i think that i am just going to post all of my help requests in one thread to save my self time and the forums a lot of clutter.
first request for you more skilled people is the 'Mage Knight'. Trained from more martially inclined talented the Knights protect chapter houses of the Mages College and escort students on their field expeditions and digs, they also perform special missions for the college and provide transport for new recruits (this because each Knight forms a bond with a Roc at the start of their training and the roc eventually serves as their mount and fighting companion).
Bullet points for what i am trying to achieve
-Roc Mount/companion
-limited spell casting relating to self buffs and getting their charge out of harms way
-martial weapons and at least medium armor proficiency
would this be something a player or NPC needs to multi-class for or could it be done as an Archetype of Paladin or Cavalier ?
You would probably get more, and better, responses if this was posted in the homebrew section.
It was, but it seems more like build advice to me. Homebrew will be when/if he decides to actually make a new class.
Would a Beastmaster ranger work for you? Any animal companion, and ranger casting works for self buffs and mobility & includes Carry Companion.
Or the sable company marine for rangers? They don't get rocs, but they get hippogrifs. They are like griffons, but they are half horse instead. They have all the flying fun you need.
There is also the option for a monstrous mount. You could get a proper griffon with that (they have a large advantage in the fact that they can get pounce to go with their numerous natural attacks and flight)
& one other idea - people forget how martial the hunter is. Only 3/4 BAB sure, but if you want spellcasting from the start it fulfills all your criteria.