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Horseshoes of a Zephyr

Horseshoes Of A Zephyr
  • Category: Wondrous Item
  • Rarity: Very Rare

These horseshoes come in a set of four. As a Magic action, you can touch one of the horseshoes to the hoof of a horse or similar creature, whereupon the horseshoe affixes itself to the hoof. Removing a horseshoe also takes a Magic action.

While all four shoes are affixed to the hooves of a horse or similar creature, they allow the creature to move normally while floating 4 inches above a surface. This effect means the creature can cross or stand above nonsolid or unstable surfaces, such as water or lava. The creature leaves no tracks and ignores Difficult Terrain. In addition, the creature can travel for up to 12 hours a day without gaining Exhaustion levels from extended travel.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: Allows mount to move without leaving tracks and enables movement over liquid surfaces. Excellent for stealth, pursuit, and accessing otherwise unreachable terrain.

Class Synergies:

  • Mounted Combatants: Perfect for characters specializing in mounted warfare and cavalry tactics
  • Scouts: Excellent for reconnaissance missions requiring stealth and terrain navigation
  • Pursuit Specialists: Essential for tracking and chasing across diverse terrain types
  • Any Class with Mount: Universal utility for characters using animal companions or mounts

Build Considerations: Requires mount to be effective but provides exceptional mobility and stealth advantages. Most valuable for mounted characters and terrain-focused campaigns.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires air elemental essence, stealth enchantments, and master horseshoeing techniques. Creation cost 6,000-12,000 gp and takes 8 weeks.

Common Sources:

  • Air elemental plane traders and wind-aligned creatures
  • Treasure hoards of mounted warriors and cavalry units
  • Commission from enchanters specializing in movement magic
  • Found in the collections of scouts and reconnaissance specialists
  • Rewards from grateful air elemental communities

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in abandoned stables or obtained from air creature encounters.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 8,000-15,000 gp, with higher demand among mounted combatants and scouts requiring stealth movement.

Trade Considerations: Popular among cavalry units, scouts, and anyone requiring mounted stealth capabilities.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience with mounted combat, scouting operations, or professional roles requiring stealth movement.

Character Concepts:

  • Mounted warrior specializing in cavalry tactics
  • Scout with extensive reconnaissance training
  • Character with air elemental connections and wind magic
  • Pursuit specialist requiring stealth tracking capabilities

Adventure Hooks​

The Stealth Pursuit: Chase scenarios where moving without leaving tracks provides crucial advantages.

The Water Crossing: Missions requiring travel across lakes, rivers, or other liquid obstacles.

The Silent Reconnaissance: Scouting operations where stealth movement enables information gathering.

The Aerial Cavalry: Military operations utilizing mounted units for tactical advantages.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Horseshoes of a Zephyr (Very Rare): Enhanced with air walking abilities and wind resistance.

Horseshoes of Elemental Movement (Rare): Can move across different elemental surfaces beyond just liquids.

Stealth Master's Horseshoes (Rare): Includes additional stealth bonuses and sound dampening effects.

Specialized Variants:

  • Scout's Horseshoes: Enhanced for reconnaissance with improved stealth capabilities
  • Cavalry Horseshoes: Optimized for mounted combat with tactical movement bonuses
  • Elemental Horseshoes: Includes resistance to elemental effects and hazards

Lore & History​

Origins: Created by ancient cavalry units who needed reliable methods for stealth movement and terrain navigation.

Historical Significance: These horseshoes enabled crucial military victories and the development of mounted reconnaissance tactics.

Cultural Impact: Represent the evolution of mounted warfare and the integration of magic with cavalry operations.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates mastery of movement magic and the complex enchantments required for stealth enhancement.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 5-10 when mounted combat becomes significant and stealth movement is valuable.

Campaign Impact: Provides meaningful mobility and stealth advantages without overwhelming encounter balance.

Mount Dependency: Requires mount to be effective, creating natural limitations and tactical considerations.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Pursuit scenarios where stealth movement provides tactical advantages
  • Terrain navigation challenges featuring liquid obstacles and difficult surfaces
  • Reconnaissance missions where mounted stealth enables information gathering
  • Combat encounters where mounted mobility determines positioning

Tactical Adjustments: Encounters may include more terrain features that reward enhanced movement capabilities.

Mount Items: Saddle of the Cavalier, Horseshoes of Speed, and other items that enhance mounted capabilities.

Movement Equipment:

  • Items that improve mobility and terrain navigation
  • Equipment for stealth movement and reconnaissance operations
  • Tools for professional scouting and cavalry operations

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance mounted combat or provide additional stealth bonuses.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Mounted Mastery: Characters develop expertise in cavalry tactics and mounted warfare techniques.

Stealth Operations: Enhanced movement capabilities create opportunities for reconnaissance and covert missions.

Elemental Connection: Air elemental magic creates relationships with wind-based creatures and atmospheric forces.