How can I get a raven companion? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How can I get a raven companion? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Carnor_Jax
03-24-06, 05:25 PM Without taking a level in anything, How can i get a animal companion (I want a raven)
Lincoln Hills
03-24-06, 05:44 PM Buy a potion or two of speak with animals. It shouldn't be difficult to find the bird: ravens like carrion, and most adventurers manufacture corpses with astonishing frequency. A good Diplomacy check combined with speak with animals should make the bird understand that you want his co-operation. For a long-term alliance I suggest the purchase of a torc or other item giving you the ability to speak with birds, and regular castings of false life (just in case the raven is caught in the crossfire during battle) and fox's cunning (to keep its intelligence bumped up enough for communication) for your raven friend. In the long run, of course, you might be able to get an awaken spell cast on the raven if you've done a good turn for a druid.

It's a lot of trouble to go through. But I have to admit one would be handy for a PC of any class - scouting, message-carrying, spying and eavesdropping on enemies, etc.
Sikyanakotik
03-24-06, 06:23 PM Considering you don't already have one, I doubt you have three or more arcane spellcasting levels. However, on the off chance you do (such as through assassin levels) the Obtain Familiar feat from Complete Arcane would do it.

Otherwise, you could always buy a silver raven figurine of wondrous power.
Terraneaux
03-24-06, 07:19 PM Also the handle animal skill. Remember that one.....
Karrg
03-24-06, 07:21 PM There is also the WIld Cohort feat in WoTCs archive section. Overkill if you looking for more of a familiar then an animal companion tho.
Pangeon
03-24-06, 09:00 PM You can actually purchace trained animals, they're really not that expensive. Arms and Equipment has lots of rules for mounts and the like, but it gives base costs for training, etc. It also has some useful equipment related to such things. Also, check out Complete Adventurer for expanded use of the Handle Animal skill, which includes training animals for certain tasks (including thivery :D ) If you've got the gold, consider the awaken spell.

Now, you might ask, why do I know all this? Am I a hyper-D&D nerd who has all the rules memorized? Well, sort of, but really, I'm just super psyced about getting a trained monkey for my halfling. w00t!
Solikawa
03-25-06, 09:55 AM Now, you might ask, why do I know all this? Am I a hyper-D&D nerd who has all the rules memorized? Well, sort of, but really, I'm just super psyced about getting a trained monkey for my halfling. w00t!

Not really, I dont even have all of the rules memorized and thats the first thing that popped into my head ;)

When you visit a town, ask your DM if ther is anyone who sells trained animals, as stated above ;)
Jayr
03-25-06, 12:52 PM Pester your DM. Eventually he'll give in.
Carnor_Jax
03-25-06, 05:40 PM Thanks, I went with an awakened raven though my DM made illusions that it might leave me because as an animal it is true neutral and my character is neutral evil. But for now its cool.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Carnor_Jax 03-24-06, 05:25 PM	Without taking a level in anything, How can i get a animal companion (I want a raven)
Lincoln Hills 03-24-06, 05:44 PM	Buy a potion or two of speak with animals. It shouldn't be difficult to find the bird: ravens like carrion, and most adventurers manufacture corpses with astonishing frequency. A good Diplomacy check combined with speak with animals should make the bird understand that you want his co-operation. For a long-term alliance I suggest the purchase of a torc or other item giving you the ability to speak with birds, and regular castings of false life (just in case the raven is caught in the crossfire during battle) and fox's cunning (to keep its intelligence bumped up enough for communication) for your raven friend. In the long run, of course, you might be able to get an awaken spell cast on the raven if you've done a good turn for a druid. It's a lot of trouble to go through. But I have to admit one would be handy for a PC of any class - scouting, message-carrying, spying and eavesdropping on enemies, etc.
Sikyanakotik 03-24-06, 06:23 PM	Considering you don't already have one, I doubt you have three or more arcane spellcasting levels. However, on the off chance you do (such as through assassin levels) the Obtain Familiar feat from Complete Arcane would do it. Otherwise, you could always buy a silver raven figurine of wondrous power.
Terraneaux 03-24-06, 07:19 PM	Also the handle animal skill. Remember that one.....
Karrg 03-24-06, 07:21 PM	There is also the WIld Cohort feat in WoTCs archive section. Overkill if you looking for more of a familiar then an animal companion tho.
Pangeon 03-24-06, 09:00 PM	You can actually purchace trained animals, they're really not that expensive. Arms and Equipment has lots of rules for mounts and the like, but it gives base costs for training, etc. It also has some useful equipment related to such things. Also, check out Complete Adventurer for expanded use of the Handle Animal skill, which includes training animals for certain tasks (including thivery :D ) If you've got the gold, consider the awaken spell. Now, you might ask, why do I know all this? Am I a hyper-D&D nerd who has all the rules memorized? Well, sort of, but really, I'm just super psyced about getting a trained monkey for my halfling. w00t!
Solikawa 03-25-06, 09:55 AM	Now, you might ask, why do I know all this? Am I a hyper-D&D nerd who has all the rules memorized? Well, sort of, but really, I'm just super psyced about getting a trained monkey for my halfling. w00t! Not really, I dont even have all of the rules memorized and thats the first thing that popped into my head ;) When you visit a town, ask your DM if ther is anyone who sells trained animals, as stated above ;)
Jayr 03-25-06, 12:52 PM	Pester your DM. Eventually he'll give in.
Carnor_Jax 03-25-06, 05:40 PM	Thanks, I went with an awakened raven though my DM made illusions that it might leave me because as an animal it is true neutral and my character is neutral evil. But for now its cool.