The user gains the companionship of a creature of no more than CR½ that is present during the course of the ritual. A caster of 11th level of greater may gain the companionship of a creature up to CR1. An animal companion must be pacified or tamed before the spell can be used on it. (This can be done by succeeding a animal handling check, or some other way through your DM's discretion.)
The user may speak with their animal companion at all times in a way similar to the Speak with Animals spell (q.v.)
The animal companion acts independently of the user and is a “boon companion” rather than a familiar or other similar spirit aide. In combat it rolls its own initiative and takes its own actions. The animal companion gains hit dice such that it always has the same number of hit dice as their caster companion, and they are allowed either Ability Score Improvements or Feats at the same time as their caster gain the same improvement. Their proficiency score is always equal to that of their caster, and they may use the caster's Intelligence and Wisdom saves instead of their own
The animal companion remains with the caster until death or until it is released – while amazingly hale and hearty it’s lifespan is not greater than that of its wilder brethren. Released companions often stay near places of Power and act as guardians as priests take care of them in their final years. Additionally, nothing prevents a caster from Awakening (q.v.) an Animal Companion – often making these guardians quite dangerous.
A caster may only have one Animal Companion at a time.
Comments