Ring of Animal Friendship

[Thrarn Iranorn]

I have an 8th level druid w/ a Ring of Animal Friendship. So I can continuously have an 8HD creature as a companion and can have a max of 16HD for a short period of time. The ring gives an additional 12HD of animal companions I can have. Due to the nature of the ring, is that 12HD permanent? Can I keep a 20HD creature at all times? The description of the ring is not specific and the spell doesn’t mention it. I am assuming that this is just temporary…any thoughts?

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'd be inclined to say you cannot have a 20HD companion - you can have an 8HD companion and a 12HD companion.

Or 5 4HD companions.

Or whatever. In other words, you can't combine the druidic HD and the ring HD in one creature.

The ring says if you already have access to Animal Friendship, you can use the ring to befriend "additional animals", not one super-animal.

-Hyp.

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Okay, that sounds good. But would that new 12 HD creature be perminant? Without the ring I can have an additional 8HD but that is only temporary.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I can see two interpretations.

One is "Yes, it's permanent".

The other is "It's permanent if you're a stay-at-home druid, otherwise only half is permanent".

As a magic item, I personally think the first makes the most sense, but your DM might rule otherwise.

-Hyp.

 

[youspoonybard]

The problem with the ring in 3.0, is what happens when you Wild Shape? Your companions just leave you?

I houseruled that the ring is always functional, even in Wild Shape.

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

I agree with you about not being able to get a 20HD super animal or whatever you want to call it. That makes sense.
But it is very unclear as to the permanency of the creature. I think it does make sense that it would be permanent but since nothing is mentioned, it would have to be DM discretion. Unless there is something else out there that I haven’t read yet.
Thanks for your input Hypersmurf!

 

[Thrarn Iranorn]

Well.....Since every other ring I have read about is always permanent, (ie. Feather Fall, Sustenance) I would think the effects of this one would be the same. But again, that is my opinion.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Well.....Since every other ring I have read about is always permanent, (ie. Feather Fall, Sustenance) I would think the effects of this one would be the same. But again, that is my opinion.

Yes, but the point is if you're wearing a Ring of Feather Fall and you Wildshape (without a Wildling Clasp on the ring), the ring is nonfunctional while it is "merged" with your animal form.

If you fall off a building, the ring doesn't work.

Hence the question, what happens to your Animal Companions from the ring when you wildshape?

-Hyp.