Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DamienDisL 04-20-07, 04:22 AM	Hi there. I hope I'm not retreading old ground here, but I could not find the answer to my question. Awaken Animals. If you awaken an animal, can it take a class level such as fighter, bard, or even (heh) druid? The arguements I have heard that support awakened animals gaining levels are that they are sentient and (when applicable) meet the requirements of the class. The arguements I have heard against it are that they are not humanoid. If not being humanoid is the only reason they cannot take classes, does that mean, for example, that an orangutang or gorilla, being more similar in shape, could take such classes? If anyone can answer in an official capacity, it would be great. I've got a Dire Condor with an intelligence of 27, and I would friggin love to make him a wizard. :plotting:
runestar 04-20-07, 04:55 AM	So long as a creature has an int score of at least 3, it is eligible for class lvs. Whether it actually takes them or not may be another matter, but in the very least, it is every bit capable of taking them. Your condor is more than overqualified...though somatic components may be a problem...:P
tarkin 04-20-07, 11:16 AM	He can definitely take classes. Spellcasting is a problem, but not because of verbal/material components. He gets a lot of racial bonuses/abilties/stats, and has to pay for them with a heavy ECL. Flying alone is worth a level. I would expect a Dire Condor to be at least Large sized, and again, that is worth a level. The high ECl you take for playing such a creature means that your wizard level is so low it is not worth it. I would guess your ECL would be at LEAST +4. So where everyone else is a 11th level caster, you are only a 6th level caster. It is not fun casting 3rd level spells when your friends and enemeies are casting 5th level spells. Usually the best choice for a high ECL creature is a Rogue, Monk or Fighter type (Paladin/Barbarian/Ranger/Fighter). Rogue/Monk works well if they have several natural weapons.
Steidas 04-20-07, 11:36 AM	Hey, can you maximize the Awaken spell to create geniuses?
tarkin 04-20-07, 11:44 AM	Not unless you houserule. The stats are considered secodary effects, not direct variable. They are like the hitpoints, attack rolls and damage rolls of creatures that you summon - variable effects not directly controlled by the spell.
runestar 04-21-07, 02:17 AM	I disagree with Tarkin on this one. I personally feel that in theory at least, you could maximize an awaken to give the animal +18 int right off the bat. However, there is something fundamentally wrong about an epic druid running around casting intensified awakens on random animals he encounters. So I would never allow it. I am also not seeing the parallel between awaken animal and summon monster, but maybe it is just me...:embarrass Anyways, his dire condor could easily have been an NPC, in which case the non-associated class rule just might make him into a viable spellcaster for his cr, even as it might screw him over ECL wise.:)
mithos_taralom 04-21-07, 10:08 AM	Can anyone please tell me what book this spell is in? It sounds interesting.
runestar 04-21-07, 10:18 AM	It is in the PHB...:P