Desert Rider Variant Fighter Class

Desert Riders represent the classic Arabian warriors: well-trained, mounted fighters sweeping out of the barren wastes. They are the romantic heroes of a nomadic people, living their lives and fighting their wars from the saddle. Desert Riders are primarily horsemen, but some are more adept at riding camels. At higher circles, some begin to ride fantastic beasts like rocs of griffins, though this is rare.

Role: Opinions on the nature of Desert Riders vary according to whom you ask. To the nomadic tribes, Desert Riders are heroes, exemplifying the traditions of the desert: bravery, honesty, and freedom. To the small towns that are sometimes targets of raids, the riders are little more than wandering thieves and haughty looters, who sweep into civilized lands for raids, then "turn tail" and disappear into the desert to avoid pursuit. Both opinions are partly right. There are indeed good and lawful Desert Riders who exemplify the positive values of the desert. And there are evil men and women who live up to the villainy portrayed the townsfolk. But the true nature of the group lies somewhere between those two poles.

In turn, Desert Riders tend to view city-dwellers as impoverished cousins, unaware that the greatest riches are those of the soul, not knowing that such rewards can only be found in the freedom of the desert. Good Desert Riders tend to demonstrate the inherent superiority of their life (which accounts for the haughty attitude perceived by the townsfolk). Evil Desert Riders see the towns and villages as mere supply houses for needed material.

The Desert Riders are not bound to land and property, save for their most important possessions, their mounts. A Desert Rider only grudgingly parts with his or her steed more than a day, and then only if it is left with others who might appreciate its quality - that is, other Desert Riders, or individuals who both appreciate the value of the steed and who can he trusted to take care of it until the owner returns. At higher levels, the mount may be released to roam free. Desert Riders do sell their mounts on occasion, especially horses that have grown old. Even then, buyers are chosen carefully.

Equipment: Desert Riders may wear any type of armor, but the restrictions of their native terrain usually forbid them to wear anything heavier than chain mail. A shield is also common, along with sword and spear.

Each Desert Rider begins the campaign already owning a horse or camel. Provided a rider can pay the difference in price, he or she may "trade up" to a war horse.

Restrictions: Desert Riders are humans, elves, jann, goblins and orks. In fact, entire tribes of desert warriors are elves or orks. Goblin wolf riders form tribes in forest and hill country. Dwarves are not Desert Riders; as a rule, they do not adjust well to life in the saddle. Ogres are by far to heavy for horses, though a tribe of ox or elephant riding ogres could be a terror indeed.

Bonus Feats:

1. Bareback Riding (from the Netbook of Feats)
2. Bravery (from the Netbook of Feats)
3. Climate Sense (from the Netbook of Feats)
4. Endurance
5. Improved Feint (from this site)
6. Improved Initiative
7. Light Sleep (from the Netbook of Feats)
8. Mounted Combat
9.   Mounted archery
10.   Trample
11.   Ride-By Attack
12.   Spirited Charge
13. Point Blank Shot
14.   Far Shot
15.   Precise Shot
16.   Rapid Shot
17.   Shot on the Run
18.   Sharp-Shooting (from Sword and Fist)
19. Power Attack
20.   Cleave
21. Track
22. Weapon Finesse*
23. Weapon Focus*
24.   Weapon Specialization*