The benifits of a skunk as an animal companion or familar

[AuroraGyps]

The stink is sort of an inhaled poison,

Don't forget how hard it is to get that smell off. I can just picture the unfortunate rogue that gets some skunk spray on him... there'll be no sneaking around till he take a tomato juice bath (or the magical equivalent).

 

[alsih2o]

I asked a long time ago and got these responses if they help, excellent idea

http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=65128&highlight=skunk+stat

Good luck

 

[Salad Shooter]

Familiar benefit: How about a +4 bonus to saves vs stench effects? (Stinking Cloud, ghasts' stench etc.) Maybe even immunity to them; there aren't that many stench-effects, after all...

If I remember correctly, skunks don't like the smell of their spray either, and will usually leave the area as fast as possible after spraying...

 

[drunkmoogle]

I'd leave the bathroom after I'm done spraying, too!

 

[-Warlord-]

The benefits of a skunk as animal companion:

- Whenever the situation arrises that there are only two bedroom's available at the inn for your party, you will get one of them just for you and your pet, while the rest of the party generously offers to share the other one.

 

[DaveStebbins]

The main character in the book A Plague of Sorcerers by Mary Frances Zambreno is an apprentice with a skunk familiar. In the book, the main thing the skunk transferred to its master was a bonus against fear, because skunks (according to the book) aren't afraid of much of anything.

The book is written for young adults, but it's a good read.

 

[Kesh]

Never mind. Someone already mentioned Dragon #280. It's worth picking up the back-issue if you can, there's a ton of good familiars (though the Fox was updated later, in the gnome issue).

 

[Feanor Starym]

Don't forget the DC should be 10 + 1/2 the HD of the skunk + skunk's Con modifier.

Since you ask, I'll deliver. Knowing me, someone will already be done statting out a skunk before I finish.

Skunk
Stats: As Rat except for the following:

No racial skill bonuses. (Well, different, but it's late :/ )
Special Attacks: Stink Spray

Stink Spray (Ex.): A skunk may attempt to fend off attackers using its well known self defense mechanism. Using a ranged touch attack, a skunk may spray its stink juice (I have no idea what it's called :/ ) onto a target within 15 feet. If it hits, the target makes a fortitude save (DC10) or is sickened for 1d2 rounds and blinded for one round. The save is Constitution Based. The skunk may not use this ability again until 1d4 rounds later.

Alternatively, a skunk may produce a cone of stink that extends out to 15 feet. All targets in the cone make a fortitude save (DC10) or are sickened for 1 round.

Use Dire Rat, for Dire Skunkl the DC increases to 11.

Not overpowering, right? Still a great RP animal companion; an idea I will borrow sometime .

 

[Altalazar]

I remember reading an article many years ago about a guy who loved having skunks as pets. He had a bunch of them. And no, they still had their glands - but he apparently had a condition such that he couldn't really smell it, so it never bothered him. Apparently once they are comfortable with you, they can be somewhat cuddly. But I still think I'd skip on that idea...