Rhane Far-Reach's page

AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+8 armor, +2 dex)
hp 68 (7d10+28)
Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +3
Defensive Abilities Mounted Combat

Spd 20 ft./x4
Melee Adamantine Greatsword +1 +14/+9 2d6+8 19-20/x2
Melee +1 Lance +13/+8 1d8+8 20/x3
Special Attacks Power Attack, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge

Str 20, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 14, Wis 12, Cha 12
Base Atk +7, Cmb +12Cmd +24

(Two bonus feats from class, one from Human) Improved Sunder, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Weapon Focus (Greatsword), Coordinated Maneuvers, Spirited Charge)

Bluff +7, Climb +15, Diplomacy +8, Handle Animal +11, Knowledge (arcana) +12, Linguistics +11, Perception +5, Ride +12, Sense Motive +12, Swim +15

Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Orc

Adamantine Greatsword +1, +1 Lance, Mithral Breastplate +1 w/ Kilt

Belt of Physical Might (STR/CON) +2, Backpack, Masterwork, Grappling Arrows x5, Compass, Tent, Blanket, Winter, Chalk, 10pc, Crowbar, Everburning Torches, x2, Rope, Silk, 200ft., 136 GP, 4 SP

• Cavalier WEAPONS AND ARMOR - A Cavalier is proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all armor (heavy, medium, and light) and shields (including tower shields). (PFAPG 33).
• CHALLENGE - Once per day, a cavalier can challenge a foe to combat. As a swift action, the cavalier chooses one target within sight to challenge. The cavalier’s melee attacks deal extra damage whenever the attacks are made against the target of his challenge. This extra damage is equal to the cavalier’s level. The cavalier can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level. Challenging a foe requires much of the cavalier’s concentration. The cavalier takes a –2 penalty to his Armor Class, except against attacks made by the target of his challenge. The challenge remains in effect until the target is dead or unconscious or until the combat ends. Each cavalier’s challenge also includes another effect which is listed in the section describing the cavalier’s order. (PFAPG 32).
• MOUNT - A cavalier gains the service of a loyal and trusty steed to carry him into battle. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the cavalier's level as his effective druid level. The creature must be one that he is capable of riding and is suitable as a mount. A Medium cavalier can select a camel or a horse. A Small cavalier can select a pony or wolf, but can also select a boar or a dog if he is at least 4th level. The GM might approve other animals as suitable mounts.

A cavalier does not take an armor check penalty on Ride checks while riding his mount. The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A cavalier's mount does not gain the share spells special ability.

A cavalier's bond with his mount is strong, with the pair learning to anticipate each other's moods and moves. Should a cavalier's mount die, the cavalier may find another mount to serve him after 1 week of mourning. This new mount does not gain the link, evasion, devotion, or improved evasion special abilities until the next time the cavalier gains a level. (PFAPG 33).
• ORDER - At 1st level, a cavalier must pledge himself to a specific order. The order grants the cavalier a number of bonuses, class skills, and special abilities. In addition, each order includes a number of edicts that the cavalier must follow. If he violates any of these edicts, he loses the benefits from his order's challenge ability for 24 hours. The violation of an edict is subject to GM interpretation.

A cavalier cannot change his order without undertaking a lengthy process to dedicate himself to a new cause. When this choice is made, he immediately loses all of the benefits from his old order. He must then follow the edicts of his new order for one entire level without gaining any benefits from that order. Once accomplished, he gains all of the bonuses from his new order. Note that the names of these orders might vary depending upon the campaign setting or GM's preference. (PFAPG 33).
• TACTICIAN - At 1st level, a cavalier receives a teamwork feat as a bonus feat. He must meet the prerequisites for this feat. As a standard action, the cavalier can grant this feat to all allies within 30 feet who can see and hear him. Allies retain the use of this bonus feat for 3 rounds plus 1 round for every two levels the cavalier possesses. Allies do not need to meet the prerequisites of these bonus feats. The cavalier can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day at 5th level and for every 5 levels thereafter. (PFAPG 33).
• CAVALIER'S CHARGE - At 3rd level, a cavalier learns to make more accurate charge attacks while mounted. The cavalier receives a +4 bonus on melee attack rolls on a charge while mounted (instead of the normal +2). In addition, the cavalier does not suffer any penalty to his AC after making a charge attack while mounted. (PFAPG 33).
• EXPERT TRAINER - At 4th level, a cavalier learns to train mounts with speed and unsurpassed expertise. The cavalier receives a bonus equal to 1/2 his cavalier level whenever he uses Handle Animal on an animal that serves as a mount. In addition, he can reduce the time needed to teach a mount a new trick or train a mount for a general purpose to 1 day per 1 week required by increasing the DC by +5. He can also train more than one mount at once, although each mount after the first adds +2 to the DC. (PFAPG 33).
• BANNER - At 5th level, a cavalier's banner becomes a symbol of inspiration to his allies and companions. As long as the cavalier's banner is clearly visible, all allies within 60 feet receive a +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear and a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls made as part of a charge. At 10th level, and every five levels thereafter, these bonuses increase by +1. The banner must be at least Small or larger and must be carried or displayed by the cavalier or his mount to function. (PFAPG 34).
• BONUS FEAT - At 6th level, and every six levels thereafter, a cavalier gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those listed as combat feats. The cavalier must meet the prerequisites of these bonus feats.

• Reactionary (Combat) - +2 Initiative. (PFCT 4)
• Suspicious (Social) - +1 sense motive. Sense motive is a class skill. (PFCT 6)

Misha - Horse

Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
DEFENSES
AC 26, touch 12, flat-footed 23 (+3 Dex, -1 size, +14 natural)
hp 125 (8d8+89)
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +3;
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft.
Melee 2 hooves +11 (1d6+10)
Space 10 ft.Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 27, Dex 16, Con 23, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 7;
Base Atk 12; CMB 14; CMD 25
Feats Endurance, Run, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Lightning Relfexes
Skills Perception +6

Rain poured down in freezing torrents, limiting the world to a chaotic 5-metre sphere. Amidst the booming thunder and blinding spears of lighting, another storm was raging - two knights circled one another in a vicious and deadly dance. Sword met sword, retreated, and then struck again. If any others had been left alive to bear witness to the duel, they would have realized that the two combatants before them were masters of their respective arts - but none remained to watch this fight, save for the vacant eyes of the recently deceased.

A bolt of lightning lanced down into the ruins, striking the raised spear-tip of an obsidian statue next to the combat. The statue exploded into a cloud of razor-sharp fragments, hurling both combatants into the air and sending them flying into a moss-covered stone wall a short distance away. One of them, wearing plate mail of a blacked alloy, rolled onto his knees and held up his hand. The other, dressed in armor that reflected the lighting in its silvery sheen, lowered his sword and took a deep, ragged breath. "Regain your wind, Greygor - I will not have your death spoiled by a cheap blow."

The kneeling combatant clutched one hand to his chest and let out a low chuckle before responding. "Ah, how VERY noble of you! Master Logane would be SO proud! Whatever shall I do to repay your kindness, my good sir?"

"You can shut that damnable mouth of yours for a start."

Standing with a malicious laugh, the one called Greygor launched a series of swift strokes at his opponent - but each was dodged or parried. His last strike leaving him off balance, he shifted smoothly into the defensive as the other knight waded in with heavy, two-handed blows. One of the silver knight's blows found an opening in his defense, and the force of it brought him down to one knee. "Eeeyaah... Rhane, you've certainly gotten better since we last sparred. I yield."

Rhane lowered his sword, studied his opponent for a long moment, and then nodded. "I accept your surrender, Greygor von Stuhr. You will accompany me as my prisoner, and I WILL bring you to answer for your treachery to the Order." With that he turned on his heel and moved to retrieve his discarded helmet.

As soon as his back was turned, Greygor struck. He moved quicker than one would believe, launching himself off of the ground and covering the 1-metre span between them in the blink of an eye. His sword thrust down at the exposed point where neck met spine – but the strike caught nothing but air. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, and Greygor’s eyes widened in surprise. How did he miss? It was a certain kill, but now his target just wasn’t there.

He whirled to his right, looking for Rhane. Nothing. He tried to look back to his left, but realized that he could no longer control his movements. His field of vision swung still further to the right until he had spun in a full circle. Greygor hit the ground with an unsettling wet noise, and his eyes widened further as he realized that he was now looking up at his own body!

Rhane looked down at his opponent’s disembodied head with a deep sigh. It was the way he knew it had to end, but that didn’t make it any easier. The headless body fell to the ground, and he knelt beside it to retrieve a pouch from its belt and secure it to his own.

**Two Days Later**

A large black horse loomed out of the fog on the south road, its sleeping rider wrapped in a crimson cloak bearing an ancient rune. Rhane slowly roused and yawned before leaning down to pat his horse affectionately. “Thank you for getting me safely through another night, Misha. Just a few hours more and we’ll be in Plaeton – and then you’ll get a nice stall and good oats, I swear it.”

His stomach growled angrily, and he smiled dryly to himself at a thought that came to mind. This time, he might need a couple of days of rest even more than Misha - and he wasn’t even carrying someone around on his back all day.