This one is from the archives, written up by me maybe 10 years ago. What’s up with the Innrider? Let me answer that with a question: In your game, has there ever been a situation where a halfling or gnome got up on the shoulders of another large and strong PC and “rode” around for a bit? The Innrider is a prestige class covering that sort of behavior. It definitely fits best into a humorous fantasy setting. But then again; why not have a cult of anti-paladin kobolds kidnapping hobgoblin kids and rearing them as mounts? It’s a bad day when this gang rides into town, pillaging and whatnot. This could probably work in a gritty, low-fantasy setting as well. Anyway, here we go:

Innrider

A prestige class that specializes in mounted urban combat.

The Innrider excels in mounted combat in tight quarters, especially dominating the battlefield of barfights and street brawling. Being very versatile in his choice of mount, the Innrider may potentially be a gnome paladin astride a dwarf wizard. Or a halfling druid mounted on a human barbarian. Loathed or loved, depending on conduct, the Innrider is always to be reckoned with in a dark alley or at the local inn.

Hit Die: d8

REQUIREMENTS

Skills: Ride 8 ranks, Intimidate or Diplomacy 5 ranks.
Feats: Mounted combat.

CLASS SKILLS

Balance (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Gather Information (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Knowledge (local) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silently (Dex), Perform (Cha), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points: 4 + Int modifier.

ADVANCEMENT

Lvl	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1st	+1	+2	+2	+0	Alternative mount
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+0	Improved mounted combat, Free brew and stew
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+1	Barrel portal, 30 feet
4th	+4	+4	+4	+1	Unhindered maneuvering
5th	+5	+4	+4	+1	Shared spells, A round on me
6th	+6/+1	+5	+5	+2	Trackless step
7th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+2	Barrel portal, 10 miles
8th	+8/+3	+6	+6	+2	Camouflage
9th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+3	Safe bond
10th	+10/+5	+7	+7	+3	Barrel portal, same plane

CLASS FEATURES

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Innriders gain no proficiency in any weapon or armor.

Alternative mount: The Innrider may handle and ride a mount with an intelligence score of 4 + twice his Innrider level. The mount must be at least one size category larger than the innrider and willing, domesticated or “broken in” as any other mount.

Improved mounted combat: An Innrider may use the Mounted combat feat an extra time per round per Innrider level. That is; twice at level 1, 6 times per round at level 5, and so on.

Free brew and stew: The Innrider’s reputation has gained him free brew and stew upon request from his regular inn (and possibly from other inns as well).

Barrel portal: The Innrider may, once per day, step into a barrel, crate or similar piece of storage furniture of size no smaller than his own, and emerge from a known barrel of choice within the specified distance: Up to 30 feet at level 3, 10 miles at level 7, without limit as long as the barrel is located on the same plane of existence at level 10. The Innrider may only bring along his mount and his gear. Barrel portaling may be done as part of a move action, mounted or otherwise.

Unhindered maneuvering: A mounted Innrider is not hindered by creatures or furniture while moving in an urban environment. Thus, the Innrider may move about freely in a crowded room without provoking attack of oppurtunity, and may also perform the charge maneuver due to lack of hindrances.

Shared spells: An Innrider able to cast spells may share these with his mount exactly as a druid would with his animal companion.

A round on me: An Innrider may once per day, yell A free round on me or something to that effect. If there is an inn within sight of the Innrider, all who can hear and understand the uttered words must (mind affecting, no save, SR applies) adjourn to the indicated inn for refreshments and revel there for 3d6 minutes or until the Innrider leaves (whatever comes first).

Trackless step: An Innrider, mounted or not, cannot be tracked in an urban environment.

Camouflage: An Innrider can use his Hide skill in an urban environment, even if the terrain doesn’t grant cover or concealment. If the Innrider is mounted, apply a penalty equal to twice the size modifier of the mount.

Safe bond: Once per day, an Innrider may let his mount use his own saving throw modifier in place of its own, or the other way around; himself use the saving throw modifier of his mount. Use of this ability must be declared after the die is rolled, but before success of failure is revealed.