Riding, Airborne (Proficiency)

==Player's Handbook==
The character is trained in handling a flying mount. The particular creature must be chosen when the proficiency is chosen. Additional proficiency slots can be used to learn how to handle other types of mounts. Unlike land-based riding, a character must have this proficiency (or ride with someone who does) to handle a flying mount. In addition, a proficient character can do the following:
* Leap onto the saddle of the creature (when it is standing on the ground) and spur it airborne as a single action. This requires no proficiency check.
* Leap from the back of the mount and drop 10 feet to the ground or onto the back of another mount (land-based or flying). Those with only light encumbrance can drop to the ground without a proficiency check. In all other situations, a proficiency check is required. A failed roll means the character takes normal falling damage (for falling flat on his face) or misses his target (perhaps taking large amounts of damage as a result). A character who is dropping to the ground can attempt an immediate melee attack, if his proficiency check is made with a -4 penalty to the ability roll. Failure has the consequences given above.
* Spur his mount to greater speeds on a successful check, adding 1d4 to the movement rate of the mount. This speed can be maintained for four consecutive rounds. If the check fails, an attempt can be made again the next round. If two checks fail, no attempt can be made for a full turn. After the rounds of increased speed, its movement drops to 2/3 its normal rate and its Maneuverability Class (see Glossary) becomes one class worse. These conditions last until the mount lands and is allowed to rest for at least one hour.
* The rider can guide the mount with his knees and feet, keeping his hands free. A proficiency check is made only after the character suffers damage. If the check is failed, the character is knocked from the saddle. A second check is allowed to see if the character manages to catch himself (thus hanging from the side by one hand or in some equally perilous position). If this fails, the rider falls. Of course a rider can strap himself into the saddle, although this could be a disadvantage if his mount is slain and plummets toward the ground.
==Player's Option: Skills & Powers==
Riding, Airborne and Riding, Land: The riding proficiencies are well-detailed in the Player's Handbook. Characters using the Skills and Powers rules can add +2 to their proficiency score in either category of riding if they possess the trait of animal empathy, and +1 if they have the additional proficiency in animal training. These modifiers are cumulative.
==The Complete Book of Dwarves==
This proficiency is rare among dwarves, and is most frequently found in those living in remote mountain areas, among dwarves who have befriended giant eagles or have tamed and trained winged mounts: griffins, hippogriffs, or others. This proficiency may not be used to leap onto the backs of mounts, unless you also have the jumping proficiency. In other respects, this proficiency is unchanged from the Player's Handbook.
==Note from The Complete Ranger's Handbook==
A ranger cannot use his species enemy as an airborne or land-based mount. If the mount is a follower, use the guidelines in Chapter 3 instead of the proficiency rules.
==Note from The Complete Paladin's Handbook==
When riding his bonded mount, a paladin automatically has all of the benefits of the relevant Riding proficiency; he doesn't need the proficiency itself (see Chapter 2). But if he has the Riding proficiency, he gains a +2 bonus when making all associated checks with his mount. For instance, if he has a war horse bonded mount and the Land-based Riding proficiency, he earns a +2 bonus when attempting to vault into the saddle when the mount is moving. If he has a pegasus bonded mount and the Airborne Riding proficiency, he suffers a –2 penalty (instead of –4) when making checks to see if he falls from his saddle after suffering damage. The bonuses apply only when riding the bonded mount. When riding a creature of the same species as the bonded mount, use the normal Riding proficiency rules.
==The Complete Barbarian's Handbook==
A barbarian may only ride land-based or airborne mounts native to his homeland. Because of his exceptional physical prowess, a barbarian can execute any of the special feats listed in the Player's Handbook descriptions without a saddle. For instance, he can leap onto an airborne mount's bare back and spur it into the air as a single action. He must still make all required proficiency checks.
Category:Player's Handbook Proficiencies
Category:The Complete Book of Dwarves Proficiencies