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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Tony Vargas" data-source="post: 6948220" data-attributes="member: 996">There are a number of possibilities:  <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The creature could just provide enhanced movement, at the price of taking up more space.  It never attacks or gets hit, is perfectly loyal, it's upkeep is hand-waved, is only affected by stuff to the exact extent the PC's ability to move is, etc.  Not satisfying, mechanically, but the DM could always narrate more, and it works for 'nothing special' (in context) mounts, like horses in most campaigns, but it could be extended to more fantastic mounts, where their use is very common, or integral to the DM's story for a time.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It's an NPC.  Like having an NPC ally along, the DM controls it, /generally/ using its actions like a good mount (moving where the PC directs &c).  Generally.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It's a 'reward,' like a horse is regular gear, your Griffon or whatever is similar, but superior, making you 'just better' than the next guy with a horse in the same way as a magic item.  Works for the old-school handling of flying mounts, for instance (they were a clear advantage, but they were difficult to acquire, maintain, and manage).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It's a 'reward,' with 'buy-in,' the way magic items take up a slot or using a weapon well requires a proficiency, you have to invest something - like a feat or other build choice - to avail yourself of a special mount.  By default, for instance, everyone could use horses, but it might take special training to use a warhorse - that's the feat.  If you find a better mount, cool, you can use that.  Or you might have the right to a special mount: If you're a 'Dragon Rider' (campaign specific background), instead of a horse, you also know how ride a skittish hollow-boned winged lizard (no, of course you don't get a real dragon, shame on you for even thinking that).  If you're a Bear Rider (campaign-specific Barbarian sub-class), instead of a horse, at a certain level you get to ride a grizzly bear (assuming the bear cub you get when taking the sub-class survives long enough) that rages with you.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It's a limited-use class ability (or a feat poaching same).  This addresses the power issue the way D&D likes to, with a daily limit.  You can summon your special mount a certain number of times, for a certain number of rounds, or whatever.  Since it's magically conjured or gated or whatever, it doesn't bog the game down when you don't need it or kick anyone in the vtude because 'it's not realistic for a bear act like that' (or whatever).  Since it's mechanically like a spell, it can be more powerful than an always-available mount.</li> </ul></blockquote>

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