Favored Class Bonus: +3/4 banner bonus
Halfhearted 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 her challenge. This extra damage is equal to half 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 her Armor Class, except against attacks made by the target of her 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.
Order of the Lion: The cavalier gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC against the target of her challenge, and may make Knowledge (nobility) checks untrained.
Order of the Dragon: The cavalier gains a +1 circumstance bonus to melee attacks against the target of her challenge, and adds half her level to Survival checks.
Lion's Call: At 2nd level, an order of the lion cavalier gains the ability to rally her allies. As a standard action, she can give an encouraging speech which grants all allies within 60 feet a competence bonus on their saving throws against fear equal to her Charisma modifier and a +1 competence bonus on attack rolls for a number of rounds equal to her cavalier level. If an ally within range is under the effect of a spell or ability that causes them to be frightened or panicked, they can immediately make another saving throw to resist the effect (if allowed).
Aid Allies: At 2nd level, whenever an order of the dragon cavalier uses the aid another action to assist one of her allies, the ally receives a +3 bonus to their armor class, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check. At 8th level, and every six levels thereafter, this bonus increases by an additional +1.
