Riders of the Fell
The Riders of the Fell are a Society within House Balor comprised mostly of impetuous Wilders who wish to overcome their deformities.
Overview
Unfortunately some members of House Balor lack the discipline to take on a more direct hand on the House's attempts for control or in the martial affairs they undertake. Instead, these young rakes flaunt themselves, egging each other on to greater deeds of skill and danger. They take the notion of overcoming the challenges of their deformities quite seriously, even to the point of courting death to prove themselves. The House puts up with these callowfae and their stubborn independence because it makes them prime candidates to take on suicide missions for the House. The elders only have to hide the request behind a challenge and hint that the young ones may not be able to handle it and survive. Most jump at the chance to prove their elders wrong.
While the group is mostly wilders, there are a few childlings in the society as well. The young never seem to appreciate their mortality. The House doesn't officially approve their actions since they don't follow its goals, but they do have tacit license to do as they wish, according to the Unseelie Code. If they are weak or foolish they die and the problem is solved. Survival means they become even more deadly plus they gain reputations for daring that can only benefit the House. Some even grow up and become some of the strongest leaders of the House.
The Fell Riders are not associated with the Guardians of the Gates. They are named for the initiation ceremony where the society requires them to briefly capture and ride one of The Fell. Once proven, the new member releases the beast and attempts to escape its vengeance. Unknown to the Riders, however, the Guardians at times persuade certain Fell to allow this to happen. Those who agree put on a show, perhaps wounding the fae for their impertinence, but offer no real threat. If the society tries to do capture a "wild" Fell, they are on their own.
References
- CTD. Pour L'Amour et Liberte: The Book of Houses 2, pp. 123-124.