Post/Author/DateTime	Post
awroe 01-14-06, 07:04 PM	I've just started playing LG and have created my first Druid, an Asherati from the Bright Sands region. I was wondering if someone could clear up which animal companions a druid can use in Living Greyhawk. The LGCS4.2 says about starting companions "Only first level druids start with an animal companion. They choose from the list on page 35 of the PHB v3.5". The Onnwal Metaorg Book gives a list of typical animal companions in Onnwal, including a subset of animals from both this list and the alternative animal companions on the next page - but makes it clear that this list is a guideline and not a restriction of the LGCS. I understood this to mean that I can pick any animal from the lists on pages 35 and 36 (assuming I have the right level). However, this (http://www.theocracyofthepale.com/gamerules/circle_rulings.html#camels) seems to say that Bright Sands-based characters cannot choose the Camel. Does anyone know if this means that no characters can take Camels, or just Bright Sands characters? Are there any other restrictions that I should know about wrt which companions I can use? And since I can change companions every adventure, if I take part in a module outside of Bright Sands where camels are valid animal companions, can I spend my 24 hours just after that module to gain such a companion?
redgamer 01-14-06, 08:28 PM	Normally you can pick any animal according to the rules in the PHB. Bright Sands Characters can pick animals according to the Sandstorm book or the PHB. I beleive Onwalds meta-game rules mean you can only take animals on the list in their meta-org book. This list includes almost (all?) non-dinosaurs. Most people believe dinosaurs are not legal without AR documentation specifically allowing it, but I can't find a rule that says that. Still I wouldn't chose a dinosaur, the flavor is just too troublesome. If you want a definative answer search Yahoo groups and sign up for the Onwald yahoo group. Post a message there and you will get a response from the Onwald meta-org and regional flavor triad or someone else who knows for sure.
awroe 01-15-06, 07:43 AM	Normally you can pick any animal according to the rules in the PHB. Bright Sands Characters can pick animals according to the Sandstorm book or the PHB. This was my interpretation, which makes the Camel restriction strange - I'm not clear if this is a Bright Sands only restriction, or if it is a ruling for all regions (since it is on the standard PHB list too, and could therefore have been taken by any Druid). I beleive Onwalds meta-game rules mean you can only take animals on the list in their meta-org book. This list includes almost (all?) non-dinosaurs. Actually, their meta-org book specifically states that their list is only a guideline and not restrictive. So my understanding is that I could take the Camel option from the PHB list when starting in Onnwal. Most people believe dinosaurs are not legal without AR documentation specifically allowing it, but I can't find a rule that says that. Still I wouldn't chose a dinosaur, the flavor is just too troublesome. I'm also sure that dinosaurs were restricted somewhere, so I'm not going to try that :) Although a T-Rex lumbering through the desert stomping on things does have a certain appeal...
Iswald 01-18-06, 11:10 PM	I've just started playing LG and have created my first Druid, an Asherati from the Bright Sands region. ... The Onnwal Metaorg Book gives a list of typical animal companions in Onnwal, including a subset of animals from both this list and the alternative animal companions on the next page - but makes it clear that this list is a guideline and not a restriction of the LGCS. ... Your Asherati is from the Bright Sands, not Onnwal. The Onnwal Metaorg Book only applies to character from Onnwal (or joining their metaorgs). Different regions, different rules.
ithardin 01-19-06, 03:18 AM	A related druid animal companion question... Can anyone tell me where it says that these animals have armor proficiencies? This comes from an in-game discussion about a Druid having barding on his animal companion bear. In my mind (as judge) the bear does not have proficiency with the armor and therefore would suffer the negatives to attack, etc. Then it was pointed out that it doesn't state that warhorses (even though "war" is in their name) have specifically stated armor proficiencies and therefore should suffer the same penalties when wearing barding. Can anyone help out? Back to topic-using a bright sands Asherati druid allows you to "summon desert ally" which gives you "dustform" animals. This gives you some interesting options.
awroe 01-19-06, 04:15 AM	Your Asherati is from the Bright Sands, not Onnwal. The Onnwal Metaorg Book only applies to character from Onnwal (or joining their metaorgs). Different regions, different rules. I agree. However, the two questions I have are not reliant on that. 1) Is this a restriction on Bright Sands Druids only (or is it a generic LGCS change)? 2) If a druid goes to a region that generally grants different access to companions, can he spend 24 hours (say just before he travelled home) and obtain a companion that is found in that region? and as a side 3) Given that Camels are suited to deserts quite well, why has no-one teleported a few there and let them breed?
Iswald 01-19-06, 10:02 AM	I agree. However, the two questions I have are not reliant on that. 1) Is this a restriction on Bright Sands Druids only (or is it a generic LGCS change)? It's a bizarre affect that only applies to Bright Sands Druids, 'cause we all know that there are no camels there because they're all hiding in Perrenland. 2) If a druid goes to a region that generally grants different access to companions, can he spend 24 hours (say just before he travelled home) and obtain a companion that is found in that region? I can see the arguments for and against this. I suspect that you would not be able to select an animal companion that you normally would not be able to. Something like that would require campaign documentation. and as a side 3) Given that Camels are suited to deserts quite well, why has no-one teleported a few there and let them breed? The 'native' centaurs wouldn't be able to survive if camels were thrust into their ecosystem. Too much competition.
Iswald 01-19-06, 10:14 AM	A related druid animal companion question... Can anyone tell me where it says that these animals have armor proficiencies? This comes from an in-game discussion about a Druid having barding on his animal companion bear. In my mind (as judge) the bear does not have proficiency with the armor and therefore would suffer the negatives to attack, etc. It doesn't state it anywhere. Druids can have their companions take armor proficiencies or, more or less, train them for war using tricks. Then it was pointed out that it doesn't state that warhorses (even though "war" is in their name) have specifically stated armor proficiencies and therefore should suffer the same penalties when wearing barding. I forget where the rules talk about this, and I can't find it right now. But, in order to use barding, animals have to be trained for war. Warhorses and warponies are assumed to have such training. Some barding, leather and mithril, do not have penalties and are a good way to avoid arguments on this topic. Can anyone help out? Back to topic-using a bright sands Asherati druid allows you to "summon desert ally" which gives you "dustform" animals. This gives you some interesting options. There's some kind of rumor that Sandstorm druids aren't allowed to spontaneously cast summon desert ally as the book says. They still have access to summon desert ally. To me, this would be nonsensical, but it wouldn't suprise me given some of the statements that have come from circle members.
Arvagor 01-19-06, 10:53 AM	Most people believe dinosaurs are not legal without AR documentation specifically allowing it, but I can't find a rule that says that.LGCS, page 39: "You may not take a dinosaur animal companion without campaign or regional documentation." Always remember, Adobe Reader's search feature is your friend... There's some kind of rumor that Sandstorm druids aren't allowed to spontaneously cast summon desert ally as the book says. They still have access to summon desert ally. To me, this would be nonsensical, but it wouldn't suprise me given some of the statements that have come from circle members.I will check this evening, but I reviewed this recently, and IIRC, there's nothing in the Sandstorm variant of Druid that changes your spontaneous casting to summon desert ally, only that the spell is added to the druid's spell list Edit: Just checked Sandstorm, and the above is correct -- wasteland druids still can only spontaneously cast summon nature's ally, not summon desert ally
Iswald 01-19-06, 10:32 PM	I will check this evening, but I reviewed this recently, and IIRC, there's nothing in the Sandstorm variant of Druid that changes your spontaneous casting to summon desert ally, only that the spell is added to the druid's spell list Edit: Just checked Sandstorm, and the above is correct -- wasteland druids still can only spontaneously cast summon nature's ally, not summon desert ally My oversight then (and WotC's).
ithardin 01-20-06, 07:42 AM	"...Warhorses and warponies are assumed to have such training." That's the consternation, its only assumed. No one has given me a reference in the books. I have even had people who have heard of PCs with snake familiars/companions who have BARDING on them? Another had a buffalo with a chain shirt...
Arvagor 01-20-06, 10:16 AM	I'm kinda with ithardin here... I've just done a search of the LGCS, all past Dispel Confusion articles, and the list of Circle rulings that the Pale's website maintains, and I find nothing that grants automatic armor proficiency to animals (be they companions or purchased). The attack trick under Handle Animal makes no mention of armor, and the entries in the MM for Light and Heavy Warhorses make no mention of armor proficiency (in fact, the only feats they have are Endurance and Run). The LGCS (page 40) only says that they may use barding, not that they are necessarily proficient in it. I've never worried about it too much myself, as none of my PCs take their mounts into battle with them. Perhaps yet another clarification that needs to be sorted out in the new LGCS (and has been stated as much by many).
Mad Monkey 01-20-06, 11:48 AM	It's in the description of the Animal type in the MM. —Proficient with its natural weapons only. A noncombative herbivore uses its natural weapons as a secondary attack. Such attacks are made with a –5 penalty on the creature’s attack rolls, and the animal receives only 1/2 its Strength modifier as a damage adjustment. —Proficient with no armor unless trained for war. Riding Dogs can be trained for war according to their description and then they also gain a trip attack. A horse not trained for war does not normally use its hooves to attack. Its hoof attack is treated as a secondary attack and adds only half the horse’s Strength bonus to damage Warhorses are 'bred for strength and agression' and their stats don't have the penalties mentioned above, so you could assume that they are trained for war. A creature that is not proficient with armor takes the armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all Strength-based and Dexterity-based ability and skill checks when wearing an armor. Leather, masterwork studded leather and mithral chain shirt don't have armor check penalties. Any creatures could wear them without penalties.
Paul H 01-26-06, 07:27 PM	Hi Can't see what the fuss is all about. A Druid/Ranger can train their companion for war, negating the -5 to attack, etc. Druid/Ranger has Share Spell class ability, so barkskin works on both of you. If you have level of Wizard, etc, you can add Mage Armour, Shield, Protection from Evil, etc. (+10 AC for all three) If you have Cleric levels, use Padded Lthr Barding, then cast Magic Vestment, Shield of Faith etc. Paladins have a spell that grants force effect barding. Cheers Paul H