Well in RL Fencing a riposte is the attack the follows a successful parry.
My guess it that in game it is a skill that will stop a blow and give you a
free attack against the attacker.

Rokenn Swiftsong - Karana server
Master Brewer of Societus Argenti
Amerginn - Test server

>From: "Jones, Brian" <brian.jones@...>
>Reply-To: eqbards@onelist.com
>To: eqbards@onelist.com
>Subject: RE: [eqbards] Riposte
>Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 07:39:46 -0500
>
>From: "Jones, Brian" <brian.jones@...>
>
>I believe riposte actually is stopping the blow, and getting an attack in
>its place. I will let you know when my warrior gets level 25 :)
>
>
> > ----------
> > From: Roop Dirump[SMTP:roop@...]
> > Reply To: eqbards@onelist.com
> > Sent: Friday, July 16, 1999 3:45 AM
> > To: eqbards@onelist.com
> > Subject: [eqbards] Riposte
> >
> > From: "Roop Dirump" <roop@...>
> >
> > What we have here, a dodge only using a weapon. Still, it has such
> > glamour
> > to it... I would much rather riposte than jump out of the way from some
> > blow, dodging seems so crude. It's just the word, maybe, that appeals
>to
> > me, the word riposte has such a bard-like sound to it. The dashing bard
> > with a wry smile ripostes! Ah--but holding me lute I be fairly
>worthless
> > doing that I better just dodge like a young monk in Guk.
> >
> > Roop