Pets/Animal Companions

[JayeAeotiv]

I'm loving this system. And I'm really liking the Glorantha setting.

My players are all from a D&D 3rd edition background. One of them wants to roll up a character that would be like a Ranger/Druid. I had him look into spirit magic, which fits a druid-like character quite well.

However, for a rangerish character that has the ability to train animals, I'm at a loss. I noticed in the Equipment section of the rulebook there's some falconer's equipment to keep your character's hand from getting messed up. However, I haven't found any rules about how to train/obtain a pet, control a pet in combat, etc. I thought that perhaps there'd be something about NPC hirelings as well, but I haven't found any rules on that either.

So what should I do? I was thinking of something kinda like the way spirit magic works. Have some animal control skill that has to be rolled when commanding the animal. If you fumble, the animal runs free.

 

[SetentaeBolg]

Look at the sample wolf spirit for one way to handle it. An animal spirit might possess its corporeal counterpart to serve you. For more normal pet-type animals specifically trained for war, I'd treat them as NPCs. Perhaps give them an Obedience skill they roll to correctly follow simple orders.

 

[soltakss]

Didn't Arms and Equipment (MRQI version) have rules about training animals?

I'd give the PC an Animal Training or similar skill. If he makes the roll then he can command the animal to do something. Some things would be easier than others, so telling a dog to attack would be Easy, telling a dog to run through a burning room and bring back a baby unharmed would be Difficult.

 

[JayeAeotiv]

Thanks. I think that'll work out ok.

 

[sdavies2720]

If your game is more realistic, I'd also limit the number of 'things' that the animal could be trained to do. One old house rule limited this to the intelligence of the animal.

So an animal with a IQ of 2 might be able to learn "attack" and "guard".

With an IQ you could add retrieve and maybe search.

So that pet toad isn't going to be able to help much. But the pet monkey could be a huge help.

Steve