Druid's Trackless Step

[taliesin15]

So, isn't it possible for a Druid using Trackless Step for her/his Animal Companions to possibly get lost say in a thicket--for argument sake, the animal is a wolf, and has gone off into the brambles to chase a rabbit or relieve itself. The Druid is in a hurry, and assumes the wolf is following. Isn't it at least conceivable that a landed Animal Companion could lose its friend (the Druid) this way, especially if scent isn't left behind?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Those are good spells. I believe the spell from SC that you are speaking of is implacable pursuer.

No, it was a Clr2 or Clr3... something about a Dance. Circle Dance!

The other one might have been Living Prints - was Rgr3 in Magic of Faerun, but it's Rgr1 in SpC. Need to check the text to see if it would help.

Edit - no, looks like Living Prints won't help if there were never any tracks to begin with.

-Hyp.

 

[ValhallaGH]

So, isn't it possible for a Druid using Trackless Step for her/his Animal Companions to possibly get lost say in a thicket--for argument sake, the animal is a wolf, and has gone off into the brambles to chase a rabbit or relieve itself. The Druid is in a hurry, and assumes the wolf is following. Isn't it at least conceivable that a landed Animal Companion could lose its friend (the Druid) this way, especially if scent isn't left behind?

Nope. Empahtic bond.
Wolf: "I feel lost and confused."
Druid: "I'm missing my wolf..."
Eventually they'll work themselves out. Though it can be fun, as a DM, to say "Nope, you left your companion in the dust. He'll get here when he gets here. Until then you have to fight your own battles."

Of course, the druid can choose to leave a trail.

 

[Goldmoon]

Common sense says that trackless step wont block scent in my opinion.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Common sense says that trackless step wont block scent in my opinion.

How so? If he leaves no trail, what trail is there for the sniffer to folllow?

Edit - Oh, do you mean pinpointing via Scent (Ex), rather than tracking by scent?

In that case, I agree

-Hyp.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Common sense says that trackless step wont block scent in my opinion.

I would strongly disagree.

That fact that no scent lingers behind in the locale does not mean that the target no longer has any physical scent whatsoever.

There is no compelling reason to nerf the Scent ability entirely, just because we are taking away one of its potential benefits.

 

[Vegepygmy]

Nope. Empahtic bond.
Wolf: "I feel lost and confused."
Druid: "I'm missing my wolf..."
Eventually they'll work themselves out.

I think you are confusing the Empathic Link sorcerers/wizards have with their familiars and the Link druids/rangers have with their animal companions.

A druid/ranger gets a +4 circumstance bonus on his Handle Animal checks and can make them faster than normal when dealing with his animal companion. That's all their Link does. It doesn't establish an empathic connection like a sorcerer/wizard has with his familiar.

And no, you cannot track a character who has Trackless Step, not even using Scent.

 

[Drowbane]

Question: on your opinion, can a druid performing Trackless Step (Ex ability at druid level 3rd) be tracked by scent? (ex. by a wolf?)

Trackless step: sarting at 3rd level, a druid leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. She may choose to leave a trail if so desired.

Joël

That above says it all...

 

[The Forsaken One]

I'd root for Hyps explanation. It's gentle, easy to roll with, works for some other problems as stated and is well explaned.

 

[Joël of the FoS]

OK, one person in our group found this useful thing: Monte Cook ruled this ability doesn't cover scent before level 11th.

Trackless Step (Ex): Starting at 3rd level, a druid leaves no trail in natural surroundings and cannot be tracked. She may choose to leave a trail if so desired. The druid still leaves a scent trail, so those who are capable of tracking by scent may continue to do so. At 11th level the druid effectively has no scent trail while in natural environments; her body is fully in tune with her surroundings. This makes it impossible to track, locate, or detect the druid via the Scent ability while in a natural setting. ( Monte Cook Wiki: http://ironheroeshouserules.pbwiki.com/index.php?wiki=DRUID )

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Also I thought that the Trackless Step ability is EX, and not a SU or a SP ability. So he can't remove his scent just by being extraordinary knowledgeable in a forest.

Case closed for me Thank you all for your input.

Joël