Animal Companion Guidelines

Getting an animal companion who is willing to follow you into battle doesn't just happen overnight. In general, creatures will slowly move along this scale if the actions and choices you make over time (and of course successful animal handling checks) help move them closer to being an adventuring companion for you.

1. Hostile - an animal that is wild and behaves in an antagonistic way towards you. They will almost always attack you on sight.
2. Wary - an animal that isn't necessarily hostile, but doesn't trust you either. Curiosity might pull them closer for a while, but they are still prone to attacking you if provoked.
3. Indifferent - an animal that is not hostile to you, but not particularly friendly either. They're generally willing to let you do your own thing, and might show up from time to time looking for food or other helpful things you can give them.
4. Friendly - an animal that recognizes you and likes being around you. But they won't follow you around, instead popping in and out of your life when it suits them.
5. Domesticated - an animal that has made themself a part of your life. They begin to understand your language and will (mostly) listen when you give a command. Their self-preservation still outweighs their bond to you, though, so they will not follow you into battle or put themselves in danger for your sake.
6. Companion - an animal bonded to you in a truly unique and beautiful way. They will follow you into battle and protect your life with their own.

It takes time, patience, and many successful animal handling checks to move up the scale towards getting a true Animal Companion. Once you have successfully made it to the companion stage, creatures will use the MCDM Animal Companion rules.