Oh really? I played it once but lost interest after a while...What a pity that ragnarok online is paid now
But pets:
For the hawk: I wouldn't mind if you just take the birds from act 1 LoD. or better yet, those from act 2.
For the spider: You know, still liking them. They could take the part of the spellcasting pet, mage spider. I also like vanilla Lod's one. Sandfisher is best But that's my personal choice...
For the missing gfx: You don't necessarily need to convert them first, if you just show us several examples in their original look, that should be enough to choose them.
Some questions (since I may have new ideas for the skill concept):
1) How does LoD handle the new skills of the merc.
Does s/he always have the skills and just get a new AI when s/he levels-up high enough to allow the use of the skill then?
Or do mercs actually get the new skills and they just use any they have?
2) Can items affect AI? I asked that before and this is not an easy one, I know. Anyway, it only matters if the answer to the question above is that with the AI.
Oh, by the way: You didn't ask for comment on that, but the new beast tamer is exceptionaly good, too!