Cleric, heal my horse!!

[sniffles]

Okay, I'm no rules master so maybe I'm missing something here, but is there any way to increase the stats - particularly HP - of an ordinary animal such as a riding horse or guard dog? Not a familiar, animal companion, or special mount.

My concern is this: I'm running a fighter in a Forgotten Realms campaign. The GM required us all to have professions for our PCs, so I took horse trainer. I've put a lot of skill points into ride and handle animal, and taken the Animal Affinity and Mounted Combat feats. But my PC's horse still has the same measly 14 HP it had when we started. Am I missing some rule that covers this situation? I think my PC's skill with horses should improve his horse's ability to, well, be a good riding horse.

 

[Samnell]

Advancing Monsters by Adding Hit Dice. You can find it in the DMG and it should do exactly what you want.

 

[smootrk]

One technique that I houserule into my campaign is to demonstrate exceptional animals like mounts and such by modifying the actual HD. I give credit for the idea to someone who wrote an article for dragon magazine long ago.

The function of the change is to raise or lower the average hp per die depending on the 'quality' of the animal. The max hp does not change, nor any other ability, so I do not think it is balance breaking, especially with modifications to the price of such animals. Given 3.5 rules, I might also allow extra 'tricks' with superior animals.

As it applies to Horses:
Nag, Inferior Breed - use d6 instead of d8 for HD
Average Quality - standard d8 for HD
Above Average Quality - use d6+2 for HD
Superior Quality, Champion - use d4+4 for HD

The same method could be used on any animal or creature, although I might restrict the use of this to domesticated creatures that are a result of excellent breeding and such. Otherwise, it may become a free-for-all changing the HD for any monster/creature/character.

 

[ErickArnell]

In my campaign, I had advanced animals with increased HD and all that went along with it (Rules I used are in the 3.0 Monster Manual, probably other places as well).

I interpreted the advanced animal to be a tougher breed or an especially powerful animal for its kind.

For example, take the normal riding horse, advance it to war horse, and then advance again to create an exceptionally well-bred and tough war horse.

Or you could ask the DM create a breed of half-dragon horses like I did (a wizard added draconic characteristics to the breed, in case anyone's mind was in the gutter there). I toned down the template a little, but my players liked the interesting flavor of having mounts that were never quite under control (exceptionally bright and with a mean streak, which you would expect from half-reds, in this case).

 

[smootrk]

I would increase the number of HD of a creature based on experience and/or intensive training... much like a character gaining a level.

I use my HD type modification to show exceptional breeding or otherwise fine examples of a particular animal type.

I like the magical breed/enhanced breed idea also. Besides draconic, celestial, fiendish, you might have bloodline type breeds that are exceptionally fast, or exceptionally strong, etc.

Any of the methods would be good to help the mount keep pace with its rider's level, especially when the rider is willing to pay for that something extra.

I know; I have a Great Dane that costs over $1500 and she is big and strong. Or I could go down to the Humane Society and get some mutt for a few bucks, but I would not expect it to grow to the same stature.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Perhaps you could look at the Magebred template in the Eberron Campaign Setting?

Basically, it represents a "magical test tube baby" version of an animal.

They get quite a few bonuses, such as increased natural armor, extra tricks, etc.

 

[Bront]

I have no problem with an experienced animal who gains an HD or two as the party adventures, especialy if the animal is a vital part of the PC's concept (Mounted warrior, ect). Of course, some classes get animals that increase automaticly (Ranger, Druid, Paladin), so make sure it doesn't step on their toes.

 

[takyris]

Failing that, if you wanted to have an animal companion like a Ranger, I'd say that that was worth one, maybe two of your fighter bonus feats (or one feat and Tower Shield proficiency), in terms of modifying your class to get the character you want. A fighter who isn't any good in the woods but who has spent years on his horse and has gained a special bond is completely reasonable as a character concept.

The DMG mentions this sort of class modification in passing, and Unearthed Arcana goes into a lot more detail on stuff like this. Very do-able, and this is really not munchkiny at all, as far as I can see.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

You might want to take a look at the Wild Cohort feat on the WotC site. It allows a non-druid/ranger to essentially pick up an animal companion. Pick a warhorse, then beef it up with the A.C. bonuses, and you'll have a nice, tough mount.

I'd make a fighter take the feat, not just give him a supermount for free. But that's just me.

 

[Django]

I had my fighter take Leadership, awakened his horse and just called it good. As the fighter went up in levels, so did his cohort horse. The added fighter feats the horse gained were pretty spiffy, too!