Mounts of the Floodplains

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.

The Floodplains is a realm of rivers, lakes, and never-ending rain. As such, the most practical methods of travel are either by water or air. Attempting to travel the realm with a simple horse would likely result in a ‘The Neverending Story’ type situation if you get my meaning…

For the people that live in the Floodplains, the most common form of vehicle is either a simple wicker raft or a small boat. There aren’t many beasts that could be easily domesticated on a large scale to act as mounts. This doesn’t mean, however, that a brave (or foolish) adventure cannot tame one of the many powerful creatures of the Floodplains. Mounts are rare, but it’s not unbelievable to think that the bravest heroes of the realm could be sighted astride a fearsome beast.

In this post, I’ll detail 4 effective mounts that could be seen throughout the Floodplains.

Giant Mosquito

The Floodplains is home to an abundance of impossibly large insects and among the most detested is the Giant Mosquito. This spindly creature can grow up to 8ft in height while still being light enough to fly without a problem. Its proboscis can grow up to 2ft, making it a deadly weapon capable of stabbing and draining a creature’s blood in moments.

As a creature of limited intelligence, the Giant Mosquito is surprisingly simple to train. This does not mean, however, that it isn’t exceedingly dangerous. To successfully tame this primitive, instinctual creature, you must prove that it will receive regular consistent meals (of fresh blood). More than it would receive if it were to kill and eat you now.

Crocodilus Thrasher

The dark, murky waters of the Floodplains are home to countless deadly aquatic predators. Among the most dangerous is the Crocodilus, a large species of deadly reptile that stalk the rivers and strike in deadly ambushes. This fearsome beast can grow to enormous lengths, with some being reported to grow up to 30ft long. Thick, armoured scales protect the predator from the weapons of most beasts and men, and the large snout filled with rows of sharp fangs proves to be a deadly deterrent.

While the largest specimens would likely kill a person before an attempt at domestication can even be attempted, the young or small variants can be feasibly captured and tamed over time. Having a Crocodilus mount is a sign of strength, bravery, and patience.

Couatl

While most mounts are simple beasts, in very rare circumstances a Couatl will offer its services as a mount and companion. These colourful winged serpents are extremely rare and on the odd occasion that a nest is found, they usually stand as the ancient guardians of a magical temple or cursed dungeon. Their colourful scales appear as a blend of vibrant greens and deep blues. The feathers of their wings sport a dazzling variety of colours, from rich reds to pastel purples.

Due to its intelligence and magical existence, domesticating a Couatl isn’t an option. However, when the objectives of a pure-hearted adventure align with that of the Couatl, they may offer a temporary alliance in which the Couatl acts as a mount, guide, and ally.

Giant Water Strider

Similarly to the Giant Mosquito, a Giant Water Strider is an abnormally large insect that can be domesticated for ease of travel throughout the Floodplains. However, while the Mosquito can fly, the Water Strider can skate across the surface at incredible speed. The creature itself is relatively harmless, so while they aren’t likely to prove useful in direct combat, they are excellent for navigating the battlefield and dropping off their rider at high speed.

Final Thoughts

Thanks for reading! The mounts included in this post are quite unique compared to those from the Mounts of the Hammerlands post. Insects and intelligent monstrosities aren’t the first things you would think of when you think about mount options, however, the unique nature of the Floodplains environment required some unique mounts.

I hope these mount options have 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 so please stop by and help out with our next homebrew project. You can also find me on Discord if you’ll like to discuss D&D homebrewing further or partake in our community oneshots!

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