Owlbears and Druids [Archive] - Wizards Community

Owlbears and Druids [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
HatTrick
01-09-08, 01:15 PM I'm a bit stumped. In a tabletop campaign I'm playing, my halfling druid has come across an owlbear baby. Our party killed its parents when they attacked us. I'm aware that they can be sold to people to be trained, and for a decent amount of money.

For some character insight, he was raised in the wild by druid parents and detests civilization. His alignment is chaotic neutral. (not that I let the paper alignment dictate everything). He commits various acts of environmental terrorism (For example, his riding dog was liberated from a dog fighting ring during a raid to free the creatures).

Now I'm stuck on exactly how to RP this owlbear thing. The gamer in me of course wants to sell the thing and pocket the profit, but I don't see that happening :) as the druid himself would never ever sell an animal into "slavery". In addition I'm unsure exactly how a druid would react to an owlbear. They're unnatural creations aren't they? Do druids hate owlbears then? Should I be contemplating clubbing it over the head?

Any advice is appreciated. I really don't know how to look at this one.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi
01-09-08, 02:29 PM It's an unnatural abomination that could easily kill people. Sell it and let the "civilized" people who would make such an abomination learn the consequences. :D

Unfortunately, that's more a NE druid than a CN one. Even if you did believe the owlbear would wreak its vengeance before being tamed, I doubt you want it to kill people. Besides, you can differentiate between the actual creator and the rest of civilization. More likely, you'd either just leave it to fend for itself - the law of the wild, or else you'd personally save and raise the chick. After all, it was found in the wild. It's at least second generation, maybe later. Owlbears are finding their own place in nature.
Terjon of the Blue Rose
01-09-08, 11:22 PM "Donate" it to a druid circle where it can be trained as a guard beast. Of course such a donation is as a thanks for being gifted with some appropriately priced trinket.:D
I_roll_ones
01-09-08, 11:44 PM According to the MM, it seems to be a Magical Beast. I guess it could have found a nice niche in the enviroment to avoid the Abberation sub-type.

My bet is that it's niche is eating humaniods who stray into the forest without the ability to handle animals(Non-druids and rangers) and eats them. Humans are after all, slow, weak, and possibly juicy sources of meat unless someone knows how to use an axe offensively and not hurt themselves in the process. Which would make them handy-dandy woodcutter removal for all your evil druid needs. But that is speculation.

However, if your character cannot raise it, a Druid circle might appreciate the extra help, perhaps in exchange for services, goods, or allowing your druid to rest there safely.

If you don't feel like being greedy, maybe your halfling intends to return one day and teach it combat to eat the nasty citylovers. Or he tries to find a group of similarly inclined druids who wish to make a stable of beasts to be Nature's Wrath. Or, you know, just as a guardian.

It does say that they can't be domesticated, tho.
HatTrick
01-10-08, 08:56 AM Thanks for the replies. From your suggestions I've decided that I have a few courses of action.

1: I can kill it and my problem goes away. While possibly an evil act, my char is neutral so I don't really care :). Its also more merciful than turning it in to the humans for a life of servitude.

2: I can just let it go and live out its life normally (assuming its old enough).

3: I can give it to the druids and let them make use of it. A solution I'm liking more and more seeing as it gets to live its life with a minimum of interference and it might be doing some good in the meantime. I know it can't be domesticated, but it can be "trained". Wander around this area and attack all who enter, lol.

I might do #3 when I get my chance. Anyone else got any suggestions? Thanks for everything so far.
I_roll_ones
01-10-08, 01:56 PM 3 is what I would say is best, through it also depends on Druid philosophy(The weak must perish! Vs. Must...Save...NATURE!).

The reason is that the druid is no longer responsible, and he can get on with his own goals without doing something morally questionable.
CrimsonDeath
01-10-08, 03:57 PM 2: I can just let it go and live out its life normally (assuming its old enough).

For an Owlbear, "living its life normally" basically translates to "killing anything that moves".
HatTrick
01-11-08, 08:13 AM For an Owlbear, "living its life normally" basically translates to "killing anything that moves".

That's why I was contemplating killing it, unbalancing force and all that.

Well thanks for all the help, I ended up giving it to my order of druids which seems to be the best of all worlds cause it fits with my ideals, it does some good, and it gets me some items in exchange :)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
HatTrick 01-09-08, 01:15 PM	I'm a bit stumped. In a tabletop campaign I'm playing, my halfling druid has come across an owlbear baby. Our party killed its parents when they attacked us. I'm aware that they can be sold to people to be trained, and for a decent amount of money. For some character insight, he was raised in the wild by druid parents and detests civilization. His alignment is chaotic neutral. (not that I let the paper alignment dictate everything). He commits various acts of environmental terrorism (For example, his riding dog was liberated from a dog fighting ring during a raid to free the creatures). Now I'm stuck on exactly how to RP this owlbear thing. The gamer in me of course wants to sell the thing and pocket the profit, but I don't see that happening :) as the druid himself would never ever sell an animal into "slavery". In addition I'm unsure exactly how a druid would react to an owlbear. They're unnatural creations aren't they? Do druids hate owlbears then? Should I be contemplating clubbing it over the head? Any advice is appreciated. I really don't know how to look at this one.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 01-09-08, 02:29 PM	It's an unnatural abomination that could easily kill people. Sell it and let the "civilized" people who would make such an abomination learn the consequences. :D Unfortunately, that's more a NE druid than a CN one. Even if you did believe the owlbear would wreak its vengeance before being tamed, I doubt you want it to kill people. Besides, you can differentiate between the actual creator and the rest of civilization. More likely, you'd either just leave it to fend for itself - the law of the wild, or else you'd personally save and raise the chick. After all, it was found in the wild. It's at least second generation, maybe later. Owlbears are finding their own place in nature.
Terjon of the Blue Rose 01-09-08, 11:22 PM	"Donate" it to a druid circle where it can be trained as a guard beast. Of course such a donation is as a thanks for being gifted with some appropriately priced trinket.:D
I_roll_ones 01-09-08, 11:44 PM	According to the MM, it seems to be a Magical Beast. I guess it could have found a nice niche in the enviroment to avoid the Abberation sub-type. My bet is that it's niche is eating humaniods who stray into the forest without the ability to handle animals(Non-druids and rangers) and eats them. Humans are after all, slow, weak, and possibly juicy sources of meat unless someone knows how to use an axe offensively and not hurt themselves in the process. Which would make them handy-dandy woodcutter removal for all your evil druid needs. But that is speculation. However, if your character cannot raise it, a Druid circle might appreciate the extra help, perhaps in exchange for services, goods, or allowing your druid to rest there safely. If you don't feel like being greedy, maybe your halfling intends to return one day and teach it combat to eat the nasty citylovers. Or he tries to find a group of similarly inclined druids who wish to make a stable of beasts to be Nature's Wrath. Or, you know, just as a guardian. It does say that they can't be domesticated, tho.
HatTrick 01-10-08, 08:56 AM	Thanks for the replies. From your suggestions I've decided that I have a few courses of action. 1: I can kill it and my problem goes away. While possibly an evil act, my char is neutral so I don't really care :). Its also more merciful than turning it in to the humans for a life of servitude. 2: I can just let it go and live out its life normally (assuming its old enough). 3: I can give it to the druids and let them make use of it. A solution I'm liking more and more seeing as it gets to live its life with a minimum of interference and it might be doing some good in the meantime. I know it can't be domesticated, but it can be "trained". Wander around this area and attack all who enter, lol. I might do #3 when I get my chance. Anyone else got any suggestions? Thanks for everything so far.
I_roll_ones 01-10-08, 01:56 PM	3 is what I would say is best, through it also depends on Druid philosophy(The weak must perish! Vs. Must...Save...NATURE!). The reason is that the druid is no longer responsible, and he can get on with his own goals without doing something morally questionable.
CrimsonDeath 01-10-08, 03:57 PM	2: I can just let it go and live out its life normally (assuming its old enough). For an Owlbear, "living its life normally" basically translates to "killing anything that moves".
HatTrick 01-11-08, 08:13 AM	For an Owlbear, "living its life normally" basically translates to "killing anything that moves". That's why I was contemplating killing it, unbalancing force and all that. Well thanks for all the help, I ended up giving it to my order of druids which seems to be the best of all worlds cause it fits with my ideals, it does some good, and it gets me some items in exchange :)