I'm running an anthropomorphic animal campaign and I didn't want the weirdness of animals riding traditional animals.So I have made a home brew version of the mythical Kirin for them to ride.
Here's what it looks like-
[IMG]http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx152/larkspire/HajimeKirin.jpg[/IMG]
Here are the rules-
KIRIN (domestic) XP 400
NG Large animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent.
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 9 (+4 Dex,+1 dodge, –1 size)
hp 14 (2d8+4)
Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +2 (+1 luck bonus to all saving throws vs. Spells)
Speed 60 ft.
Melee Gore +3 1d6+2 ,2 hooves -2 (1d4+1)
Space 5'x10' (long).; Reach 5 ft.
Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 3, Wis 14, Cha 12
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 17 (21 vs. trip)
Feats: Dodge,Nimble moves,Run
Skills: Perception +6,Acrobatics +6(+10 to jump/balance)
SQ: Docile (Ex) :Unless specifically trained for combat (see the Handle Animal skill, a Kirin's hooves are treated as secondary attacks.
Leaper(EX): Kirin are natural jumpers,the receive a +4 Racial bonus to jump/balance checks and always count as having a running start for purposes of determining DC.
Noble Kirin Blood(SU) :Lesser Kirin have but a glimmer of their Noble forebears magical essence.This is enough to grant all lesser Kirin
· Fire resistance: 5
· Good Fortune: 5' radius ,+1 to save vs.Spells (only effects good aligned creatures)
Kirin stand 4 to 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh between 700 and 1,000 pounds.
How does it look? I based it off of the horse.I did throw a new coat of paint and some glitter on it though.
It's definitely better than a standard horse but probably close to on par with a heavy-horse. I don't particularly like Good Fortune. I'd make it just the Kirin and it's rider if you want as opposed to an aura but that's only because I wouldn't want the party always huddling around it (most players wouldn't but some would). You need to think about how it would function as a druid or paladin companion.
Not sure about fixing the weirdness of animals riding animals though. (of course humans are animals regardless but clearly we are the exception because I am human and I say humans are great). You might consider vermin as mounts, crabs, giant grasshoppers or something or just say that the cultures have no beasts of burden.
It'll be ridden by a Samurai in the party,it's an Asian themed game.I just wanted the animal type to be sufficiently different.Humans riding pink,hairless horses seems freakish to me.
I like the giant grasshopper idea and will probably incorporate that into the setting.
Thanks for the feedback Bardarok.
Huddling together can be a liability too :)
I like it. It looks like a useful mount to me. For a standard game, I'd probably hold off on it being available at first level though, mostly because it is a magical creature. But I don't think fifth level is a good place for it, so maybe 3rd?
If you're going with mix and match critters to avoid furry confusion and you want to keep it Asian themed, you could always have them ride something that looks like a deer with scales and has no magical properties at all.
What types of anthros are you using? It could help us to make better suggestions not only for mounts but also for other critters. Alternatively you could always look to Last Air Bender for some interesting mix and match stuff.
The party will be starting 4th-6th level depending on class.I use all 3 xp progressions.
The races are
· Catfolk
· Ratfolk
· Tengu
· Kitsune =(no shapeshifting)
· Nagaji
· Grippli
· Vanaras
The kirin presented up top are only nominally magical,I just threw a few mechanics on there to make them an attractive mount option at higher levels.
They are only ridden by the Nobility,other notable kingdom animals include: Rothe,Tressym,Donkey,pig,and Giant grasshopper :)