Ryshadium

Ryshadium are a very large type of horse (i.e., destriers, bred for war)DestrierDragonCon 2019, Atlanta, GA, 8/29/19 on Roshar, far superior to any other horseflesh. According to Brandon, there is Investiture involved.Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017, Salt Lake City, UT, 9/21/17
==Description==
They are big enough to carry a Shardbearer without looking small, and are often called the "third Shard;" Blade, Plate, and Mount.
However, according to Adolin, that description doesn't do them justice. One cannot earn a Ryshadium simply by defeating someone in combat.
==Characteristics==
They are thick-hooved and choose their own riders.
Adolin supposes that this was how it used to be with Blades too. That they were spren who chose their bearers.
Ryshadium are linked to the Knights Radiant in some way. Only a dozen men in all of the warcamps on the Shattered Plains were fortunate enough to ride one.
They can be trained and will obey commands, such as "Away" (making them leave the area) even during the heat of battle. They can bear the weight of a Shardbearer easily and can communicate with them. They barely require 'handlers'.
They are slightly Invested through a symbiotic relationship on Roshar that gives them better-than-average animal intelligence.Salt Lake City ComicCon 2017, Salt Lake City, UT, 9/21/17
In addition to being larger than regular horses, Ryshadium have other unique features. They have stone hooves that are stronger and more durable than a regular horse's hooves, and that never need to be shod. They also have a large rectangular pupil in the center of each their eyes.
According to Gavilar, it is rare that they roam far east. Further, Dalinar sees musicspren trailing after them in the air.
==Quotes==
==Known Ryshadium and their Riders==
Rider 	Name of Ryshadium	Description
Adolin 	Sureblood 	" ... white stallion ... ."
Dalinar	Gallant 	"... a massive black Ryshadium stallion, one of the largest horses that Adolin had ever seen ... ." "... two hands taller and much stronger than an ordinary horse."
Hatham 	Unnamed 	"... far superior to any other horseflesh."
Kalanor	Unnamed 	"... a tall, majestic animal, brilliant white with a long mane."
==Notes==
Also according to Brandon, Ryshadium are a non-native species who have started to form spren bonds like native species do. So, a symbiotic bond with a spren has started happening. Ryshadium are horses that have done that, basically. One could say that humans have done the same thing. Non-native species that have started to form spren bonds. The Ryshadium are the only other non-native species for which that has started happening. Like the chasmfiends have a symbiotic relationship with the spren that they have, the Ryshadium have a spren.Book signing, Idaho Falls, ID, 7/21/18
==Q&A with Brandon==
Q. What effects does a spren bond have on a Ryshadium? Sapience, or more?
A. It increases their intelligence a great deal and gives them a little extra hardiness to survive in Roshar. And in exchange, the spren gets pulled into the Physical Realm, which they really like.Tor Instagram Livestream, 11/25/20
==References==
Category:Fauna of Roshar
Category:Magical Creatures
Category:Ryshadium