Sir Ryan of Ogletree, a great and personal friend, loved to make a day
of the local horse fair. With him, as always, would be his aged and
half-blind steward, Khartoum. Sir Ryan's father had brought Khartoum, then
a young man, back from the last great crusade, a gift from a Mahmout in
Egypt. About his neck Khartoum wore a silver talisman of the old gods.
Holding it firmly in his hand, muttering under his breath, the little
brown man would inspect each to the purchases his lord desired to make.
Without fail, even the most seemingly healthy of horses, if refused by
Khartoum, would indeed turn out to be grievously flawed. Many times has
Sir Ryan been approached by others wanting to buy Khartoum, but in every
case, he has vehemently refused to sell.
Truly see how Life flows, and you will see its health and ills. Even a
horse with grey hair tinted and teeth filed will show its age to the
magus.
System: A Mage with Life 1 can sense the true age and state of health of
man or beast. Arete roll, difficulty 6. For the hedge wizard, a sharp
nose and a keen eye can sometimes suffice. Perception + Awareness,
difficulty 7.
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