Bonded Animal
Bonded Animal
Interaction - None
Effects -
Character receives an Animal Companion Follower. This Animal cannot be used as a Beast of Burden but may be used as a Mount This must be an creature with the Animal tag but the DM is permitted, with justification, to allow other Types. Usually the Character goes on a quest to obtain this companion, forms a bond with an existing animal or takes a Bonded Animal as a natural progression of events. The Maximum Hit-Dice this creature can have is equal to 1/2 the Character's Level or Hit-Dice.
As the Character's level grows, the HD of their Bonded Animal increases so that it matches half that of the character it is bonded with. The Bonded Animal uses the same Saving Throw Table as though they had the same HD as the character themselves. The Character can communicate, using language or gestures, and be understood by their Bonded Animal by making a Charisma Feat check and understand a response with a successful Wisdom check after being bonded with the Animal for a month. After 3 months, they require no check. All the bonded character's attempts to use Animal Training on a Bonded Animal receive a +3 bonus. If the animal is able to be ridden, Ride attempts receive a +1 bonus for the bonded character.
Providing the Character is in an area that the Bonded Animal Steed could reasonably access, they are generally considered to be 1d6 +2 rounds away, unless placed closer, and can be called for using a shout or whistle. The DM is the final arbitrator on this - if the companion is an eagle, they are unlikely to be able to follow the party into the depths of the sea for more than a round, unless accommodations are made to bring them along, but a seal would have little problem here. If the party is suddenly taken away, the Bonded Animal follows if able to do so without attracting attention - such as if they are captured - or will return to the original site they were left at or to a safe, accessible place, depending on what instruction the bonded Character has given. If the party returns to the original site they were left at, the Bonded Animal is assumed to have returned there too, if able, and if not interfered with by another character.
The Bonded Animal is assumed to take part in combat, unless instructed not to, but will hold back on attacking until the Character they are bonded with either attacks or gives them a command to do so. The Bonded Animal possesses Hide in Shadows and Move Silently at a level equal to the Character if the two are separated unless the companion has higher skills - if the two are together, they may choose to roll a single die for both of them.
If the Character's Bonded Animal dies due to their own negligence, they cannot take a Bonded Animal again. Sending the Bonded Animal to die as a distraction despite their protests is considered negligent if they are ultimately coerced into it. Otherwise, the Character may replace a Bonded Animal after a year passes.
Depending on circumstances, a Character may receive a Bonded Animal with a HD higher than they normally qualify for. In this instance, use the Bonded Animal's HD for Saving Throws unless the Character's Base Saving Throws are higher. Though a Character not not actively take such a Bonded Animal, they may be awarded one as a quest reward.
Description -
