by Baobabel » Mon Apr 22, 2024 2:14 pm
Username: Baobabel
Show Name: As the Clouds Roll In
Barn Name: Squall
Gender: Female
Height: 15hh
Halter Color: sliver/gray &/or black...stormclouds?
Prompt:
Eye color- Silver/storm gray; Power-weather manipulation
There are tales of a cryptid being who can call a hailstorm or calm a tempest. Those in the area have taken to leaving gifts in the hopes the equine will provide mild weather. Those that have seen it describe it as a horse shaped being the color of fog and storm clouds with striking eyes the color of white lightning. It blends in so well you have to be paying close attention to spot it galloping ahead of a storm cloud or walking silently through the mist. When it runs, it sounds like thunder booming with every stride. Other times, it's as silent as a creeping fog. It's silver and white coat blends into the fog that often accompanies its arrival. Usually, the only thing seen are its piercing glowing eyes.
This being seems to have some knowledge of the people it's around.
At one point, there was a group that was determined to catch it. They thought if they could catch the horse and break it, they could harness its weather manipulation for their own desire. Actually, most didn't truly believe a horse had special powers, but it was a handsome mare and plenty would pay good money for it. The posse set out one day to track it down. Of the 7 men who went out, three returned early, two a couple days later, empty-handed, and two never returned at all. Those who returned originally wouldn't speak of what happened but over time with enough goading, they eventually shared. They spoke how they started out on a mild, if warm, summer day. By noon the wind had picked up. By late afternoon, it was blowing so hard any piece of clothing or gear not fully secured was gone. Then the bits of hail were added. combined with the wind, it felt like being stuck by hundreds of needles and any exposed skin was quickly left raw. Then came thunder so loud it deafened the riders until they could no longer hear each other. And lightning so bright they were blinded for many seconds after each flash. Then the temperature plummeted while a hard punished downpour soaked then=m all to their core. At that point the men were just focused on survival. The story went on to describe even wilder weather events and eventually turned into incomprehensible ramblings. Most of the townsfolk chalked it up to some strange traumatic event, or maybe poisonous berries. But those who believed in the cryptid shamed them for ever trying to capture such a beast.
Others have had more positive, even lifesaving interactions. One town was in the middle of the worst drought in history. This town's main crop was hay and most people had at least a horse or two. Rumors were going around town that if they didn't get rain soon, the crops would die and there wouldn't be enough feed to provide for the animals overwinter. Within a week, there was a quenching rain. A woman who hadn't slept well that night said she heard the thundering hoofbeats and saw the flash of the lightning eyes. Non-believers said she just saw regular thunder and lightning and they were due for a rain anyway.
A young teenager who was reported lost during a snowstorm miraculously survived and returned with a strange tale. They said they got caught in the unexpected snowstorm while out hiking. they were getting cold and recognizing the signs of hyperthermia when out of the snow came a horse-like apparition. The horse laid down beside them to keep them warm. After a time, the horse got up and walked off. As it did, the snow stopped falling. When they told their story, some laughed it off saying the cold and hyperthermia clearly caused them to see things. The teen, their family, and their friends however, made sure to put out some extra apples and sugar cubes that night.
It's been years since the rumors first began but people still claim to see the equine. Running exuberantly, as fast as the wind, out pacing a storm. Or fading away as it peacefully walks in a soft rain.
Whether you believe or not, odd and unexplained weather events are known to happen in the area..
