Lapir

There are many types of animals that have been domesticated across the lands and countries on Elohey. Scursals, Sedlaes, Samakarii Snowsaber Leopards, Rosewood Chimeras of the Jade Empire, and even the massive Gatleon are all different domesticated species used as riding animals.

However, the most common is the reliable horse with all their various related breeds. One of those is the lapir.

To be fair, my first choice for a riding animal is a Scursal. There is something delightful about riding a giant squirrel. However! A lapir is a dependable and fast animal. The Orisnuc place great value on them for their speed and endurance.

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii skald alchemist

A Horse by Any Other Name... Has a Trunk?

I mean... it sort of looks like a horse...

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii skald alchemist

The word 'lapir' comes from ancient Noru, roughly translating to mean 'wind runner'. At first look, this animal bears a strong resemblance to a horse. That is, provided the broad understanding of 'horse' includes two, four inch long, antler-like knobs on its head, a prehensile tongue, a fur-covered trunk similar to an elephant's and cloven hooves. Their two-toed hooves, combined with strong legs, account for their tremendous speed. In fact, they are one of the fastest horses aside from the A'qadian breeds.

At first, this arrangement may seem odd, until the lapir is seen to eat. With its trunk, it is able to capture branches of Kacerti trees that grow in small groves across the Longgrass Plains. Their prehensile tongue enables them to strip the needle-like leaves from Cogchi tumbleweeds.

Some scholars have speculated that the lapir's ancestry is either due to an ancient breed of unicorn or a wizard who lost a bet. However, aside from the small knob-like antlers, no lapir has displayed a unicorn's malevolent cunning or thirst for raw meat.

I personally just don't support the 'ancient unicorn' idea. I've never encountered a lapir that suddenly extended its fangs and try and murder me.

Yet... I can't deny the idea that an enterprising wizard once said "Hold my mead and watch this..."...

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii skald alchemist

This fascinating animal, despite some of its outward appearance, shares many traits with other horse breeds. Size and shape of the body matches that of many of the smaller warhorse breeds. They are covered in a fine fur that, for lapir, come in a mixture of colors. Lapir fur color is always white with another color from the wide array of horse breeds. This could be brown, black, chestnut and so on.

Lapir food includes hay, grasses, fruits and flowers of woody plants. In fact, the Mimic vine, one of the rare predatory plants found in parts of the Longgrass Plains, is a particular delicacy for the lapir. It isn't unheard of for an Orisnuc community or 'sauri' to track the migration patterns of Mimic vines to be able to feed their lapir.

Always On Alert

Lapir, like any horse, is aware of their surroundings at all times. As might be expected due to their trunk, their sense of smell is their greatest asset. Their long prehensile snout allows them to draw in the air, allowing the animal to 'taste' the wind for the scent of predators, tasty fruits, or even the presence of water.

... and unfasten my saddlebags to steal my apples ... much to the dismay of my scursal that happened to be napping at the time.

There really aren't many experiences that can compare to consoling an upset giant squirrel...

— Stefanos Vel-Barboza, Seskyalii skald alchemist

This awareness of their surroundings includes even when they are asleep, which they do while standing up. It isn't to say that a lapir cannot lay down. They can and will on occasion to rest but only if they feel truly safe, such as with their herd or favorite riders.

Could you say no to this face? by CB Ash

Lifespan

28 to 30 years

Average Height

Average of 5 foot 8 inches at the shoulder

Average Weight

1,800 - 2.000 pounds

Geographic Distribution

• Longgrass Plains

---

Might Act On a Whim...

The distrust of horses, even lapir, by kobold tribes are the stuff of legend. Reasons vary from tribe to tribe and disagreements over these reasons can often be the reason a new kobold tribe forms by splitting off from those they don't agree with!

However, most skalds and scholars believe it's due the height difference and that kobolds, small that they are, do count as predators. Lapir, like any horse, are prey animals and so can be rather skittish at first around a kobold. This hasn't stopped a few stubborn kobolds of some tribes, such as the Swiftwater Tribe of the Demar Forest, from learning how to handle lapir from Orisnuc scouts.

Despite that, there are many stories where a spirited lapir decides it knows better than its rider where the best grass or fruits are to be found.

---

I'm of the Orisnuc people and have served the great Khan for many a year. Lapir are a solid, trustworthy animal. However, they are rather bright and rather inventive when it comes to using their trunk to open saddlebags for treats they aren't supposed to have yet...

— Kavi ot’Maninga Sukir Arroweye, Orisnuc scoutmaster from KaraKorum

---

Social To A Fault

Lapir are a social animals, preferring the company of their herd or other animals they have grown comfortable around. It isn't unheard of for a lapir to 'play favorites' with certain riders, other lapir or other animals.

There are many stories around a lapir that have adopted other young animals as their 'offspring', from other horse breeds to woolly rhinoceros.