Catching falling character

[Jandor41]

Recently we had a character falling through a druid in air elemental form, and the druid trying to catch the falling character.

There are catching rules for catching falling players while climbing, but none for catching while flying.

What checks would the druid need to make in order to catch the player?
Carrying capacity was not a factor, since the druid was a huge air elemental.

[Use Headbutt!!]

In 3.5 you could grapple as an AOO, so his falling would provoke if you pretended he was an enemy and you could grab him that way. Legally you can't do that anymore in PF but I could see that being a good starting point. If you are house ruling, you either want to represent the grab as a reflex save (how fast is your reaction time to catch them) or as a mock attack (combat bonuses would help you grab your friend).

[Grey_Mage]

Unfortunately, physics aren't your friend here. If Superman was real Lois Lane would be a paraplegic because as she fell off the building she continues accelerating until she reached terminal velocity and would strike his forearms with the same kinetic energy as the pavement. It makes no difference if she is caught unless there is the is a way to decelerate slowly during the catch. Basically the falling flyer will still take some falling damage in your situation.

So, nothing under RAW but I'd allow a reflex save to convert some of the damage like 2d6 into nonlethal and award half the non lethal on the catcher whom is softening the fall. Even strong guys take damage from compressed spines but I'd wave it for an elemental in your scenario.