Honor Belt

An Ekarna devotee inspects an unknown person's honor belt. She and the woman behind her wear wide honor belts, denoting high status; the man at the far right has a thinner one, and is likely a commoner.

Riders value their honor belts, which represent their status and tell their stories, like a personal version of the Story Tent. To lose one's honor belt is shameful; to take another's in battle is a sign of strength and valor. 

Riders add small plaques, made of precious metals and stones, to their belts to indicate their rank and deeds. For example, the plaques on an honor belt can tell of successful raids, and there are specific emblems that indicate that the wearer is a chief. The most impressive honor belts belong to important nobles.

Honor raids are aimed not at killing members of another clan, but at seizing important people's honor belts. 

Burning one's honor belt is an ostentatious display of mourning. 

Ride Like the Wind

Honor belts first appear in Ride Like the Wind.

Most, though not all, of your own clan seem to wear red honor belts, although priestesses of Erissa prefer green and there are a few other colors present. 

Events

Honor belts are frequently seen on members of your and other Rider clans, but are the focus of the following events:

• Honor Belt Found
• Rams Trade Honor Belts

Lore

Your clan circle has some things to say on the topic: 

• "An honor belt is not only valuable for its gold, but because it tells the story of its owner, a little like our story tent." 
• "During the Warring Chieftains generation, Hyalor told us about honor belts, in hopes that we would fight without killing." 
• "When Elmal gave Osara and Zarlen their belts, he said, ‘Do not let the Storm Gang take them from you.’" 
• "We wear glittering plaques on our belts in remembrance of the Golden City." 
• "In addition to status, each honor belt tells the story of each wearer's accomplishments."

Lights Going Out

Your clan has ceased to wear honor belts by the time of Lights Going Out, having become Rams since the first game. Ever since the end of the relatively prosperous Storm Age, it has become more difficult for the average person to scrounge together enough wealth to relegate some to be used as mere display. You still see notables of Rider clans wear their honor belts, though.

The emblems from Beren's old honor belt serve as treasured artifacts, used as instruments of auguries.

Lore

You clan ring can say the following of honor belts:

• "Beren worse these emblems on his belt, in our Rider days."
• "We no longer attach gold emblems to our belts, since this is no longer the glorious Storm Age when everyone had that kind of wealth to show off."

Images 

Erissa priestesses often wear white clothing and green honor belts.

Your own clan members favor Nocheli red belts.

Even in emblem form, your ancestor here still has his belt!

The Antler Society is still new, and so far, its members don't hold high status—as shown by their narrow and shabby honor belts.

These Swords have so many gold plaques that some have escaped their honor belts!

The heavy panels attached to Beren the Swift's honor belt may serve as leg armor, and they definitely provide extra space for the many gold plaques a hero earns.

Angry envoys—note the leader's purple belt, a strong indicator that she is from a different clan than yours.

The gods Elmal and Hyalor wear prominent belts. While these may not be honor belts per se, Osara and Zarlen at least are mentioned as having them.

Some Rider emissaries visit Berenstead, their honor belts visible.

A group of Dark Age Riders, with honor belts.

Of these Rider refugees, only the leader has an honor belt worth speaking of.

Emblems from Beren's old honor belt, used for ceremonies of augury.