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In Xanathar's Guide to Everything on page 59, there is an image of a war mage with some kind of creature on his shoulders. The creature looks vaguely like a Ki-Rin to me, but since Ki-Rins are creature size Huge, I believe we can rule that out.
Either way, can anyone tell me what kind of creature is depicted here? I'm pretty sure it's not a creature that has been released for 5th edition so far, so experience with previous versions is probably required.
(click image to enlarge)
I found this image online which lists all of the cards shown, as well as the two missing ones.
The gallery where I found this image can be found here
Rage prevents casting spells while raging:
If you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or concentrate on them while raging.
However, using sorcery points is not casting a spell and thus is not forbidden by rage. A spell would say that it is a spell and/or that you are casting it. Hound of Ill Omen says no such thing.
This is basically the same case as a paladin using divine smite while raging.
when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage
This is a case that Jeremy Crawford has ruled to be within the rules
Divine smite is not a spell, yet it is fueled by spell slots. Because it is not a spell, it is not affected by things like Rage that prevent spellcasting.
If spell slots can be used, there is no reason why sorcery points couldn't.
Best Answer
It is indeed a Ki-rin
Jeremy Crawford has stated in a tweet as a response to someone posing this same question:
Yes, they are normally huge but this is a baby one hence the smaller size.
As a small bonus, note how Mike Mearls was also unsure what the creature was prompting Jeremy Crawford to once again clarify: