Desert rider

Desert Riders were elite mounted warriors who lived in Zakhara.

Requirements
Only humans, elves, and half-elves were desert riders.

Role
Public opinion on desert riders varied depending on who was asked. The nomads, or Al-Badia, revered the desert riders as true heroes who represented the traditional qualities of desert folk: bravery, honor, and freedom. Villagers of small towns often thought they were little better than wandering thieves. Realistically, both are right. Men and women of good and evil backgrounds became desert riders.

Desert riders viewed the city folk, or Al-Hadhar, as lost souls who missed out on the freedom offered by the desert.

Equipment
Due to constant exposure to extreme heat, desert riders rarely wore armor heavier than chain mail. A desert rider's most prized possession was his or her mount.

Special Benefits
Desert riders possessed an uncanny ability to judge horse flesh, resulting in them owning the finest mounts available. Mounts under a desert riders care performed in a superior manner to when they were handled by ordinary folk.

Special Hindrances
Attuned to the ways of the desert and little else, these warriors were awkward in any setting where they were removed from their beloved habitat.