Riding, Land Based
- This Proficiency is an "Any Use" Skill, meaning that anyone can use it with a 1-2/10% chance.
- The cost to unlock this skill is one Proficiency Point.
- The Attribute Modifier for this skill is Wisdom.
A character with land-based riding proficiency can perform all of the following feats, some of them automatically if unlocked, and others requiring a proficiency check for success.
1) Character can vault into a saddle or onto the back of a mount whenever the mount is standing still, even if the character is wearing armor. A successful proficiency check is required if the character vaults into the saddle and then tries to get the mount moving during the same segment in which he landed on it's back. Character can vault onto a moving mount by making a successful proficiency check. Failure indicates that the character fails to the ground, but he does not suffer any damage as a result.
2) The character can urge his mount to jump tall obstacles or leap across gaps. No check is required if the obstacle is less than three feet tall, or the gap is less than twelve feet wide (but is required if the proficiency isn't unlocked). If the character makes a proficiency check, mount can be urged to leap obstacles up to seven feet high, or clear gaps as much as thirty feet in width (unskilled characters cannot attempt this). Success means the mount makes the leap. Failure indicates that the mount balks (stops suddenly), and another proficiency check is required to determine whether the character keeps his or her seat or falls to the ground.
3) Character can spur mount onto greater speeds, adding 1" per round to the animal's maximum movement rate for up to four turns. A proficiency check is required at the beginning of each turn in order to accomplish this feat. If initial check fails, no further attempt of this sort can be made until at least three turns have passed, but the mount can still move at maximum rate. If second or later check fails mount immediately slows to a walk, and character must dismount and lead animal for a turn. In any event, after four turns of racing the steed must be walked by it's dismounted rider for a turn.
4) The character can guide their mount with their knees, allowing him or her to use equipment and weapons that require both hands to wield. This feat does not require a proficiency check unless the character takes damage while riding in this fashion. In this case, a check is required; failure means the character falls to the ground and takes an additional 1d6 damage. Those unskilled in this proficiency must roll a proficiency check to attack in this manner however, and if hit must either drop their held items to grab the reins or fall to the ground.
5) Character can drop down and hang alongside the mount, using it as a shield against attack. No proficiency check is required to accomplish this feat, and it can be performed while the mount is moving at full speed. However, the character cannot be wearing any armor heavier than hard leather, and cannot make any attacks while in shielded position. Character receives a bonus of 6 steps to his or her armor class (10 becomes 4, 8 becomes 2, etc.) while in the shielded position against attacks coming from that direction. Those unskilled in this profession are not able to perform this feat.
6) The character can leap from the back of his or her mount to the ground and make a melee attack, in the same round, against any character or creature within ten feet of where he or she landed. However, this is a risky maneuver; the character must make a successful proficiency check with a +4 penalty to the roll. Failure indicates that the character lands in a heap, suffers 1d3 points of damage, and must take 1-3 segments to get to his or her feet. If he or she is attacked before regaining position, the opponent's attack is made at +2 "to hit" because of the character's vulnerable position. A character without the proficiency unlocked cannot perform this feat.
