Duskgrim
The Duskgrim is a magical horse breed that is available in Star Stable Online.
Timeline
| Date | Developement |
|---|---|
| October 12, 2021 | A teaser image of the Duskgrim is revealed on SSO's social media.[1] |
| October 14, 2021 | A trailer of the Duskgrim is released on SSO's social media.[2] |
| October 20, 2021 | The Duskgrim is added to the game for a limited time of three weeks during the Halloween event.[3] |
| October 12, 2022 | The Duskgrim is added to the game for a limited time for four weeks during the Halloween event.[4] |
| October 18, 2023 | The Duskgrim is added to the game for a limited time during the Halloween event.[5] |
Description
"Jorvik is rich with tales of nature spirits appearing as horses. Two of those spirits are strongly linked to grim stories reminding the listener that appearances are deceiving. The Duskgrim of the barren mountains look deadly even though they come to help. On the flip side the Songsorrows seem tame, even pitiful, until it is too late to escape the vicious water horse.
Myths tell of a horse followed by ravens descending to Jorvik and appearing to an unsuspecting person. The inky black horse charges at the human, the fearsome appearance and cawing ravens driving the person away in terror. Later the person finds tragedy has struck, unaware the Duskgrim appeared to help guide them from disaster. The well meaning spirit is treated as an omen of doom, their mere presence bringing despair even though they come to help. Despite the grim legends a white Duskgrim is good luck, a messenger from fate of a bright new dawn. Even with positive associations, like luck and the day night cycle, Duskgrim are largely seen as spirits surrounded by death, though they are never the cause.
As a legend intrinsically tied to Jorvik’s landscape it is no surprise that they appear as Jorvik Wild Horses. They use illusions to appear as normal pale horses when traveling from their mountain peak home but reveal their true colors to those they trust.
Like ravens, Duskgrims are incredibly intelligent and social, perhaps unaware of the stories they are a part of. They reward those who show them kindness with unwavering loyalty. Earning the trust of a Duskgrim is to earn a friend for life, and perhaps beyond."
Unique Features
Color Changing
The Duskgrim is a magical horse with the special ability to change colors. When the player presses the "h" key or the magic horse icon on the horse's character sheet, the horse will change from its neutral colors to its natural (magic) colors and vice versa. The horse will not change colors during races or while the player is unmounted.
The Mezair
Note: The horse must reach level 7 to perform this gait.
While most breeds in SSO only have five gaits, the Duskgrim has six. This special gait is called the "Mezair," a gait derived from the Airs Above Ground move by the same name. To make your horse do the Mezair, the horse must be walking. The player then must hold down the Shift key and then simultaneously hit either the up arrow or the 'w' key. The Duskgrim will then begin to perform the special gait. During the Mezair, the horse cannot move to a faster gait or jump. To stop the Mezair, simply slow your horse down like you would with any other.
The Lay Down
Note: The horse must reach level 7 to perform this move.
The Duskgrim can perform a special move called the Lay Down. The animation can be activated by pressing the spacebar, but only when standing still, otherwise the horse will jump instead of performing the move.
Feathers
The Duskgrim sports moderate feathering on its legs. This long hair covering the horses' cannon and fetlock means that the Duskgrim cannot wear leg wraps or open front boots in the game.
Colors, Pricing, and Location
The Duskgrim is sold for 975 SC and can be purchased during Halloween in Galloper's Keep. It comes in one variation.
Note: This horse is released for limited periods of time and is not always in the game.
- Natural color: Black body with blue and green raven-like feathered mane and tail
- Neutral color: Cremello
Trivia
- The Duskgrim uses the Jorvik Wild Horse model.
- The Duskgrim was released as a pair with Songsorrow.
- The Duskgrim, like most other Magic Horses, cannot have its hairstyle changed.
- The name Duskgrim is a compound of the English words “dusk” (the darker stage of twilight) and “grim” (something that is forbidding or uninviting).[6][7]
- The Duskgrim takes inspiration from the Church Grim as well as many traits from Corvid based mythos around the world.[8] These myths associate Corvids with loss, ill omen, prophecy and insight.[9][10]
References
- ↑ Stable Online, “Next up in Jorvik!” Instagram, October 12, 2021, accessed November 20, 2022, https://www.instagram.com/p/CU7W-V8oWW9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link.
- ↑ Star Stable, “Meet Duskgrim and Songsorrow! 🪶☠️ | Star Stable Magic Horses ✨,” October 14, 2021, Trailer, 0:48, https://youtu.be/Cc9qbYF1a24.
- ↑ "The Spooky Season is Upon Us!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, October 2, 2021. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/10928.
- ↑ "Get Ready for a Horrifying Halloween!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, October 12, 2022. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/12841.
- ↑ "Bewitching Horses!" Star Stable. Star Stable Entertainment, October 18, 2023. https://www.starstable.com/en/article/13829.
- ↑ Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Dusk,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dusk.
- ↑ Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Grim,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grim.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Church Grim,” last modified June 17, 2022 05:41, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_grim.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Corvidae: Role in myth and culture,” last modified October 11, 2022 16:19, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvidae#Role_in_myth_and_culture.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Cultural depictions of ravens,” last modified November 18, 2022 17:34, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultural_depictions_of_ravens.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Rainbow Crow,” last modified November 15, 2022 16:49, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_crow.
- ↑ Wikipedia, s.v. “Ischys,” last modified October 16, 2022 19:24, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ischys.