How to describe one of the Mearas in-game

[HotSnow50]

The only Mearas I have "seen" was the portrayal of Shadowfax in the Peter Jackson movies. I was wondering if all of the Gray horses in the sagas were of the Mearas line. Here come some questions:

1) How did Legolas know Shadowfax was one of the Mearas? I just want to be able to give some flavor to my adventurors if they happen to succeed in a relevant lore-roll as to HOW their character discerns what a Mearic horse is as opposed to just a regular old Pferd.

2) Do any of the source books have a description on the Mearas?

3) Are there any tables or methods to help a Loremaster create rules for things that don't yet have any authority/rules yet created so that I may implement some?

Thanks in advance!

[zedturtle]

'But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before.'

'Nor will you again,' said Gandalf. 'That is Shadowfax. He is chief of the Mearas, lords of horses, and not even Théoden, King of Rohan, has ever looked on a better. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly as a swift stream?...'

Even as the old wizard spoke, the great horse cam striding up the slope towards them; his coat was glistening and his mane flowing in the wind of his speed.

- - - - - -

As for official rules, I imagine we will see something when Rohan comes out. But before that, use the guidelines in the loremaster part of the book and ask questions... I have found many people helpful here and there will always be a bevy of opinions and ideas.

[Pangea]

The Mearas line were bigger, faster, smarter and such.
And, if I remember correctly, it is more a line, lineage, of horses (as opposed to a breed): very few, and (other than Gandalf) only ridden by the ruling family of Rohan, only by the Lords of the Mark.
So I imagine they would stand out in any herd, and be quite rare.

[Glorelendil]

As for official rules, I imagine we will see something when Rohan comes out.

I think I literally salivated when I read that.

It can't come fast enough!

[Falenthal]

Meanwhile, you can use the rules for the Moon-stead from Heart of the Wild. I think it ressembles a Meara pretty much.

[HotSnow50]

'But there is another that strides ahead: a very great horse. I have not seen his like before.'

'Nor will you again,' said Gandalf. 'That is Shadowfax. He is chief of the Mearas, lords of horses, and not even Théoden, King of Rohan, has ever looked on a better. Does he not shine like silver, and run as smoothly as a swift stream?...'

Even as the old wizard spoke, the great horse cam striding up the slope towards them; his coat was glistening and his mane flowing in the wind of his speed.

- - - - - -

As for official rules, I imagine we will see something when Rohan comes out. But before that, use the guidelines in the loremaster part of the book and ask questions... I have found many people helpful here and there will always be a bevy of opinions and ideas.

That's awesome, Zed! Thanks, dude!

[HotSnow50]

The Mearas line were bigger, faster, smarter and such.
And, if I remember correctly, it is more a line, lineage, of horses (as opposed to a breed): very few, and (other than Gandalf) only ridden by the ruling family of Rohan, only by the Lords of the Mark.
So I imagine they would stand out in any herd, and be quite rare.

I know you guys likely won't be in my adventure I am planning, but I was going to have the adventurers make some spur of the moment (no pun intended I swear) *insert horse related knowledge here*-Lore checks or at least Insight to see if they can't identify that the horseman riding by may be unknown to them but the horse looks to trot proudly and tall down the path, hardly disturbing the ground and yet striding powerfully as if a regal breeze were at it's rear; its oddly intelligent eyes studying the path ahead and you could have SWORN it looked at you up and down before it passed!...

You know what I mean

[Otaku-sempai]

Historically, most modern breeds of horses would not have existed yet at the end of the Third Age of Middle-earth (approximately 6000 years ago according to Professor Tolkien). The Mearas would have probably been the largest, fastest and smartest horses anywhere at that time. I visualize them as Arabians, but faster and more intelligent. The second-best horses in Middle-earth would have possibly been Elven-bred steeds.

[Glorelendil]

Historically, most modern breeds of horses would not have existed yet at the end of the Third Age of Middle-earth (approximately 6000 years ago according to Professor Tolkien). The Mearas would have probably been the largest, fastest and smartest horses anywhere at that time. I visualize them as Arabians, but faster and more intelligent. The second-best horses in Middle-earth would have possibly been Elven-bred steeds.

Historically, giant intelligent spiders didn't suck the light out of magical trees, either.

[Otaku-sempai]

Historically, giant intelligent spiders didn't suck the light out of magical trees, either.

No, but the question is, should we try to strike a balance between fantasy and reality? Tolkien's Middle-earth is grounded in the real world to a certain extent. As much as he hated metaphor, Middle-earth was a metaphor for the realm of Faerie, but still a mythical take on the real world, akin to the mythical Greece when gods walked among men.