Animal Empathy

A successful check allows a character to calm or dominate certain creatures. However, Animal Empathy is not a charm; rather it is an exchange between an animal and a person who can communicate with that animal. Animal Empathy is not telepathy; the exchange is empathic not telepathic. Those who are trained in Animal Empathy don't read an animal's mind; instead, they are aware of an animal's emotional state and know how to respond using body language and their own emotions. Druids and Rangers can use their training in Animal Empathy to align with the will and interests of the animal, so much so that the animal would even join the druid/ranger in combat. However, those trained in the use of Animal Empathy are also taught not to abuse the skill by leading an animal into unnecessary death or in any way disrupting the balance of nature.

• Ability: Charisma
• Classes:
  • Druid
  • Ranger
  • Shifter
• Cross-Class: No
• Requires Training: Yes
• Check:
  • Calming: The check is automatic and works according to the Mass Calming game system.
  • Dominating: Animals and dire animals have a difficulty class of 15 + the creature's Hit Die. For beasts and magical beasts, the DC is 19 + the creature's hit die. If the check succeeds, the creature is dominated.
• Special: If the character fails their check by five or more, the creature will go hostile.
• Use: Select this skill and then select the target creature. Dominated creatures will be commanded as if they were henchmen. The creature will remain dominated for one turn per level of the character using the skill.