Mounts of Frostwoods

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 deep snow that engulfs the Realm of Frostwoods makes long-distance travel arduous and dangerous for even its native races. Due to this fact, mounts are often not a preference but a requirement. Merchants need them for transporting their goods, soldiers require them for mobility and scouting, and hunters need them to stand any chance of keeping pace with their prey.

However, the creatures of this icy Realm are intelligent and untrusting. Domesticating them is a task best left to the professionals, lest a foolish adventurer find themselves in a deadly stand off.

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

Jackalope

Made famous for their use by the Knights of the Antler, Jackalope are large, white rabbits with a set of dangerous antlers. Incredibly fast and agile, these creature make excellent mounts for navigating the snowy plains and forests of Frostwoods.

While not natural fighters, Jackalope do possess a few traits that can be used for offense, such as their hardy antlers and incredibly powerful kicks. However, they are best utilised in high speed pursuits and hit-and-run strategies.

Jackalope are bred and raised in Jack’s Vigil, and are trained from a young age to become loyal mounts. Despite the intentional breeding of these creatures, they are not a commonly seen mount outside of the White Glebe. This is because the Jackalope are often partnered with a rider at a young age so their bond can grow over time. Times when a Jackalope mount is seen away from the White Glebe, it is likely because a Knight of the Antler has abandoned their post or the creature was stolen or found without a rider.

Canopy Wolf

A Canopy Wolf is a 9 ft in length, long-furred canine with six gangly arms ending in human-like fingers and hooked claws. They have a thin, protruding snout similar to a greyhound, yet most of their features are covered by the shaggy fur that hangs over their eyes and ears.

As exceptional climbers, they spend much of their time in the highest canopies of the Frostwoods forests and hunt by leaping down from above. If taken as a mount, they can become a loyal companion, even being reported to snatch up a falling rider and returning them to the its back.

As pack animals, it can be a dangerous challenge to domesticate a Canopy Wolf without losing a limb to its pack. Many of these beasts that become mounts are rescued cubs, abandoned by the pack, or sole survivors of a fatal battle. If you are lucky enough to take a Canopy Wolf as a mount, it will become a friend for life.

Burrowing Serpent

Reaching lengths of up to 19ft long, the Burrowing Serpent is a deadly reptile that thrives in the snowy tundra of Frostwoods. Shining white scales provide an effective camouflage, allowing its dagger-like fangs to pin its target down as it positions itself for a constricting kill.

Burrowing Serpent are not particularly fast, yet their ability to burrow easily through snow and bind enemies has made them desirable mounts for certain folk. The reach of their attacks allows them and their rider to easily reposition during combat.

Locating a Burrowing Serpent can prove a difficult task in of itself, so domesticating and training them is best left to the handful of professionals that make this task their job.

Weeping Wyvern

A Weeping Wyvern is a heavy-set reptile with dazzling silver scales, a set of bulky wings and long tail. The name Weeping Wyvern comes from the streaks of blue scales commonly appearing under the creatures eyes, yet the violent draconic monster is more often angry than sad.

The bulk of this flying creature can make it a steady, sturdy mount. What it lacks in dexterity, it makes up for in raw power. Its weight alone can cause quakes if it lands too quickly. As a close relative to dragons, it is capable of limited blasts of ice breath.

Domesticated a Weeping Wyvern is most likely a fools errand, yet should someone be desperate enough, there are rumours of a performance, almost akin to a mating ritual, that can create a bond between this draconic monster and a rider. What this ritual is, however, is not common knowledge.

Final Thoughts

Thanks for reading! As we add more mount options to Veneon, they keep getting more and more diverse! It was only a matter of time until a dragon option came along. I hope these mounts inspire you to add mounts to your own games! They can be very fun and can easily become beloved party members if given enough attention.