Druids, The City Guard and Animal Companions

[Hand of Evil]

Talk to your DM, in a fantasy world animal companions are common and should be defined either by guild law (wizard), church law, or civil law. Maybe it is a tax, registration, or law that states the actions of one is the action of the other. While you many get the "we don't allow their kind in here", in a population where a number of people have animal companions you will find compromise.

 

[Brother Ezra]

IMC, we have the same issue. The druid basically leaves her wolf outside the city and lets him range free. She also informs the guards at the gate that the wolf is hers and it will leave them alone if they do the same for the wolf. It seems to have worked pretty well so far

 

[Gnarlo]

I pretty much use the rule of generally leaving it outside. As Southern Oracle said, it's still a wild animal; the PHB/DMG guidelines essentially state that it feels the druid is a friend and it will tolerate the other party members, but that's about that. I can't see the typical bear companion wanting to go anywhere near a city, it's too smart for that.

And many more urban places in my campaign treat druids as little better than wild animals... (He’s one of them Rangers, dangerous folk they are; wandering the wilds...)

 

[Dimwhit]

I realize this doesn't help much (great advice already) but that's one reason my Druid doesn't have an animal companion. Of course for him, it's hard enough staying in human form long enough to go into a city...

 

[Gez]

The city guard makes the druid sign a paper stating that the animal (of which a clear description is given) is under his control and responsability, that he will take all necessary steps needed to ensure the animal will not put a citizen or his possession into harm, and that he will accept full judiciary responsability for any accident that may happen because of the animal.

Further, a special excise tax is paid for the animal, depending on its size.

Finally, the druid is given a list of places where the animal may be kept -- from zoo to inns with the necessary accomodations.

Remember that commonplace animals -- like horse, dogs, cats, etc. -- were accepted in medieval Europe, despite the fact that dogs or horses can be dangerous. They were assumed to be handled correctly. There's no reason this would not be the case with a druid's pet.

 

[Ferret]

Invent a spell to make them seem city friendly. Wolf to dog, bear to...um.... you get the idea.

 

[BlackMoria]

In my campaign, I allow Druids and Rangers with animal companions to undergo a special ritual which ties their animal companion to a figurine (like a figurine of wonderous power).

So the druid or ranger activates the figurine and the animal companion vanishes (the companion goes into stasis into an extradimension space). The druid can then pocket the figurine. Then at a later point, the druid can activate the figurine and the animal companion reappears.

Typical usage is 1/day. Creating a figurine requires a Create Wondrous Item feat and several spells. And it isn't cheap.

But it allows the druid / ranger to go places without the animal companion being apparent.

 

[Tonguez]

In my campaign, I allow Druids and Rangers with animal companions to undergo a special ritual which ties their animal companion to a figurine (like a figurine of wonderous power).

So the druid or ranger activates the figurine and the animal companion vanishes (the companion goes into stasis into an extradimension space). The druid can then pocket the figurine. Then at a later point, the druid can activate the figurine and the animal companion reappears.

Typical usage is 1/day. Creating a figurine requires a Create Wondrous Item feat and several spells. And it isn't cheap.

But it allows the druid / ranger to go places without the animal companion being apparent.

Is the figurine a small red and silver orb? does it require the words "I choose You" to activate?

eeeew!

PS Is Pokemon D20 back online yet?

 

[Ylis]

I would stick with small/easily hidden animal companions or flying companions rather than the larger ones...or leave them outside. Then again, most of my druids are more into subtlety and most of them do espionage work, etc for the group should we be missing a rogue (which we usually are...for some reason, the rogue's always the first to go...).

 

[Ogre Mage]

a) the city guard lets a wolf into the city gates?!?!?!?!?

It was on a leash (only for show, of course, while we were in the city).