HorseSpeed
Horse Speeds:
- designed by Darkkling
In the world of Exalted, it seems that travel by horses is the predominant means of transportation. Not surprising at all. However, the calculations behind speeds and traveling distances vary and become an inexact science when trying to be applied on the spot during a game. Most of the time it turns into an arbitrary decision based on basic reason and the whim of the storyteller. Here then is a set of calculations that make it simple and easy for everyone, and are historically accurate, or at least reasonable.
For the sake of flexibility and ease there are three different speeds of movement: Easy, Medium and Hard. These refer to the intensity of the ride on an unladen horse (except for maybe an appropriately-sized rider) riding over good terrain (no penalties due to difficulty). For all intents and purposes, a day is an 8 hour span that most likely includes at least one or two stops to rest the horses. Any difficulties, such as burden or bad terrain should merely alter the distance traveled by a few miles or, in the case of severe difficulty, such as large burdens or extremely difficult terrain, adjusting the level at which the mount moves. For example, the medium level is roughly average.
Easy
- 10-15 miles per day
- 2 x (Dexterity* + Athletics) miles/day
Medium
- 20-30 miles per day
- 4 x (Dexterity* + Athletics) miles/day
Hard
- 50-60 miles per day
- 10 x (Dexterity* + Athletics) miles/day
On a smaller scale we have per turn movement. Having looked at the maximum speed of a horse, the standard calculations for Exalted will not work; they’re just to slow. I did the math and figured out two calculations that allow for a standard of movement in combat. The first is sprinting and holds all of the same restrictions on actions. The second is a full movement action which still allows an action. The restrictions on actions with these two movement speeds applies not only to the mount, but also to the rider as they require different amounts of control and concentration from the rider at these speeds.
Run (full move + action): (Dexterity* + Athletics) + 12 yards/turn Sprint (movement only): (Dexterity* x Athletics) + 40 yards/turn
- For the purpose of factoring in wound penalties and other movement inhibitors, apply any negative penalties directly to Dexterity before calculating movement allowance. This has a special effect on the sprinting speed of a horse as it may allow for a negative number to be added to the base of 40 instead of a positive. This is intentional and represents the difficulty that a lame or overly burdened horse has in sprinting at full speed.
There's some of these at TravelTimes as well I believe... Of course, they don't do yards per turn, being only travel-time related. I thought I saw horse-based yards per turn somewhere in the core rules (or at least a supplement) though. Anyone else know where?
-- Darloth
Dragon-Blooded fatsplat has a chart for horse speeds per turn in the Ride Charm section. Mail and Steel has some speeds for mounted units. M & S is in the Player's Guide. The DB rate seemed pretty darned high, though. ~ Andrew02
Well, running 17 yards in 3 seconds is ALSO pretty darned high... if you're doing a powercombat sprint for 35 yards in those same three seconds... you're going REALLY fast. I think exalted never has paid much attention to how fast things go in real life... I think that aspect of its mechanics is firmly grounded in anime ^_^
-- Darloth
Of course. I just have an easier time accepting that some genetic superman or demigod empowered by the most puissant gods in the pantheon can do that than I do that a horse can run 60 yards in 3 seconds. Also, it's in the air how fast simhata go, and none of the various Marukani superhorses get new speeds. There is probably also some bitterness on my part that Ride is so poorly implemented when ship to ship combat and mass combat received such extensive coverage. ~Andrew02
