Desert Rider

Desert riders are the traditional Arabian warriors, sweeping out of the desert on horseback, sword glinting in the moonlight.  They are nomadic and tend to travel the desert in groups, caring for their caravan and the herd of horses and camels within their group.  They usually know their way through the desert wasteland, noticing small details from years of experience and can find food and water in a place most others would think of as a wasteland.

Desert riders' reputations vary.  The people of the desert see them as the image of honesty and freedom.  City dwellers who have been subject to their raids from time to time view all of them as little more than thieves or vagrants.  In turn, they view city dwellers as slaves to a system they have little desire to involve themselves in.  Other than their steeds who they view as having chosen them, just as they have chosen their steed, they do not view other property as belonging to anyone.  This is a large part of the conflict between those of the desert and those within city walls.  

Skill Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Survival

Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles (land), One type of artisan’s tools

Equipment: Camel or Riding Horse, Saddle, Common clothes, pouch with 5 gp.

D8	Specialty
1	Desert Warrior
2	Caravan Leader
3	Desert Mercenary
4	Lone Desert Wanderer
5	Camel or Horse Merchant
6	Oasis Guardian
7	Outpost Raider
8	Animal Herder

Desert Tribe: Much of the desert is organized in fairly sizable tribes.  It is likely you hail from one of the larger tribes in the desert.  This table refers to tribes detailed on pages 36-44 of the Land of Fate.  A link to an online PDF of the book follows if you wish to read more about each of these.

D10	Desert Tribe
1	House of Asad (Childres of the Lion – High Desert)
2	House Bakr (Clan of the Young Camel – High Desert)
3	House of Dht’b (Sons of the Wolf – High Desert)
4	House of Dubb (House of the Bear – High Desert)
5	House of Nasr (People of the Eagle – High Desert)
6	House of Thawr (Children of the Bull – High Desert)
7	House of Uqab (League of the Vulture – High Desert)
8	House of Hanif (Ghost Desert)
9	House of Hotek (Ghost Desert)
10	House of Taylf (Ghost Warriors – High Desert)

Land of Fate PDF

Feature: Desert Wanderer: Although the desert seems featureless to many, you find it easy to navigate.  You use the sun and small features others may overlook to find your way through the vast emptiness.  When in the desert, you can always recall the basic layout of settlements, the position of the sun, and other small features so you do not get lost. Similarly, in the desert, you can find water and food each day for yourself and up to 5 companions.   This ability is unique to desert settings and does not work the same in other terrains.

D8	Personality Trait
1	Like a shadow, I am seen and not heard – I prefer to let my deeds do the talking
2	Like the desert wind, I blow hard, leaving chaos in my wake.
3	I have never met a stranger, merely a friend I did not yet know.
4	Although I ride in the desert, I also enjoy many of the comforts of the city.
5	I am often loud and gregarious in public.
6	I tend to wander by myself a lot.
7	I carry much sadness because of someone close to me who I lost.
8	I speak with the voice of our tribe, for the others fear to speak up.

D6	Ideal
1	Protection (Good) I ride for my family and tribe – I only raid villages to help my people  - never to cause harm or take more than necessary.
2	Tribal Order (Law) The law of the land is greater than that of man.  If a city or city dweller violates the law of the land, he must be punished.
3	Freedom of the Sand (Chaos) The city seeks to confine and enslave with possessions and drudgery.  I ride to remain free of those confines.
4	Destruction (Evil) My goal is to bring down civilization and return all men to the land.  I thrill as I watch a construct crumble.
5	Coexistence (Neutral) I am happy to ride, defending my people.  I avoid civilization and only fight if they bring a fight to me.
6	The Tribe (Any) Our tribe is home and must survive no matter what.  I will go to any lengths to make it successful.

D6	Flaw
1	A great tragedy befell my family long ago.  Whenever I am reminded of it, I feel powerless like I can do nothing.
2	A group of city dwellers committed a terrible act upon my family – I am intolerant of all city dwellers and will plot raids just to seek revenge.
3	I tend to become chauvinistic and intolerant when I am drinking.
4	I love the freedom of riding and become so caught up in it that I sometimes do not notice the people around me.
5	I committed a crime in a nearby city – if they discover it was me, I will be punished severely.
6	I don’t feel comfortable riding without a particular kind of saddle.