Banneret

The banneret is the model of the mounted, ennobled warrior, sharing a rare connection with his loyal steed. A banneret may be known by various names and titles in different places and among diverse cultures, such as a Horsemen of the Plains; a Knight of the Silver Heart, or a Dragon Knight.

Prerequisite(s): To gain levels as a banneret, you must meet the following requirements (in addition to the multiclassing prerequisites for any classes you have):

• Strength 13 and Wisdom 13. Bannerets must be hale and intuitive.
• Proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. A banneret is a skilled rider and animal handler.
• Proficiency in medium armor. A banneret must be used to riding while encumbered.
• Character level 5th. You must already be a 5th-level character before you can gain banneret levels.
• Be knighted by a ruler, noble, or a knight commander. You must swear an oath of fealty and service to the knight commander, lord, lady, king, or queen who bestows knighthood upon you. Thereafter, you must be ready to serve and protect your liege at need, and any followers of yours might be required to serve your liege occasionally as well.

Table: The Banneret

Level	Features
		1st	Mount, Mounted Expertise
2nd	Mounted Combat Mastery

Class Features

As a banneret, you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d10 per banneret level
Hit Points per Level: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per banneret level

Proficiencies

Armor: Heavy armor, shields
Weapons: Lance

Equipment

The banneret prestige class grants you a special mount at 1st level (see below).

Mount

At 1st level, you gain a mount that accompanies you on your adventures and is trained to act as your mount in battle. Choose a beast or monstrosity that is one size larger than you and that has a challenge rating of 1/2 or less. The creature must have an Intelligence of 7 or less and be able to be domesticated as a mount (at your GM’s discretion). When you reach 2nd level as a banneret, you can bond with a mount that is one or two sizes larger than you and that has a challenge rating of 2 or less.

Add your proficiency bonus to the mount’s AC, attack rolls, and damage rolls, as well as to any saving throws and skills in which it has proficiency. Its hit point maximum is equal to its usual maximum plus an extra 5 hit points per banneret level you have attained.

The mount obeys your commands to the best of its ability. It takes its turn on your initiative, although it doesn’t take an action unless you command it to. On your turn, you can verbally command your mount where to move (no action required by you), and you can use your action to command it to take the Attack, Dash, Disengage, Dodge, or Help action. Your command is verbal if you are not currently mounted, but need not be verbal if you are mounted on the creature.

If you have the Extra Attack feature, you can make one weapon attack yourself when you command the mount to take the Attack action. (If you can make three attacks using the Extra Attack feature, then you can make two weapon attacks yourself when you command your companion to take the Attack action.)

If your mount dies, you can obtain another one by spending 8 hours bonding with another eligible creature that isn’t hostile to you.

A banneret who gains a special mount through some other means, such as a paladin who uses the find steed spell, can apply the benefits of this class feature to that mount.

Mounted Expertise

You have advantage on Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks to calm, control, or direct any domesticated beast or monstrosity. Mounting or dismounting costs you only 5 feet of movement, rather than half your speed.

Mounted Combat Mastery

Starting at 2nd level, while mounted, you have advantage on melee attack rolls against any creature that is smaller than your mount. When you are mounted and your mount moves at least 10 feet, if you hit a creature with your lance, you deal one additional die of damage to that creature.