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Saddle

Edit

A saddle was a seat attached to a creature, either for riding or carrying objects.[9][10]

“
Those who think saddles uncomfortable have never ridden a horse bareback.
”
— Advertisement for saddles in Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue[5]

Description[]

Types[]

“
A man's greatest pleasure is the feel of hooves pounding beneath his saddle, to watch the deer fleeing before his horse, and to see his arrows down his prey.
”
— Hubadai[11]
CamelSaddle

A saddle attached to a camel.

Saddles were mainly split into two groups: riding saddles and pack saddles. Riding saddles were used by those who rode creatures, whilst pack saddles were frames used to carry equipment.[10] (Riding saddles were sometimes used along with panniers for carrying small amounts of gear in addition to the rider on the saddle.[12]) Military saddles were also available, and were used by commanders and generals in battle. Exotic saddles were used to mount specific types of creatures, such as aquatic and aerial mounts.[7]

These seats were sold all over Faerûn,[13][14][15] Maztica,[16] Kara-Tur,[17] and Zakhara.[18]

Saddles specifically made for camels had different names in Zakhara and were known as kharj,[4] rahla,[6] and terke.[6] The rahla was small, comfortable and lightweight, whilst the terke was cage-like and enabled the rider to control the camel much more easily.[6]

As well as animals, mechanical machines such as the Leaping Lizard of Raven's Bluff, were seated with saddles. Citizens of the city could mount the ride for 2 cp each.[19]

Saddle frames were often made of wood or sheepskin.[20] Saddles were sold by Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue, and each of them were made from black Ordulan leather.[5]

Saddles manufactured in Calimshan had especially tall cantles.[21]

Mounts[]

“
Nothing makes me feel better than soaring over the landscape, keeping an eye out for Zhent dangers. Except maybe for knocking a Zhentarim skymage out of his saddle, of course
”
— Joatra Stelmar, a Moonsea skysentinel[22]

Such seats came in a multitude of varieties, each different depending on the rider's needs or the type of mount used. Types of mounts that used saddles were horses,[23] mules,[24] wolves,[25] griffons,[26] hippogriffs,[27][28] steeders,[29] pegasi,[13] dragons,[15] giant striders,[30] and camels.[31] Even dolphins could have saddles fitted to them,[32] as well as owlbears,[33] axebeaks,[34] hippocampi,[34] gelatinous cubes,[35] purple worms,[36] giant fireflies,[37] giant lizards,[38] veserabs,[39] pteranadons,[40] giant ravens,[41] wyverns,[42] stone flyers,[43] nightmares,[44] and carrion crawlers.[45]

Usage[]

“
The following day we finished the ride to Corwell, none too soon for my tastes. I would almost have preferred to travel by coracle, for the saddle sores stung for another week.
”
— Elminster[14]

Traveling on saddles (particularly poor ones) for long periods could cause bad sores.[14][16][46]

Instead of making saddles from scratch, arcane methods could be used. The mount spell could summon creatures with saddles already attached to them, or even howdahs, should the caster be powerful enough.[47] Even the phantom steed spell summoned a ghostly mount with a saddle and bit and bridle to boot.[48]

History[]

Saddles first became available in Netheril in 890 NY (−2969 DR).[49]

1345 DR was known as the Year of the Saddle.[50] The High Herald of Yartar was known as the Gold Saddle.[51] In addition, the settlement of Lheshayl had an inn known as the Saddle of the Plains,[52] Hill's Edge featured an inn called the Stone Saddle,[53] and a body of water in Longsaddle was known as the Saddle Pond.[54]

Notable Saddles[]

GiantStrider-2e

A giant strider wearing a saddle.

There were many notable saddles of the Realms, including those that could fit exotic beasts of all shapes and sizes.[55] Some notable saddles were:

  • A saddle of the cavalier, a wondrous item favored by riders.[57]

Notable Owners[]

Notable Producers of Saddles[]

Saddlemaker's Workshop

The workshop of a saddlemaker.

  • Keltar was well known for its production of saddles. Their saddles had such a good reputation that they were desired by every Calishite horseman. One of the great crafters of Keltar claimed he could custom-make saddles for dragons.[15]
  • Mosstone was a notable producer and exporter of saddles.[61]

Trivia[]

In the Roll of Years, the year 1345 DR bore the name "Year of the Saddle".[62]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Appearances[]

Adventures

The Mines of Bloodstone • Swords of the Daimyo • Ochimo: The Spirit Warrior • Mad Monkey vs the Dragon Claw • Shadowdale • Tantras • Waterdeep • Test of the Samurai • Ronin Challenge • Storm Riders • Black Courser • Blood Charge • City of Gold • Marco Volo: Journey • Four from Cormyr • Reunion • Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land • Sons of Gruumsh • The Rise of Tiamat • Princes of the Apocalypse • Out of the Abyss • Storm King's Thunder • Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage • Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden
Referenced only
Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus

Novels & Short Stories

Ironhelm • Crucible: The Trial of Cyric the Mad • Thornhold • The Glass Prison • The Sapphire Crescent • The Ruby Guardian

Gamebooks

Knight of the Living Dead

Video Games

Hillsfar • Eye of the Beholder III: Assault on Myth Drannor

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Gary Gygax (1978). Players Handbook 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-9356-9601-6.
  2. ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 40. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 91. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), pp. 87, 88. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Jeff Grubb, Julia Martin, Steven E. Schend et al (1992). Aurora's Whole Realms Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 140. ISBN 0-5607-6327-2.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Rick Swan (1994). Al-Qadim: Caravans: Campaign Guide. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 1-56076-903-3.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, Skip Williams (July 2003). Player's Handbook v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 129. ISBN 0-7869-2886-7.
  8. ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 127. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
  9. ↑ slade et al (June 1995). Encyclopedia Magica Volume III. (TSR, Inc.), p. 1049. ISBN 0-7869-0187-X.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 92. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  11. ↑ Troy Denning (August 1990). Black Courser. (TSR, Inc.), p. 6. ISBN 0880388587.
  12. ↑ Victor Milán (October 1995). War in Tethyr. (TSR, Inc), p. 84. ISBN 0-7869-0184-5.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Ed Greenwood (1987). Waterdeep and the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 44. ISBN 0-88038-490-5.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 37. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Scott Haring (1988). Empires of the Sands. (TSR, Inc), p. 56. ISBN 0-8803-8539-1.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 John Nephew and Jonathan Tweet (April 1992). City of Gold. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 978-1560763222.
  17. ↑ Jeff Grubb (1987). Ochimo: The Spirit Warrior. (TSR, Inc), p. 23. ISBN 0-88038-393-3.
  18. ↑ Wolfgang Baur, Steve Kurtz (1992). Monstrous Compendium Al-Qadim Appendix. (TSR, Inc). ISBN l-56076-370-1.
  19. ↑ Jean Rabe, et al. (August 1990). Inside Ravens Bluff, the Living City. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams. (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 1-56076-048-6.
  20. ↑ Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 156. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  21. ↑ Victor Milán (October 1995). War in Tethyr. (TSR, Inc), p. 7. ISBN 0-7869-0184-5.
  22. ↑ Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds (Nov. 2005). Champions of Valor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 117. ISBN 0-7869-3697-5.
  23. ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
  24. ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 153. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  25. ↑ Mike Mearls, et al. (November 2016). Volo's Guide to Monsters. Edited by Jeremy Crawford, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786966011.
  26. ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 50. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  27. ↑ Gary Gygax (1979). Dungeon Masters Guide 1st edition. (TSR, Inc.), p. 53. ISBN 0-9356-9602-4.
  28. ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. (TSR, Inc), p. 17. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  29. ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1986). The Mines of Bloodstone. (TSR, Inc), p. 47. ISBN 0-8803-8312-7.
  30. ↑ Jon Pickens ed. (November 1996). Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 100. ISBN 0786904496.
  31. ↑ Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 77. ISBN 978-1560763581.
  32. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 81. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  33. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 82. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 84. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  35. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 85. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  36. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  37. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 91. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  38. ↑ Christopher Perkins (November 2018). Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7869-6626-4.
  39. ↑ Greg A. Vaughan, Skip Williams, Thomas M. Reid (November 2007). Anauroch: The Empire of Shade. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 157. ISBN 0-7869-4362-9.
  40. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  41. ↑ Ed Greenwood and Jason Carl (July 2002). Silver Marches. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 121. ISBN 0-7869-2835-2.
  42. ↑ Christopher Perkins (September 2005). Sons of Gruumsh. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 13. ISBN 0-7869-3698-3.
  43. ↑ Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel, Jeff Quick (October 2003). Underdark. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 99. ISBN 0-7869-3053-5.
  44. ↑ Adam Lee, et al. (September 2019). Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 224. ISBN 978-0-7869-6687-5.
  45. ↑ Christopher Perkins, Adam Lee, Richard Whitters (September 1, 2015). Out of the Abyss. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 28. ISBN 978-0-7869-6581-6.
  46. ↑ Grant Boucher, Troy Christensen, Arthur Collins and Nigel Findley (May 1990). The Castle Guide. Edited by William W. Connors. (TSR, Inc.), p. 76. ISBN 0-88038-837-4.
  47. ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 177. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  48. ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 195. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
  49. ↑ slade, Jim Butler (October 1996). “The Winds of Netheril”. In Jim Butler ed. Netheril: Empire of Magic (TSR, Inc.), p. 31. ISBN 0-7869-0437-2.
  50. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Julia Martin, Jeff Grubb (1993). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc). ISBN 1-5607-6617-4.
  51. ↑ Ed Greenwood (September 1993). The Code of the Harpers. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 76. ISBN 1-56076-644-1.
  52. ↑ Jim Butler (1996). The Vilhon Reach (Player's Guide). (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 0-7869-0400-3.
  53. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1994). Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast. (TSR, Inc), p. 189. ISBN 1-5607-6940-1.
  54. ↑ Ed Greenwood (1993). Volo's Guide to the North. (TSR, Inc), p. 57. ISBN 1-5607-6678-6.
  55. ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 82–86. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
  56. ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). Volo's Guide to Cormyr. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 169. ISBN 0-7869-0151-9.
  57. ↑ Jeremy Crawford, Mike Mearls, Robert J. Schwalb, Adam Lee, Christopher Perkins, Matt Sernett (November 2017). Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Edited by Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 141. ISBN 978-0-7869-6612-7.
  58. ↑ Richard Baker, Eric L. Boyd, Thomas M. Reid (July 2007). Shadowdale: The Scouring of the Land. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 07-8694-039-5.
  59. ↑ Richard Rydberg, et al. (August 1989). Gateway to Ravens Bluff, the Living City. Edited by Jean Rabe, Skip Williams, Ed Sollers. (TSR, Inc.), p. 11.
  60. ↑ Mike Pondsmith, Jay Batista, Rick Swan, John Nephew, Deborah Christian (1988). Kara-Tur: The Eastern Realms (Volume I). (TSR, Inc), p. 82. ISBN 0-88038-608-8.
  61. ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
  62. ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 139. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
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