Owai Riding

In the New World,the infrastructure that once allowed for peoples to travel quickly have long since been destroyed. People have been forced to walk where they need to go, unless you are a Flying Tribesman, of course.
That is, except for powerful Guardians. As a Guardian becomes more powerful form their various trials and ceremonies, so too does their Guardian Owai. Over time, some Guardian Owai may grow to proportions that allow a them to take their Bonded partner passenger, allowing the two to travel more quickly or over more hazardous terrain than otherwise possible.
This treatment can also be an indication of power and prestige among Guardians, and races are held between guardians on various occasions in order to establish an unofficial hierarchy between themselves. These races can be over various terrains and courses, leading guardians to be more highly regarded the closer they are to their home territory.
In addition to becoming more mobile there are tactical advantages and disadvantages to riding Owai. The Advantages include increased combat mobility, making tandem combat more compatible and allows the Powerful Owai to protect it's less resilient partner more easily. Disadvantages include putting the Riding partner closer to the danger, reduced flanking options and often poorer stealth capabilities. A Guardian who is expert in Riding His or Her Owai is one who is able to take full advantage of riding and not.
Although uncommon, in order to make a large impact people will hire Guardians for their Owai to make a dramatic arrival at important events or to cross through dangerous territory quickly, however these offers are often refused for various reasons, pride, honour, and respect among them. Rideable Owai can also be used to pull litters for the injured or heavy and cumbersome supplies