Is a druid in wild shape recognized by an animal companion?

[candidus_cogitens]

Re: Re: Is a druid in wild shape recognized by an animal companion?

Rules-wise: The spell creates a supernatural bond between the druid and the animal. Given that the bond is created by magic, something as simple as a different appearance wouldn't affect the bond.

Well, I think in the spell description it says otherwise. It's just a friendship. After the casting of the spell, there is no lasting magical effect. (It is not something that could be dispelled, for example.) So, I think it would have to recognize the druid by non-magical means.

I agree with your other points though. Especially on the question of balance. There has to be a way to make it work. My only question is HOW does it work. I hear what everybody is saying about animal abilities and intelligence, but I still have a hard time imagining an animal being able to make sense of it. But, I'll try harder!

One way to make it work, IF the druid has the Natural Spell feat, is to cast Animal Friendship AGAIN, while in animal form. But, that might raise other questions . . . (Would the animal then think it had a new master??)

 

[Pielorinho]

Re: Re: Re: Is a druid in wild shape recognized by an animal companion?

Well, I think in the spell description it says otherwise. It's just a friendship. After the casting of the spell, there is no lasting magical effect. (It is not something that could be dispelled, for example.) So, I think it would have to recognize the druid by non-magical means.

On the one hand, I'm totally nitpicking: I deliberately said that the spell creates a bond using magic, not that it sustains a bond using magic. For all we know, part of the instantaneous magic is to grant the animal an ability to sense the druid in any form.

On the other hand, I'm nitpicking for a reason: I think the balance issue is the most important one.

If it really matters to a DM, I would suggest ruling that an animal companion must see the druid change shape several times before realizing that the druid is also the animal. Animals are generally capable of forming conclusions like this.

I never taught my cats, by way of analogy, what my car sounds like, but they've learned through repitition that the sound of my car pulling up in the driveway means that I'll walk in the door soon, and so they run up to the door as soon as I pull in.

Keep the balance in mind. I'd advise glossing over the issue entirely, in the same way that you don't force the fighter to mention repairing her armor every night; but if you must deal with it, allow the druid to demonstrate to his companions a few times, and for them to take the hint.

Daniel

 

[candidus_cogitens]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Is a druid in wild shape recognized by an animal companion?

On the one hand, I'm totally nitpicking: I deliberately said that the spell creates a bond using magic, not that it sustains a bond using magic. For all we know, part of the instantaneous magic is to grant the animal an ability to sense the druid in any form.

On the other hand, I'm nitpicking for a reason: I think the balance issue is the most important one.

I like the idea of just saying it is part of the animal friendship spell. Why not?!

 

[dkilgo]

I believe that it would inherently be part of the animal friendship spell. Not so much the detection, but the bond.

Also, I have 3 dogs and 2 cats. My animals are quite smart for being the earth bound equivalent of animals in DnD. Two of my dogs will attack anything that walks in the door that is either not me or my wife. That is not from being territorial it is from me training them. Heck, my friends won't even walk in my house without knocking. Even if they just went outside sometimes.

 

[LokiDR]

As a DM, I wouldn't make this an issue unless it really added something to the game. I would assume there has been training of animals of this sort if the druid has had the companion more than a few weeks. I would bring up the issue if the druid befiends an animal, gets teleported away, wild shapes, walks back, and the companion can't get the druid's scent. Other situations would fall some where in between.