Rider warriors charge into battle. Cousins aren't always friends!
These situations occur when you raid or are raided by Hyalorings.
Ride Like the Wind[]
Erissa Mercy Petition[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | <Hero> strikes down the <Enemy> chieftain, <Enemy Chief>, badly wounding <him/her>. Healers in the <Enemy> clan auxiliary cry out for clemency. Waving the banner of Erissa the merciful, they request a momentary truce, in which both sides can heal their wounded. How does <Hero> respond?
|
” |
Consequences[]
Keep in mind that shooting at a healer is a grave violation of Rider custom—and those customs are enforced by the gods themselves, who may well turn their faces on you for offering violence to an Erissan pacifist.
Notes[]
There is some variation in the text here; sometimes the Erissa priestesses offer to heal one of your wounded warriors, for example.
This scenario has Ram and Wheel counterparts: Chalana Arroy Mercy Petition and Erildar Mercy Petition. And Riders Injure Warleader is the flipside, when you're seeking the enemy's mercy instead of the other way around...
Nyalda's Monstrous Lizard[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | Your warriors react in awestruck horror as the <Rider> earth priestesses usher an enormous earth lizard onto the battlefield. Great triangular plates bristle from its spine. A quartet of bone spikes protrude from its tail. On the priestesses' command, it crashes into your warriors, its tail piercing horse and warrior alike. <Hero> rides closest to the beast. How does <he/she> react?
|
” |
Consequences[]
Scattering the earth priestesses or rallying your side can take the earth lizard out of this fight... though it will be back.
Fighting the beast head on can lead to its death, but is likelier to lead to your hero's.
Arrows will do little good against this creature.
Your own earth priestesses can magically calm the beast, though as usual, impromptu magic in combat situations is a chancy business.
Notes[]
If you mercilessly and persistently attack one particular Rider clan, eventually they will ride to the Gods War and receive this beast from Nyalda, a blessing against those who disturb her peace (i.e. you). This is one excellent reason to vary your targets a little!
(Although they are said to have performed Nyalda Marriage Maker, this is not a reward you can get from the ritual yourself! Just to be clear.)
This event has Ram and Wheel counterparts: Orlanth's Monstrous Ram and Samnal's Monstrous Chariot.
Rider Hero[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | As you battle the <Enemies>, flame wreathes the horse of one of their heroes, <Enemy Hero>, imbuing <him/her> with the divine favor of <God>. <He/She> charges at your forces. What does <Our Hero>, closest to <him/her>, do?
|
” |
Consequences[]
Luring the enemy hero away is a relatively easy choice. Fighting them head-on is only a good idea if your hero here is one of your top warriors.
Notes[]
This event has a Wheel counterpart in Samnal Blesses Chariots, as well as a couple of Ram ones: Flying Orlanthi Hero and Berserker.
Riders Injure Warleader[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | Your war leader, <Warleader>, suffers a terrible injury. How does <Healer>, on the periphery of the fight among the auxiliaries, react?
|
” |
Consequences[]
Obviously, your warleader is important to your clan! While they can survive without the healer's aid, that's quite chancy...
If you threaten a cow curse, you'll have the option of whether to follow through.
A pious clan (like the Pure Horse Clan) will let a healer pass unmolested with no escort, and be slighted if she insults their piety by taking an escort. An impious clan (like the clan known for shamans) may shoot at an unescorted healer, making an escort a necessity.
Offering to heal one of their people as well can work, but they may refuse, and it's also possible that your warleader will die while the healer sees to their foe.
Notes[]
This event is the flipside of Erissa Mercy Petition.
It has Ram and Wheel counterparts: Rams Injure Warleader and Wheels Injure Warleader.
Lights Going Out[]
Erissa Demands Mercy[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | The battle rages, with casualties on both sides. Then clashing warriors make way and fall silent as a white-clad priestess of the healing goddess Erissa strides onto the battlefield. "Too many have fallen, and the Lady of Mercy demands surcease! Stand back, so that auxiliaries on both sides may restore the wounded." You recognize her as a member of the <Enemy> circle. <Hero> stands closest to her. The healer looks to him for a response. | ” |
Elmali Warrior Glare[]
Dialogue[]
| “ | A bright light shines from the enemy ranks to pin <Hero> in its glare. It radiates from the sword and shield of a steadfast Elmali warrior, who strides toward him, intent in single combat.
|
” |
Consequences[]
If you try to dim his light with fury, the hero may bash the Elmali warriors shield. However, the warrior may strike the hero at an opportune moment. If so, the hero is wounded and taken out of the remainder of the battle.
If you try and dim his light with storm and fail, the hero may die. The enemy clan will later compose a poem to the hero's dedication to a dying tradition.
If you meet radiance with radiance, Elmal may favor the enemy champion that day, who gets in a fortunate shot, wounding your hero.
If you successfully try to avoid the solar hero, then the hero will escape their would-be slayer. If the hero's skills are not combat, the people may be happy to see them escape, raising Mood. However, the enemy will tak heart seeing an opposing hero take flight, cuasing the battle to lean slightly more their way.
Notes[]
This combat encounter can happen with Wheels also, see Heroic Combat: Wheels.