Clarifications and Modifications
The following information supplements the proficiency descriptions given in Chapter 5 of the PH. Whenever a proficiency bonus is indicated, the bonus is added to the normal check modifier. For example, when a paladin receives a +2 bonus for using the animal training proficiency to train his bonded mount, the modifier is increased from the normal 0 to +2.
Animal Handling: As explained in Chapter 2, a paladin can soothe his bonded mount automatically; the Animal Handling proficiency isn't necessary. The proficiency may be used normally to calm other animals of the same species as the bonded mount, as well as other pack animals and beasts of burden.
Animal Lore: Although this proficiency allows a character to imitate animal sounds, this ability neither helps nor hinders the paladin when summoning his bonded mount.
Animal Training: A paladin doesn't need the Animal Training proficiency to teach tricks and tasks to his bonded mount. However, if he has this proficiency in the same species as the bonded mount, he earns a +2 bonus to his checks when training the bonded mount. The bonus applies to the bonded mount only, not to other animals of the same species. Should the paladin acquire a different bonded mount, he earns the bonus only if he has the Animal Training proficiency in the same species as the new mount.
Armorer: This proficiency also allows characters to construct barding for mounts, presuming the availability of materials and facilities. Table 24 gives the time required to make barding for war horses, and mounts of comparable size. For smaller or larger mounts, the DM should adjust the times accordingly. Elephant barding might require an extra week or two; barding for a small mule might take a week less. Subtract two weeks for all types of half barding.
Barding Construction Times
|
Barding Type |
AC |
Time (weeks)* |
|
Leather, Padded |
6 |
4 |
|
Scale, Brigandine, |
5 |
8 |
|
Ring, Studded Leather |
||
|
Chain |
4 |
10 |
|
Banded, Splint |
3 |
14 |
|
Plate |
2 |
16 |
|
Field Plate |
1 |
18 |
|
Full Plate |
0 |
20 |
As with character armor, barding may be flawed. After creating the barding, the DM secretly makes a proficiency check. If the check fails but is within 4 of a successful result, the character believes the armor is normal, until in combat it functions as 1 AC worse (flawed chain barding has an effective AC of 5). Flawed armor breaks on a natural roll of 19 or 20 in melee combat; the animal's AC then worsens by 4, though it can't be reduced below AC 10 (if flawed leather barding breaks, it has an effective AC of 9). As long as a mount wears broken armor, its movement rate is halved, and it suffers a –4 penalty to its attack rolls. A character can remove broken armor from a mount in 2-8 (2d4) rounds.
Because barding must be fitted exactly, a set of barding styled for one mount won't work for any other animal, even of the same species.
Brewing: A paladin whose ethos forbids partaking of strong drink isn't likely to have this proficiency. A paladin with a more liberal ethos may use this proficiency to prepare drinks for others, even if he declines to partake himself.
Fishing: A paladin whose ethos demands reverence for life in all forms should refrain from fishing for recreation. However, he may still fish for food.
Healing: A paladin's ability to heal by laying on hands (see Chapter 2) operates independently of this proficiency. A paladin with the Healing proficiency may use it instead of or in addition to laying hands on a damaged character. For example, a 2nd-level paladin with the healing proficiency could lay on hands to heal 4 points of damage, then use his healing proficiency to heal an additional 1d3 points.
Hunting: A paladin whose ethos restricts any type of unnecessary killing will refuse to hunt merely for sport. Unless he has religious or cultural objections to eating meat, he hunts for food. Further, he stalks and kills dangerous animals that pose a threat to himself, his companions, or other innocent people.
Gaming: A paladin whose ethos includes moral objections to gambling will not engage in games of chance. Using this proficiency to cheat is a serious ethos violation.
Riding, Airborne and Land-based: When riding his bonded mount, a paladin automatically has all of the benefits of the relevant Riding proficiency; he doesn't need the proficiency itself (see Chapter 3). But if he has the Riding proficiency, he gains a +2 bonus when making all associated checks with his mount. For instance, if he has a war horse bonded mount and the Land-based Riding proficiency, he earns a +2 bonus when attempting to vault into the saddle when the mount is moving. If he has a pegasus bonded mount and the Airborne Riding proficiency, he suffers a –2 penalty (instead of –4) when making checks to see if he falls from his saddle after suffering damage. The bonuses apply only when riding the bonded mount. When riding a creature of the same species as the bonded mount, use the normal Riding proficiency rules.