A medium flying mount

[Hironomus]

I am trying to find a creature that fits these criteria, to serve as a mount for a halfling character.

-It needs to be obtainable as either an animal companion or a special mount.
-It needs to be able to fly and bear a rider of small size obviously.
-Preferably not above medium size.
-It would be nice if it was a bird of some description, for flavour reasons.
-The earlier it is obtainable the better.

So what is my best option?
I swear I found a thread about this before, but I can't find it anywhere. It mentioned something called a riding bird, from a dragon magazine I believe. Any details on that would be appreciated as well.

[Allanimal]

I am trying to find a creature that fits these criteria, to serve as a mount for a halfling character.

-It needs to be obtainable as either an animal companion or a special mount.
-It needs to be able to fly and bear a rider of small size obviously.
-Preferably not above medium size.
-It would be nice if it was a bird of some description, for flavour reasons.
-The earlier it is obtainable the better.

So what is my best option?
I swear I found a thread about this before, but I can't find it anywhere. It mentioned something called a riding bird, from a dragon magazine I believe. Any details on that would be appreciated as well.

The dire hawk from Races of the Wild may be what you want.
Medium. Animal Companion.

[Talya]

I am trying to find a creature that fits these criteria, to serve as a mount for a halfling character.

-It needs to be obtainable as either an animal companion or a special mount.
-It needs to be able to fly and bear a rider of small size obviously.
-Preferably not above medium size.
-It would be nice if it was a bird of some description, for flavour reasons.
-The earlier it is obtainable the better.

So what is my best option?
I swear I found a thread about this before, but I can't find it anywhere. It mentioned something called a riding bird, from a dragon magazine I believe. Any details on that would be appreciated as well.

Dire Hawk, MMII, page 76.

Edit: Swordsaged!

[Hironomus]

Ah I was afraid of that :smalltongue:

It may sound strange but I was hoping for something less... serious than a hawk. Something cute like a sparrow.

But regardless, I think the dire hawk fits the bill. Thanks for that. If anyone knows anything better please tell me.

[Codenpeg]

How about a half-dragon riding dog? Or you could go with a flying pig. Just look at any templates that give you winged animals and find one you like to give wings.

Edit: No half dragon wouldn't work either.. although I suppose you could add half-celestial onto a more intelligent creature.

[Allanimal]

It may sound strange but I was hoping for something less... serious than a hawk. Something cute like a sparrow.

Refluff the dire hawk into a dire chickadee?

[tyckspoon]

Ah I was afraid of that :smalltongue:

It may sound strange but I was hoping for something less... serious than a hawk. Something cute like a sparrow.

But regardless, I think the dire hawk fits the bill. Thanks for that. If anyone knows anything better please tell me.

..yeaaah. I don't think you're going to find a Medium-sized songbird, although there might be one as a Magical Beast somewhere that I don't know of.

[HalfDragonCube]

..yeaaah. I don't think you're going to find a Medium-sized songbird, although there might be one as a Magical Beast somewhere that I don't know of.

Cheep. Cheep.

[dspeyer]

Refluffing is probably your best bet. The monster manuals are weak on animals that aren't tough fighters.

A Giant Bee might suit your taste. It's weak enough to make a reasonable first-list animal companion, so long as the vermin subtype doesn't bother you.

Or if song is vital, take draconic leadership and ride a young copper dragon bard.

[Luckmann]

Ah I was afraid of that :smalltongue:

It may sound strange but I was hoping for something less... serious than a hawk. Something cute like a sparrow.

But regardless, I think the dire hawk fits the bill. Thanks for that. If anyone knows anything better please tell me.

Just refluff the Dire Hawk, really. Make it a Dire Sparrow.

Hell, make it a Dire Hummingbird. :smallbiggrin:

[Hironomus]

Just refluff the Dire Hawk, really. Make it a Dire Sparrow.

Hell, make it a Dire Hummingbird. :smallbiggrin:

That is one big sparrow :smalltongue:

But I think I'll just go with the hawk...
Where possible I like to avoid unessecary fluffing. A hawk is perfectly adequate for my needs.
As for the dragon suggestion, A paladin gets that right? How exactly?
Ditto for the Giant bee or whatever it was.

[HalfDragonCube]

That is one big sparrow :smalltongue:

But I think I'll just go with the hawk...
Where possible I like to avoid unessecary fluffing. A hawk is perfectly adequate for my needs.
As for the dragon suggestion, A paladin gets that right? How exactly?
Ditto for the Giant bee or whatever it was.

The dragon thing is a feat in Draconomicon.

Dunno about the bee.

Buzz. Buzz.

[Talya]

Ah I was afraid of that :smalltongue:

It may sound strange but I was hoping for something less... serious than a hawk. Something cute like a sparrow.

But regardless, I think the dire hawk fits the bill. Thanks for that. If anyone knows anything better please tell me.

Refluff the Dire Hawk to "Dire Parrot," and go to town. (For reference, the Hyacinth Macaw is bigger than any hawk to start with, and some parrots are predatory, so a Dire version of one? It's not such a ridiculous idea.)

Googled Hyacinth Macaw pic below:

http://brandags.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/img_3241.jpg

[Lord.Sorasen]

I swear I found a thread about this before, but I can't find it anywhere. It mentioned something called a riding bird, from a dragon magazine I believe. Any details on that would be appreciated as well.

There is a riding bird in dragon magazine, but it's in a section detailing how someone might mimic final fantasy in D&D (meaning it's a chocobo, and doesn't fly).

Dire Bat can be attained by a 4th level druid... Otherwise dire hawk is really your best bet.

[ShriekingDrake]

I suspect this doesn't meet your criteria but consider the Elephant Bird (http://creaturecatalog.enworld.org/converted/view_c.php?CreatureID=1609)

You'll likely need some DM approval here.