Justifcation for changing your animal companion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Justifcation for changing your animal companion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Brotha_T
07-18-06, 09:50 AM I'm currently playing a level 2 druid (v3.5, core + completes) and I want to choose an animal companion from the alternate list when I become level 4. The problem is that my DM doesn't like the idea of me just switching the animal companion when I get to that point, and I agree with him. It conflicts with the bond a druid is supposed to have with his animal companion to just change it out like a used car. So I am looking for advice on how to roll play the situation. I can always make sure my current animal companion dies when I get to that point, but I don't like that idea.
Ouranos Harpy
07-18-06, 01:37 PM Well what is your animal companion. If it's a pack animal, then make a little side adventure. While you guys are in a forest, a pack of wolves (let's assume your animal companion is a wolf) is being terrorized by a displacer beast [or some monster]. So you and your animal companion (if your party wants to help sure why not) help them defeat the monster. However, your wolf decides to stay back because he has found a mate and the pack needs him to protect them from other dangers. You miss him and you love him, but you realize that this stage of your lives together has come to an end. You let him go, with tears running down your cheeks. It's a very pokemon-inspired moment. But hey, it's an easy way to get evolve your character.

plus, at your level...it's like a mini-mini adventure.
Wyrmul
07-18-06, 01:53 PM Very Nice! Ouranos Harpy seems to have struck it on the head. Your animal companion is not just a blind servant,or dumb animal. By traveling with you it has become more aware of the world, something unique to animal companions. Work with your DM to come up with a plot that can lead your animal companion away from you. I would suggest reading Wolf Speaker by Tamora Perice. It is a short book found in most libraries YA section. It is in the middle of a Quartet but is verry accessable to a new reader. The basic plot is that a pack of wolves, in particular the head wolf, have been changed by a girl with power over animals years ago. When the local humans begin destroying the forests and poisining the lake with their search for opals the wolves seek out the girl who changed them to help. Decent book, not overly eco-moralistic. Has some good bits on duity and treason towards the crown and some interesting magic.

Good Luck!
Moon-Lancer
07-18-06, 02:03 PM sometimes you have to let go of animal companin. You have to let it go becuse you love it and you dont want it to die. sometimes we must send away those that we love becuse we love them. If your parents wanted you to live in thier house for your whole life would they love you or would they just be selfish.
Brotha_T
07-18-06, 04:12 PM Thanks for the advice, although I think my story will have less cheese.
Moon-Lancer
07-18-06, 07:08 PM cheese is good on everything.
Wyrmul
07-18-06, 07:43 PM Especially on to of Chupaquesos. But that would be exessive
Indivisible
07-24-06, 11:42 PM A view I took on a half-orc druid I created (but never played) was that his animal companion was the same animal constantly reincarnated. When Tuck's wolf Nip died defending orphan or somesuch, the next day he would welcome Nip in an entirely different form. Hope that helps or inspires ideas.
TigerDawn
08-13-06, 12:32 AM My old animal companion died, and I am too cheap to resurrect him.
Reversefigure4
08-13-06, 07:15 PM A view I took on a half-orc druid I created (but never played) was that his animal companion was the same animal constantly reincarnated. When Tuck's wolf Nip died defending orphan or somesuch, the next day he would welcome Nip in an entirely different form. Hope that helps or inspires ideas.

Yes, I use this one as well. It's the spirit of the companion that matters, not it's physical form.

Alternatively, knowing that your next adventure will be too dangerous for your wolf and he'll likely die, you bid him a tearful farewell and send him on his way, taking on a stronger companion to help you protect nature instead.
PiedmonSama
08-15-06, 04:23 AM Yes, I use this one as well. It's the spirit of the companion that matters, not it's physical form.

Alternatively, knowing that your next adventure will be too dangerous for your wolf and he'll likely die, you bid him a tearful farewell and send him on his way, taking on a stronger companion to help you protect nature instead.

That's my take on it. As you move up from fighting Goblins and Wargs to Mind Flayers and Beholders, the situations your Druid faces will simply become more and more dangerous, and the odds of his animal companion's survival will drop. Ultimately, the only responsible thing to do is part with your animal companion--the other option is waiting until it dies because you took it in over its head.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Brotha_T 07-18-06, 09:50 AM	I'm currently playing a level 2 druid (v3.5, core + completes) and I want to choose an animal companion from the alternate list when I become level 4. The problem is that my DM doesn't like the idea of me just switching the animal companion when I get to that point, and I agree with him. It conflicts with the bond a druid is supposed to have with his animal companion to just change it out like a used car. So I am looking for advice on how to roll play the situation. I can always make sure my current animal companion dies when I get to that point, but I don't like that idea.
Ouranos Harpy 07-18-06, 01:37 PM	Well what is your animal companion. If it's a pack animal, then make a little side adventure. While you guys are in a forest, a pack of wolves (let's assume your animal companion is a wolf) is being terrorized by a displacer beast [or some monster]. So you and your animal companion (if your party wants to help sure why not) help them defeat the monster. However, your wolf decides to stay back because he has found a mate and the pack needs him to protect them from other dangers. You miss him and you love him, but you realize that this stage of your lives together has come to an end. You let him go, with tears running down your cheeks. It's a very pokemon-inspired moment. But hey, it's an easy way to get evolve your character. plus, at your level...it's like a mini-mini adventure.
Wyrmul 07-18-06, 01:53 PM	Very Nice! Ouranos Harpy seems to have struck it on the head. Your animal companion is not just a blind servant,or dumb animal. By traveling with you it has become more aware of the world, something unique to animal companions. Work with your DM to come up with a plot that can lead your animal companion away from you. I would suggest reading Wolf Speaker by Tamora Perice. It is a short book found in most libraries YA section. It is in the middle of a Quartet but is verry accessable to a new reader. The basic plot is that a pack of wolves, in particular the head wolf, have been changed by a girl with power over animals years ago. When the local humans begin destroying the forests and poisining the lake with their search for opals the wolves seek out the girl who changed them to help. Decent book, not overly eco-moralistic. Has some good bits on duity and treason towards the crown and some interesting magic. Good Luck!
Moon-Lancer 07-18-06, 02:03 PM	sometimes you have to let go of animal companin. You have to let it go becuse you love it and you dont want it to die. sometimes we must send away those that we love becuse we love them. If your parents wanted you to live in thier house for your whole life would they love you or would they just be selfish.
Brotha_T 07-18-06, 04:12 PM	Thanks for the advice, although I think my story will have less cheese.
Moon-Lancer 07-18-06, 07:08 PM	cheese is good on everything.
Wyrmul 07-18-06, 07:43 PM	Especially on to of Chupaquesos. But that would be exessive
Indivisible 07-24-06, 11:42 PM	A view I took on a half-orc druid I created (but never played) was that his animal companion was the same animal constantly reincarnated. When Tuck's wolf Nip died defending orphan or somesuch, the next day he would welcome Nip in an entirely different form. Hope that helps or inspires ideas.
TigerDawn 08-13-06, 12:32 AM	My old animal companion died, and I am too cheap to resurrect him.
Reversefigure4 08-13-06, 07:15 PM	A view I took on a half-orc druid I created (but never played) was that his animal companion was the same animal constantly reincarnated. When Tuck's wolf Nip died defending orphan or somesuch, the next day he would welcome Nip in an entirely different form. Hope that helps or inspires ideas. Yes, I use this one as well. It's the spirit of the companion that matters, not it's physical form. Alternatively, knowing that your next adventure will be too dangerous for your wolf and he'll likely die, you bid him a tearful farewell and send him on his way, taking on a stronger companion to help you protect nature instead.
PiedmonSama 08-15-06, 04:23 AM	Yes, I use this one as well. It's the spirit of the companion that matters, not it's physical form. Alternatively, knowing that your next adventure will be too dangerous for your wolf and he'll likely die, you bid him a tearful farewell and send him on his way, taking on a stronger companion to help you protect nature instead. That's my take on it. As you move up from fighting Goblins and Wargs to Mind Flayers and Beholders, the situations your Druid faces will simply become more and more dangerous, and the odds of his animal companion's survival will drop. Ultimately, the only responsible thing to do is part with your animal companion--the other option is waiting until it dies because you took it in over its head.