What is a mount?

[dcollins]

As an aside, I find it really surprising how many people chime in on threads with a comment to the effect that "your DM has final say". Well, of course the DM does; that's his job.

There are a great many things that the D&D core books assert as standard rules. I agree that someone saying "the DM has final say" about those explicit core rules would be out of place -- in general we assume that DMs are not changing the core D&D rules.

However, in a situation that's not addressed by the books, or one that is ambiguous or unclear, then the DM definitely has a responsibility to make a decision. It would be equally out of place for a player to assume that if a situation is unaddressed in the books that they get to do anything they like in the game. It is a reasonable Rules Forum response to point out that a certain question falls into that category of "not answered by the books".

 

[Ahrimon]

Well, the books at home, but how big is a pony? Aren't they medium sized? Ponies are mentioned as a dwarven mount. If they are medium then I would have to lean towards allowing it, one the caveat that all mounts of same size or lower must be approved of course. (I know you didn't want to hear that last part Taren, but I had to include it. It's my job and stuff)

Ahrimon

 

[shilsen]

Well, the books at home, but how big is a pony? Aren't they medium sized? Ponies are mentioned as a dwarven mount. If they are medium then I would have to lean towards allowing it, one the caveat that all mounts of same size or lower must be approved of course. (I know you didn't want to hear that last part Taren, but I had to include it. It's my job and stuff)

Ahrimon

IDHMBIFOM, but I'm pretty sure in the 3.5 PHB ponies are described as appropriate for gnomes and halflings, while horses are listed as appropriate for all the other PHB races. So it looks like the "mount one size larger than rider" rule is in there implicitly.

 

[MerakSpielman]

I must have reached the next level of ENworld geekiness. "IDHMBIFOM" made perfect sense, and it really should have come across as total gibberish.

 

[Otterscrubber]

"IDHMBIFOM" did come off a gibberish to me. I dont know why but I find it reassuring. What does it mean?

 

[dcollins]

"I don't have my books in front of me."

 

[Spatzimaus]

Otterscrubber: it stands for "I don't have my books in front of me"

You know, when you try to picture the faithful steed of a Paragon of Virtue and Righteousness, the first image that comes to mind isn't a great, big, weasel...

Well, I suppose I should explain that it was a Chaotic Good Paladin (take all the lawful stuff and flip it, different code of conduct, etc.). IMC we expanded Paladin to cover the four extreme alignments.

But you're right, a giant weasel seems like a strange companion for a paragon of anything. That's what made it so funny.

 

[Taren Seeker]

Hmm...noticed the new entry for mounts in the PHB yesterday, changing ponies to halfling/gnome only.

That, combined with the DotF reading and some other circumstantial stuff leads me to the inevitable conclusion that my halfling ain't riding the lizard. At least not without a reduce spell. Mmmmm...permanent reduce. A small wizard's best friend. Aside from his familiar of course.

But still...CURSES!

Spatzimaus, aside from the size thing, an exotic saddle with straps should keep a rider mounted while his mount climbs, and I would hope that a lizard could climb on walls and ceilings while only under a light load.

 

[MerakSpielman]

How 'bout a permenant Enlarge on the lizard?

 

[Ferret]

I remember a dragon magazin that said that if you can ocupy it's space you can ride it (In so few words)