About Aviandria–Rider Specialties

I’ve written other articles about riders in the past (check out these articles on what it takes to be a rider, and what’s in a rider’s bag), but this is a little deeper look into a part of their training and job description.

Riders have to know a lot. They have military training, diplomatic training, survival training, emergency medical training, and even basic construction training. However, while each rider learns a little of each of these, every rider will specialize in one of them. Their knowledge in their specialty will go beyond that of the other riders. Unless it is a very specialized mission, the groups that go out together will often have at least one person who specializes in each thing. That way, the group will have an expert for almost any challenge or situation they might find themselves in. Just in case you want to know more, here is a more in-depth look at each of the rider specialties.

Healer

While all riders have a knowledge of basic emergency medicine, it would be kind of like a well-first-aid-certified Boy Scout. Perhaps they’d know a little more, but it’s mostly the basics. The specialist in this would be more like a paramedic. They haven’t dedicated as much time as an actual physician, but they can handle a lot, especially when it comes to emergency medicine. This (if you’ve read the books, you may have already guessed) is Alder’s specialty.

Diplomat

All riders are taught proper etiquette since they take messages to important people frequently, but some excel at diplomacy. They are experts at working with people. They know how to talk, how to listen, and how to stay calm under pressure. They are often sent to deliver official messengers to other kingdoms. Karynne is one of the best.

Engeneer

This may seem odd for a rider, but it comes in handy at times. In the case of natural disasters, the riders are often used as first responders. In these instances, the engineers are invaluable to help rebuild, especially in small communities without engineers of their own. All riders can saw and hammer and stuff, but an engineer knows how to put things together in the best way possible. They’ll make the strongest bridges, the most sturdy buildings, and of course, any other building project that might be needed in a hurry. Anthion is the engineer in Ashlynn’s Sky Guard.

Strategist

The strategist is the expert at all things strategy (obviously), weapons, and fancy flight tricks. All riders must be skilled with the sword and bow as well as some tricky flight maneuvers, but those who choose this specialty spend extra time training. They study tactics and strategy. They practice especially difficult ariel stunts. Often, these are put in charge because they are good at organization and directing others. Trendyl is the strategist of Ashlynn’s Sky Guard.

Survivalist

All riders can survive with very little in the forest, but you could drop the survivalist in the middle of nearly any remote place on earth with nothing more than a toothbrush and they’d find a way to manage. They know how to start fires, find food and water, and are experts on wild creatures. They are the most skilled in tracking, and if anyone is going to be the cook, it will likely be them. Alvaroch would take this spot because it’s what was left, so he’s putting in some extra training in those areas to make sure he’s got it all down. It’s a good thing he’s a fast learner.

So, after learning all this, it’s easy to see why Alder knows so much about healing. If he seems uncommonly good at some of the other things, keep in mind that he started his training earlier than most. His father was a strategist and taught Alder to handle a bow almost as soon as he could walk. For a time, Alder considered the same specialty as his father but decided healing suited him better. After his father died, the man who took Alder in was a survivalist and taught him many of those skills as well. Alder does not enjoy diplomacy and like most other riders, only learned the basics of engineering. Alder has taught Ashlynn some healing because that’s what he knows best, but she has decided to focus on diplomacy since that is the most useful in her role.

Because of the ability of riders to work together using their specialties to benefit everyone, they are a strong force. There isn’t much they can’t accomplish.

Which specialty would you want? Can you think of any that might be helpful to add?