Mounts of the Hammerlands

Disclaimer: This blog uses the MCDM Arcadia 1 mount system. I highly recommend this system if you want to use mounts in your 5e games.

Mounts are a staple of fantasy across many genres. Be it video game, film, or book, mounts can be much-loved characters and important plot hooks for the heroes. Every fantasy fan can recall Shadowfax from the Lord of the Rings, Epona from the Legend of Zelda, and the Chocobo from Final Fantasy. In MMO’s mounts are highly sought-after rewards and collectables.

It seems a shame then, that mounts in D&D are rarely used and typically rather expendable. This is due to a couple of reasons, namely, the mechanics being bare bones and the heavy emphasis on indoor dungeons where your mount can’t reach. Well, Arcadia has taken great steps in amending at least the mechanical limitations of mounts to great success. Their new system makes mounts desirable and as important to your character as a powerful magic item.

Below you will find 4 mounts that are commonly used across the Hammerlands. Each has some interesting lore and a stat block that you can drop straight into your own game!

Tatzelwurm

The Tatzelwurm is a large cat-reptile hybrid and a close relative of the Lindwyrm. Its scaled, feline face hosts two long Smilodon-style fangs and its two arms end in sharp claws, ideal for digging through the hardened stone and earth. Its body extends from its strong shoulders into a long tail with a barbed cluster of spikes at its tip.

The creature is a proficient burrower and uses this talent to ambush and knock down its prey. When used as a mount, the Tatzelwurm can be a powerful ally, allowing its rider to reposition with ease and make full use of its burrowing speed.

They are not a common mount. While many may attempt to tame such a creature, they are an ambush predator and should be respected as such. Many fools die trying to claim one as their own.

Highland Cattle

A popular produce animal and mount throughout Norn culture are the Hammerlands Highland Cattle. This large, powerful beast is covered with long, orange fur and has a pair of 4ft long horns that protrude horizontally from its head. Their calm nature makes them ideal companions for many Norn and their protective instincts make them loyal mounts.

The cattle’s horns can be utilised to great effect in combat and its raw strength allows it to haul heavy loads with ease. Their weight prevents them from being the fastest or most manoeuvrable choice for a mount, yet they are loyal, easy to tame, and can use their strength to ragdoll your enemies around the battlefield.

They are the go-to mount option among Norn society and have fully replaced horses. In war, the sight of 300 Viking warriors charging forth astride a bellowing highland cattle is a common and terrifying sight.

Elderin Bear

While most Norn rely on Highland Cattle for mounts, the Ursaborn clan have used their affinity for bear-kind to tame and domesticate the fearsome Elderin Bear. These brown-furred predators sport glowing, blue runes of Old Nordic and carry an innate magical power.

These runes allow the bears to buff themselves with icy powers when in situations of danger or intense fury, as well as being utilised by their riders to allow for dramatic explosive dismounts. The bear is very acclimatised to cold conditions and has developed an immunity to weaponised cold.

Elderin Bears are proud, fearsome creatures and it is only thanks to the Ursaborn’s history that they have been able to sway the beasts and calm their untrusting nature. It is extremely unlikely to see someone outside the clan with an Elderin Bear mount.

Pegasus

While able to use their wings to great effect, the Valkyrie will rely on the magnificent Pegasus for long journeys across the realm. Many of the ground-dwelling races doubt that pegasus even exist, but they are a common sight throughout Úlfdalir. These majestic, winged horses are legendary for their speed and skill in areal combat, an idealistic match for the Valkyrie.

In combat, they rely on their hooves or rider’s strikes to deal damage and are best utilised for their speed and manoeuvrability to overwhelm their foes.

While almost exclusively being ridden by the winged Valkyrie, on the rare occasion a non-winged race takes one as a mount they are intelligent and prepared, ever ready to catch their rider should they be dismounted.

Final Thoughts

Thanks for reading! I’m making an effort to make mounts a more important element in my D&D games, even going so far as to plan a Oneshot that is based on mounted combat. By rethinking what ‘dungeon’ means in D&D we can make mounts a staple of fantasy in our games, as they are everywhere else! Instead of your dungeon being an underground labyrinth, why not make it an abandoned ruin in an expansive grassland? Or why not make your next dark wizards tower into a stormy mountain peak? Instead of facing your players against a cave full of goblins, have them face off in the forest surrounding the camp they stole from a merchant company. You could even have the goblins riding their classic spider mounts! A great fantasy cliché!

I hope this has given you something to think about and you’ll consider the place of mounts in your own games. We made these mount stat blocks on stream at Twitch. You can also find me on Discord if you’ll like to discuss D&D homebrewing further!

Have a great day and as always, may your next session be filled with glory!