Nic'Epona

The nic'Epona, or Epona's daughters, are said to descend from the horse goddess herself and draw their power from her. They guard her realm of Tir na Og in the neutral planes, riding out in vast waves against any threat, and they are among the few creatures who can cross between planes at will.

They look almost exactly like ordinary horses, save for the bright intelligence in their eyes. Their coats may be any color of the rainbow, and tales speak of hues past deepest violet or beyond brightest red. Each can change color at will, though most keep a favorite shade or pattern.

Fierce defenders, they bite anyone who comes close uninvited and strike with forehooves as hard as a battle axe. A nic'Epona may instead kick a foe behind her with her hind legs, but this takes her whole round. Her body counts as a +2 weapon for hitting creatures immune to normal or silver weapons, though this grants her no real bonus on attack or damage rolls. She herself can be harmed only by +2 or better weapons or by creatures that strike as such.

A herd of 20 or more can stampede in a 20-yard-wide front, two or more ranks deep (one mare per two yards), with each extra 10 mares adding 20 yards of width or another rank as needed. They never check morale in a stampede. After a 50-yard run-up, anyone in the path takes 10d6 per round lasting one round per four ranks, rounding up (three ranks hit once, eight ranks twice); saving vs. spell halves it.

Charm magic of every kind fails on them, even items that charm animals, and they know when someone tries. Since few know this, they love to feign being charmed, then strand the caster on some hostile plane.

Most striking is their plane shift (as the spell), usable at will in a few strides, to any place they have seen in the Outer Planes, though realms of unfriendly powers stay closed unless they are invited. A losing mare backs off, charges, and vanishes just before impact, her hooves glowing faint purple and leaving a fading rainbow outline.

They can also run on any surface, water, quicksand, air, or a sheer wall, on a fleeting causeway formed under their hooves, which blaze blue while it lasts, usable one turn per hour. Only the mare and her rider can use it, and the sudden turn from ground to wall can rattle an unready rider.

Though usually met alone, they gather in great herds in Tir na Og, home of their patron. There they mostly ignore the planars, primes, and petitioners seeking favors or passage, needing only each other's company, bending only for friends or anyone they are honor-bound to repay.

All are female, whatever rumor claims. A nic'Epona mates with a stallion, pegasus, or unicorn; daughters are nic'Epona, sons take after the sire. The herd guards its foals fiercely and will pursue a foal thief across the planes.

Sociable and curious, they sometimes chat with adventurers to pick up gossip and destinations. Someone who treats one well, courting her with fine gifts and kind words and winning her trust, may receive a single ride to any place they choose, one time only. Betray her and she may drop the rider somewhere hostile; the hells are a favorite dumping ground. A mare who grows truly devoted may let her friend name her, then come when called by it, up to three times (more only if the DM allows), arriving within 1d10 rounds to carry the friend out of danger.