Skylords are a very interesting mounted combat class. Very clearly this intended for some sort of bladesinger build. Not only do you gain casting progression which is pretty unique in regard to mounted prestige classes, but you also gain the standard battery of improved mounted abilities and capabilities. A side effect of this spellcasting is that you get a few spell-like abilities and supernatural abilities when it comes to storms. This class is a useful mounted class for when you are exploring the wilds of nature due to the inability to be affected by storms.

Role: DPS

Characteristics: Warriors with effortless command over a flying mount and some caster progression

Source: Book of Exalted Deeds

Game Rule Information

The Skylord has the following game statistics.

Abilities: Dexterity to Ride checks, you gotta stay on your eagle after all. Whatever your casting stat is in order to continue mounted casting. Strength for dealing damage in mounted combat

Alignment: Any Good

Hit Die: d10

Starting Gold: N/A

Class Skills

The Skylord's class skills are Balance (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (all skills, taken individually) (Int), Listen (Wis), Ride (Dex), Search (Int), Spot (Wis), and Wilderness Lore (Wis)

Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) × 4

Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Skylord.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Skylord is proficient with All simple and martial weapons and all armor and shields

Spells per Day/Spells Known: At every second level, a skylord gains new spells per day (and spells known, if applicable) as if he had also gained a level in a spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (improved chance of controlling or rebuking undead, metamagic or item creation feats, hit points beyond those he receives from the prestige class, and so on), except for an increased effective level of spellcasting. If a character had more than one spellcasting class before becoming a skylord, he must decide to which class he adds the new level for purposes of determining spells per day.

Call Flying Mount Su: At 1st level as a full-round action, the skylord can call a flying mount to serve in his crusade against evil. This mount can be a celestial giant eagle, celestial giant owl, or celestial pegasus. The mount remains with the skylord until it is slain or dismissed. It requires food and rest, and the skylord is responsible for tending to its needs.

Calling a mount is a conjuration (calling) effect. If the mount dies, the skylord can either have the mount raised from the dead or call another mount. The skylord may only call a replacement mount after living and meditating atop a mountain for 1 week.

Eyes of the Eagle Ex: A skylord has the keen eyesight of an eagle. While airborne, a skylord receives a +4 insight bonus on Spot checks.

Ride the Wind Ex: At 2nd level, a skylord becomes a master of the winds, guiding his mount through them with ease. While riding a flying mount, the skylord’s penalties on ranged attacks in windy conditions are reduced by 2 (no penalty in strong winds, –2 penalty in severe winds). The skylord can make ranged attacks in windstorms, albeit at a –4 penalty. In hurricanes, the ranged attack penalty increases to –8. Neither the skylord nor his mount take penalties on Listen checks in windstorms and hurricanes.

Both the skylord and his mount can move normally in severe winds and windstorms (instead of being checked), and hurricane winds reduce the flying speed of the skylord’s mount by half.

Improved Mounted Combat Ex: At 3rd level, a skylord’s skill at mounted combat improves, enabling him to better protect his mount. This ability works as the Mounted Combat feat, except that the skylord’s Ride check receives a +2 bonus. The bonus improves to +4 at 5th level, +6 at 7th level, and +8 at 9th level.

Deadly Charge Ex: At 4th level, a skylord deals an extra 2d6 points of damage on a successful attack made during a charge. The skylord must be riding a flying mount to deal the extra damage.

Storm Kinship Su: At 6th level, a skylord is less likely to lose his bearings in a storm. He retains full visibility during rains and storms and does not take the usual penalties on Search, Spot, and Listen checks. This ability is not imparted to the skylord’s mount.

Summon Tempest Sp: At 10th level, once per week, the skylord can summon a tempest (as described on page 193 of the Monster Manual II). This ability is otherwise similar to the summon monster I spell. Use the skylord’s character level to determine the effect’s range and duration.