Soon afterward, Duncan is tormented by visions he believes are caused by a legendary demonic being called Ahriman. Later, Ahriman casts illusions that lead Richie to an abandoned building. Duncan goes after his former student but is assaulted by new visions that convince him he is being attacked. Fighting to defend himself, Duncan unknowingly beheads Richie, who doesn't react in time to the attack from his friend. As Duncan sees flashes of Richie's memories and realizes he is absorbing the young man's Quickening, the illusion ends and he is horrified to see what he's done. Joe Dawson sees to Richie's burial, the epitaph simply reading "A friend." A year later, the truth about Ahriman is confirmed and Duncan defeats the demon. Though his friends understand that the Highlander was influenced by another and could not distinguish illusion from reality, Duncan never fully recovers from the death of Richie and continues to blame himself for the young man's death. Character development Richie Ryan was initially meant to provide comic relief in keeping with the show's adventure atmosphere and to provide exposition for the audience. Since he was new to the world of immortals and to Duncan, he could ask questions regarding the plot and characters that Tessa would already understand. He was also meant to be a young sidekick to whom the older Highlander could impart wisdom. Regarding the original interpretation of the character, actor Stan Kirsch said, "Richie is a streetwise, street smart, seventeen/eighteen-year-old guy, who's had kind of a rough time growing up." Actor Adrian Paul, who played Duncan, added, "I think Duncan finds him very much as a young Duncan. He's brash... he's very quick, quick-talking, has a sense of humor, and Duncan finds that very beguiling, I think." Regarding the relationship between Richie and Duncan MacLeod, Associate Creative Consultant Gillian Horvath said, "Here is this new kid on the block, just learning the ropes and having the best mentor in the world. This person who you feel can make anything right, and you're proud to be their sidekick." Tessa (meant to be in her mid 30s) and Richie likewise quickly develop an older sister/younger brother dynamic. On set, Vandervoot was actually only three years older than Kirsch but jokingly treated him as a loved younger brother due to his youthful appearance. Richie's status as a pre-immortal was not completely decided during season 1. According to Executive Producer