Leader of animals druid PrC

[atomn]

Hi,
In a game that I'm playing in we're getting to the middle levels (7th-8th) and the theme of the campaign is shifting from our adventuring party doing missions for the Good king against the Evil king to our party having a greater hand in raising and controlling armies and such to defend and attack the Evil country. I'm playing a druid and while the two Paladins in the party are building a keep and organizing the troops there, I would be building an army of animals.

So, is there a PrC (or a string of feats) that would help me become a leader of animals or boost my animal companions without severly sacrificing my druidic abilities? (For example, the Beastmaster PrC would help my animal companions but isn't worth it because I would completely lose my wildshape and spellcasting abilities.) Thanks for any insight!!

 

[atomn]

PS: We usually just use the Complete books but I'm sure my GM would at least consider other sources if he could read and ponder over them.

 

[DarkJester]

I can't think of any druid friendly animal raising prestige classes. There is the beastmaster but that stomps down on your spellcasting and it is just not worth it.

You could try to awaken some creatures and align them to your purpose, though this will likely require some form of diplomacy on your part.

 

[atomn]

I can't think of any druid friendly animal raising prestige classes. There is the beastmaster but that stomps down on your spellcasting and it is just not worth it.

You could try to awaken some creatures and align them to your purpose, though this will likely require some form of diplomacy on your part.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Just Awaken some and get their help.

Although I am considering one level of Beastmaster to get +3 to my effective druid level for my animal companion. Is that worth it or a waste?

 

[DarkJester]

I wouldn't bother with the beastmaster myself, the slight boost your animal companion will get just isn't worth the loss of even 1 caster level and delayed wild shape progression.

 

[atomn]

Yeah, you're probably right.

 

[Bryon_Soulweaver]

Wind walker from Faiths and Pantheons if you want to keep advancing in the spellcasting part. Also, Masters of the Wild has some cool things you might want to look at.