Animal Companions

There are many times when a humanoid may seek the long-term assistance of an animal. Cavaliers and Paladins often view horses as more than mere modes of transportation. A Lord of the Hunt (a cleric of Dommalon that functions as a Ranger/Warrior) often keeps hunting dogs, and Rangers usually have various animal companions with them.

Experience

Because animals aren't sentient, they gain experience at a much slower rate. That doesn't mean they can't increase in level, however. All animal companions who are in the presence of their master during a given adventure earn 50% of the experience that the master gains for that adventure - note this does not decrease the amount of experience gained by the master; the animal companions just count as lesser, extra party members. When an animal goes up in level, it gains some, but not all, of the benefits a sentient character would get for increasing in level. An animal companion would gain the following:

• One hit die. Thus, an animal companion whose base hit dice was 3d6 would gain a 1d6 hit points. For beings without class levels, the number of hit dice is the creature's effective level for determining BAtCh, saving throws, and other abilities.
  
• One spiritual point. Animals don't generally use spiritual powers, but increasing in level does mean their power increases as well.
  
• BAtCh adjustment. Animal companions use the Ranger's BAtCh. However, some animals already start with a BAtCh rating higher than a 1st level Ranger's. In this event, the BAtCh would only start increasing once the Ranger's BAtCh table value is better than the animal's innate BAtCh score.
  
• Saving throw adjustment. Because an animal's saving throws are based on its hit dice, an animal companion's saving throws will improve at the same level "break points" where a character's saving throws improve.
  
• Tricks and tasks. While an animal can't learn blacksmithing, or how to throw a javelin, an animal companion could be trained with certain tricks or tasks. The Game Master must approve any new skill the animal companion may learn, and an animal companion gains 1 new trick per level, assuming the character has spent the time teaching the animal that trick. In any event, the new skill must be something the animal could possibly accomplish. For example, a ferret could be taught to pick pockets, and a warhorse could be taught to kick on command, but the reverse wouldn't make much sense.

Master’s Requirements

The master of an animal companion must know Animal Training. The master must also spend more time with the animal than would ordinarily be necessary for the animal’s utilitarian use. For example, a Warrior might ride a horse from town to town, but if all he does is ride it and feed it, the animal will never become a companion. The master must, instead, show the animal attention, affection, and patience. Also, the master must buy good food for the animal and ensure good medical care for its injuries. Essentially, the maintenance cost of an animal companion is twice that of an ordinary animal. While some character classes have animal companions as an official class feature, with the GM’s approval, ANY character class can gain an animal companion, but they must take care of the animal, and there may be other limitations.

Limitations on Animal Companions

Any character class with Animal Companions as a class ability may never have more than his level’s worth of animal companions under his control at any time. Should the limit be reached, he may release an animal companion, if he chooses; if not, his animal companions cannot level until they can do so without violating this rule. In the case of multiple animal companions, the character class chooses which one levels. The same rules apply to character classes that do not have animal companions as a class ability, except that they can never have more than half their level’s worth of animal companions under their control at any time. In all cases, the master must still give the animal companion all the good care and attention or the animal may leave him. Note that animal companions will not “unlearn” their skills and abilities in the wild, and indeed the most dangerous wild animals are neglected or forgotten animal companions, for they are stronger than average and often have no fear of man - many may even harbour a grudge against any who reassemble a former cruel master.