We have a new player in our group playing a forest gnome ranger. Now that he has hit 3rd level, he is wondering if his character is small enough / light enough to ride a panther animal companion as a mount.
Can a gnome ranger use his animal companion as a mount?
The gnome is Small (PHB 37) and the panther Medium (PHB 308). The relevant rule says:
A willing creature that is at least one size larger than you and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount (PHB 198)
Your ranger's animal companion is certainly willing. It does depend on whether your DM agrees that a panther has the relevant anatomy, but riding felines is a solid fantasy trope even if it is 'unrealistic' to think felines have the proper back.
Respect to @SevenSidedDie for the links above. By the Power of Grayskull may his comment never be removed from this answer!
I would think that being quadrapedal without any spines or physical anatomy stopping someone from mounting it would count as "appropriate anatomy." I mean while having a longer, more flexable spine without as much support as some animals that can be ridden might not make it an ideal mount, it is plausable. Other than not having a mane to hold onto; maybe it will need an appropriate harness. A panther should be able to handle the weight of a forest gnome; with a base weight of 35-40lbs. Leopards can carry animals weighing up to 3x their body weight into a tree to eat, and male leopards can weigh up to 200lbs. They are the stronger climbers of the pathers, but still a fair example. Tigers are the larger and stronger of the panthers and and weigh between 150 and 675lbs (Siberian). A 150lb tiger may look a little funny or have trouble with a 40lb gnome and gear, but the larger ones should be able to 'theoretically' handle it. In the end of course, it is the DMs call, but I dont think it can be ruled out based purely on anatomy and physics.
