Does releasing my animal companions make me a bad Druid? (rantish)

[gariig]

Letting them level is a good idea. Also, don't forget Awaken and classing them. Imagine you're companion as a Psion (it's going to happen in our campaign). Also, I don't think dropping your animal friends all the time is very good, they are supposed to be companions and not a block of stats. I do understand that 1HD dog is going to get pounded by the trolls, but a 6 HD mutt, can still be viable...Especially with some magical help from the Druid.

Gariig

 

[hong]

So as for the in game rational for wanting to swap animal companions, well what I do to the poor creatures I bring along is pretty horrible, dragging them into caves and forcing them to attack random abominations as we crawl along is not something animals are used to. I actually cast a spell to bend the animal’s will to make it effectively my slave, and I think it would be wrong for any druid to keep an animal companion doing this for very long, not for releasing the animal back into its natural habitat once I’m done with it.

You are quite right. Taking this reasoning to its logical conclusion, you shouldn't be forcing any animal to be your companion at all. Why are you doing this shameful deed in the first place? Bad!

IME, druids function just fine even without 20 HD worth of animal companions following them around. Have you been overshadowed so far because of your lack of animals? Are the other party members hogging the spotlight when it comes to laying down the smack?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Maybe it helps if you roleplay dismissing your animals a bit better.

As an example, when you and your wolf are going to enter a city, and you expect to stay a bit longer there, cast Speak with Animals and speak to the it. "Well, it might take longer, and I know you don`t like cities. It is not the place for a wolf, is it?
And chances are high I am going to enter a dangerous dungeon, once again. So, I don`t want to risk your life any long, old friend. See, there is a forest. You grew stronger in the past few years and I think you will fare well there. So, don`t wait for me, and live your own life... And I bet there are some nice females wolves waiting for a great hero like you... "