Ranger animal companion

[TheWhiteRaven]

So for a Pathfinder campaign I'm running for my players I'm controlling a Ranger NPC (we have a small group so whoever dm's usually also plays a character). The game is a seafaring campaign and I want the Ranger's animal companion to be more of a scout then a combat machine. The party already has a wereshark fighter/barbarian for the melee XD

The other players are a Bard and a Witch, so no potential of other animal companion from the players to do the role. The Ranger is going Horizon Walker and is using the guide variant, and while the guide gives up his animal companion, I want the ranger to still have his (yay dm controls XD)

What I'm debating is if it should be a bird or a sea creature. If possible I'd like it to be able to both fly and swim, but short of giving a bird the aquatic subtype there's nothing I can think of. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Drachasor]

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/templates/element-infused-creature

Air-infused Dolphin (say Flippers). You should have the Ranger be part of the crew, and when anything really crazy is about to happen, someone should make a comment on how this is going to be just like the time the Ranger found Flippers. The incident itself should never be described.

[TheWhiteRaven]

Haha, awesome idea, and I may use it later in the game for a different character I had in mind. But this one is less of a joke character and more the "calm in the storm" of the party.

While that works I was hoping there might be something more.. natural? like something that naturally has both a swim speed and a fly speed? I don't think there's anything like it, but I figured I'd ask.

Either the elemental infused aquatic, or a creature that can fly w/aquatic subtype works if not though.

[Hanuman]

I am disappointed, I want a ranger as my animal companion.

[gorfnab]

Hippogriffs are kinda fun for a flying animal companion. (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/ranger/archetypes/paizo---ranger-archetypes/sable-company-marine)

[Drachasor]

HIPPOgriff!

http://ara-tun.deviantart.com/art/Hippogriff-124265654
(Thankfully there are people that think as I do).

[TheWhiteRaven]

Hippogriff is to strong for what I have in mind. He won't need a mount or a combat pet, he's just the navigator and archer. I want him to have a scout kind of animal companion, less useful in combat as anything other than a distraction. I'm thinking maybe of just giving him two, an aquatic and a bird, but I'm not sure yet.

[Drachasor]

Miniature HIPPOgriff, then.

PS. Btw, the initial suggestion I made would work just as well with a very serious ranger. Just because he's in funny circumstances doesn't mean he's funny himself.

Edit: Honestly, I can't think of any animal that would fit the bill (pun intended). You could always make one up though. There are some flying birds that dive to grab fish, but nothing that swims extensively underwater as far as I am aware.

[Fitz10019]

How about a dire duck (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-55650.html)?

[Hanuman]

Never pick up a duck in a dungeon.

[Coidzor]

All I know is, I'm glad that I've never run into dire ducks getting the blue BoEF treatment after reading the Cracked articles about them... :smalleek: