Animal Companions
Core Formulae
| Formula | Value |
|---|---|
| Skill Mastery Die | 1d2 (Unskilled) → 1d3 (Untrained) → 1d4 (Basic) → 1d6 (Skilled) → 1d8 (Expert) → 1d10 (Master) → 1d12 (GM) |
| Health | Compounding 2× Skill Die |
| Attack | Skill Mastery Die + higher of STR or PHY die |
| Defense | Skill Mastery Die + AGI die + applicable resistance |
| Trials | Skill Mastery Die + Attribute Die |
| Ability DC | Higher of STR or PHY Tier + Skill Mastery Tier |
| Speed | 3 + AGI Tier + Size Modifier (+2 if 2sq) + 4 (quadruped) |
| AP | Always 2 |
Health die is tied to the handler's mastery, not the animal's training tiers. A bear recruited at Master immediately benefits from the full compounding health formula (2d2+2d3+2d4+2d6+2d8+2d10) because the handler's skill in caring for animals determines the creature's condition. Replacement animals also benefit immediately.
What Transfers from Species Stat Block
- Attribute array (tiers and scores)
- Native abilities (Charge, Gore, Trample, etc.)
- Damage Resistances
- Senses (scotopic vision, scent, etc.)
- Size/Footprint
- Speed (recalculated if AGI changes)
- Reach
- Natural weapon types (bite = piercing, claws = slashing, etc.)
- Classification and creature type (Mortal Beast)
- Movement types (flying, swimming, burrowing, climbing)
What Is Replaced by Mastery
- Health pool (formula above)
- Durability pool (based on equipped barding)
- AP locked at 2
- DCs for ability-based trials (higher of STR or PHY Tier + Skill Mastery Tier)
- Attack rolls (Skill Mastery Die + STR or PHY)
- Defense rolls (Skill Mastery Die + AGI die + resistance)
- Trial dice (Skill Mastery Die + Attribute Die)
Recruitment
At each Wilderness mastery tier, the handler can recruit animals up to the corresponding native Division:
| Skill Tier | Mastery | Max Native Division |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Untrained | D2 (Dog, Giant Rat) |
| 3 | Basic | D3 (Wolf, Boar) |
| 4 | Skilled | D4 (Black Bear) |
| 5 | Expert | D5 (War Boar, Widow, Constrictor) |
| 6 | Master | D6 (Brown Bear) |
| 7 | Grand Master | — (D6 is the maximum; Grand Master advances D6 or lower) |
Domestic animals (dogs, horses) are purchasable by anyone. Wild animals require Basic mastery or better.
Pre-trained dogs are available for purchase at Guard, Hunting, and War (D4). These serve as ready-to-use companions for non-Wilderness players, shortcuts for Wilderness players, and GM encounter tools.
Pre-trained mounts are available for purchase as Riding, Light War, Medium War, and Heavy War (D3, D4, D5, and D6). These serve as ready-to-use companions for non-Wilderness players, shortcuts for Wilderness players, and GM encounter tools.
Training and Advancement
First Advancement: Training Archetype
When an animal is first recruited, the handler chooses a training archetype: War, Guard, Hunting, or Mount. This determines the animal's tactical role, track abilities, and barding access.
Advancement Per Tier
At Untrained, the companion gains its archetype, barding access, and archetype commands but no stat advancement. Starting at Basic, the companion gains at each tier:
- +4 attribute tiers, distributed by the handler (no attribute may exceed T7)
- Resistance (+8 per tier, distributable across damage types, no single type exceeds 20). A species' native resistance is fixed; only trained resistance is distributed. A native value above 20 is kept but cannot be raised.
| Tier | Resistance | Barding |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | — | Light Proficiency |
| Basic | +8 | — |
| Skilled | +8 | Medium |
| Expert | +8 | Medium / Heavy |
| Master | +8 | Medium / Heavy |
| GM | +8 | Medium / Heavy |
War, Guard, and Mount companions may exchange a tier's +8 resistance for the next barding proficiency (Medium first, then Heavy). Hunting companions are restricted to Light barding. See Barding under Universal abilities for details.
The handler's meaningful choices are species, archetype, attribute distribution, resistance distribution, barding proficiency (War, Guard, and Mount), and secondary ability picks (one per tier from the general pool).
Training Depth by Native Division
Training depth is inversely proportional to native Division. Higher Division animals bring stronger native stat blocks but receive fewer advancements.
| Native Division | Training Depth | Advancements |
|---|---|---|
| D2 (Dog, Giant Rat) | Full (Untrained → GM) | 6 |
| D3 (Wolf, Boar) | Deep (Untrained → Master) | 5 |
| D4 (Black Bear) | Moderate (Untrained → Expert) | 4 |
| D5 (War Boar, Widow) | Shallow (Untrained → Skilled) | 3 |
| D6 (Brown Bear) | Minimal (Untrained → Basic) | 2 |
Example: D2 Dog vs D6 Bear
D2 Kennel Dog (full training, heavy barding): - Trained attributes: ~12 + 20 (5 × 4) = 32 - Trained resistance: 10 native + 24 distributable (3 × +8, 2 tiers spent on barding proficiency), plus heavy barding resistance - Full War track (6 primary abilities + 5 secondary choices across 6 tiers) - Access to Light, Medium, or Heavy barding
D6 Brown Bear (minimal training, light barding): - Trained attributes: ~28 + 4 (1 × 4) = 32 - Trained resistance: ~60 native + 8 distributable (1 × +8), plus light barding resistance - War track (2 primary abilities + 1 secondary choice across 2 tiers only) - Light barding only - Native abilities (Maul, etc.) compensate for shallow training
The bear has higher total resistance. The dog has deeper training, more tactical versatility, and access to heavier barding. Barding resistance is mundane only — higher-division creatures' magical resistances are unaffected by barding. Both sit below hallmark companions in total resistance and tactical capability.
Training Tracks
Guard (Defensive)
| Tier | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | Guard, Attack, Recall | Barding |
| Basic | Intercept | Choice |
| Skilled | Scent Alert, Retrieve | Choice |
| Expert | Protector | Choice |
| Master | Sentry | Choice |
| GM | Counterattack | Choice |
Hunting (Sneaky)
| Tier | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | Track, Attack, Recall | Barding |
| Basic | Lunge | Choice |
| Skilled | Scent Search, Retrieve | Choice |
| Expert | Pursuit | Choice |
| Master | Harry | Choice |
| GM | Coordinated Takedown | Choice |
Hunting birds replace Track with Sight Track and Scent Search with Aerial Search. All other Hunting abilities apply as written.
Mount (Mobility)
| Tier | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | Recall, Calm | Barding |
| Basic | Attack, Wheel | Choice |
| Skilled | Caracole | Choice |
| Expert | Overrun | Choice |
| Master | Steady | Choice |
| GM | War Dance | Choice |
War (Aggressive)
| Tier | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Untrained | Attack, Recall | Barding |
| Basic | Kill | Choice |
| Skilled | Intimidate, Retrieve | Choice |
| Expert | Battle Partner | Choice |
| Master | Aggressive | Choice |
| GM | Disarm | Choice |
Universal
Barding
All companions receive Light barding proficiency at Untrained. War, Guard, and Mount companions may exchange a training tier's +8 resistance for the next barding weight class: Medium proficiency is available from Skilled onward, and Heavy proficiency (which requires Medium) is available from Expert onward. A companion can only acquire one proficiency per tier. Hunting companions are restricted to Light barding.
Proficiency grants access to all barding within that weight class. Medium proficiency allows Chain or Scale barding; Heavy proficiency allows Plate and Mail or Full Plate barding. See the Equipment Reference for barding stats, costs, and individual piece details.
Companion barding does not include an aketon and does not grant attribute bonuses to resistance. The companion's distributable resistance pool serves this role instead.
Barding requires a body that can wear it. Birds cannot wear barding; a bird companion's barding proficiency has no effect.
Commands
One free command each round in combat - Automatically granted as part of progression
Attack: (Command) Engage designated target with natural weapon. Continue attacking until target is dead or given different command.
Retrieve: (Command) Fetch a designated object and return it to handler. This includes dropped or disarmed weapons, downed prey, or specific items within line of sight. The companion can retrieve items mid-combat as a 2 AP action. Birds can retrieve only what they can carry in flight: small objects and light game.
Recall: (Command) The companion returns to the handler's position. The companion must be able to hear or see the handler.
Passive Choice Option
Always active - Choose one per tier from Basic to Grand Master
Alert: (Passive) Dominance on Startle trials.
Avoid Death: (Passive) When an attack or spell would reduce the companion to 0 health, roll Endurance tier die and restore that amount of health. Once per rest.
Brave: (Passive) Dominance on trials to resist Demoralized conditions.
Evasive: (Passive) Dominance on Agility trials to avoid traps and spells.
Healthy: (Passive) Dominance on trials to resist Tainted conditions.
Loyal: (Passive) Dominance on trials to resist Charmed condition.
Stalwart: (Passive) The companion gains an additional 2 health at each Mastery tier from this tier forward and retroactively through Basic mastery (Max 10 health at GM).
Swift: (Passive) The companion's base movement speed increases by 10 feet per round.
Tumble: (Passive) When the companion drops, reduce the DC of its Falling trial by its Physique tier. When it falls, it has Dominance on its Falling trial. On landing, it can reposition to an adjacent space.
Unfettered: (Passive) Dominance on trials to resist Restricted conditions.
Vault: (Passive) The companion can leap over obstacles as part of movement without slowing. Jump distance up to movement speed.
Vigorous: (Passive) After a rest, the companion regains additional health equal to Endurance tier. Always reduce Exhausted by 1 tier when resting, regardless of rest quality or location.
Stance Option
Must be stated at the start of the combat round - May be chosen in place of a Passive
Brace: (Stance) The companion fights defensively, gaining Dominance on defense, but Impotence on attacks. Persists until given different command.
Guard
Commands
One free command each round in combat
Guard: (Command) Hold designated position. Alert handler to creatures approaching within Perception range. Attack any non-friendly creature entering guarded area, OR focus on a designated creature and attack when a specified trigger condition is met
Scent Alert: (Command) Handler commands companion to watch for intruders (requires Guard command active). While guarding, companion rolls Perception trials with Dominance against DCs set by the GM.
Reactions
Must be declared before related action is rolled
Counterattack: (1 AP | Reaction) When the handler is hit by a melee attack while the companion is within 5 feet, the companion can spend 1 AP as a reaction to make an attack against the creature that hit its handler.
Intercept: (1 AP | Reaction) The companion swaps positions with a willing ally within 5 feet to become the target of an incoming attack.
Protector: (1 AP | Reaction) When the companion is within 5 feet of its handler or the attacker, it can spend 1 AP to add the handler's Skill Mastery Die to the handler's defense roll against melee attacks.
Stances
Must be stated at the start of the combat round
Sentry: (Stance) The companion holds position and makes a bite attack against any enemy that enters within 5 feet. The companion cannot move, use other commands, or defend while in Sentry. Persists until given a different command.
Hunting
Actions
Must be declared before attack is rolled
Lunge: (1 AP | Attack) The companion extends its effective reach by 5 feet to strike a target, but has impotence on the attack.
Commands
One free command each round in combat
Scent Search: (Command) Handler commands companion to search an area (1 exploration round, 10 minutes). Companion rolls Perception trial vs DC set by GM. Detects scent-based threats only — creatures, organic poisons, recently walked paths. Cannot detect mechanical traps, magical traps, or anything with no scent.
Track: (Command) Follow a scent trail. Companion rolls Perception trial vs DC based on trail age, weather, and terrain as determined by GM.
Sight Track: (Command; hunting birds, replaces Track) Follow quarry or a visible trail from the air. The bird rolls a Perception trial vs a DC based on the trail's age, weather, terrain, and cover, as determined by the GM. Dense forest canopy raises the DC; indoors or underground, the bird cannot track.
Aerial Search: (Command; hunting birds, replaces Scent Search) The handler sends the bird to quarter an area from above (1 exploration round, 10 minutes). The bird rolls a Perception trial vs a DC set by the GM. Detects creatures, movement, and disturbances visible from the air. Cannot detect anything hidden under dense cover, indoors, underground, or leaving no visible sign.
Passives
Always active
Coordinated Takedown: (Passive) While flanking, the companion gains Dominance on attack rolls.
Pursuit: (Passive) When the companion hits a creature that moved during this round, the target rolls a Strength trial vs Ability DC or gains Restricted Tier 1.
Stances
Must be stated at the start of the combat round
Harry: (Stance) The companion moves freely without provoking Reprisal Attacks. As part of each movement, it can make one attack with Inferiority. The companion cannot use other commands while harrying. Persists until given a different command.
War
Actions
Must be declared before attack is rolled
Disarm: (1 AP | Attack) The companion forgoes damage in favor of disarming the target of its weapon. The target must succeed on a Strength or Physique trial against the companion's Ability DC.
Kill: (1 AP | Attack) The companion attacks a Helpless creature. The attack deals full damage and ignores all armor resistance.
Commands
One free command each round in combat
Intimidate: (Command) Handler gains Dominance on Presence trials for intimidation while companion is visible and threatening.
Reactions
Must be declared before related action is rolled
Battle Partner: (1 AP | Reaction) When the companion is within 5 feet of its handler or the handler's melee target, it can spend 1 AP to add the handler's Skill Mastery Die to the handler's melee attack roll.
Stances
Must be stated at the start of the combat round
Aggressive: (Stance) The companion fights offensively, gaining Dominance on attacks, but Impotence on defense. Persists until given different command.
Mount
Commands
One free command each round in combat
Recall: (Command) The companion returns to the handler's position. The companion must be able to hear or see the handler.
Calm: (Command) Mount only. The mount takes no other action this round. Degrade the mount's Demoralized condition by 1 tier.
Attack: (Command) Gained at Basic. Engage designated target with natural weapon. Continue attacking until target is dead or given different command.
Actions
Must be declared before action is rolled
Wheel: (1 AP, Movement) The mount changes facing. Creatures adjacent to the mount's rear arc must succeed on a Strength trial against the mount's Ability DC or be pushed back 5 feet.
Caracole: (1 AP mount, 1 AP rider. Movement + Attack) The mount moves up to its full speed. At any point during the movement, the rider makes a single weapon attack against a target. Neither the mount nor the rider provokes a Reprisal Attack from that target as they pass. A second pass may be made in the same round at the same cost, consuming all remaining AP from both mount and rider. Countered by Set Spear vs Charge.
Overrun: (2 AP, Movement) The mount moves through spaces occupied by creatures of equal or smaller size. Each creature in the path is pushed 5 feet to the side. Creatures that fail a Strength trial against the mount's Ability DC also gain Prone. Countered by Set Spear vs Charge.
Stances
Must be stated at the start of the combat round
Steady: (Stance) While carrying a rider, the mount has Dominance and Superiority on defense rolls. The mount cannot attack while in Steady.
Passives
Always active
War Dance: (Passive) Once per round, while mounted, when your mount deals damage to a target, your next attack against that same target has Dominance.
Tricks
One free trick per trained tier (Untrained through GM, limited by the animal's training depth). Available to any companion species. Tricks are utility and flavor - they never use ability slots.
| Trick | Description |
|---|---|
| Message | Seeks out one recognized ally to deliver an item or message. Range: 1 mile per handler's Wilderness mastery tier. |
| Whistle | Comes to handler's whistle within hearing distance. |
| Stay | Waits within 30 ft of designated position for up to 2d4 hours or until commanded. |
| Fetch | Fetches one predetermined item. Changeable once per week. |
| Play Dead | Feigns death for up to 1d4 hours or until commanded. |
| Search | Searches an area (10 minutes). Perception trial may locate visible or scented traps/objects. |
Mount-Specific Tricks
| Trick | Description |
|---|---|
| Bow | Kneels for mounting when prompted. |
| Lie Down | Drops for cover/concealment when commanded, up to 1 minute. |
| Trick Riding | Rider gains bonus on mounted stunt trials. |
General Rules
- Only 1 active companion per animal slot (Companion and Mount). Stable of animals allowed, but only one deployed per slot.
- Swapping stabled animals is GM discretion for downtime requirements.
- Companions always have 2 AP. Never 3.
- Commands within training are free. Beyond training requires Beast Lore (Wilderness) trial.
- Training track abilities must be physically executable with the animal. GM approval required.
- All archetypes receive Light barding proficiency at Untrained. War, Guard, and Mount may acquire Medium and Heavy proficiency through training advancement.