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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Greenfield" data-source="post: 6091423" data-attributes="member: 6669384">I've run into a conflict involving this sort of situation.On the one hand, when the PCs come up with an inspired or unexpected solution to a challenge, they're demonstrating that they're good players.  If their solutions add to "good story", so much the better.  On the other hand, if such solutions mean that a planned encounter/situation suddenly becomes "no challenge", do we as DMs lower the effective challenge rating of the scene to reflect that perceived lack of challenge?In short, do we reward disruptive behavior?  Do we penalize clever and intelligent play?In the "Ride a giant centipede" situation, all they've really done is remove the need to care for mounts.  Encounters that follow might change, but a good DM should be able to adapt.  They'll still need to handle the environment (heat and thirst), and all of the other Survival Check type challenges inherent in such a passage.  None of those things will change.Would I let them ride such a creature bare-back?  Sure, why not.  Give me a DC 15 ride check to mount and stay in the lack-of-saddle and I'm good with it.  I'd give a situational synergy bonus if someone had an applicable skill like Use Rope to fashion a makeshift harness to help.Having done a bit of riding (nothing huge, I'm no expert) I know that when the terrain gets steep, staying in the saddle can become problematic.  And clinging to a hard carapace without stirrups?  Loads of fun, I'm sure.  So yeah, I'd call for a check when the terrain gets rough.  I'd call for a check of some sort pretty much any time they shift from riding the straight and level.More to the point though, I'd allow Handle Animal and/or Survival checks to help plot a course that minimizes the rough terrain.  Yeah, the Giant Centipede has a Climb speed, and it won't think twice about tackling that vertical rock face.  A good rider, though, will try to find a way around, or find a way to cut across the face so the mount isn't in an unrideable position.Yeah, there are a few things that will steer clear of such a mount.  Other things might see it as competition, an intruder in its territory.  So the encounters will be fewer, but bigger.  And riding the Centipede when it goes into battle?  I'd not only question the ability to do it, but whether you'd even want to try.Note that I wouldn't be doing this to "punish" the PCs for their creativity, but to reflect it in game, and in fact to reward them with potentially greater EXP opportunities.</blockquote>

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