Rules of the game: Mounts part 1

[Greylock]

Thanks, Shilsen. Figured it was there, but I haven't had time to look for it.

 

[JimAde]

I'm not sure why folks think Skip's suggestion is unrealistic. I used to jump, and a trained mount that throws a rider while heading into a jump will almost always immediately stop. (And usually look around at the spilled rider with an "it wasn't my fault" expression.) I never, in four or so years of fairly serious riding, had a mount even attempt a jump without me atop, whether on a course or on a trail. (Of course, that's only 15 or 20 falls, but still.)

I guess I just pictured the rider falling as a result of the jump (that is, the horse is actually in the process of jumping rather than preparing to jump). I agree it's easier and cleaner to do as the article suggests, but I kind of like the image of the horse completing the jump and running off as the rider comes down hard on the wall or whatever they were jumping. Especially nasty if it's a deep ditch or pit or something.

I'm just a mean GM.

 

[MerakSpielman]

I think it'd be pretty funny for the character to fall off in the middle of the jump and have the horse keep going.

Of course, when jumping over a deep ravine this might have consequences.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I guess I just pictured the rider falling as a result of the jump (that is, the horse is actually in the process of jumping rather than preparing to jump).

Ah, I see. That makes sense. From a real-world standpoint, the hard part (the Ride check) is making the horse attack the obstacle without a balk serious enough to unseat the rider. I do think Skip muddied the waters with his description of the skill use. God only knows what he actually meant.


Jeff

P.S. The skill required for convincing a horse to jump is actually very similar to that required to convince a horse to do anything where the footing is uncertain. Not many people know this, for instance, but it's actually very difficult to get a horse to step on an irregular object -- like, say, a person. Some horses will refuse to walk on gravel, if they're not exposed to it while young.

 

[Gez]

I can see the obvious rule-lawyering that would result.

"OK, I failed my Ride check so I'm dismounted by the jump and I fall."
"Yup. Fortunately, your mount stays beside you and doesn't jump."
"Wait, if it didn't leap, I didn't have to make a Ride check in the first place. So I'm still on my mount."
"Err, it's not supposed to work that way..."
"And since I'm still on my mount, I make it jump!"

I'd say the Ride check would rather be to convince your mount to jump. Since usually you jump over an obstacle (wall, chasm, whatever), if you can't get the horse to jump, it breaks its run and stops there brutally, which makes you dismount.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I'd say the Ride check would rather be to convince your mount to jump. Since usually you jump over an obstacle (wall, chasm, whatever), if you can't get the horse to jump, it breaks its run and stops there brutally, which makes you dismount.

That's exactly what I assumed Skip meant. My mistake was in assuming Skip meant something that made sense; it happens, but as far as I can tell, it's generally accidental.

 

[Saeviomagy]

I agree it's easier and cleaner to do as the article suggests, but I kind of like the image of the horse completing the jump and running off as the rider comes down hard on the wall or whatever they were jumping. Especially nasty if it's a deep ditch or pit or something.

Well - if the rider was still on when the horse started the jump, then simple ballistics says that he'll land on the far side of the jump, pretty much where he started - ie on the horse.
So unless he was already FALLING off when the horse started the jump, he's not going to hit or fall into the obstacle.

And if he's already falling off, he can't urge the horse to jump...

 

[Tatsukun]

Man, I had a PC in 3.0 die because of a total RBDM screw-job. He was a pally, and he tried to jump over a 5' high spiked wall. Well, of course, he failed the ride check, and fell onto the spikes. Then the horse failed the jump check and fell on top of my PC, who was still on the spikes.

The DM was actualyl laughing out loud and taking photos of the battle mat. DOH!

I think I'll email him a link to this thread...

-Tatsu