Feathered Champion

Feathered Champions were an order born out of difficult times, when a cavalry fighter named Bron the Breaker was the sole survivor of his company during a long battle. His mount was too injured to fight, but, off in the distance he saw an axe beak. With little time to plan ahead he subdued the axe beak and rallied the locals, leading a raid that cut a crucial supply shipment; his army still suffered heavy losses, but the raid was the turning point that lead to their victory. After the battle was won, though, Bron found that he couldn't part with the axe beak. He kept it with him, and began to take training it seriously.

Bron soon found out that conventional horse mount training techniques didn't work. Axe beaks had different dispositions, as well as different strengths and weaknesses. Many in his company ridiculed him for sticking with training such an odd mount, but as Bron gradually found the ways in which to guide and work with his mount, their tune quickly changed. Bron found even more success with his company, and climbed up the ranks; eventually he was made the commander of the division, and not long after began training them in the ways of axe beak mounts.

The surprising effectiveness of the axe beak mounts and the techniques pioneered by Bron the Breaker lead to a number of imitators popping up across the lands. They had little success, but gradually learned of the true style as members of Bron's division, now known as Feathered Champions, retired and took up residents in those lands. In his later years Bron wrote a training manual, which found success with not only the military but those who frequently came into contact with axe beaks. It may be that you found such a manual, or that you or a family members started out in a Feathered Champion regiment, but in any case, you are now set to mount up yourself and kick some axe.

Axe Beak Rider

You've found and tamed an Axe Beak, and gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. You also gain the Mounted Combatant feat. If you spend 50 GP to get the needed equipment and then use that over an 8 hour period, you will have taught the Axe Beak to carry a rider. In addition, your DM might allow you to take the Mounted Combatant feat for free.

Birds of A Feather

Starting at 7th level, you can cast Animal Messenger on your Axe Beak 1/day w/o using a spell slot, and you can communicate with it as if you shared a language. Neither you or your Axe Beak can be surprised while the other is conscious and not Incapacitated, and within 30 ft., and you can mount your Axe Beak with only five feet of movement.

Mounted Combat Style

At 10th level, you can choose an option from this feature.

Battle Captain

While mounted, when you hit an enemy with a melee weapon attack, for one round, the first ally of yours that attacks that enemy with a weapon attack has advantage on the attack roll. The ally must be able to see and hear you and be within 30 ft. of you.

Charger

While mounted, after moving at least 20 feet straight at a creature and you hit it with a melee weapon attack on the same turn, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw with a DC of 8+your proficiency+STR mod. or be knocked prone if it is Large size or smaller.

Hit-and-Run

While mounted and you hit a creature with a weapon attack, for one round you and your mount don't provoke opportunity attacks from it when you move away from it.

Lancer

You gain a +2 bonus to hit with melee weapon attacks with weapons that have the reach property, and you can wield those weapons one-handed while mounted.

Night Raider

While mounted you and your Axe Beak have Darkvision out to 60 ft. and advantage on Stealth checks.

Vanguard

While mounted, for the first round of combat your Axe Beak has a +10 bonus to movement speed and you both gain 1d20+Proficiency temporary HP.

As One

When an ally targets you with a spell, it also targets your Axe Beak if you're mounted.

Bad-axe Duo

Your Axe Beak ignores non-magical difficult terrain, and as a bonus action once a turn can take the Dash or Dodge actions or use its Beak attack. It also ignores negative ability modifiers when making an ability or skill check. While within 30 ft. of each other, you and your Axe Beak become immune to the Charmed and Frightened conditions and have a +CON mod. bonus to saving throws.