Template: the demi-animal

[hong]

So, I hate the "legendary" animals in MotW and MM2 (nothing more than normal animals with bigger numbers). At the same time, they do fill a niche, namely giving druids and rangers better animal companions as they go up levels.


So here's an example of a demi-animal template I cooked up. I'm trying to make an animal that can be retained indefinitely (or at least up to 20th level), rather than making the character chop-and-change animal companions.


DEMI-ANIMAL

[insert blahblah flavour text] This template can be applied to any animal
or beast.

Size: as base creature.

HD: as base creature.

AC: the demi-animal gains a +2 insight bonus to AC.

Atks/Dmg: as base creature.

SA: the demi-animal gains smite (+4 to attack roll, +HD damage up to max
+20), usable once per day.

SQ: the demi-animal gains the following special qualities:
- SR equal to double its HD (max SR 25)
- DR as a celestial creature (5/+1 for 4-7HD, 5/+2 for 8-11HD, 10/+3 for >11HD)
- +5 inherent bonus to Int
- darkvision 60'
- disease and cold immunity

Saves: the demi-animal has all good saves.

Abilities: Str +4, Dex +4, Con +2, Wis +4, Cha +2.

Skills: the demi-animal gains one skill point per extra HD. Hide, Listen, Move Silently and Spot are always class skills for demi-animals.

Feats: the demi-animal gains one feat, plus one additional feat per 4 extra HD.

Alignment: any non-evil.

CR: as base creature +1, or HD/2, whichever is greater.

Advancement: unlimited.


Example advanced demi-boar: HD 5d8+25; 47 hp; Init +2; Spd 40 ft; AC 20 (+6 natural, +2 Dex, +2 insight); Atks +8 melee (1d8+6, gore); SA Ferocity, smite; SQ SR 10, DR 5/+1, scent, darkvision, turn resist +5, disease and cold immunity; AL NG; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +6; Str 19, Dex 14, Con 21, Int 7, Wis 15, Cha 6.

Skills and feats: Listen +8, Spot +6, Weapon Focus (gore).


Comments? How would this scale as levels/HD increase?

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

While I understand the necessity of such a thing I don't understand how it is to be aquired. Does the druid/ranger have to sacrifice 10exp or 10,000?

 

[hong]

While I understand the necessity of such a thing I don't understand how it is to be aquired. Does the druid/ranger have to sacrifice 10exp or 10,000?

Well, you start with a regular animal companion, as per the spell. Advancing it costs 200 XP per HD, according to Masters of the Wild. Then when it hits the advancement cap as given in the MM, you can apply this template.

I'm figuring the template cost an additional 250 XP, as a one-time charge.

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

Please bear with me -- no pun intended --, I only have the SRD to go from at work and my home internet connection has been non-existant for the past month (it's kind of like camping, living without the internet). So I can either read the books and have informed commentary with no internet, or uninformed commentary but with the means to say it.

Translation of the above: it isn't my fault I'm this stupid.

So the druid (for talking purposes) summons a 2HD wolf at 1st level and has a slightly overpowered companion until 3rd level where she then sacrifices 200 exp to get the wolf to 3rd level. If memory serves the wolf can advance to 4HD (right? guys?) so the druid performs the ritual again at 4th level so the wolf can keep up. At 5th level she gives up 250 exp and the wolf gets this template. Do I have this right?

When I compare the demi-animal to the celestial it looks like you're giving up some immunities and DR for attribute increases. This makes sense. The animal is supposed to be enhanced, not wacky super-natural. But I think when the druid/animal first gets the ability to use the template it might be overpowered for a level or two.


I think. Maybe. If I understand everything correctly.

 

[hong]

Please bear with me -- no pun intended --, I only have the SRD to go from at work and my home internet connection has been non-existant for the past month (it's kind of like camping, living without the internet).

Ick, camping. Much too character building for me. You have my sympathies.

So the druid (for talking purposes) summons a 2HD wolf at 1st level and has a slightly overpowered companion until 3rd level where she then sacrifices 200 exp to get the wolf to 3rd level. If memory serves the wolf can advance to 4HD (right? guys?) so the druid performs the ritual again at 4th level so the wolf can keep up. At 5th level she gives up 250 exp and the wolf gets this template. Do I have this right?

At 5th level the druid spends 250 XP to gain a demi-wolf. Then she spends another 200 XP to gain a 5 HD demi-wolf.

When I compare the demi-animal to the celestial it looks like you're giving up some immunities and DR for attribute increases. This makes sense. The animal is supposed to be enhanced, not wacky super-natural. But I think when the druid/animal first gets the ability to use the template it might be overpowered for a level or two.

It _is_ supernatural to some extent; note that it gets DR and SR. My thinking is that a creature that can surpass the limits for regular animals must have the favour of someone, somewhere (gods, demons, nature spirits, or whatever agents of divine power exist in your campaign). This is also why it gets the +5 inherent bonus to Int, so it's smarter than the average dumb beast.

I suppose it should technically be a magical beast, but that would break the animal companion spell.

 

[Ferret]

I assume you choose Demi as that is what is on the lich? It's there as when a lich becomes a demi-lich it's because all thats usually left is it's head.

Great template

 

[Ferret]

I assume you choose Demi as that is what is on the lich? It's there as when a lich becomes a demi-lich it's because all thats usually left is it's head.

Great template.

 

[hong]

I assume you choose Demi as that is what is on the lich?

Yeah. All the good adjectives are taken. I'm open to suggestions.

Great template

Ta!

 

[BiggusGeekus@Work]

I suppose it should technically be a magical beast, but that would break the animal companion spell.

True.

But the character is giving up exp, so the animal is gaining it's abilities via the caster. Maybe you could stipulate that the animal loses the template on chracter death. That way it is still an animal, just a "buffed" one.

 

[Ferret]

Guardian animal?

They level up and will "always be there"?