Cursus Honorum

Cursus Honorum

A Ballator’s Cursus Honorum, or Course of Honors, is a specialization that is achieved through several factors. These specializations allow a Ballator to learn and level unique skills that may aid them or their herd.

If a Ballator who has completed their specialization is in an officially registered herd, then any Ballator within that herd can also claim bonuses in herd prompts, provided that Ballator is depicted as at least  a halfbody, or at least 25% of the total wordcount.

Ballators can start off with one specialization, but may learn a second if they have reached Legendary Stat Level. At this time, a Ballator may only have 2 total Cursus Honorum.

Tips & Hints

  • All lessons of a Cursus Honorum will give prizes in which will be needed to fully master and choose a specialization in Cursus Honorum. Make sure to choose the right prizes and don’t use them!
  • Keep a tracker to record which lessons your Ballator has done so far.
  • Be sure to read the rules below carefully!
General Guidelines
  • All artwork must contain a background.
  • All artwork must be colored. Shading is optional but does earn you more stats.
  • Each entry must be it’s own separate submission.
  • Stat grids will not be accepted as entries. Comics will accepted as entries so long as only one prompt is depicted per comic, only horses relevant to the prompt are shown, and the stats are capped at 20. (Reminder: Companion bonuses will not apply to comics as they are counted by stat grid guidelines!
  • All artwork/ literature must be done by the owner of the horse who is learning the lessons. At most only 3 may be completing the lessons together.
    • No collaborations are allowed.
  • Levels and lessons must be completed in the order given.
  • If a lesson requires a teacher, any Group Horses or a Ballator who is listed as a master of the specific Cursus Honorum may be used.
    • Ex. If your Ballator is training in being an Andabata, they can use a Ballator whose import plaque states they are an Andabata Master, but they can’t use a Ballator who says they are an Arbelas Master to satisfy that requirement.
  • If a Ballator is purchased in the middle of completing these lessons, it is up to the new owner if they would like to continue where the previous one left off or start over entirely. Prizes cannot be reclaimed for previously approved and confirmed levels no matter what.
    • Art/ literature from the previous owner must be properly logged and approved through the Cursus Honorums Submissions.
    • Ex.  if the ballator was confirmed at lvl 2 and sold, the new owner has the option to start lvl 3 with it or start over completely
    • Ex.  if the ballator was sold when it had just completed lvl 2 lesson 3, the new owner can jump back in at lvl 2 lesson 4, or start over lvl 2, or go back to the beginning
Up to 3 Ballators may do Cursus Honorum lessons together in each entry.
  • Only the horse participating in the lessons can gain the prize. One horse must complete all quests itself.
  • For literature entries, the stat count required is per ballator – so if 2 EBs are doing a Quest prompt that has a 5 stat minimum as a literature entry together then the minimum stat count would be 10 stats. 
Rules for Submitting Your Entries
  • It is suggested that your Ballator have a separate area set aside to track which Lessons they are doing and what levels they have completed.
    • Submitted Journals on DA, Websites (Google Sites/Weebly), Google Docs, and The Forums are all acceptable places to be used as a Lesson Tracker.
  • Level entries must be titled as such: (Horse ID) | Level # | (Lesson Title). 
  • Please use the following form for each of your entries:
    Equus Ballator Depicted: (link to references or plaquues)
    Tracker: Link to the Cursus Honorum Tracker of the EB
    Group Prompt(s): (list which Cursus honorum, the level number, and lesson title)
    Stat Breakdown:
    Stat Total:
  • When you complete a level, leave a post in THIS FORUM. 
  • Upon completion of all levels and crafting of the specialization token, your horse will be given a token in their log designating them as a master of their Cursus Honorum.
  • If you want to leave a Cursus Hororum, you can fill out the form HERE. 
  • Your Ballator will be stripped of all of the bonuses they have earned via that Cursus Honorum and will have to start completely over.
    • They may NOT reuse any of their previous artwork/literature.

Choosing Your Cursus Honorum

There are many Cursus Honorum that a Ballator may choose, but they can only choose one and do one at a time. However, before they may start doing the lessons for each level of the Cursus Honorum, they need to designate which one they are wanting to learn. Once they do that, they will unlock the first level for that Cursus Honorum. 

To choose your Cursus Honorum you must:

  • Pick your Cursus Honorum. Describe why they chose to pick that specific one. Do their current skills fit that Cursus Honorum? Is there someone or something that inspired them? Are they trying to get out of their comfort zone?
    • Requirements: 7 stats. Art entries require the inclusion of a minimum 100 word story.
      • Title this entry: (Horse name) | Cursus Honorum | (Chosen Cursus Honorum) 
      • Submit this entry to the “Cursus Honorum” Folder in the DA group. Once accepted you may start your lessons.
      • Be sure to have this entry linked on your tracker.

Andabata, the Priest

Andabata specialize in understanding the ways of the highlords and communicating with them.

An Andabata is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Dressage
  • Intelligence
  • Stamina
Watchful Eye
  • Takes 5% reduced damage in fights
Healing Spirit
  • Heal 5% of lost herd health
Highlord’s Protection
  • 15% chance an attack on them will miss
Andabata Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Divine Intervention
    • Healing effectiveness is 1.5x for land healing
    • Heals 15% of lost herd health
Andabata Malum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Divine Retribution
    • Can damage land of rivals
    • 15% increased damage in fights

Arbelas, the Storyteller

Arbelas specialize in telling stories and keeping a captive audience. These Ballators have a deep understanding of the stories of the world and how to twist their words in the right way. 

An Arbelas is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Gaits
  • Jumping
  • Intelligence
Captivating Gaze
  • 5% chance to bring back rare items when with another herd member
  • Boosts the chances of landing an attack by 5% when with another herd member
Golden Tongue
  • 10% chance to bring back rare items when with another herd member
  • Boosts the chances of landing an attack by 10% when with another herd member
Inspiring Aura
  • 15% chance to bring back rare items when with another herd member
  • Boosts the chances of landing an attack by 15% when with another herd member
Arbelas Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Words of Electricity
    • Every Ballator featured in the hunt will bring back 1 extra item
Arbelas Malum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Words of Steel
    • 20% Increased Damage in fights when with other herd members

Bestiarius, the Hunter

Bestiarius specializes in hunting prey. These Ballators have a deep understanding of how to track and take down prey.

A Bestiarius is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Experience
  • Intelligence
  • Stamina
Keen Eyes
  •  20% chance of failure
  • 40% chance of bring back 1 item
  • 25% chance of bringing back 2 items
  • 15% chance of bringing back 3 items
Long Distance Runner
  • 10% chance of failure
  • 30% chance of bring back 1 item
  • 30% chance of bringing back 2 items
  • 30% chance of bringing back 3 items
Sixth Sense
  • 0% chance of failure
  • 20% chance of bring back 1 item
  • 35% chance of bringing back 2 items
  • 45% chance of bringing back 3 items
Bestiarius Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Quick Feet
    • Guaranteed additional hunt item (possibility of 4 total items brought back)
Bestiarius Malum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Killing Blow
    • Guaranteed animal drop

Majus, the Magic User

Majus specialize in understanding the inner workings of the magic of the world. Most tend to specialize in one element but some are able to use multiple elements not as well if they specialized in one. While they do have a strong understanding of the magic of the world, many mysteries like shapeshifting still lay outside their grasp.

A Majus is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Experience
  • Intelligence
  • Stamina
Shielding Power
  • Takes 5% reduced damage in fights
Level One Bonus
+
Healing Touch
  • Heals 5% of lost herd health
Level One and Two Bonuses
+
Magical Blow
  • Gives 5% more damage in fights
Majus Bonum
  • Level One, Two and Three Bonuses
  • Healing Aura
    • Heals 25% of lost herd health
Majus Malum
  • Level One, Two, and Three Bonuses
  • Invisible
    • 25% chance an attack on them will miss

Metallurgist, the Blacksmith

Metallurgist specialize in the art of crafting and metalwork.

A Metallurgist is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Experience
  • Intelligence
  • Strength
Adept Hooves
  • 0% fail rate on Easy crafting
  • 10% fail rate on Moderate crafting
  • 50% fail rate on Challenging crafting
  • 90% fail rate on Difficult crafting
Gentle Touch
  • 0% fail rate on Easy Crafting
  • 0% fail rate on Moderate crafting
  • 25% fail rate on Challenging crafting
  • 50% fail rate on Difficult crafting
Attention to Detail
  • 0% fail rate on Easy Crafting
  • 0% fail rate on Moderate crafting
  • 10% fail rate on Challenging crafting
  • 25% fail rate on Difficult
Metallurgist Bonum
  • Diamond Hooves
    • 0% fail rate on any kind of crafting (Can never fail in crafting an item
Metallurgist Malum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Sly Hooves
    • Chance of some items back when crafting is successful
    • Guatanteed 1 item back when crafting is failed

Murmillo, the Warrior

Murmillos specialize in fighting. They often are on the front line of fighting and can easily take a beating.

A Murmillo is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Stamina
  • Strength
  • Attack Strength
Sure-Footed
  • Takes 5% reduced damage in fights
Thick Skin
  • Takes 10% reduced damage in fights
Stronghold
  • Takes 15% reduced damage in fights
Murmillo Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Intimidating Aura
    • 50% chance an attack on them will miss
Murmillo Malum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Iron Teeth
    • 25% increase in damage given

Praecantrix, the Healer

Praecantrix specializes in the art of healing.

A Praecantrix is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Experience
  • Intelligence
  • Stamina
Healing Touch
  • Heals 5% of lost herd health
Healer’s Foresight
  • Heals 10% of lost herd health
Healing Aura
  • Heals 15% of lost herd health
Praecantrix Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • One with Nature
    • Healing effectiveness is 2x for land healing
Praecantrix Malum
  • Health Pool
    • Heals 30% of lost herd health

Veles, the Weapons Master

Veles specialize in wielding weapons. They often specialize in only one type of weapon that they can wield well but some choose to use multiple weapons that they don’t yield as well.

A Veles is best equipped with the following stats:

  • Dressage
  • Stamina
  • Strength
Steady Hooves
  • Gives 5% more damage in fights
Keen eyesight
  • Gives 10% more damage in fights

Deep Cuts

  • Gives 15% more damage in fights
Veles Bonum
  • Level Three Bonus
  • Slippery
    • 50% chance an attack on them will miss
Veles Malum
  • Frenzied Strikes
    • 25% increase in damage given