HYPERBOREA / Cataphract: start with a mount?

**Posted by Philotomy** 8/30/2016 11:05 pm

BTB, it looks like the Cataphract doesn't start with a mount (like the Cavalier does, in AD&D). Correct, or did I miss it, somewhere?

**Posted by mabon5127** 8/31/2016 8:29 am

Sounds like a great add! It definitely makes sense. It may not be the best mount in the world but a standard horse would be appropriate.

**Posted by Blackadder23** 8/31/2016 10:13 am

I think it would depend. A "cataphract" can be someone who trained and normally served in a mercenary capacity, rather than a "knight-errant" type. In that case he might not own his own horse at 1st level, since his employer would normally have provided it. I would probably make the PC save his gold and actually buy a horse. I'm like that.

Last edited by Blackadder23 (8/31/2016 10:15 am)

**Posted by DMPrata** 8/31/2016 1:15 pm

Blackadder23 wrote:
I think it would depend. A "cataphract" can be someone who trained and normally served in a mercenary capacity, rather than a "knight-errant" type. In that case he might not own his own horse at 1st level, since his employer would normally have provided it. I would probably make the PC save his gold and actually buy a horse. I'm like that.

I can confirm that this was the design intent. Even a mere riding horse represents three-fourths of the typical PC's starting gold. No freebies in Hyperborea!

**Posted by Philotomy** 8/31/2016 2:15 pm

OK, cool. That's what I intended to do with the cataphract PC, in any case, but I was wondering if that was, indeed, the BTB rule. The cataphract PC in question served a minor duke around Brigands Bay, and had to flee that area for "undisclosed reasons." I'm basically going to say he had to ride his (stolen?) mount to death when he fled, and has escaped to Khromarium with little gear, near penniless and looking to better his situation.

Last edited by Philotomy (8/31/2016 2:16 pm)

**Posted by Blackadder23** 8/31/2016 2:29 pm

Philotomy wrote:
I'm basically going to say he had to ride his (stolen?) mount to death when he fled, and has escaped to Khromarium with little gear, near penniless and looking to better his situation.

That's the spirit!

**Posted by mabon5127** 8/31/2016 4:10 pm

Philotomy wrote:
OK, cool. That's what I intended to do with the cataphract PC, in any case, but I was wondering if that was, indeed, the BTB rule. The cataphract PC in question served a minor duke around Brigands Bay, and had to flee that area for "undisclosed reasons." I'm basically going to say he had to ride his (stolen?) mount to death when he fled, and has escaped to Khromarium with little gear, near penniless and looking to better his situation.

Hahaha! Nice!

**Posted by Handy Haversack** 9/29/2016 9:08 am

Oh, yes. You earn your horse. And then the next several horses. Horses do not have a high survival rate in my game. It's like kids' goldfish. My players are starting to learn some valuable lessons about mortality and cleaning the filter, though.

**Posted by Ghul** 9/29/2016 10:01 am

Handy Haversack wrote:
Oh, yes. You earn your horse. And then the next several horses. Horses do not have a high survival rate in my game. It's like kids' goldfish. My players are starting to learn some valuable lessons about mortality and cleaning the filter, though.

What? Tethering the horse a mile away form the dungeon, just inside the wood line . . . what's the worst that could happen?

**Posted by Handy Haversack** 9/29/2016 10:43 am

You'll note that I created a magic item that deals with just this specific circumstance.

Created but never gave out. Why should *I* do all the work?!

**Posted by Ghul** 9/29/2016 11:20 am

Handy Haversack wrote:
You'll note that I created a magic item that deals with just this specific circumstance.

Created but never gave out. Why should *I* do all the work?!

Word on the street is that Handy Haversack is the stingiest referee on the planet. ;)

**Posted by Handy Haversack** 9/29/2016 11:34 am

Ghul wrote:
Handy Haversack wrote:
You'll note that I created a magic item that deals with just this specific circumstance.

Created but never gave out. Why should *I* do all the work?!
Word on the street is that Handy Haversack is the stingiest referee on the planet. ;)

BigPerm's taken to calling you Monty now that's he's read all of Port Greeley.

**Posted by mabon5127** 9/29/2016 11:39 am

Zonked!

**Posted by Ghul** 9/29/2016 6:14 pm

Handy Haversack wrote:
Ghul wrote:
Handy Haversack wrote:
You'll note that I created a magic item that deals with just this specific circumstance.

Created but never gave out. Why should *I* do all the work?!
Word on the street is that Handy Haversack is the stingiest referee on the planet. ;)

BigPerm's taken to calling you Monty now that's he's read all of Port Greeley.

You have your players so brainwashed, they read an adventure with a few +1 daggers and a potion or two, and they think it's the Monty Haul Extravaganza!

**Posted by Chainsaw** 9/29/2016 7:01 pm

Ghul wrote:
Handy Haversack wrote:
Ghul wrote:

Word on the street is that Handy Haversack is the stingiest referee on the planet. ;)

BigPerm's taken to calling you Monty now that's he's read all of Port Greeley.
You have your players so brainwashed, they read an adventure with a few +1 daggers and a potion or two, and they think it's the Monty Haul Extravaganza!

Their PCs merely survive Handy's game and they think it's the MHE, heh!

**Posted by Handy Haversack** 9/30/2016 11:38 pm

Listen, here's the thing. When the revolution comes, who you going to want on your side? Players. *hungry* players. Actions have consequences, my fellow DMs. *Consequences.*

Also, seriously, +1 daggers? OK, *Monty*.