Ride
(By Animal Type, Wagons, Mounted Combat, Long Distance Travel)
Ride represents a character’s ability to handle and control various types of mounts, including horses, mules, and other animals used for transportation. The skill can be used in a variety of situations, such as riding at high speeds, navigating difficult terrain, calming a panicked mount, or engaging in mounted combat. The difficulty of the check depends on the situation and the specific specialization being used.
By Animal Type
This specialization allows a character to ride a specific type of mount, such as horses, camels, or more exotic creatures. The GM should determine the difficulty of the check based on the animal’s temperament, training, and the situation.
| Situation | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Routine riding on flat terrain | No check required |
| Riding at high speed (e.g., galloping) | Average (12+) |
| Navigating rough or uneven terrain | Hard (15+) |
| Calming a panicked or spooked mount | Very Hard (18+) |
Potential modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Mount is well-trained or familiar | (flip+1) |
| Mount is untrained or unfamiliar | (flip-1) or (shift-1) |
| Adverse weather conditions (e.g., heavy rain, strong winds) | (flip-1) |
Results:
- Success: You maintain control of your mount, and it performs as desired.
- Failure: The mount becomes difficult to control, potentially slowing down or stopping.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The mount reacts poorly, potentially throwing you off or bolting in a random direction.
Wagons
This specialization covers handling wagons, carts, and other vehicles pulled by animals. It includes the ability to drive, steer, and control these vehicles under various conditions.
| Situation | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Driving a wagon on a well-maintained road | No check required |
| Navigating a wagon through rough terrain | Hard (15+) |
| Making sharp turns at speed | Average (12+) |
| Handling a wagon in a storm or other adverse conditions | Very Hard (18+) |
Potential modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Animals are well-trained and experienced with pulling vehicles | (flip+1) |
| Poor visibility (e.g., fog, heavy rain) | (flip-1) |
| Wagon is heavily loaded | (shift-1) |
Results:
- Success: You navigate the wagon effectively, reaching your destination without incident.
- Failure: The wagon struggles with the terrain, possibly slowing down or requiring extra effort to control.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The wagon may tip over, get stuck, or otherwise become unmanageable.
Mounted Combat
This specialization focuses on combat while mounted, including making attacks, defending yourself, and controlling your mount in the heat of battle.
| Situation | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Making a standard attack from a mount | Average (12+) |
| Engaging in a charge attack | Hard (15+) |
| Defending against attacks while mounted | Average (12+) |
| Controlling your mount after being hit in combat | Hard (15+) |
| Using a mount to trample or push through enemies | Hard (15+) |
Potential modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Mount is trained for combat | (flip+1) |
| Opponent is skilled in mounted combat | (flip-1) |
| Fighting in rough or uneven terrain | (shift-1) |
Results:
- Success: You successfully engage in mounted combat, positioning yourself and your mount advantageously.
- Failure: Your combat effectiveness is reduced, and you may struggle to control your mount.
- Failure by a Large Margin: Your mount becomes difficult to manage, and you may be unseated or unable to effectively participate in the fight.
Long Distance Travel
This specialization covers long journeys on horseback or other mounts, focusing on endurance, pacing, and managing your mount’s stamina over extended periods.
| Situation | Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Maintaining a steady pace over long distances | Average (12+) |
| Pushing your mount to travel faster than normal | Hard (15+) |
| Crossing difficult or hazardous terrain during a long journey | Very Hard (18+) |
| Managing your mount’s stamina in extreme weather conditions | Hard (15+) |
Potential modifiers:
| Circumstance | Modifier |
|---|---|
| Mount is accustomed to long journeys | (flip+1) |
| Harsh weather conditions (e.g., snow, extreme heat) | (flip-1) |
| Riding through challenging terrain (e.g., mountains, deserts) | (shift-1) |
Results:
- Success: You and your mount complete the journey without issues, maintaining pace and stamina.
- Failure: The journey is slow, and your mount may become fatigued or require more frequent rests.
- Failure by a Large Margin: The mount could become exhausted or injured, forcing you to stop or abandon the journey.