Faithful Steed

Faithful Steed

Interaction - None

Effects - Character receives an Animal Companion Follower that is a capable of acting as a Mount. This must be an creature with the Animal tag but the DM is permitted, with justification, to allow other Types. Usually the Character goes on a quest to obtain this mount, forms a bond with an existing mount or takes a Faithful Steed as a natural progression of events. The Maximum Hit-Dice this creature can have is equal to the Character's Level or Hit-Dice.

As the Character's level grows, the HD of their Faithful Steed increases so that it matches the character it is bonded with. The Faithful Steed uses the Paladin Saving Throw Table for purposes of determining their Save from HD. The Character can communicate, using language or gestures, and be understood by their Faithful Steed by making a Charisma Feat check after being bonded with the Steed for a month. After 3 months, they require no check.

Providing the Character is in an area that the Faithful Steed could reasonably access, they are generally considered to be 1d6 +2 rounds away, unless placed closer, and can be called for using a shout or whistle. The DM is the final arbitrator on this - if the mount is a horse, it is unlikely they will be able to climb a cliff face when placed at the bottom unless accommodations are made to bring them along, but a griffon could join the party in this circumstance. If the party is suddenly taken away, the Faithful Steed follows if able to do so without attracting attention - such as if they are captured - or will return to the original site they were left at or to a safe, accessible place, depending on what instruction the bonded Character has given. If the party returns to the original site they were left at, the Faithful Steed is assumed to have returned there too, if able, and if not interfered with by another character.

Unless directed to take part in battle (such as when being ridden), the bonded mount will attempt to avoid combat and harm but will fight to protect itself if it becomes unable to do so.

If the Character's Faithful Steed dies due to their own negligence, they cannot take a Faithful Steed again. Sending the Faithful Steed to die as a distraction despite their protests is considered negligent if they are ultimately coerced into it. Otherwise, the Character may replace a Faithful Steed after a year passes.

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