Training a ... Hydra?!

[AnonymousOne]

So in our campaign the party recently came into possession of a baby Fire Hydra.

The Scout/Ranger has ranks in animal handling, but we were wondering what other things might be done to train or teach this thing. I'm aware of the handle animal rules but I have a gut feeling that the DM is going to treat this pet as a party member. is it possible to have the hydra awakened? If it levels up, can it obtain monster feats.

Part of this might get house-ruled, but I wanted to see if the sages here had any advice for us.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

There were rules for training Hydras in the 3.0e Arms & Equipment Guide.

Personally I'd try to convince your DM to allow an awakening so that it could be treated as a character rather than an animal. By RAW this technically shouldn't work but if you think he's going to treat it as a party member or cohort type NPC then he might be willing to bend that far. As far as monster feats, if the Hydra gains HD then it could get whatever monster feats it qualified for at the standard intervals being.

 

[AnonymousOne]

It will probably end up being a cohort of the party and close pet of the Ranger/Scout.

Where exactly is the information on Awakening?

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

Awaken
Transmutation
Level: Drd 5
Components: V, S, DF, XP
Casting Time: 24 hours
Range: Touch
Target: Animal or tree touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes

You awaken a tree or animal to humanlike sentience. To succeed, you must make a Will save (DC 10 + the animal’s current HD, or the HD the tree will have once awakened).

The awakened animal or tree is friendly toward you. You have no special empathy or connection with a creature you awaken, although it serves you in specific tasks or endeavors if you communicate your desires to it.

An awakened tree has characteristics as if it were an animated object, except that it gains the plant type and its Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are each 3d6. An awakened plant gains the ability to move its limbs, roots, vines, creepers, and so forth, and it has senses similar to a human’s.

An awakened animal gets 3d6 Intelligence, +1d3 Charisma, and +2 HD. Its type becomes magical beast (augmented animal). An awakened animal can’t serve as an animal companion, familiar, or special mount.

An awakened tree or animal can speak one language that you know, plus one additional language that you know per point of Intelligence bonus (if any).
XP Cost

250 XP.

Hydra=type Magical Beast
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/hydra.htm

So technically Awaken doesn't work on Hydras, or owlbears, but if a DM is flexible that will generally get loosened a little so long as it isn't abused. At least I know I generally let it work on Magical Beasts (or Beasts in 3.0) too.

 

[Andras]

Have the Ranger take levels in BeastHeart Adept from Dungeonscape. Let the hydra start with 4hd, and gain HD and heads as per the monsterous companion table.

 

[AnonymousOne]

Our DM is more about using the rules to have fun than looking at the rules as iron clad rules which have to be followed.

We might make this hydra an awakened philosopher 4d6 INT instead of the Awakened 3d6. It would make the RPing a whole lot of fun.

 

[AnonymousOne]

Have the Ranger take levels in BeastHeart Adept from Dungeonscape. Let the hydra start with 4hd, and gain HD and heads as per the monsterous companion table.

Completely not in keeping with his character concept.

I think we're going to have to houserule the hydra progression. I'm looking at Excellent BAB and Fighter save progression + add a head every level. (did I mention this was the PyroHydra variant?)

 

[Infiniti2000]

His character concept? I'm confused, is this hydra going to be a PC, NPC, or DMPC?

Is tossing a headband of intellect on the hydra an option? I guess it still won't be able to talk, so maybe a wish would help.

 

[AnonymousOne]

His character concept? I'm confused, is this hydra going to be a PC, NPC, or DMPC?

It's more like we killed a CL 9 and CL 11 Pyro Hydra and it's three young were the treasure. We sold two and the crazy scout/ranger just HAD to keep one.

We are now trying to figure out what to do with it.

Oh and the Beast Heart whatever is not in the character concept of the Scout/Ranger, nor does he have the odd prerequisites.

 

[s-dub]

I'm fairly sure you CAN train a magical beast using the regular rules.