Bornu Horseman
The only other warrior caste besides the Pithnos to use Arabian steeds in war are the horsemen of the plains south of Yusuf north of the Great Swamp. The horsemen are one of the few plainsmen to use armor. These noble horsemen have a code of honor that is very similar to that of chivalry and bushido. A horseman will never break this code for fear of bringing on the wrath of the gods and the scorn of the people.
Role
Like the Pithnos, these horsemen are possessed of powerful, quick, and large beasts, normally reserved only for the Sufic nobility. They are holy and noble knights in a manner stunningly reminiscent of Templar and Cavaliers. What they lose in protection they gain in the cultural exclusivity of their procession of horses and armor. They are to the normal warriors of the plains what a knight in full plate armor is to plate-mailed footmen of Xanthios.
Distinctive Appearance
None
Special Benefits
Not only do the horsemen of Bornu wear chain mail of iron, a very rare commodity in the plains, even their horses wear protective mail. On horseback, the horsemen use spears as if those weapons were light lances with a speed factor of four, gaining double damage when charging. They use lances as if they were one class better in damage and they use heavy lances as if they were two-handed swords for the purposes of damage only. Although the Bornu horsemen, like the Pithnos, ride light Arabian warhorses, any weight of lance may be used to full effect from their backs by the Bornu.
The horsemen may ask for food and lodging from any plains noble and be granted it. They have a + 1 reaction roll bonus when dealing with plainsmen.
Special Hindrances
Bornu horsemen never use shields. They may use no missile weapons but the spear, and may carry only one of these. Bornu horsemen are bound by a code of chivalry similar to that of the Appollonian Cavaliers of the East. If they break this code, they must atone in a manner suitable to the emperor or they lose all cultural benefits; in the latter event, other Bornu horsemen will come to take back the horseman’s horse, armor, and barding.
The horsemen must heed the Xanthic emperor’s requests and calls to war, with penalties for disobedience as mentioned above.
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