Vermin Rider (Dromite)

Raised in a hive, the vermin rider has a natural connection to insects and spiders, a connection that becomes even more intense as rider and mount are joined together with a bond similar to that which ones bound the Hives. Vermin riders often patrol the outskirts of the hive, both above ground and underground, defending their home and hearth.

Mount

The vermin rider can only choose a Giant Wasp, Giant Scorpion or Giant Mantis for his mount.

Bound Vermin (Su)

The vermin rider and his mount are under the permanent effects of mindlink. While bound to each other, the mount gains the same energy resistances as those of the vermin rider from his dromite’s chitin.

This ability replaces tactician.

Energized Mount (Su)

At 9th level, the vermin rider can expend his psionic focus as a swift action to allow his mount to deal an additional +1d6 points of energy damage with its natural attacks until the end of the vermin rider’s next turn. The energy type is that of the energy type for the vermin rider’s chitin.

This ability replaces greater tactician.

Eternal Bond (Su)

At 17th level, a vermin rider’s life becomes linked to his mount’s. As long as the mount is alive, the vermin rider is protected from harm. Damage in excess of that which would reduce the vermin rider to fewer than 0 hit points is instead transferred to the mount. This damage is transferred 1 point at a time, meaning that as soon as the mount is reduced to a number of negative hit points equal to its Constitution score, all excess damage remains with the vermin rider. Effects that cause death but not damage are unaffected by this ability. This ability does not affect spells like baleful polymorph, flesh to stone, or imprisonment, or other effect that do not cause actual damage.