Kastralsa - Extinct equine species
The long and slim limbs of the remaining skeletons of Kastralsa reveal a quick-footed steppe animal. It had 3 toes on its front feet and 4 toes on the hinds, each toe ending in a hoof. The animals apparently had enlarged canines - particularly among the males - alongside spiral horns that were probably used in defense.
The kastralsa, long thought to be extinct, is survived by it's closest descendants. The Alsa - known commonly as 'Sun Horses' are the mounts of Kejasi nobility and mages, while the Kastri - known as 'Moon Horses' are jealously guarded by their Ti'nisin caretakers.
Both species share their common heritage with the kastralsa but each have adaptations suited for their environments. The Sun-horses inherited traits from the kastralsa that enable them to traverse mountain ranges with ease. They are courser and stockier in build, providing them with strength and endurance necessary for climbing steep slopes and navigating rocky terrains. Their sturdy physique allows them to withstand the challenges of mountainous landscapes, making them well-suited for such environments. Like the kastralsa they have prominent canine teeth and possess three front and four rear toes. Rarely, an individual sun-horse will be born with a spiral horn. Such animals are greatly revered among the Kejasi and are always kept by the Priesthood.
Similarly, the Moon-horses inherited traits granting them a graceful and ethereal presence. They glide across the desert sands like wraiths, moving with elegance and speed. These horses are sleek in appearance, featuring a slender build that facilitates swift movement across the desert sands. Their silky manes and tails flowed behind them, adding to their allure and beauty. From the kastralsa, they inherited their long limbs, though each foot is tipped with two cloven hooves, with the third toe on the front hooves becoming obsolete, while the other two toes on the hind limbs nearly gone, resembling faint dew claws. Like the sun-horses, kastri occassionally give rise to a spiral horn from the center of their foreheads, much like their kastralsa ancestors. Also like the sun-horses, such animals are highly prized.
Long canines, when they do appear in moon-horses, are generally culled and seen as an unlucky omen.
The kastralsa, long thought to be extinct, is survived by it's closest descendants. The Alsa - known commonly as 'Sun Horses' are the mounts of Kejasi nobility and mages, while the Kastri - known as 'Moon Horses' are jealously guarded by their Ti'nisin caretakers.
Both species share their common heritage with the kastralsa but each have adaptations suited for their environments. The Sun-horses inherited traits from the kastralsa that enable them to traverse mountain ranges with ease. They are courser and stockier in build, providing them with strength and endurance necessary for climbing steep slopes and navigating rocky terrains. Their sturdy physique allows them to withstand the challenges of mountainous landscapes, making them well-suited for such environments. Like the kastralsa they have prominent canine teeth and possess three front and four rear toes. Rarely, an individual sun-horse will be born with a spiral horn. Such animals are greatly revered among the Kejasi and are always kept by the Priesthood.
Similarly, the Moon-horses inherited traits granting them a graceful and ethereal presence. They glide across the desert sands like wraiths, moving with elegance and speed. These horses are sleek in appearance, featuring a slender build that facilitates swift movement across the desert sands. Their silky manes and tails flowed behind them, adding to their allure and beauty. From the kastralsa, they inherited their long limbs, though each foot is tipped with two cloven hooves, with the third toe on the front hooves becoming obsolete, while the other two toes on the hind limbs nearly gone, resembling faint dew claws. Like the sun-horses, kastri occassionally give rise to a spiral horn from the center of their foreheads, much like their kastralsa ancestors. Also like the sun-horses, such animals are highly prized.
Long canines, when they do appear in moon-horses, are generally culled and seen as an unlucky omen.
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