SUGGESTION: A socially acceptable "normal" companion pet for locals

[hugolino]

For those who are native to Barovia, why can't there be a socially acceptable animal companion like a Barovian guard dog or some such? I remember many months ago seeing a garda (ranger) with a wolf named "Barovian guard dog" and I thought it was clever. Yet that "dog" surely was attacked by NPC garda and such and I doubt it was feasible in most situations. Why can't natives have socially acceptable animal companions?

[Vespertilio]

I wish mouse had been an option as a highly benign and innocuous familiar or companion, I'd have chosen it for the massive rp potential as well as the joy I experience every time I see:


Mouse enters rage

[Budly]

You mean like a Gundar worker (servant)

No, jokes away. Its an interesting idea! But I heard the Barovians even attack animals you use animal empathy on that they normally wouldn't attack, cause they change faction I guess to something the Barovians dont like.

[dark_majico]

Mice yes! We want mice!

[Vespertilio]

No, jokes away.

I wasn't joking, I think a mouse has a lot of rp potential.

[hugolino]

No, jokes away.

I wasn't joking, I think a mouse has a lot of rp potential.

I agree.

One idea I had to allow non-outcast animal companions would be to allow small non-threatening companions to share the outcast rating of their masters although either doubled or with an additive (intentionally favoring characters with very low outcast ratings themselves in an effort to encourage indigenous characters).

An alternate idea is to have small animal companions seem less threatening if they are near their humanoid companion, but receive regular hostile reactions from NPCs if they go too far away from their humanoid companion.

There might be other ways to accomplish the same sort of result. I'm not sure which, if any, is easier from a programming standpoint.

[herkles]

A raven is a socially accepted pet for a local. All sorts of legends and myths for native barovians point to the fact that Ravens are omens of good luck.

[Budly]

No, jokes away.

I wasn't joking, I think a mouse has a lot of rp potential.

Oh I was talking about my own stupid "Gundarakite pet" A rodent, rat would be awesome. I like your idea a lot.

[Minstrel]

....Miniature giant space hamster?

:3

And yes, my Barovian Ranger/Rogue/Fighter would probably like a guard dog rather than a wolf.

[Rex]

Carpathian Sheepdog would tear a wolf in half.  That's before you get to the breeds to the east north and west of Romania.......Caucasian Sheepdog would tear a hill giant in half.

~Rex

[respawnaholic]

Pigs.

Constantine would like to be able to walk around with his pig and not worry about getting truncheoned by the guarda.

[Vespertilio]

Pigs.

Constantine would like to be able to walk around with his pig and not worry about getting truncheoned by the guarda.

Pig would be a great option, while still allowing boar for more wild based druids or rangers.  Crags cats also come to mind along with an option for house cat as another means to allow rangers and druids to choose between a companion that is domesticated more wild one that is still more native than panther.

Same for wolf or dog, it allows for more variety in ways to play out the class within the setting, especially for those who want to play a native.  The Barovian guard dog was a great idea that would become even more applicable if it were an animal companion that looked like something other than a wolf.

[Zedrik]

I would love for Gia to be able to shift into crag cat form and have a crag cat companion rather than the panther, cause... Barovian...

[dark_majico]

Ferrets and weasels would be good too, im also all for having more grounded pets, I am not a fan of flying pets at all. Now if they stood on the ground whe they wherent flying that would be ok, then only flew when walking out of detect mode, even better, but as of now, hovering in one spot, no thanks! I hate all flying familiars.

[hugolino]

My original suggestion, by the way, was about animal companions, not magical familiars. Those familiars are creepy.

[dark_majico]

oh lol, well by familiars I mean both, in my head I just call them familiars though.

[herkles]

Ravens are considered lucky by barovians, so they would be socially acceptable to them.

[Zedrik]

Ravens are considered lucky by barovians, so they would be socially acceptable to them.

So long as the ravens aren't seen talking to people.