Awakened Dog Monk: Can I? How? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Awakened Dog Monk: Can I? How? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kalai_Eljahn
12-19-05, 03:54 PM I would like to, someday, play an Awakened Dog, and monk seemed the most feasible class (no equipment, etc.). Now, I am rather uncertain as to things such as the level adjustment of a dog (apparently +2 STR, +6 DEX, +4 CON, +2 WIS, -2 CHA), and also the roleplaying of such may prove a challenge (though I dearly wish to do so). What is the chance my DM will allow me to play a canine monk, based on that I'm the only one in my group likely to come up with such a thing, and how might I convince him to allow me to do so? Should I, in fact, try this, knowing that some things will be unavailable to me without hands? Is the modifier to a dog's Jump due only to her speed, or is that a separate modifier?

Thank you, and I hope that this is in fact feasible.
Phrennzy
12-19-05, 04:11 PM A dog monk.

:thumbsdow

What are you gonna do, Stunning Bite? Flurry of Barks?

It's just too ridiculous with that class - I mean, a quadruped monk just doesn't work for me, personally. It goes past stretching or straining believability, it destroys it.

Now, if you wanted a monkey monk, that would be different.

Or, if the dog was a spellcaster of sorts (with Verbal only spells, or a feat or two that lets him cast all spells as Verabl). Or if the dog was a fighter.

A fighter I could see. Everything put into your bite. But even that gets crazy as you go up levels. How are you gonna ever ever ever bite past DR? Is your mouth good aligned? Maybe if you were celestial...
Millennium
12-19-05, 04:27 PM It's up to your DM, but I'm not sure I'd allow it. Not without an explanation of how a dog came to be trained in the martial arts, at any rate.
Thorak
12-19-05, 07:07 PM As others have noted, dogs and unarmed strikes, at least visually, don't work.

That said, they're being too hard. There's no reason you can't wear barding with armor spikes, and flavour attacks with them to be shoulder rams, head butts, etc. And you'd still get your bite, too. Take levels in either Barbarian or Fighter, and go nuts.
Aliquid
12-19-05, 07:25 PM How are you gonna ever ever ever bite past DR? Is your mouth good aligned? Maybe if you were celestial...The Spell Magic Fang and Greater Magic Fang would help. Get some magic barding, and you are set.

I agree that the concept of Monk just doesn't work for something that can't punch and kick.

Barbarian on the other hand.... going into a rage and tearing the opponent apart with your teeth. That I can picture. Go for a few trip, grapple, bullrush feats etc. If you grapple and pin your opponent, and then start chewing.... that would be nasty.
Fargren
12-19-05, 07:38 PM Dog Wilder! Psionics don't have anoying somatic or material components,so you are ready to go!
mvincent
12-19-05, 08:03 PM Hong Kong Phooey
... #1 super guy!

Actually, I once made "Biff the Wonder dog" for Champions, giving him all sorts of inappropriate skills like driving, detective work, lockpicking, diplomacy etc.

I handed it to my friend (as a joke), and he said, "Looks good... except the martial arts part... that doesn't make sense."
RogerWilco
12-19-05, 08:41 PM I like the Wilder dog idea. A Sorcerer or bard with Escew Components might also work. A Druid could be interesting, especially, when using the Master of Many forms PrC...
Fargren
12-19-05, 08:54 PM I like the Wilder dog idea. A Sorcerer or bard with Escew Components might also work. A Druid could be interesting, especially, when using the Master of Many forms PrC...
Perform(Bark) crossed my mind as soon asi you said bard.
^Graff_EpsilonIX
12-19-05, 10:38 PM Well, it sounds good. Follow the awaken rules and you should be fine. You could get some sort of sonic bark attack out of it too, that'd be cool.
IceFractal
12-20-05, 05:25 AM You could be a Druid, with Natural Spell to deal with casting. As a plus, you'd be able to use all those animal-buffing spells on yourself all the time, not just in wildshape.
CaoSlayer
12-20-05, 08:52 AM ummm, I remember seeing more that one ninja dog on anime.
babysamurai
12-20-05, 09:08 AM I had an Awakened ill-tempered Hedgehog Monk...now that was one bad-ass hombre.

Unfortunately my DM wouldn't let me have a frikkin laser-beam attached to it's head!
James18
12-20-05, 09:35 AM I think when North America was being colonized/conquered they equiped dogs with sort shoulder lances. They run impail then bite. Natives were scared to death of thouse dogs.

I would just ask the DM. I want to play an awakened animal. If he is open to the idea then great. You migh need to have a bit of give and take on what animal your DM will allow.

Hey no harm in asking. Right? Go for it. :)
CaoSlayer
12-20-05, 01:30 PM by the way using the VoP feat it is so obvious that isnt needed to say it.
Spike_Fightwicky
12-20-05, 01:55 PM Where does the "Awakened" template (?) come from? Savage Species?
Cathon
12-20-05, 02:08 PM I've no idea if your DM would allow it. With those stat adjustments I'd probably make it a +1 LA (+2 from stats, -1 for being non tool using). I think if you are using a size M dog, you'd also have animal HD to account for. I'd imagine the martial arts style would involve using the power of the hind legs, with leaping shoulder charges and backwards hind leg kicks, perhaps some back flips with kicks in the middle of them.

Of course, the only way I could conceive of that character becoming a monk would be to have him be awakened by a highly eccentric druid/monk who was developping his own school of quadreped martial arts.
High Octane
12-20-05, 02:23 PM Hong Kong Phooey
... #1 super guy!

:heehee
ChimericalWolf
12-20-05, 02:38 PM Pfft, nuts to dog Wilder. Dog PsyWar!

Bite of the Wolf! FORM OF DOOM!
Kalai_Eljahn
12-20-05, 03:26 PM I should have a waterskin as well...
Er, I considered various spellcasting, but I kind of wanted to start first level...I decided the Unarmed Strike would best be served as a headbutt, with shoulders and such used for Flurry of Blows. It does say that a monk can make unarmed strikes using other than hands and feet.
Stunning Headbutt, friend. 'Tis all good.
The dog I wanted to be is a Small wild dog with silver fur who does not consider herself silly (LN Monk) and hopefully using 32-point buy, giving her 17 STR, 20 DEX, 18 CON, 12 INT, 17 WIS, 6 CHA.
Awaken is a high-level Druid spell in the PHB.
Actually, my first thought was an Awakened Bat Psion, since I'm on a quest to find some intelligent talking bats in RL, but animal stat adjustments are kind of strange for psions.
She has +15 to Jump, I think, because of her speed, bonuses, and skill points...
I don't have the book of exalted deeds, plus she's neutral, plus it's a not-good campaign that I'd have the slightest
For whatever reason I put a rank in Profession(guide)...
The backstory is something I would enjoy immensely, as it would have to explain how an Awakened guide dog trained as a monk came to be in the Underdark working with Drow. Hmm. Does my task now seem harder?
ressurrector
12-20-05, 03:48 PM might I suggest druid instead? there are various feats allowing the casting of spells in wild shape, you might convince the DM to allow you to use these feats to cast spells while a dog.
Kalai_Eljahn
12-20-05, 03:52 PM might I suggest druid instead? there are various feats allowing the casting of spells in wild shape, you might convince the DM to allow you to use these feats to cast spells while a dog.

Drow campaign...afraid of druids...
DaveReaves
12-20-05, 03:59 PM since I'm on a quest to find some intelligent talking bats in RLAll right, I gotta here more about this. You can't just bust out with talk about a search for talking bats and not explain yourself.

Drow campaign...afraid of druids...
I'm a little confused by this. Is your group drow and, if so, why is your group afraid of druids, or are there drow druids that your group is afraid of. Either way, you could be of a diffrent druid order than the ones your group is afraid of. There are many order of druids out there.
Thurbane
12-20-05, 04:57 PM You are all heretics! Of course he should be allowed to take a dog monk. There is even a historical precedent!

http://www.animationartgallery.com/images/HBC/HBC108.jpg

Oops, someone beat me to it! :D

I do find it odd that on a board where people talk seriously about playing ettin barbarians, thri-keen psionicist/paladins and celestial ranger/cleric/wizard/archmages that a dog monk would be poo-hooed...
allenchan
12-20-05, 05:41 PM Depending on your group, you could use a Blink Dog (my group allows creatures with cohort tags to be played as PCs).
Aliquid
12-20-05, 05:47 PM I do find it odd that on a board where people talk seriously about playing ettin barbarians, thri-keen psionicist/paladins and celestial ranger/cleric/wizard/archmages that a dog monk would be poo-hooed...Well the thing is, he is playing an Awakened dog, not an Anthropomorphised dog.

So, technically, the creature is exatly like a real dog in the physical sense. It is only the mental that changes. A real dog can't walk around on two legs and doesn't have opposable thumbs like Hong Kong Phooey.

If he was playing an Anthropomorphised dog, then yes, it certainly would work.
allenchan
12-20-05, 06:12 PM Anthropomorphic dogs btw are in Savage Species. Two racial HD and +2 LA. Stat mods are pretty good for a Monk.
Fargren
12-20-05, 07:19 PM Anthropomorphic dogs btw are in Savage Species. Two racial HD and +2 LA. Stat mods are pretty good for a Monk.
You mean I can actually do a cahracter sheet for Hong Kong phooey?
Thurbane
12-20-05, 07:40 PM You mean I can actually do a cahracter sheet for Hong Kong phooey?
Please do, and share: I'd love to see it. :D

Aliquid, thanks for the clarifaction between Awakened and Anthropomorphized. ;)

Is there an "Anthropomorphize" spell along the lines of Awaken?
Aliquid
12-20-05, 08:49 PM Is there an "Anthropomorphize" spell along the lines of Awaken?Not a spell, but there is an Anthropomorphic template. So I guess it would be for Anthropomorphic species.
Korone
12-20-05, 10:23 PM As for attacks/weapons.
Simply create your own stuff.
There's some kind of huge 'denture' for dragons, why couldn't a dog have his own ?
He could have an helmet with a sharp horn placed in its forehead and run into its enemy.
The thing with the lance on its shoulder is great too.
Give him some kind of semi-plated heavily spiked armor that cover most of its body.

Give him some fighter levels to be fully proficient with all these things and some barbarian levels and let him rampage the enemy while it rage.

Crap.... I want to play an awakened dog.
syntaxerror37
12-21-05, 01:54 AM The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon). Understand it sure, but unless you've got a druid in the party or a couple "Ring of Speak With Animals", how are you going to contribute to the party (and story) outside of combat?

Although, a party of awakened animals could make for an interesting campaign. I'll have to remeber that one.

Oh, to whoever does up Hong Kong Phooey 's Char sheet, don't forget to put points in Profession (Janitor).
DaveReaves
12-21-05, 08:47 AM The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon). Understand it sure, but unless you've got a druid in the party or a couple "Ring of Speak With Animals", how are you going to contribute to the party (and story) outside of combat?

Although, a party of awakened animals could make for an interesting campaign. I'll have to remeber that one.

Oh, to whoever does up Hong Kong Phooey 's Char sheet, don't forget to put points in Profession (Janitor).
According to the spell "An awakened tree or animal can speak one language that you know, plus one additional language that you know per point of Intelligence bonus (if any)." Communication would not be a problem.

I am, however, in complete agrement that Hong Kong Phooey (whose real name, in case most people have lost it in over the years, was Penrod Pooch) needs ranks in Profession (Janator).
Kalai_Eljahn
12-21-05, 03:21 PM Explaination of the talking bats: Probably a dream, but I recall having engrossing conversations about the nature of the universe with a group of talking bats who lived in a cardboard box on the bathroom counter when I was 3 or so. I was quite upset when the box vanished.

Explanation of my drow comment: My party's drow, and I'm afraid of playing a druid. Why? ...

Um, and also, since everyone keeps saying 'he', I'm female.
ChimericalWolf
12-21-05, 05:57 PM Explanation of my drow comment: My party's drow, and I'm afraid of playing a druid. Why? ...
Yes, why. Why are you afraid of playing a Druid?
Neonivek
12-21-05, 09:49 PM After playing Shinobi (Unrelated game) I ended up thinking a Awakened Dog Rogue could work... Put some sort of Double sided blade in his mouth (Counts as one sided exotic weapon)
Man in the Funny Hat
12-22-05, 01:45 AM The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon).Worst case scenario: Speak Language. 1 Skill point. This is an AWAKENED dog we're talking about after all.

For the OP: the real problem is that Awakening a dog winds up giving you about a +2 LA because it adds some good hit dice. At best you might convince a DM that not having hands is worth a lesser LA but it still means you can't have it as a "1st level" character even with a +1 LA.

I looked at this very idea for a while some time back and have it on the back burner as an interesting NPC or unusual diversion for a PC. {My own inspiration was Gaspode from Pratchett's Discworld books.} The most serious drawback to it is that your character doesn't have hands so you are quite limited in what you can manipulate and how. It's that very reason that makes Monk a more sensible class choice over Fighter IMO because your primary means of attack can then remain your unarmed attack coupled with a bite, whereas a fighter rather needs to be able to hold a weapon. A monks "weapon" will continue to improve as he gains levels whereas the fighter would continue to replace a lesser weapon with better magical weapons as they come along.

It's definitely a roleplaying choice, not a min/max fest.

Oh yeah, Rogue works too if you don't try to think in terms of picking locks but more along the lines of a scout. Oh, and one other thing is that with Scent you will just BURY any ranger who thinks he can out-track you, so if there's a Ranger in the party already you're really going to steal some of his thunder and you want to avoid that.
Morbid
12-22-05, 02:10 AM I know how he could have learned the matial arts... He could have been in a cage watching his master do it (like Master Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles). Woo!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kalai_Eljahn 12-19-05, 03:54 PM	I would like to, someday, play an Awakened Dog, and monk seemed the most feasible class (no equipment, etc.). Now, I am rather uncertain as to things such as the level adjustment of a dog (apparently +2 STR, +6 DEX, +4 CON, +2 WIS, -2 CHA), and also the roleplaying of such may prove a challenge (though I dearly wish to do so). What is the chance my DM will allow me to play a canine monk, based on that I'm the only one in my group likely to come up with such a thing, and how might I convince him to allow me to do so? Should I, in fact, try this, knowing that some things will be unavailable to me without hands? Is the modifier to a dog's Jump due only to her speed, or is that a separate modifier? Thank you, and I hope that this is in fact feasible.
Phrennzy 12-19-05, 04:11 PM	A dog monk. :thumbsdow What are you gonna do, Stunning Bite? Flurry of Barks? It's just too ridiculous with that class - I mean, a quadruped monk just doesn't work for me, personally. It goes past stretching or straining believability, it destroys it. Now, if you wanted a monkey monk, that would be different. Or, if the dog was a spellcaster of sorts (with Verbal only spells, or a feat or two that lets him cast all spells as Verabl). Or if the dog was a fighter. A fighter I could see. Everything put into your bite. But even that gets crazy as you go up levels. How are you gonna ever ever ever bite past DR? Is your mouth good aligned? Maybe if you were celestial...
Millennium 12-19-05, 04:27 PM	It's up to your DM, but I'm not sure I'd allow it. Not without an explanation of how a dog came to be trained in the martial arts, at any rate.
Thorak 12-19-05, 07:07 PM	As others have noted, dogs and unarmed strikes, at least visually, don't work. That said, they're being too hard. There's no reason you can't wear barding with armor spikes, and flavour attacks with them to be shoulder rams, head butts, etc. And you'd still get your bite, too. Take levels in either Barbarian or Fighter, and go nuts.
Aliquid 12-19-05, 07:25 PM	How are you gonna ever ever ever bite past DR? Is your mouth good aligned? Maybe if you were celestial...The Spell Magic Fang and Greater Magic Fang would help. Get some magic barding, and you are set. I agree that the concept of Monk just doesn't work for something that can't punch and kick. Barbarian on the other hand.... going into a rage and tearing the opponent apart with your teeth. That I can picture. Go for a few trip, grapple, bullrush feats etc. If you grapple and pin your opponent, and then start chewing.... that would be nasty.
Fargren 12-19-05, 07:38 PM	Dog Wilder! Psionics don't have anoying somatic or material components,so you are ready to go!
mvincent 12-19-05, 08:03 PM	Hong Kong Phooey ... #1 super guy! Actually, I once made "Biff the Wonder dog" for Champions, giving him all sorts of inappropriate skills like driving, detective work, lockpicking, diplomacy etc. I handed it to my friend (as a joke), and he said, "Looks good... except the martial arts part... that doesn't make sense."
RogerWilco 12-19-05, 08:41 PM	I like the Wilder dog idea. A Sorcerer or bard with Escew Components might also work. A Druid could be interesting, especially, when using the Master of Many forms PrC...
Fargren 12-19-05, 08:54 PM	I like the Wilder dog idea. A Sorcerer or bard with Escew Components might also work. A Druid could be interesting, especially, when using the Master of Many forms PrC... Perform(Bark) crossed my mind as soon asi you said bard.
^Graff_EpsilonIX 12-19-05, 10:38 PM	Well, it sounds good. Follow the awaken rules and you should be fine. You could get some sort of sonic bark attack out of it too, that'd be cool.
IceFractal 12-20-05, 05:25 AM	You could be a Druid, with Natural Spell to deal with casting. As a plus, you'd be able to use all those animal-buffing spells on yourself all the time, not just in wildshape.
CaoSlayer 12-20-05, 08:52 AM	ummm, I remember seeing more that one ninja dog on anime.
babysamurai 12-20-05, 09:08 AM	I had an Awakened ill-tempered Hedgehog Monk...now that was one bad-ass hombre. Unfortunately my DM wouldn't let me have a frikkin laser-beam attached to it's head!
James18 12-20-05, 09:35 AM	I think when North America was being colonized/conquered they equiped dogs with sort shoulder lances. They run impail then bite. Natives were scared to death of thouse dogs. I would just ask the DM. I want to play an awakened animal. If he is open to the idea then great. You migh need to have a bit of give and take on what animal your DM will allow. Hey no harm in asking. Right? Go for it. :)
CaoSlayer 12-20-05, 01:30 PM	by the way using the VoP feat it is so obvious that isnt needed to say it.
Spike_Fightwicky 12-20-05, 01:55 PM	Where does the "Awakened" template (?) come from? Savage Species?
Cathon 12-20-05, 02:08 PM	I've no idea if your DM would allow it. With those stat adjustments I'd probably make it a +1 LA (+2 from stats, -1 for being non tool using). I think if you are using a size M dog, you'd also have animal HD to account for. I'd imagine the martial arts style would involve using the power of the hind legs, with leaping shoulder charges and backwards hind leg kicks, perhaps some back flips with kicks in the middle of them. Of course, the only way I could conceive of that character becoming a monk would be to have him be awakened by a highly eccentric druid/monk who was developping his own school of quadreped martial arts.
High Octane 12-20-05, 02:23 PM	Hong Kong Phooey ... #1 super guy! :heehee
ChimericalWolf 12-20-05, 02:38 PM	Pfft, nuts to dog Wilder. Dog PsyWar! Bite of the Wolf! FORM OF DOOM!
Kalai_Eljahn 12-20-05, 03:26 PM	I should have a waterskin as well... Er, I considered various spellcasting, but I kind of wanted to start first level...I decided the Unarmed Strike would best be served as a headbutt, with shoulders and such used for Flurry of Blows. It does say that a monk can make unarmed strikes using other than hands and feet. Stunning Headbutt, friend. 'Tis all good. The dog I wanted to be is a Small wild dog with silver fur who does not consider herself silly (LN Monk) and hopefully using 32-point buy, giving her 17 STR, 20 DEX, 18 CON, 12 INT, 17 WIS, 6 CHA. Awaken is a high-level Druid spell in the PHB. Actually, my first thought was an Awakened Bat Psion, since I'm on a quest to find some intelligent talking bats in RL, but animal stat adjustments are kind of strange for psions. She has +15 to Jump, I think, because of her speed, bonuses, and skill points... I don't have the book of exalted deeds, plus she's neutral, plus it's a not-good campaign that I'd have the slightest For whatever reason I put a rank in Profession(guide)... The backstory is something I would enjoy immensely, as it would have to explain how an Awakened guide dog trained as a monk came to be in the Underdark working with Drow. Hmm. Does my task now seem harder?
ressurrector 12-20-05, 03:48 PM	might I suggest druid instead? there are various feats allowing the casting of spells in wild shape, you might convince the DM to allow you to use these feats to cast spells while a dog.
Kalai_Eljahn 12-20-05, 03:52 PM	might I suggest druid instead? there are various feats allowing the casting of spells in wild shape, you might convince the DM to allow you to use these feats to cast spells while a dog. Drow campaign...afraid of druids...
DaveReaves 12-20-05, 03:59 PM	since I'm on a quest to find some intelligent talking bats in RLAll right, I gotta here more about this. You can't just bust out with talk about a search for talking bats and not explain yourself. Drow campaign...afraid of druids... I'm a little confused by this. Is your group drow and, if so, why is your group afraid of druids, or are there drow druids that your group is afraid of. Either way, you could be of a diffrent druid order than the ones your group is afraid of. There are many order of druids out there.
Thurbane 12-20-05, 04:57 PM	You are all heretics! Of course he should be allowed to take a dog monk. There is even a historical precedent! http://www.animationartgallery.com/images/HBC/HBC108.jpg Oops, someone beat me to it! :D I do find it odd that on a board where people talk seriously about playing ettin barbarians, thri-keen psionicist/paladins and celestial ranger/cleric/wizard/archmages that a dog monk would be poo-hooed...
allenchan 12-20-05, 05:41 PM	Depending on your group, you could use a Blink Dog (my group allows creatures with cohort tags to be played as PCs).
Aliquid 12-20-05, 05:47 PM	I do find it odd that on a board where people talk seriously about playing ettin barbarians, thri-keen psionicist/paladins and celestial ranger/cleric/wizard/archmages that a dog monk would be poo-hooed...Well the thing is, he is playing an Awakened dog, not an Anthropomorphised dog. So, technically, the creature is exatly like a real dog in the physical sense. It is only the mental that changes. A real dog can't walk around on two legs and doesn't have opposable thumbs like Hong Kong Phooey. If he was playing an Anthropomorphised dog, then yes, it certainly would work.
allenchan 12-20-05, 06:12 PM	Anthropomorphic dogs btw are in Savage Species. Two racial HD and +2 LA. Stat mods are pretty good for a Monk.
Fargren 12-20-05, 07:19 PM	Anthropomorphic dogs btw are in Savage Species. Two racial HD and +2 LA. Stat mods are pretty good for a Monk. You mean I can actually do a cahracter sheet for Hong Kong phooey?
Thurbane 12-20-05, 07:40 PM	You mean I can actually do a cahracter sheet for Hong Kong phooey? Please do, and share: I'd love to see it. :D Aliquid, thanks for the clarifaction between Awakened and Anthropomorphized. ;) Is there an "Anthropomorphize" spell along the lines of Awaken?
Aliquid 12-20-05, 08:49 PM	Is there an "Anthropomorphize" spell along the lines of Awaken?Not a spell, but there is an Anthropomorphic template. So I guess it would be for Anthropomorphic species.
Korone 12-20-05, 10:23 PM	As for attacks/weapons. Simply create your own stuff. There's some kind of huge 'denture' for dragons, why couldn't a dog have his own ? He could have an helmet with a sharp horn placed in its forehead and run into its enemy. The thing with the lance on its shoulder is great too. Give him some kind of semi-plated heavily spiked armor that cover most of its body. Give him some fighter levels to be fully proficient with all these things and some barbarian levels and let him rampage the enemy while it rage. Crap.... I want to play an awakened dog.
syntaxerror37 12-21-05, 01:54 AM	The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon). Understand it sure, but unless you've got a druid in the party or a couple "Ring of Speak With Animals", how are you going to contribute to the party (and story) outside of combat? Although, a party of awakened animals could make for an interesting campaign. I'll have to remeber that one. Oh, to whoever does up Hong Kong Phooey 's Char sheet, don't forget to put points in Profession (Janitor).
DaveReaves 12-21-05, 08:47 AM	The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon). Understand it sure, but unless you've got a druid in the party or a couple "Ring of Speak With Animals", how are you going to contribute to the party (and story) outside of combat? Although, a party of awakened animals could make for an interesting campaign. I'll have to remeber that one. Oh, to whoever does up Hong Kong Phooey 's Char sheet, don't forget to put points in Profession (Janitor). According to the spell "An awakened tree or animal can speak one language that you know, plus one additional language that you know per point of Intelligence bonus (if any)." Communication would not be a problem. I am, however, in complete agrement that Hong Kong Phooey (whose real name, in case most people have lost it in over the years, was Penrod Pooch) needs ranks in Profession (Janator).
Kalai_Eljahn 12-21-05, 03:21 PM	Explaination of the talking bats: Probably a dream, but I recall having engrossing conversations about the nature of the universe with a group of talking bats who lived in a cardboard box on the bathroom counter when I was 3 or so. I was quite upset when the box vanished. Explanation of my drow comment: My party's drow, and I'm afraid of playing a druid. Why? ... Um, and also, since everyone keeps saying 'he', I'm female.
ChimericalWolf 12-21-05, 05:57 PM	Explanation of my drow comment: My party's drow, and I'm afraid of playing a druid. Why? ... Yes, why. Why are you afraid of playing a Druid?
Neonivek 12-21-05, 09:49 PM	After playing Shinobi (Unrelated game) I ended up thinking a Awakened Dog Rogue could work... Put some sort of Double sided blade in his mouth (Counts as one sided exotic weapon)
Man in the Funny Hat 12-22-05, 01:45 AM	The problem I would have with your monk-hound would be communicating with the party. Even with 18 int, there is no way you're going to be able to speak common (or undercommon).Worst case scenario: Speak Language. 1 Skill point. This is an AWAKENED dog we're talking about after all. For the OP: the real problem is that Awakening a dog winds up giving you about a +2 LA because it adds some good hit dice. At best you might convince a DM that not having hands is worth a lesser LA but it still means you can't have it as a "1st level" character even with a +1 LA. I looked at this very idea for a while some time back and have it on the back burner as an interesting NPC or unusual diversion for a PC. {My own inspiration was Gaspode from Pratchett's Discworld books.} The most serious drawback to it is that your character doesn't have hands so you are quite limited in what you can manipulate and how. It's that very reason that makes Monk a more sensible class choice over Fighter IMO because your primary means of attack can then remain your unarmed attack coupled with a bite, whereas a fighter rather needs to be able to hold a weapon. A monks "weapon" will continue to improve as he gains levels whereas the fighter would continue to replace a lesser weapon with better magical weapons as they come along. It's definitely a roleplaying choice, not a min/max fest. Oh yeah, Rogue works too if you don't try to think in terms of picking locks but more along the lines of a scout. Oh, and one other thing is that with Scent you will just BURY any ranger who thinks he can out-track you, so if there's a Ranger in the party already you're really going to steal some of his thunder and you want to avoid that.
Morbid 12-22-05, 02:10 AM	I know how he could have learned the matial arts... He could have been in a cage watching his master do it (like Master Splinter from Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles). Woo!