Mounts for a halfling scout [Archive] - Wizards Community

Mounts for a halfling scout [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Half_Dragon_Infernal
03-09-08, 11:19 AM I was just starting a 1st level game with my friends, and one of them is going to be a halfling scout. He wants a glidewing as a mount. He said he'd pay money to keep it and use it as a roleplaying hook. My question is, should i tell him get something else, or keep the glidewing?
Syltorian
03-09-08, 03:16 PM First, why do you think he should get something else? Do you worry it might disrupt the campaign if he has a flying mount at first level? That will cause some problems, but not as many as you might think. He cannot take the Glidewing inside or into dungeons, and he cannot transport the party easily either. He will be able to scout ahead better, but it will all but prevent him from sneaking up on foes. Be sure you and your friend know the aerial combat rules, too; do not write your campaign so that it will be defeated at once if a character can fly, but include some fun places where the glidewing can shine.

The answer to your question ultimately relies on what your is friend like. If he promises to use it as a role-playing hook, and you are reasonably sure that he will keep that promise, by all means, go with it. He will make your campaign richer if he can play up his love and devotion for his glidewing. Make him give the dinosaur a personality. If you know your player is only interested in the power it offers, it's going to be more trouble. If you have never played with him before, give him the benefit of doubt and let him have the dinosaur.

By the rules as written, the cost of the creature (ECS 121) is too high for 1st level character. DM Fiat can hand-wave that, of course, but that might create the impression of favouritism. Find a reason for the glidewing to be absent at first level (customs have put him in quarantine?) or much better, tell your player that he starts with 800 gp debts to Kundarak, Ghallanda, perhaps even Boromar if in Sharn, or a shady private money-lender. He should be able to pay back in a level's time. In the meantime, use this as a plot device.

If you allow it, I would also suggest your friend to have a look at the Wild Cohort (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) feat for higher levels... though I cannot find any mention anywhere what level equivalent a glidewing animal companion is - they're not listed in ECS 37. If your campaign goes on for some time, the creature will become more and more of a liability. By level 6 or so, he may want to take this feat.
Half_Dragon_Infernal
03-09-08, 04:23 PM Thanks for the tips, I talked to my player, and he said that the debt option would work. He's gonna have the debt be to house Ghallanda, and that he's gonna pay it off by sending them gold, but also the occasional item that is would help them. I looked at Wild Cohort, and that should help quite a bit. Thanks again, you really helped.
skrap-san
03-09-08, 04:59 PM how would one place a horrid dire rat in one of theese? I have a player who recently aquired one and would like the feat.
Syltorian
03-09-08, 08:56 PM Glad I could help you, Half Dragon! I hope your player has fun with his glidewing.

how would one place a horrid dire rat in one of theese? I have a player who recently aquired one and would like the feat.

Do you mean how one could use Wild Cohort to gain a horrid rat companion? The critter is available to Druids of level 4. So, with Wild Cohort, a character has to be Level 7, and (IIRC) you substract 7 from the character-level based bonuses on the table. If he gets the Natural Bond feat first, he has made up the distance, and gets it when a druid would get the creature, at level 4. By then, he has spent 2 feats, however.

Balance will be very difficult there, but consider building a small side-quest along the lines of the Legendary Locations (Complete Scoundrel) to have him gain one or both of these feats as part of the 'treasure'.
skrap-san
03-10-08, 03:19 PM thank you, good thing he soon turns 7 then.
Half_Dragon_Infernal
03-12-08, 09:46 AM My player was recently thumbing through Complete Adventurer, and he saw the wild plains outrider. What are your thoughts on the class, and do you think Wild Cohort would count according to RAW?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Half_Dragon_Infernal 03-09-08, 11:19 AM	I was just starting a 1st level game with my friends, and one of them is going to be a halfling scout. He wants a glidewing as a mount. He said he'd pay money to keep it and use it as a roleplaying hook. My question is, should i tell him get something else, or keep the glidewing?
Syltorian 03-09-08, 03:16 PM	First, why do you think he should get something else? Do you worry it might disrupt the campaign if he has a flying mount at first level? That will cause some problems, but not as many as you might think. He cannot take the Glidewing inside or into dungeons, and he cannot transport the party easily either. He will be able to scout ahead better, but it will all but prevent him from sneaking up on foes. Be sure you and your friend know the aerial combat rules, too; do not write your campaign so that it will be defeated at once if a character can fly, but include some fun places where the glidewing can shine. The answer to your question ultimately relies on what your is friend like. If he promises to use it as a role-playing hook, and you are reasonably sure that he will keep that promise, by all means, go with it. He will make your campaign richer if he can play up his love and devotion for his glidewing. Make him give the dinosaur a personality. If you know your player is only interested in the power it offers, it's going to be more trouble. If you have never played with him before, give him the benefit of doubt and let him have the dinosaur. By the rules as written, the cost of the creature (ECS 121) is too high for 1st level character. DM Fiat can hand-wave that, of course, but that might create the impression of favouritism. Find a reason for the glidewing to be absent at first level (customs have put him in quarantine?) or much better, tell your player that he starts with 800 gp debts to Kundarak, Ghallanda, perhaps even Boromar if in Sharn, or a shady private money-lender. He should be able to pay back in a level's time. In the meantime, use this as a plot device. If you allow it, I would also suggest your friend to have a look at the Wild Cohort (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a) feat for higher levels... though I cannot find any mention anywhere what level equivalent a glidewing animal companion is - they're not listed in ECS 37. If your campaign goes on for some time, the creature will become more and more of a liability. By level 6 or so, he may want to take this feat.
Half_Dragon_Infernal 03-09-08, 04:23 PM	Thanks for the tips, I talked to my player, and he said that the debt option would work. He's gonna have the debt be to house Ghallanda, and that he's gonna pay it off by sending them gold, but also the occasional item that is would help them. I looked at Wild Cohort, and that should help quite a bit. Thanks again, you really helped.
skrap-san 03-09-08, 04:59 PM	how would one place a horrid dire rat in one of theese? I have a player who recently aquired one and would like the feat.
Syltorian 03-09-08, 08:56 PM	Glad I could help you, Half Dragon! I hope your player has fun with his glidewing. how would one place a horrid dire rat in one of theese? I have a player who recently aquired one and would like the feat. Do you mean how one could use Wild Cohort to gain a horrid rat companion? The critter is available to Druids of level 4. So, with Wild Cohort, a character has to be Level 7, and (IIRC) you substract 7 from the character-level based bonuses on the table. If he gets the Natural Bond feat first, he has made up the distance, and gets it when a druid would get the creature, at level 4. By then, he has spent 2 feats, however. Balance will be very difficult there, but consider building a small side-quest along the lines of the Legendary Locations (Complete Scoundrel) to have him gain one or both of these feats as part of the 'treasure'.
skrap-san 03-10-08, 03:19 PM	thank you, good thing he soon turns 7 then.
Half_Dragon_Infernal 03-12-08, 09:46 AM	My player was recently thumbing through Complete Adventurer, and he saw the wild plains outrider. What are your thoughts on the class, and do you think Wild Cohort would count according to RAW?