In some ways, E.R.F. Jordan’s Bestiary of Mounts illustrates the genius strength of the Dungeon Masters Guild. It costs less than two bucks, is only four pages long and yet will transform your D&D.
As the name implies, the Bestiary of Mounts is considered with just one thing – riding creatures. To Jordan’s credit, there’s no attempt to sneak in padding whatsoever.
The core rules for mounts and vehicles can be found on page 155 of the Players Handbook. They’re okay but could do some with some tweaks. For example, why does a wolf’s armour weigh as much as a war elphant’s armour?
There are some interesting questions too. How many halflings, for example, could ride a giant boar before it becomes too encumbered to be a practical mount? How many halflings could ride a donkey before the same happens?
The last two pages of this punchy supplement offer up four interesting choices of alternative mounts. They are;
- Dire weasel
- Giant turtle
- Riding ostritch
- War dolphin
The War Dolphin is timely given the impending release of D&D’s official Ghosts of Saltmarsh with its nautical theme.
I like the mental image of heroes riding into battle on the back of ostriches though.
DM’s Guild link: Bestiary of Mounts.
