Introducing the series: The Lost Herds
Hidden in a pocket of the Great Dividing Range in Australia is an odd utopia, a place of prime grass, flowing rivers, forest mazes, arid plains and mountains that touch heaven. Such a place is the haven of misled horses, the unknown destination of the wanderers. Over the years they have created a society based on the four tribes. The Irena herd, located in the thick forest by the rushing river it is home to the largest herd led by the breath taking but cold stallion Lovebird. Its neighbour the Wind herd seems polar opposites with their arid plains and dry grass, only the horses with the best endurance and the will to survive can live in such a hostile place. The River herd is home to some of the most successful horses, led by the famous racehorse Jack and the Dressage Genius Dolly this herd through small in size and territory is the most powerful and respected herd, leading the way for all the herds. Finally, the brumbies, known as the savages, living high in the haven of the mountains, they are hardly seen and even less respected by the other herds, many have been killed on sight by the previous herds due to their odd colouring and way of life. The three great herds meet every full moon before the rock ruins to discuss the order of things. But the winds are changing and so are the lives of these horses, so be prepared.
Character Profiles:
The Irena Herd
Lovebird
Role: Lead Stallion
Breed: Andalusian
Colour: Dapple Grey
Markings: White Nose (snip)
History: Named Lovebird due to his womanizing tendencies. He was once a Grand Prix Dressage champion, admired for his beauty despite his masochistic views. Through he is respectful and friendly towards a selected few, he collects mares like toys.
Personality: Womanizer, Cold, Vain, Prideful, Aggressive, Territorial (over both land and mates) but good-natured at times.
Angel
Role: Lead Mare
Breed: Lipizzaner
Colour: White (Grey)
History: Mother of Jazz, was the mate of Banner but left the Wind herd, mate and daughter to protect old friend, Lovebird. An Ex-Olympic eventer before she lost her owner due to a brumby, she grew up with Beauty. She is one of the only mares that Lovebird respects and relies on.
Personality: Blunt, fierce, intelligent, agile, graceful. Empathetic and good-humoured.
Throwa
Role: Vice
Colour Speckled grey
History: Son of Lovebird and Pebbles. Ran away from the herd as a yearling after finding he was to become the next vice. Lived as a rogue until he was 3 years old and returned to take his place as vice but not without constant bickering with his polar opposite father.
Personality: Rebellious, observant, polite, strong, stubborn, curious and fun.
Pebbles
Role: Medic
Breed: Lipizzaner
Colour: Light Grey
History: Due to a misfortunate meeting with a rogue stallion she lost her eye and her pride saving her foal. Mother of Throwa and a close friend of Lovebird's, she is one of the best medics in the range despite her injury.
Personality: Blunt, dark-humoured, thoughtful, caring, wary, pushy and stubborn.
Summer
Role: Peace Keeper
Breed: Lusitano
Colour: Burnt Buckskin
Markings: White nose and large star.
History: At 16.2hh she is a tall mare, powerfully built and strong in personality. Due to these features many mistake her as a fine-featured stallion. Captured on the edge of the mountains along with Mist by Lovebird. Despite much disapproval of her mountain background and her stallion like ways, Lovebird believes her to be a vital member and a good future mother.
Personality: Cool-headed, good-humoured, strong-willed, witty, wise and organised
Mist
Role: Navigator
Breed: Andalusian
Colour: Grey
History: Lovebird's favourite breeding mare. She is quiet and docile but has a great knowledge of the stars and planets, able to find any location. Mist was found on the outskirts of the mountains with Summer but she hardly talks.
Personality: Docile, quiet, flighty, gentle and submissive.
Nyx
Role: Scout
Breed: Barb
Colour: Blue-Black
Markings: Blaze
History: A mystery mare who was found in a ditch presumed dead. Was taken in by Lovebird and treated. Agile and light-stepped she is able to pass any radar. She was abandoned by her herd due to her odd colouring and thus tends to stick to the shadows.
Personality: Cheeky, observant, agile, sly, prankster, wary but very friendly with those she likes.
Shade
Role: Warrior
Breed: Andalusian
Markings: Star and Snip
History: Son of Mist and Lovebird, a strong fighter in both physical and mental. Adores his father and acts like a prince whenever he is around.
Personality: Childish, proud, curious, unthoughtful, cheeky, kind, brave and gentle at times
The River Herd
Jack
Role: Lead Stallion
Breed: TB
Colour: Dark Bay
Markings: stripe, numerous scars
History:
Was once the legend of the racing world, winning the triple crown twice and Melbourne cup 4 years running. Becoming a successful sire and a beloved member of Rosella Park Stud before becoming lost and winding up in the pastures. He is mates with Dolly
Personality: Wise, strict, fair, loyal, protective, polite, good-humoured and affectionate.
Dolly
Role: Lead Mare
Breed: TB
Colour: Dark Brown
Markings: Scar on cheek
History: An old dressage horse and a once popular riding mount. Growing up with Jack, she received the scar when she was defending him from a mad horse and carries it with pride. Mates with Jack.
Personality: Assertive, brave, kind, wise, gentle, lecturing.
Thunder
Role: Medic
Breed: Shire(Irish)
Colour: Black
Markings: Blaze, stockings and splash on stomach
History: Successful Sire, imported from Ireland but lost during boat crash. Knowledgeable in Celtic medicine.
Personality: Gentle, Excitable, Wary and observant.
Pride
Role: Vice
Breed: Hanoverian
Colour: Liver Chestnut
Markings: Star
History: A very traditional thinking horse. Lost his mate. Hazel, an Arabian skewbald paint and has been cold ever since.
Personality: Traditional, sensible, organised, reactive and secretly playful
Chance
Role: Warrior
Breed: Warmblood
Colour: Golden Chestnut
Markings: Blaze
History: A fierce mare, she is a great fighter and a natural brawler. She once was a champion gaming horse but fate changed. Not some you want to meet in a dark alley.
Personality: Brave, fierce, territorial, loyal, reactive, impulsive and dangerous
Rosemary
Role: Peace Keeper
Breed: Friesian
Colour: Black
History: A favourite riding and all-rounder for teachers and pupils alike but lost her home long ago.
Personality: Gentle, Cool-headed, strong-willed and thoughtful.
Beauty
Role: Navigator
Breed: Hanoverian
Colour: Light Bay
Markings: Stripe and white lip
History: Ex-Olympic eventer and successful dressage mare. Past mate of Lovebird and past stable-mate of Angel. Has a deep hatred of Stallions.
Personality: Feisty, playful, good-humoured, cruel to stallions and a good teacher.
The Wind Herd
Honey
Role: Lead Mare
Colour: Flaxen Chestnut
Markings: Blaze and stockings
History: An old friend of Banner, she took over as lead mare when Angel left. Grew up with Banner but lost him to the race track while she pursued endurance trials.
Personality: Strict, fair, gentle, blunt, dark-humoured, kind and stubborn.
Banner
Role: Lead Stallion
Breed: Arabian
Colour: Chestnut
Markings: Stripe
History: Ex-mate of Angel and father of Jazz but was abandoned by Angel and left with his daughter due to Angel's wishes. Best friends with Jack from his race track days but once he was retired he was left to fend for himself.
Personality: Kind, wise, fair, gentle, good-natured, understanding and proper
Jazz
Role: Vice
Breed: Arabian x Lipizzaner
Colour: Leopard Appaloosa
Markings: Stripe
History: Daughter of Angel and Banner, was left behind as a yearling by Angel as it was safer. Was one of the main reasons behind Throwa returning to his herd.
Personality: Curious, playful, fats, impulsive, truthful, laid-back, gentle and stubborn
Sky
Role: Medic
Breed: Arab
Colour: White (Grey)
Markings: Star
History: Mates with Jeopardy. Coming from an ancient race stud, she escaped and lost her way, running into Jeopardy. They lived together in the harsh desert for many months before joining the Wind herd.
Personality: Energetic, wise, polite, kind, good-humoured and determined.
Jeopardy
Role: Scout
Colour: Dark Bay
History: A rogue stallion living in the desert for many years after losing his herd before meeting Sky and deciding to follow her to the Wind herd. Mates with Sky.
Personality: Wary, silent, stoic, affectionate, brave, fierce, stubborn and intelligent
Nala
Role: Navigator
Breed: Arabian
Colour: Grey Paint
Markings: White face, stockings and splashes on neck and body.
History: As a filly she escaped her herd's violent and becoming a rogue. After a rematch with her old herd leader, she stumbles upon Banner severely injured and ill.
Personality: Fearful, knowledgeable, fast, gentle, wary and flighty.
The Brumbies
Eagle
Role: Lead Stallion
Breed: Brumby(mix)
Colour: Appaloosa
Markings: Blaze
History: Living in the mountains for many years as a rogue with Flicka. Created the mountain herd for safety but he has banned members from leaving territory due to his fear. Cloud is his and India's son but he is to become mates with Flicka due to his position.
Personality: Wary, spiritual, loving, daredevil, positive, agile and sure footed.
Flicka
Role: Lead Mare
Breed: Brumby(mix)
Colour: Palomino
Markings: Blaze, socks
History: An abandoned eventing mare, reaching Olympic level but rushed at a jump and fell, killing her rider. To be mates with Eagle but constantly leaves the territory to his great displeasure.
Personality: Adventurous, determined, brave, thoughtful and cheeky.
Winter
Role: Vice
Breed: Quarter Horse
Colour: Red Roan
Markings: Stripe
History: Mates with Arrow. Lost home when stud burnt down to the ground, Arrow and her were the only survivors. Once was a National barrel racing champion.
Personality: Stubborn, calm, observant, motherly and kind-hearted.
Arrow
Role: Warrior
Breed: Paint
Colour: Skewbald
Markings: Blaze, stockings
History: Was a great reining talent but lost home in a tragic fire. Mate Winter and himself were the only survivors of the fire.
Personality: Perfectionist, good-humoured, playful, spiritual and sure of foot.
India
Role: Navigator
Breed: Brumby (mix)
Colour: Piebald
Markings: Blaze, stockings
History: Grew up with brother Ajax on the mountain. Joined the herd with Ajax for his protection due to the cases of rogue stallions failing to tell the difference between him and a mare. Has son with Arrow called Cloud.
Personality: Gentle, wise, loyal, brave, kind and protective.
Cloud
Role: Scout
Breed: Brumby (mix)
Colour: Skewbald
Markings: White face and stockings
History: Born after the forming of the herd, India and Eagle's son.
Personality: Eager, helpful, energetic, cheeky and good-natured.
Ajax
Role: Medic
Breed: Brumby (mix)
Colour: Buckskin paint
Markings: White face, white splashes
History: Grew up with his sister, India. Especially beautiful, Eagle keeps a close eye on him as he attracts attention from stallions mistaking his gender. Likes to go exploring outside the territory with Flicka. Catches the eyes of Lovebird.
Personality: Adventurous, kind, gentle, fair, fast, fierce and clear-minded.
The Rogue
Rogue
(Race name: Bring the Heat)
Breed: TB
Colour: Dapple Grey
History: Was a legendary new talent in the racing world. After a lifetime of abuse and mistreatment, he escapes to the borders of Lovebird's territory but lives in solitude. Nicknamed the "Shadow". Watches Nyx from a distance.
Personality: Voltaire, dangerous, unpredictable, fast, swift and untrusting.