Requirements: Novice, Agility d6+, Fighting d6+, Riding d6+
While many warriors spend their time honing their martial skills, others dedicate themselves to a cause. These "cavaliers" swear themselves to a purpose, serving it above all else.
They travel about on horseback, championing their causes and charging headlong across battlefields with the symbol of their order trailing on long, fluttering banners.
The cavalier’s true power comes from the conviction of his ideals, the oaths he swears, and the challenges he makes to those who stand in his way.
Cavalier Mount: The cavalier has a special bond with his mount that transcends that of a normal horseman.
Challenge: As a limited action, a cavalier can issue a challenge to an opponent he can see and is within 24" (48 yards). The challenge remains in effect until the target is defeated, the cavalier is Incapacitated, or the combat ends, and he may never challenge more than one enemy at a time. The effects of the challenge can be found under each of the cavalier orders.
Mighty Charge: The cavalier increases his melee weapon's damage die one die type on a turn in which he moves towards an enemy while mounted.
Order: A cavalier must pledge himself to an order of like-minded individuals. This gives him a Minor Vow to serve the order that doesn't grant additional Hindrance points. If a cavalier violates his order's edicts (GM's call), he loses the benefits of all Cavalier Edges for 24 hours.
The list of orders, their edicts, and the benefits they grant are listed below.
A cavalier cannot change his order without undertaking a lengthy process to dedicate himself to a new cause. Members of these orders are not necessarily bound together, but some organizations are comprised of cavaliers who all belong to one specific order.
Requirements: Seasoned, Cavalier
The cavalier’s banner becomes a symbol of inspiration to his allies and companions. As long as the warrior’s banner is clearly visible (either held or planted in the ground), all allies within 10" (20 yards) get a free reroll on Fear checks and may reroll their running die once per turn.
As a limited action, the cavalier can wave his banner, removing Distracted and Vulnerable conditions from all allies in Range.
Requirements: Veteran, Cavalier
The cavalier's dedication to his order grants him additional strength in combat. He gains the order ability associated with his chosen order (see below).
Requirements: Heroic, Cavalier
As long as the cavalier is within 5" (10 yards) of the foe he challenged, he may spend a Benny immediately after the challenged opponent spends one to negate its effect.
Requirements: Wild Card, Legendary, at least two Cavalier Edges
Once per encounter, when the cavalier makes a charge while mounted, he doubles the damage if using a lance.
The following orders are the most common throughout Golarion. Members are not necessarily bound together, but some organizations do exist that are comprised of cavaliers that all belong to one specific order.
Names of these orders might vary depending on the region. A cavalier gains his order's ability upon taking the appropriate Edge.
A cavalier who belongs to this order serves only himself, working to further his own aims and increase his personal prestige.
Edicts: The cavalier must keep his own interests and aims above those of all others. He must always accept payment when it is due, rewards when earned, and an even (or greater) share of loot when possible. The cavalier must take every opportunity to increase his own stature, prestige, and power.
Challenge: The cavalier adds +2 damage to Fighting attacks made against the target of his challenge.
Order Ability (Steal Glory): Once per round, when an ally targets a foe within the cavalier's Reach, the cavalier may make a free attack against the same target.
Cavaliers belonging to the order of the dragon dedicate themselves to a group of like-minded individuals, be it a mercenary company or a small band of adventurers. They believe in loyalty and friendship, and are willing to lay down their lives to protect their allies.
Edicts: The cavalier must remain loyal to his allies and always work to further the aims of the group. He must protect his allies from harm and defend their honor when called into doubt.
Challenge: As a limited action, the cavalier grants his allies a +2 bonus on Fighting rolls against the target of his challenge until the end of the round.
Order Ability (Aid Allies): Whenever an order of the dragon cavalier Supports an ally, the ally also receives the Support bonus to their Parry for the rest of the round.
A cavalier who belongs to this order has pledged himself to a sovereign; be it a king, queen, or even the local warlord. They are stalwart and dedicated to their cause, willing to go to any length to ensure the safety of their lord and his domain.
Edicts: The cavalier must protect the life and lands of his sovereign at all costs. He must obey his lord's commands without question and strive to expand the power and prestige of his realm.
Challenge: The target of the cavalier's challenge is Distracted as long as the cavalier is within 10" (20 yards).
Order Ability (Shield of the Liege): A selfless lion cavalier may redirect a melee or ranged attack made against an adjacent ally to himself. This ability can be used any number of times per day but must be declared before the attack roll is made.
Cavaliers who join the order of the shield devote their lives to protecting the common folk, from the simple farmer to the honest craftsman. These cavaliers stand before the tide, protecting the innocent from roving marauders and hungry monsters.
Edicts: The cavalier must protect the lives and prosperity of the common folk, shielding them from the deprivations of any who would cause them harm or exploit them. He must give charity when it is warranted and aid where needed. He must take no action that would cause harm or hardship to those who cannot defend themselves.
Challenge: Whenever an order of the shield cavalier issues a challenge, he receives a +2 bonus on opposed Tests with the target of his challenge.
Order Ability (Stem the Tide): Once per round when an enemy enters Reach of one of his weapons the cavalier may make a free attack. If he hits, the enemy is Vulnerable and cannot move any further this round.
Cavaliers who join the order of the star dedicate themselves to the protection and service of a faith and its members (chosen when this Edge is selected). Thereafter they tend to following many of the tenets and guides of the religion they serve.
Edicts: The cavalier must strive to protect the faith and all those who follow its teachings, from priest to common person. He must adhere to the strictures of the faith, promote its cause whenever possible, and serve the agents of the divine.
Challenge: The target of the cavalier's challenge subtracts 2 from his arcane skill rolls.
Order Ability (Calling): Once per encounter as a limited free action, the cavalier may choose one of his Traits and make a short prayer, filling him with confidence. For the next five rounds, all rolls using that Trait gain a +2 bonus.
Cavaliers who join the order of the sword dedicate their lives to the code of chivalry, living a life of honor, valor, and fairness. They tend to swear service to a lord or a lady, or sometimes to a creature of renown.
Of all the orders, the order of the sword is perhaps the broadest in terms of its focus and ideals.
Edicts: The cavalier must show courage in the face of danger, mercy to those who have wronged him, and charity to the poor and meek. He must be just and honorable at all times and in all things. He must defend his honor and, above all else, the honor of those he serves.
Challenge: The cavalier gets a free reroll on failed Fighting rolls against the target of his challenge.
Order Ability (Mounted Mastery): Cavaliers eventually learn to turn the long reach of polearms and other weapons designed to defeat horsemen against their wielders. Whenever a mounted cavalier makes a charge attack, he adds his mount’s Strength die to the damage (rather than the usual +4 charge bonus for mounted attacks, see Mounted Combat).
The cavalier's dedication to mastering mounted combat grants additional benefits to his companion. In addition to being more formidable than other animals of its kind, the mount also forms a special bond with its rider, allowing them to anticipate each other's needs.
Whenever the cavalier purchases or acquires a mount, he can spend some time working with his new friend to grant it a number of benefits based on his Rank (see Advancement below). If the cavalier's mount ever dies or is lost, the knight must spend time working with a new mount in order to regain these benefits.
Advancement: The cavalier's mount gains the following abilities based on its master's Rank. These benefits are cumulative.
Novice: Hardy.
Seasoned: Resilient.
Veteran: Very Resilient.
Heroic: The mount becomes a Wild Card.
Bond: Whenever the cavalier's mount suffers one or more Wounds, the cavalier can spend a Benny to make a Soak roll using his Riding skill.