3.5 Gliding: all help appreciated

[graeylin]

A PC has the ability to glide. He is in combat in tree platforms, high above the ground. He took a 5' step off the platform, and intends to glide to the ground below.

We think it will take him more than one round to reach the ground, due to gliding being slower than falling, and the distance involved.

What can he do while gliding? Is gliding a move action? Is it a free action (like falling). Can he take a 5' step AND glide in the same round, or is glide a movement action that precludes the 5' step?

My limited research is confusing: gliding is/isn't a movement type, it is an ex ability. It has a movement component, but is really a controlled fall. It is movement. It isn't.

Help?

[OldTrees1]

You might be referring to the Dragon Wings feat, the Dragonborn race, the Raptorian race, or something else.

In these cases gliding works like flying(it is movement) but:
You cannot go upwards
You must go downwards

So they can dive while gliding if they wish if they want to descend faster than the minimum of 5ft down per 20ft of movement.

Since gliding is moving, you cannot take a "5ft step"(walk 5ft without provoking AoOs) first but you can step 5ft first(walk 5ft).

[Red Fel]

It would help if you could name the source of your flight; being able to cite that text directly would better enable us to ascertain the relevant rules. As it is, I'm going to use Dragonborn gliding (from Wings aspect) as an example for this, to help illustrate where I'm going. First, a text reference.

A dragonborn can use her wings to glide, negating damage from a fall from any height and allowing 20 feet of forward travel for every 5 feet of descent. Dragonborn glide at a speed of 30 feet with average maneuverability.

That's the text, now let's break it down.

A dragonborn can use her wings to glide, negating damage from a fall from any height

So the "gliding" ability offers passive protection against fall damage.

and allowing 20 feet of forward travel for every 5 feet of descent.

And this distinguishes gliding from flying. For every 5 feet you descend, you can travel forwards 20. In other words, measure your distance to the ground; you can either drop freely in five foot increments, or move forwards 20 feet.

Dragonborn glide at a speed of 30 feet with average maneuverability.

This answers your other question - gliding, similar to flying, is a movement type. In some ways it is a modified form of flying, inasmuch as you must be falling to use it.

So, let's put it all together. Gliding is a movement type, like flying, swimming, or climbing. It should have an associated movement speed (generally 30) and, as with flying, a maneuverability level. In other words, you may move 30 feet in a round, which requires you to descend 10 feet (5 for the first 20, 5 for the next 10, followed by 10 more on your next turn).

Because gliding is a form of movement, using it to move forward is a move action, precluding a five-foot step.