat initially brawled with polar bears and elephant seals before being taken in by the Isldar and Velheim populations. The Kingdoms of Nordskag and Hedryll have a great fondness for Arctic Cats, but so too do the dark castles of Dorkarth.
- Midnight: Crossbreeding between Sabertooths resulted in the creation of a Midnight variety, held mostly by Kathar, Sendrassians, and the Vampiric population of Dorkarth. These creatures were bred with aggression in mind, but many after being taken from their conquering masters became steadfast friends of what would’ve once been their prey on the battlefield.
- Savanna: The Great Savanna Cat blends into the tall grass of sunswept environments, stalking what massive prey still exists in these lands. Taken in by roaming Allar, their numbers were slashed some when Sendrassians took an interest in them as both mounts and meat, leading them to be quite rare in the wild but common in richer or more dedicated households.
Tusker
Once passive forest juggernauts, Tuskers have spread across the world as beasts of burden and shock troopers of various armies. Their numbers have dwindled in recent years thanks to that use on the battlefield, but the delicate care of people who have grown to love them so implies that the dark forests of the world may someday soon have them as guardians again.
- Demonic: The first Tuskers were found by the Allorn Empire, and when those Allorn princes defected to become the Kathar, they took their newfound warbeasts with them. Mutated by the void and bred to stay that way by Kathar, the Demontusk is best known to Regalians as having charged through their frontlines in the Dread War. Some were taken in after the Kathar Civil War, and have since spread to other continents and Empires, displaying that when taken away from the harsh environments of the warfront, they’re quite passive and easily pleased creatures.
- Dreamlight: When the Lanlath split from the Allorn Empire, they too took their steadfast friends along. So-called Dreamtusks are especially pacifistic herbivores who graze on what food they are given and carry what burdens are handed to them with little complaint or rowdiness. When the Lanlath made themselves open to the rest of the world again, their mounts spread as far and wide as they did, finding a good bit of use among noble populations as a prettier alternative to the usual pack mule or bull.
- Forest: The unaltered shape of the Tusker as it was first found by the Allorn, Forest-tusks are gentler herbivores that exist in the deeper forests of Daen, now only really seen by the local Maquixtl and Yanar who protect their natural habitats. Many more are domesticated by Allorn and now Tierraverran owners, and frequently contribute to local trade routes as both carriers of heavy loads and protectors of merchant camps by night.
Aquatic Mounts
Basilisk
Basilisks are heavy scaled beasts with sharp dagger-like maws and a crocodilian build. Despite this, they are classified as birds, with closer ancestry to ostriches than to alligators. Basilisks are usually found near water, and lived in mostly wild lifestyles until being very recently domesticated around 260 AC. Commonly found in swamps and other wetlands. They are comparable to crocodiles and alligators as ambush predators that make use of the dark swamp water to bite down on unsuspecting drinking animals. Initially feared by the local Allar population, these Basilisk ended up functioning quite similar to oversized, mounted housecats, catching pest animals or otherwise attracting them through their often symbiotic relationship with the bugs that so commonly annoyed Allar.
- Obsidian: Some Basilisks take the thick shell of their cousins and fasten igneous rock to it, sinking into magma and walking through fire with ease. They developed as volcanic ambush predators that would eagerly await eruptions as feeding frenzies. They used to hibernate for months at a time until domestication smoothed their edges, resulting in a build of basilisk that is both prone to laziness as well as incredible speed. They are usually found in areas like Ashhaven, Vultaro, and Agnevaal.
- Snowstorm: While all Basilisks are semi-aquatic, some live beneath ice sheets and glaciers to the far north. Their bite is strong enough to break into boats, and many Velheim longships had unfortunate repairs as a result of a basilisk mistaking them for a whale. Velheim have since tamed them as waterside mounts, used to break past ice formations and hunt seals at equal speeds.
Hippocampi
These creatures are often seen in the southern seas of Daen near the Sundered Lands, but have been tamed by Fin’ullen in those regions who rarely come to the surface. They are seldom seen by sailors, but glimpses of their presence have spawned folklore about strange half fish people, much to the amusement of the Fin’ullen. These are represented by the aqua lizards in game.
- Magma: A variant of Hippocampi can be found in magma pools, typically in the Montania-Vultaro regions. They are typically docile towards most people who can get close enough to them in their natural habitats, but it is still yet unknown if they serve as a predator or prey species to the extreme fauna that co-exist with them. It is speculated their fiery patterning is a form of camouflage in the
Aerial Mounts
Hippogryph
Hippogryphs are commonly mistaken for their wilder, smaller cousins, the Longtail Gryphon. Due to past failures in taming these Gryphons, Hippogryphs were a popular alternative that saw much more success due to their omnivorous nature and receptiveness to passengers. They are commonly found throughout the Daen supercontinent and Regalia in various colors.
- Elysian Mistbeast: This species of Hippogryph is commonly found in Solleria.
- Represented by the Crystal Hippogryph
Manticore
Otherwise known as the Winged Lions, Manticores are a rare sight in Aloria, yet also being a popular heraldic figure for royalty and nobility in various societies. These majestic creatures often seek out persons who have a strong sense of nobility, wisdom, and justice, with many notable rulers having encountered one during their lives as a symbol of their moral character.
- Aether: The Golden Manticore is a variant which favors the concept of nobility, such as virtue and honor. It is frequently associated with Corontium, which has seen multiple petty kingdoms feature the creature as heraldry.
- Dusk: The Dusk Manticore is a variant which favors the concept of justice, as the absence of color symbolizes the idea of blind justice and impartiality.
- Soul: The Crystal Manticore is a variant which favors the concept of wisdom, symbolizing the clarity of the mind when the facts are laid bare for all to see.
- Venom: The Verdant Manticore is a variant which favors the concept of prosperity, symbolizing the fertile landscape necessary for civilization. It is frequently associated with the plains and jungles of Daen.
Phoenix
These large aerial avians are most commonly associated with magic and the various elven peoples of Aloria. Historically they were prized mounts of the Teledden for both their practical ability to fly swiftly, and sustain that speed at distance, and as a status with the plumage of these noble creatures resembling precious metals or gemstones. Historically from the mountainous regions of Daen, in the modern day their range extends across much of Aloria with it a common sight in the skies amongst peoples where Magic is commonly accepted and practiced.
- Darkflame: Holding a darker plumage compared to their much more colorful cousins, this variant of Phoenix has its origins in the Princedom of Osc’iird. A mountainous land, the Triton worshiping Kathar that inhabit this region had a very practical need for a flight capable mount and make use of this variant of the Phoenix to help satisfy that need.
- Flame: Possessing a bright red, orange, and yellow plumage this variation of the Phoenix comes from the volcanic areas of Agnevaal, the homeland of the Suvial. Old obelisks seem to indicate that they’ve been present in the region since the arrival of Sanraan and his followers at the dawn of the Allorn era. The Suvial have bred them over the millenia so that their plumage resembles a dancing flame.
- Light: This golden feathered and silver eyed variant is the most common type of Phoenix, with its origins in Daen. It was domesticated by early Teledden as an aerial mount to quickly travel around Daen. It retained this role throughout the Allorn era, but a greater emphasis was placed on breeding the most lustrous plumage with magic playing a part in this. They’ve been spread around Aloria, and even now in the modern age they can still commonly be found in the skies of various Elven Principalities.
- Thunder: Originating from northern Ithania, this variation of the Phoenix is prized for its rich bright blue plumage. The Teledden of the region kept them as prized showpiece mounts and pets in the Allorn era, a practice that they passed on to the Ithanian Ailor when they came to power here.
Wyvern
In Aloria the term Wyvern is used as a catch-all term to refer to any type of flying reptilian creature with any number of limbs that has historically had its domestication linked with peoples and cultures that followed the Draconist Faith. The four limbed, two legs and two wings variant of Wyvern is amongst the most common in Aloria with multiple peoples domesticating and training them as highly valued flying steeds. These are represented in game by the Wyvern Mounts.
- Blue: The Elladorian Blue Wyvern is the mount of choice for many of the Bene Vixit, or as they’re more commonly known Life Isldar. Their origins of domestication lay thousands of years ago with the ancient Dregodar making use of the creatures in their flight to Ellador.
- Green: Likely the most numerous species of Wyvern, the Green Wyvern has its domestication origins with the Sihai in Jadeheart. It is the aerial mount of choice for many Sihai, and has spread far and wide since being found across Aloria in the modern age.
- Temple: Little is known about these purple Wyverns other than the fact that Draconists tend to coin them as ‘Temple Wyverns’ for the sole reason that they tend to be found, or congregate around, some of the larger and older Draconist temple complexes.
- Crimson: These Wyverns are found typically in more volcanic areas of Aloria. The origin of their domestication lay with the Maquixtl of Guldar, but since then their range has expanded and they can even be found in the volcanic areas of western Daen, or even in the Suvial homeland of Agnevaal.
- Corrupted: A variation of the Wyvern common to Isldar, the origin of this variation of the Wyvern lay with the Bene Rexit Isldar. After the events of the Frozen Choice were more open about using their Ordial Magic to accelerate the growth of these creatures, and making all the more ferocious.
Drakes
In Aloria the term Wyvern is used as a catch-all term to refer to any type of flying reptilian creature that has had its domestication typically linked with Draconist following peoples. Drakes are the less common six limbed(four legs and two wings) variant of the creature. These are represented by the Dragon Mounts in game.
- Deep: A larger variety of the Green Wyvern, Deep Drakes were developed by Isldar who had taken over abandoned Dwarven Holds. They’re commonly used by both Rexit and Vixit, as their agreeable attitude made them amenable to either end of the Frozen Choice, but the myriad traveling Isldar spies brought their Deep Drakes with them to the point where Draconists and Evolists across the world, especially in Osc’iird, are often flanked by these hulking Drakes.
- Desert: One of the most recently domesticated variants of Wyvern, its origins lay with the Songaskian Dragonkin who found the creatures in Farahdeen after the events of the Great Storm. Its arrival, or perhaps re-emergency, is as recent as the Songaskians as ancient Skyborn records indicate that such creatures were largely hunted down thousands of years before the events of the Great Storm.
- Glacial: The Glacial Drake is bulkier than its four winged cousins, lending it to be favored as a war mount by the Isldar of Ellador. It begins to appear after Ellador was turned into a frozen wasteland, and has since been chosen as a favored war steed by both Life and Death Isldar against Dorkathi Vampires, Velheim colonists, revanchist Dwarves, and most recently other Isldar.
- Crimson: A ferocious and battle hungry mount, it comes as no surprise that the origins of the Crimson Drake lay with Maquixtl Archon in Guldar, in particular the Red Hunters of Caius. Since then they’ve spread as a favored war steed of Draconists that align with the Annexation faction.
- Green: The Green Drake is a variation of the Drake that’s common amongst Draconist people across Aloria, its range global. These larger and hardier cousins of the wyvern tend to be more specialized as either mounts of war or for where the climate necessitates it. It has an infamous reputation though for a sub-variant that has been tamed and altered by the Allar of Sendrass, with many Regalian veterans of the Sendrassian war able to recall how these creatures were used to devastating effect.
Sky Serpent
In Aloria the term Wyvern is used as a catch-all term to refer to any type of flying reptilian creature that has had its domestication typically linked with Draconist following peoples. Sky Serpents are a unique limbless variant of the creature. These are represented by the Sky Serpent mounts in game.
- Sky: Often considered the “progenitor” of this lineage of Wyvern, some of the earliest records of their domestications can be found with the Sihai, whom prized the creature for its unique flight characteristics that lend itself to sustained longer range voyages that made it perfect for travel around the Jade Sea. They’ve since spread to all corners of Aloria, with many different peoples using them for the same or similar purpose.
- Magma: A variation of the Sky Serpent that is said to favor volcanic regions across Aloria, its rich red and orange coloration reflects this environment. The Maquixtl of Guldar in particular value the creature for its ability to thrive in Guldar’s harsh environment, and be more than capable of making the long journey to the nearest landmasses away from Guldar.
- Solar: Originating from Daen, mages of the Allorn Empire utilized their magic to influence the development of this creature. Their goal was to make them into something akin to works of living art and in this one could say they succeeded, with some individuals of this species being described as having scales and horns as if carved from pure gold.
- Spectral: The eerie howls of this creature can be seen to any who travel to Ellador, or any of Aloria’s northern regions really. Traveling at night these spectral sky serpents often appear as if they are wandering revenants, with a common sailors tail being that they’re heralding or guiding the souls of the lost.
Cheval du Ciel
Born in Ithania, Cheval du Ciel, or so-called Pegasi, are winged horses renowned for their elegance and speed. Once used only in their place of origin, the many Ithanian colonies and immigrants would bring their horses with them, spreading the wings of the Pegasus as far as the map could reach. Stark white and with finer feathers, these horses are the first line of Cheval du Ciel. They gallop as they soar, and tend toward slimmer builds to better support their more delicate flight. Most noble houses of Ithania keep a specific lineage of white Pegasi to themselves, used for sky-high jousting and dramatic entrances. Use of white pegasi in war was never something popular in Ithania, but when these winged beasts were shepherded to other lands, they have since become a commander’s best friend. Some Elven factors have spread white pegasi further than even that, as Lanlath and Teledden have begun to accept these beasts of beauty into their courts and homes. For more information about the Cheval, click HERE.
- Höllenpferd: As Ithanian houses and peoples moved to the Archipelago proper, to lands like Osteiermark, and Tirgunn, they brought their horses with them. The land and this new way of life seemed to influence the Cheval du Ciel, who grew bulkier, with coarser feathers and darker palettes. This second line of pegasi is favored among Knights of the Leutz regions, but has reached so far as to be found in Wirtem stables. In especially recent areas, the darker Vampiric courts of Baldmark and Tirgunn have taken to hiding in the night sky on the backs of winged horses, to swoop down after prey.
Wolfhawk
Wolfhawks are also called “Furred Buzzards”, as to indicate their nature as soaring scavengers. They circle the battles of other animals before dropping down to devour that which has been killed, scaring off the victorious predator with flaps of wide wings and the barks of their pack. With some of the strongest bite force of any recorded animal, they snap through bones to get to the marrow beneath.
- Stormcloud: Stormcloud Wolfhawks are common in the mists of Solleria, initially stealing food off of Alond-Hounds and Haic-Mantids, though they find less success there as the Solvaan tend to favor these more virtuous beasts. The Delveborn, however, took great care to domesticate and bring in the local Wolfhawk population, deeming their resourceful qualities worth interest. As the Delveborn travel and trade, they bring their mounts with them, and soon every thundercloud in Aloria heralds the wingbeat of a mounted Wolfhawk.
- Fullmoon: The Gates of Lathan were rife with life by time of being placed down, and wolfhawk populations from nearby ended up camping by the gates to pick up where the predators left off. Lanlath were amused by this ingenuity, and began to take in Wolfhawks as their own. At around the same time, Wolfhawks that moved far north were taken in by the Isldar for much the same reason, resulting in a breed of furred buzzards that blended effortlessly into the light of the moon.
- Fallen: Wolfhawks that migrated north were taken up by Dorkarthi, while those in the Regalian Archipelago were found by the Crimson Courts of Tirgunn and Baldmark. As Vampires scavenged from who they deemed weaker, the Wolfhawks carried them through the night sky from victim to victim. As the war between Darkwalds and the Crimson Courts continued, some Wolfhawks were left without masters and trained instead by Lothar and Tirgunn Militiamen who took pity on them. This led to their use among the other nightlife centric provinces of the Regalian Archipelago.
- Dire: The progenitor to the modern wolfhawk breeds, the Dire Wolfhawk is the faintest bit larger and tends more toward wild living, and have sometimes been called pests by the Ailor and Teledden they live near in Daen. This is also the most common shape of artificial Wolfhawks, designed by Maquixtl through use of Genos editing on Silat Wolves.
Ellon-Wing
This ethereal creature has been the Mount of many great Mages and Archmages over millennia with the Allorn Empire. A flying magical manta ray that soars through the sky on trails of stardust, the fall of the Allorn Empire and diversification of the Elven world has seen it grow more common, but often remain the Mount of the elite or upper class of wherever it is found. The animal can only be ridden by Elves and the Yanar, though it is not common among the Isldar or Maquixtl. For more information on the animal, click HERE.
- This mount can be represented in-game by the Phantom.
Trivia
- The high number of meshed animals, specifically felines to other species, which exist in the west are believed to be the work of the Dragons.
- Some like to joke that while dogs are a friend to man, cats are a friend to Elves and Sihai given their pension for large feline Mounts.
- The near sentience of several Mounts is a point of concern for some, particularly in the realms of the Regalian Empire, who feel riding creatures of such intelligence is cruel or unusual. However, as the topic of sentience is hotly contested in the scholarly community, it is unlikely to effect any changes in the near future.
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