Horse-mounted Combat I (sage ability)

Horse-mounted Combat I is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of Horseback Riding, granting a character the fundamental ability to fight from horseback. This includes manoeuvring the horse effectively during combat, executing charges against enemies and engaging in melee with both mounted and unmounted opponents. While this ability provides the foundation for mounted combat, it does not represent advanced expertise or the skill of a seasoned cavalryman.

As an amateur, the character's proficiency with weapons while mounted is limited. Only certain weapons are practical to wield effectively from horseback, including the horseman's mace, pick or flail, as well as the dagger and club. The character may also use a scimitar (or a similar curved blade), but the weapon suffers a penalty of -1 to damage due to the difficulty of employing such a weapon without refined control. Heavier or longer weapons such as lances, polearms or swords are beyond the character's ability at this stage.

Combat against Foot Soldiers

While mounted, the character does not receive a bonus when attacking opponents on foot. The complexity of managing both the horse and weapon simultaneously negates any potential height advantage. A rider at this level must focus on maintaining control of their mount rather than executing precise strikes, making them no more accurate than they would be in standard melee combat.

Despite these limitations, charging while mounted on a horse provides distinct advantages. A well-timed charge can lend additional momentum to an attack, increasing damage output and enabling strategic battlefield positioning. However, mastering the full potential of a mounted charge requires further study and experience beyond this amateur level.

Stability

At this level of skill, the character can maintain stability in the saddle while guiding the horse with their legs, allowing for basic control during combat situations. This means they can keep their seat while the horse moves at a trot or slow gallop, though rapid turns, sudden stops, or unexpected movements may still throw them off balance. The character is also capable of urging the horse forward or slowing it with minimal disruption to their attack, though more advanced manoeuvres — such as feinting with the mount or wheeling sharply to strike a new target — remain beyond their ability.

Additionally, this skill enables the character to brace themselves against the horse's motion, preventing common novice mistakes such as swinging too wildly, overextending an attack, or inadvertently pulling on the reins while striking. While they lack the precision of an experienced cavalry fighter, they are at least competent enough to fight without losing control of their mount at every movement.

See also,
Horse Gait
Horse-mounted Combat II (sage study)