Cohorts and Leadership Feat

[Fangor the Fierce]

Ok guys, I am asking for some ideas on a concept I am thinking of using for my PnP Fighter/Barbarian. I am looking at taking the Leadership feat to get a cohort. But, I am looking at a unique cohort that can double as a mount, if I choose.

So I found a monster in the MM II called a Felldrake. I like the Horned Felldrake, as it can become large at 5HD. That would be large enough for my fighter to use it as a mount. The only thing is, it's advancements list 1-4HD as Medium, and 5-9HD as Large. Question is, does that mean it can't advance past 9HD???

Any comments?

[Lin]

Well, as written it means that it does not advance past 9 HD. However, if it is an intellegent (3+) creature, it could always get class levels. . .

[Wizard]

Also, Int 3 is really easy to get---just throw it a collar of intellect.

But if you're looking for a classless approach, the best advice I can give you is to advance it per the MM, and just ignore the 5-9 listing. What that's meant to describe is how much the creature could have advanced normally---I think spending the feat on Leadership ought to take care of something that minimal.

Be warned, though, that your cohort will be weak for his HD, and I believe that's what the feat checks when determining how powerful your cohort is. Though I like the idea a lot.

[Toptomcat]

It can advance beyond that, it's just rather atypical for it to do so.