Essences

As time passed, the Gods looked upon the Aksiothoi and their body shifting abilities, and wondered in what other ways those properties could be used.
Hecate took it upon herself to conduct some research into this matter, and the result were a variety of Essences created out of other creatures. These essences infuse with the natural magic of the horse allowing for a variety of modifications.

Essences are known to react differently from horse to horse, and mixing them may lead to some unexpected results. Their effects do not fade, but can be dispelled by respectfully asking for Hecate to reclaim her gifts.

After the Gods lost their powers, the knowledge of how to make these Essences was locked away with them. Well, supposedly.

Aksios and Akros System Essences

Imagine this: you go around doing your thing, whatever it may be, someone takes notice and records your actions, and you get neat things in return. Sounds good? Well, by order of the Gods, these can be used once you reach each of their respective levels, but you do have to work to get there first.

 Newcomer - Citizen Level

 Pegasus Essence

I see you're going with a classical change of look, yes? Well, with this essence you'll be able to grow wings. And that's it, really.
...
Oh, you want to know more? Right, I suppose there is more to this one.
One, two, three, etc. sets of wings. On the back, on the legs, anywhere actually! Your magic makes the call. There's only one detail: feathered wings only*, and they have to match at least one of the colors in your body, yes. If you happen to carry the Alcyone's Solace Emblem you're in luck, your new wings will perfectly match the feathers you already don.

*When combined with Drakon Essence, the wings may be fully or partially leathered instead.

 Hippocampus Essence

This is one of Poseidon's favorites... For obvious reasons.
Most commonly, it will replace your hindquarters with the tail of a fish, but lower halves of other sea dwelling creatures are also known to appear. It seems that as long as your front end remains that of a horse, everything else is fair game.
You may also find your beautiful hair replaced by fins, so don't come crying to me when you can't have your silky mane brushed anymore. You've been warned!

Empusa Essence

This has Hecate written all over it, if you couldn't already tell.
Use this Essence and you will find your hair bursting into flames. There's also a possibility one of your legs will turn to bronze, which can make walking a bit of a challenge. Oh, but you're a magical horse, I'm sure you'll figure it out.
...Hmm. I would advise you not to mix this one with Lamia Essence*.

*The Empusa + Lamia combo will turn you into an insane, bloodthirsty creature. But if that's your kind of thing, by all means go ahead!

 Keras Essence

Have you ever wished you had been born a Unicorn? Or that you could ram whoever annoys you with a nice pair of horns? Then this was made for you.
Horns, antlers, spikes, that sort of thing. But only on your head! If you want extra weapons elsewhere, you'll have to work a bit harder.
Hey, life isn't easy, even for a prized horse of the Gods.

 Wanderer - War Mount Level

 Orthrus Essence

Made from the blood of the hound brother to Cerberus, it will give you two heads*.
They do say two heads are better than one, but if you're already dumb, this won't make you smarter.
Just so you know.

*This seems like a terrible idea, but I have to mention it: Orthrus + Cerberus can give you between four to five heads instead.

 Gorgon Essence

I don't know why you would ever want any of these, but here's the description: Snakes for hair, brass hooves, and fangs.
I mean, I could see them being useful, but really... Snakes for hair? Sounds like more trouble than it's worth.
No, you don't get to petrify others with your gaze, we haven't... I mean I haven't been able to isolate that element into an Essence yet.

 Lamia Essence

Again with the snakes, seriously? Ugh.
Well, if having half of your body turn into a sea-creature isn't your kind of thing, maybe a serpent tail is.
This Essence will also alter your feeding habits a bit, by which I mean you'll be craving for blood in no time. Not to worry though, you'll be fine I'm sure*.

*Unless you're totally crazy and mix this with Empusa Essence...
I swear that eye-roll was not judgmental in the slightest.

 Dryad Essence

Makes you feel at one with Nature! And by that I mean that your body may go full natural on you with wooden skin and plants for hair, that kind of thing.
Coverage will depend on how much Essence you use, go overboard and you may as well stick your hooves in some dirt and live the rest of your life as a tree. Which sounds incredibly boring, if I'm allowed to have an opinion.

 Drakon Essence

Dragons are cool, you want to be cool, so you take this Essence. Makes perfect sense, doesn't it?
This one gives you scales on your body, which may cover up to half of it and have between one to three colors, spikes that tend to grow along the back, but are also known to appear in other places, and you might find your tail being replaced by a dragon's tail.
No, our dragons don't have wings, so you can't get them from this one*.

*Though mixing this with Pegasus Essence can give you fully or partially leathered wings.

 Discoverer - Brigadier Level

 Cerberus Essence

You guessed it! This gives you three heads. As if one or two of you wasn't enough... No, go ahead, I'm sure the world needs this.
If you want some overkill to go with your day, mix this with Orthrus Essence and get one or two more heads*.

*I'm obliged to tell you this before any unwanted accidents happen, but I wish I didn't, I can already imagine someone somewhere out there thinking this is a good idea, just because I said it isn't.

Gigas Essence

Makes you bigger! All of you, not just some parts, don't get any ideas.
How big you get depends on how much you use, if you think being the size of a mountain is good for you, then you're free to think so. I'm also free to think that you're as dense as your ego is big.
Okay so, this won't make you the size of a planet, some limits have to be set here before you go and destroy us all, but mountain big can technically happen.

 Phoenix Essence

If you're not the social type, this could be of help as it will make you literally burst into flames. And not just your hair, like Empusa, but all of you*. How's that for keeping any unwanted company away?
Unless you're planning on becoming a walking fireplace to keep everyone around you warm. I guess that also works.
You won't be turning into fire, by the way, you'll just be... well, ON fire!

*At least 50% of your body will be covered in flames at any given time. And no, rain won't be able to do a thing about it.

 Arachne Essence

Ah, so now we're into creepy-crawlies, it seems. Still better than snakes.
Let's see... Lots of fun stuff here: up to two extra pairs of legs, up to three extra pairs of eyes, and bristles along the neck, back and legs. You're going to turn into one weird looking horse if you get all of these, but be my guest.

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Buyable Essences

These are available to you at any given time, though you will have to pay for my services if you want them made, it's too much trouble keeping these in permanent stock.

 A Marble Like No Other

If you have that weird thing called "Marmoreal", you can use this Essence to alter your white marble hair into any type of natural marble color and texture you like.

Cost: n/a

 Marble Hair Extension

Aaaalmost there. I need to work out a few details, yes. Come back later.

Shifting Essences