Outrider

A Choice for player Character Backgrounds & or Backstories.

Written by Crafty_Dm

Outrider's are a hard-living yet and skilled professionals in the Kingdom of Ageron and throughout all of Voltera. During peaceful times they serve as couriers and messengers Travelling Town to town on the Kings roads They are much like the Pony Express Riders of Frontier America. A lifeblood and Communication network of the Kingdom Outriders Travel and deliver messages across the land to towns far and near. They Carry important messages, small precious cargos and are a most welcome profession to almost any town.
They also serve in times of war as scouts and regional watches. They travel in advance of armies on the lookout for enemies or in advance of supply carriages and wagons or valuable shipments that are traveling through dangerous Territory. Outriders are usually independent of an army they often can be hired or occasionally conscripted to serve a lord because they know an area or region.
Becoming an Outrider starts at a young age and it typically is a generational family-related profession but on occasion, you will find Local outrider guilds accepting new blood into their ranks even sometimes skilled riders from far off lands make it as an outrider. Typically young Boys and girls that have a gift or way with horses and riding beyond justt an interest in them become outriders as life is not that easy. One starts typically helping in the stables in the feeding, grooming, and care of horses. They Quickly within a couple of years become a mount handler and farrier and actively manage an outrider teams facilities their horses and some Stable hands under them usually by the age of 15 if they show promising riding skill and capabilities they have earned their place to become an Outrider.
Many local towns fiefdoms and principalities have their own guild of outriders these may be stations or networks of stations with a possible dozen or more Horses, a few to several stable hands a mount handler or two, and a few too many outriders. They may have established routes that are routinely traveled for daily or weekly messages and courier service and perhaps Outriders for independent hire to deliver messages or escort a coach of important people or cargo through the unsafe territory.
Northern Ageron in particular the region of the Hat'al plains is renown for skilled capable horsemen and Outriders the region is home to several nomadic tribal horse clans. Families here know the way of the horse very well and the Outrider guilds are renowned for breeding some of the best horses as well as having some of the most skilled and capable outriders.

Like it was stated earlier the Outrider profession is not an easy life. at times its a life of solitude riding several miles then camping sometimes in unsafe or hostile wilderness areas. Outriders often travel light and fast with only essential supplies. Outriders sometimes have to learn how to read the intent of travelers and people they encounter on roads as the world is fraught with bandits and those that may wish to steal or take advantage of the outrider's sometimes valuable cargo. For most good people of Ageron, an outrider is a respected and welcome profession because they see them as a bringer of news and a reliable messenger. Because of this Outriders can often get refuge or some rest among remote settlers and smaller communities.
An Outrider is only as good as his honor they are looked upon as trusted couriers they are expected to guard letters and valuable cargos with their life when entrusted with them. To fail or to steal letters or valuables brings dishonor to their guild or their Clan along with themselves usually making them an outcast or a wanted fugitive. It is a great dishonor that is hard to redeem.
Outriders possess uncanny riding skills they are trained in fast mount and dismount skills and the transfer from one fast-moving horse to another. These skills and their abilities are celebrated annually in the spring at the Town of Riders Ridge at the western edge of the Hat'al plains with a competition bringing many of the most skilled and talented outriders in the lands competing for prizes and the title as the best outrider.

Career

Qualifications

A clear demonstrated ability to handle and ride horses. An established level of operating independantly and often alone. A level of duty and commitment to deliver messages and or valuables without delay and protect the same form theft or loss.

Career Progression

One Starts as a stable hand or boy very young perhaps as earlly as 8 years old then they move to a Mount Handler at around 12-13 years old and are in charge of one or more stable hands and mantains a group of exchange mounts/horses and sees to their training and care and upbringing for a group of outriders. Those skilled and adept at riding then become Outriders as early as 13 years old but usually around 15 years from Mount handler. Outriders then.

Payment & Reimbursement

Pay usualy starts at around 2 copper pieces per mile ridden on a set route. Pay for more skilled outriders can be 1 silver per mile or 1 gold per mile based on skill and possibly aditional payment upon completion of a journey for Valuable documents or items.

Other Benefits

Outrider's usually get their own riding horse and a favorite saddle and bags. They get social recognition especially in towns far from major cities. Some outriders even become famous enough to compete and earn awards in the Outrider Competition held in the spring of every year at Riders Ridge. Some very Famous Outriders have been burried in tombs with their Favorite Steed.

Perception

Purpose

Communications, Scouting during wartime, Vanguard security for hire.

Social Status

It is a lower societal rank that is respected and revered among commoners, although reliable skilled Outriders earn respect and money from noble ranks it does not often result in rising to a noble rank but more recognition of Guild or Clan and possibly the granting of land or property.

Demographics

Less than 1% to 2% of a communities population

Operations

Tools

Riding saddle and Saddlebags, a good riding horse, Farriers/Stabler's tools, Saddlers/leatherworking tools, a usable weapon. possibly spurs.

Materials

A good riding horse, Saddlery, and saddlebags, Farriers/Stabler's tools, Saddlers/Leattherworking kit, a few spare horseshoes of either bronze or Iron, a sack of several days grain, large waterskin for rider and horse. a good weapon and bow for protection and hunting purposes.

Workplace

The workplace of the Outrider is the open road and the countryside, Climate, and Terrain vary greatly as the land itself open fields, desert, mountains, hills, forest, swamps, badlands, coastline and every weather from mild springs, to stormy or snowy winters, to hot summers and brisk and cool fall weather. Quality Brick or cobblestone roads, to dirt roads, trails or paths, or even untraversed countryside.

Provided Services

Message or Small cargo delivery, scouting and recon, vanguard, and escort services for wagons and caravans.

Dangers & Hazards

Robery, Death due to attack or riding mishap.

OUTRIDER BACKGROUND
You have been trained as an outrider since you where a young child. You have have spent more time on the back of a horse than most people sleep. You have grown to read and relate to your Horse and other Horses possibly more than your Kin or Kind Although you have enjoyed the Long hours riding in Solitude with the wind in your face it was time to Try more of what this world can offer.
Skills Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Insight (Chose one Following) Perception, or Survival, or Nature.
Tool Proficiencies: Farrier/Stablers Tools. Saddler/Leatherworker's Tools.
Equipment: One quality yet worn ridning Saddle, Saddlebags, and Riding Horse
Feature: (Fast Mounter) Your training and experience as an outrider allows you to mount and  dismount faster that other characters as in (Players Handbook pg 198)  Instead of costing half your movement  to Mount or Dismount it only costs  five (5) feet of your movement. In  addition you have advantage on any Dexterity or Acrobatic checks to  transfer from one mount to another while they are moving or to Grasp and Mount fast moving steed within  5 feet of you.
Feature: (Outrider Bond) any failed  animal handling checks regarding your mount or a mount that you are familiar with (DM choice) can be rerolled but  the second roll stands Maximum number of rerolls  an ouotrider has is equal to  your proficiancy bonus per day/long rest.

SUGGESTED CHARACTERISTICS
Ourtiders are usually an independant lot most prefer the solitude of the open country over big cities. Their nature of their job makes them very dependable to get it done for as an outrider the delivery of messages and small but important items is key. Their outlook is to get the job done despite discomfort.

Alternative Names

Couriers, Messengers, Out Horseman

Type

Public Services

Demand

There is routine demand and regular courier services and special High priced Hires for more valuable and or dangerous jobs.

Legality

The profession is Legal and often Guild Sanctioned or asnctioned by Nobility.

Suggested Characteristic Tables:

d8	Personality Trait
1	Riding as an outrider has led me to many different places I want to See more.
2	My Horse is my best friend I would Protect him/her with my life.
3	I place no stock in money or allot of posessions and comfort. I am at Home under the skies.
4	I am more comfortable with animals and Fellow Outriders than I am with others.
5	I am Tolerant (or Intolerant) of those that don't know how to Ride.
6	I spent alot of time on the Kings Roads I Know them like the back of my hand.
7	Horses are like people one has to open their heart to the nature and Personality of each one.
8	I am an expert on horsback I can do many things thought impossible from the back of a capable mount.

D6	Ideal
1	Tradition~Riding is a life that must be preserved and passed on. Outriders are the blood in the veins of the Kingdom. (Lawful)
2	Charity~I will glady help others in my travels even if its just passing a message to a friend or loved one in another town. (Good)
3	People~I am loyal to those I have riden alongside or who have proven themselves. All others can Piss Off!! (Chaotic)
4	Greed~I will find the best Horse and equipment no matter the cost or who I have to confront to get it. (Evil)
5	Nature~People are like Horses some are good some are indifferent and some just intollerable. All can be ridden Just some better than others. (Neutral)
6	Aspiration~I will some day prove to be one of the Best and fastest Horseman in the Kingdom. (Any)

d6	Bond
1	I would lay down my life for any of my fellow Outriders and or my guild.
2	I will never forget the enemy that killed my prized steed. My justice against this enemy will come back 10 fold.
3	I failed to deliver an important message to a noble in time to take action. That failure has brought me his wrath I will find a way to redeem myself.
4	I lost my trusted/favorite steed in a drunken wager some day I will get that steed back.
5	It is my duty to marry and raise children in the riding ways to pass down my family heritage and tradition.
6	My Horse then my family are the most important things even when I am far away from them.

d6	Flaw
1	I have a fondness/weakness for Strong drink, and any other Intoxicants.
2	I will treat people as they do their animals particularly their Horse or horses.
3	I am eager to prove that almost anything can be done from the back of a horse. Don't tell me you can't.
4	I treat my horse better than I do myself.
5	I'd Risk much just to aquire the best bred steed or best made Tack and riding gear.
6	I am boisterous about what I have seen and heard from others in this world somtimes it gets me in trouble.