Making their homes on vast planes and arid steppes, so-called “horse lords” are people whose lifestyles are intimately tied with their equine partners. For these warriors and free spirits, horses are not merely livestock and warbeasts—horses are icons of courage, liberty, and nobility of heart.
The actual lifestyle of “horse lord” cultures vary—some use their cavalry to defend their homes, while others are nomads following a seasonal migration pattern. These societies sometimes give rise to fearsome conquerors, other times they are allied with neighboring nations as protectors of the borderland. They have a martial tradition centered around mounted combat, often earning them a reputation abroad as novel and formidable opponents. Likewise their spirituality might favor the popular pantheon or the nature spirits—but either way the horse is a powerful symbol that speaks directly to their hearts.
Characters raised in horse lord culture share a variety of traits in common with one another.
Born to the Saddle. You are proficient in Animal Handling and land vehicles. You also gain one tool of your choice from smith’s tools, leatherworker’s tools, or sewing kit.
Loyal Steed. You begin play with a riding horse (normal price 75 gold).
Mounted Combatant. You gain proficiency with the battleaxe and shortbow, and with shields. You learn one 1st-degree Spirited Steed maneuver, and you can use it once between short or long rests without spending exertion.
Spirit Bond (Horse). As part of a long rest, you can designate one willing mount to be bonded with your spirit, which lasts until you or that creature dies, or until you designate a different one. While riding on your bonded mount, if it is untrained you can still control it as if it were trained. If this creature is a horse, it gains spell resistance (advantage on saving throws against spells).
Languages. You can speak, read, write, and sign Common, plus one other language.