Spider Eater Mount

[kevin video]

So my character just got a spider eater as a mount, but we're not sure if I can keep it or not. We're at a level that it likely won't survive for too long unless it's consistently healed. So my question is, is there a way to improve the creature? I saw in a 3pp book that paladins have can have as an improved mount at level 14 (level -9), but I definitely won't get that many levels, and especially not of paladin. Is there anything else?

[kevin video]

Found an epic feat for a 21st level druid. I don't suppose there's anything else.

[kitep]

The entry for spider eater says "Advancement: 5–12 HD (Huge)".  I would talk to the DM about how the thing can earn XP, and go from there, or maybe use the animal companion/special mount chart to advance it's HD as you hit the appropriate level; it wouldn't get any of the special abilities of animal companion/special mount, but it would gain better BAB and saving throws based on increased HD.

I believe there's also a template for war animals (war trained? warbeast?).  See if you can add that template.

Since it's not an animal, it doesn't qualify for the Awaken spell.

And of course, there's always magic items   

[kevin video]

Yeah, I'm hoping the DM and I can come up with something so it's not one-shotted.

[kevin video]

DM found the windrider PrC in Masters of the Wild. He's letting that go.