Animal Companion.. odd question..

[Primitive Screwhead]

I love new players. They don't worry about what the rules say

I have a Ranger who recently gained 4th level. We are mid-way through a swamp-land adventure but will be returning to temperate forests for a short time, then launching out to a desert wasteland.. followed by a trip to the deep dark jungle.

We had talked about her gaining an Animal Companion at 4th and she thought a Wolf would fit her raising in the southern ranges of Breland...

So, she asks if she can get Stats for the next session. Since they are out of the Wolfs natural habitat, I respond that she would have to wait until they get to a forest to seek out the companion... but if swampland critters could be had..which would suck once the group goes to the desert.

And she innocently asks why she just can't leave the swampland critter in the swamp and get a desert land critter when she gets there

{trying to not color responses with my thoughts....so...}

what do you think?

 

[fba827]

I think it's important to also consider how often this will happen.

Is the Ranger really making a close bond if he/she is leaving his new 'closest ally' every other day?

I did vote "sure" but at the same time, it would be important to consider how often this could potentially be happening.

 

[DamionW]

As an option, you could give her something like a viper snake, letting her build familiarity with the "genus" so to speak, then she could just switch between water moccasin, to adder, to rattlesnake, or whatever's appropriate for the terrain. There are some animals that have multiple versions depending where they're adapted to. Dogs for example include regular housedogs, coyotes, jackals, etc. just a thought.

 

[Thia Halmades]

I clearly misunderstood the question.

I thought what we were asking was, "Can a Ranger/Druid change their animal companion based on when that companion is called, in which case, yeah, obviously. You call a croc in a swamp, a wolf in a Forest, etc.

You do not "trade in" your companion for a new companion because it's now inconvenient to you. So I should have said: It's it, and that's that.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Thia Halmades; regardless of how inconvienant it is for the companion?

 

[Thia Halmades]

Originally Posted by SRD
This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies the ranger on his adventures as appropriate for its kind.

Primitive Screwhead: Fair question. Fair answer: If the environment is downright detrimental to the companion, then either the Ranger takes on the responsiblity to keep its best friend alive and as comfortable as possible until they get back, or the companion stays behind. So yes, I would say that the purpose of the companion is to be the sole companion; sometimes that means hardship. That's good storytelling.

There are multiple ways to deal with it that don't violate what I'm arguing is the tenant of the idea, that you have (and keep) your Animal Companion for as long as possible. If its well treated, the companion would also likely be willing to make the sacrifice and the trip. That's partially DMO, as the companion will accompany on adventures appropriate to its kind.

But no, I would not let a Ranger "swap out" so they would have a companion regardless of where they are; not one that qualified as their official Animal Companion.

 

[DamionW]

But no, I would not let a Ranger "swap out" so they would have a companion regardless of where they are; not one that qualified as their official Animal Companion.

One way available to them by the RAW is to release their current one when they change environments and perform the ritual to call a new one. There's nothing illegal about that. Now if they would keep any improvements gained from the ranger leveling is a different question.

 

[Drowbane]

One way available to them by the RAW is to release their current one when they change environments and perform the ritual to call a new one. There's nothing illegal about that. Now if they would keep any improvements gained from the ranger leveling is a different question.

Not only can a Druid/Ranger release an Animal Companion from thier service, they can undertake a (24hr?) Ritual to summon another in its place. This new companion has all the enhanced abilities based on Druid/Ranger level that the old one had. Why is this a question, its stated fairly clearly in the PHB.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Drowbane, call it the 'posting from work and remembering previous version rules' syndrome

Thanks for the correct ruling.

 

[Storyteller01]

Not a fan of the animal companion, this being one of the reasons. In 3.0, I allow the druid to cast animal friendship as normal. When they leave, they say their goodbyes and part as friends. The animal most likely doesn't wish to leave, and the druid has to consider environmental issues...

You have a bear buddy who tags along with you, you say? So you're removing a top-rung member of the food chain from one area [the bunnies, THE BUNNIES, OH GOD THE BUNNIES!!!], then introducing it to an area that doesn't have them? Interesting...

Animals being what they are, the druid will most likely be forgotten after a given time, freeing up their HD limit. The druid can recast the spell when they 'set up shop' at the new location.