Animal Companion (630)

Animal Companion (630) Mnemonic [ANIMALCOM] Duration Special Utility Magic   Subtype Attack & Utility  Components a wild animal  Availability Special Self-cast

Ranger Base Spells Natural Colors (601) Defensive Resist Elements (602) Defensive Wild Entropy (603) Attack Nature's Bounty (604) Utility Barkskin (605) Defensive Phoen's Strength (606) Offensive Sounds (607) Attack Camouflage (608) Offensive Sun Burst (609) Attack Tangle Weed (610) Attack Moonbeam (611) Attack Breeze (612) Utility Self Control (613) Defensive Imbue (614) Utility Call Swarm (615) Attack Spike Thorn (616) Attack Sneaking (617) Utility Mobility (618) Defensive Mass Calm (619) Attack Resist Nature (620) Utility Nature's Touch (625) Defensive Animal Companion (630) Utility Nature's Fury (635) Attack Wall of Thorns (640) Defensive Assume Aspect (650) Utility

Animal Companion allows a ranger to befriend an animal as a permanent companion. The ranger can tell their companion to do a number of actions including attacking creatures or defending the ranger, although the companion will respond faster if it has a good relationship with the ranger and slower if not.

A ranger can gauge the quality of the relationship by GAZing at the animal companion and the relationship is established or improved by FEEDing, PETting, casting helpful spells at, or otherwise interacting with the animal companion in a positive fashion.

All four companion types (canine, feline, avian, rodent) are capable of attacking creatures (or other characters) and they do either slash (feline, avian) or puncture (canine, rodent) damage. In addition, they each have different special attacks. Animal companions will attack when told to do so and will also attack automatically when the ranger is stunned or killed. A companion's attacks are considered nature damage.

When using Assume Aspect (650), donning an aspect of a creature of the same category of the ranger's animal companion will provide a bonus to the provided benefit.

Animal Companions can be customized via Animal Companion grooming, a special merchant service.

Guarding Benefits

Telling your companion to GUARD (wait once your companion walks in front of you) gives a DS benefit. The DS benefit starts at +5 at 30 Ranger Base spell ranks and increases by +1 DS per 2 ranks, with an additional bonus based on affinity. The total DS bonus caps out at +25.

While GUARDing, companions will search for hidden creatures/players. Discovered creatures will be immediately revealed. If a player is found, the companion will indicate them to the ranger, but not reveal them.

An order to GUARD or ATTACK will be performed immediately when the companion has not recently taken a combat action.

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Summoning a Companion

Summoning a new companion is relatively straightforward. First, the ranger should find the desired companion using SENSE, then PREPARE 630 and SUMMON {desired animal}. Failure to specify a particular animal will summon a random animal in the room. F2P subscription (free to play) accounts can only summon companions of the canine variety.

Sense

>sense 
You scan your surroundings, considering the various flora and fauna found here (and noting those which are absent).  The indications of the temperate climate and the deciduous forest are clearly evident.  You quickly note the signs of a black-tipped forest tiger, a white-footed woodland jackal and a black-nosed mottled ferret having recently been in the area.  Circling overhead is a fan-tailed branch peregrine.  You also see a steep path.

There will always be one of each type of animal companion (canine, feline, avian, rodent) in every outdoor room, but the exact animal noun (e.g. tiger, puma, ocelot) will depend on the location, with some animals being exclusive to certain cities and its descriptor (e.g. black-footed, amber-eyed) will depend on the terrain type in a particular room (see the animal companion page for details).

Summon

>sense 
You scan your surroundings, considering the various flora and fauna found here (and noting those which are absent).  The indications of the temperate climate and the plain dirt environment are clearly evident.  You quickly note the signs of a black-tipped orange tiger, a white-footed drab jackal and a black-nosed mire ferret having recently been in the area.  Circling overhead is a fan-tailed dusky peregrine.  You don't see any other paths leading away from the area. 
>prep 630 
>summon tiger 
You open your senses wide and allow the desires and feelings of the areas denizens fill your mind.  At the very edge of your perceptions, you feel a bright glow of curiosity tinged with wariness.  Concentrating, you focus your desire of friendship and camaraderie towards that bright spot.  At first the wariness holds but it is soon followed by a sharp peak in curiosity as if a decision had been made.
A black-tipped orange tiger prowls majestically forward! 

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After Summoning

Acquiring Your Companion

• If you have been lucky enough to get a companion to come when you requested it, then you will have to bond with it. To do that you have to show it affection like any other animal in order to gain its trust. How this is done is fairly simple but is left for the adventurer to discover.
• After a short time if you don't bond with the companion it will leave you and you will be penalized for some time. Do not fret as this is not permanent and you can attempt to gain the trust of another in a short while.
• If you feel that you have gained its trust, its advisable to try and befriend it. BEFRIEND <companion noun> will bond you and the companion together such that the link between the two of you is nigh unto unbreakable.
• This is a bond that will rise and fall; you can't neglect your companion and expect it to be there for you when you are down on your luck. Treat your companion well and he/she will serve well.

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After Bonding

When a companion has been selected and befriended, it should be told to leave before the ranger retires from a hard day of adventuring or upon gaining a level and can be summoned again by preparing and casting the spell again, then telling the companion to return.

Failure to tell a companion to leave before retiring from adventuring means the companion will forget new things (including improvements to the relationship and gear added to the companion) and failing to tell an animal companion to leave after achieving a new level means that the animal will not level with the ranger.

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Messaging

Canine special maneuver

A forest wolf lunges at a massive troll king!
A forest wolf grabs a massive troll king's hand in his mouth and shakes his head back and forth viciously!
 ... 30 points of damage!
 Impressive shot shatters wrist!
A massive troll king screams in pain as its arm falls to the ground! 

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Companion Types and Locations

Animal Companions come in four distinct types: feline, canine, avian and rodent. Click on the header row triangles to sort alphabetically.

Avian	Canine	Feline	Rodent	Region
Gyrefalcon	Howler	Catamount	Badger	Wehnimer's Landing
Peregrine	Hyena	Jaguarundi	Caiverine	Wehnimer's Landing
Saker	Jackal	Lynx	Ferret	Wehnimer's Landing
Shrike	Loper	Rasper	Mole	Wehnimer's Landing
Trakel	Wolfhound	Tiger	Passo	Wehnimer's Landing
Kestrel	Canid	Jaguar	Boarrat	Landing Graveyard
Osprey	Dobrem	Serval	Mongoose	Landing Graveyard
Screech-owl	Curwolf	Ocelot	Barrowrat	Broken Lands
Stratis	Scrabbler	Puma	Rat	Broken Lands
Buzzard	Bushwag	Kodkod	Capybara	Solhaven
Harrier	Curwolf	Margay	Marmot	Solhaven
Sea-eagle	Dhole	Tunnelcat	Muskrat	Solhaven
Seahawk	Fox	Wildcat	Raccoon	Solhaven
Vulture	Kuvasz	Yowler	Weasel	Solhaven
Goshawk	Coyote	Mudcat	Cacevail	Icemule Trace
Shrika	Curhound	Puma	Rockrat	Icemule Trace
Snow-owl	Dobrem	Snowcat	Sloth	Icemule Trace
Sparrowhawk	Scrabbler	Tiger	Tothis	Icemule Trace
Woodpecker	Wolfhound	Tunnelcat	Whiskrat	Icemule Trace
Falcon	Greatfang	Panther	Graiphel	Pinefar
Raptor	Howler	Snowcat	Vole	Pinefar
Albatross	Banishara	Cheetah	Beaver	Teras Isle
Baza	Coyote	Leopard	Sandrat	Teras Isle
Heron	Fennec	Lion	Wolverine	Teras Isle
Karet	Foxhound	Mudcat	Woodchuck	Teras Isle
Raven	Greatfang	Veercat	Woodshrew	Teras Isle
Eagle	Hound	Bobcat	Burrovine	River's Rest
Hawk	Ledisa	Caracal	Hedgehog	River's Rest
Kite	Mastiff	Cougar	Mink	River's Rest
Owl	Narmo	Felid	Nutria	River's Rest
Seagull	Samoyed	Panther	Wombat	River's Rest
Condor	Canid	Jaguar	Barrowrat	Ta'Illistim
Elf-owl	Fennec	Kodkod	Groundhog	Ta'Illistim
Hawk-eagle	Kuvasz	Lynx	Porcupine	Ta'Illistim
Lugger	Ledisa	Ocelot	Vole	Ta'Illistim
Rowl	Samoyed	Veercat	Whiskrat	Ta'Illistim
Crow	Banishara	Bobcat	Badger	Ta'Vaalor
Cygnet	Canid	Catamount	Graiphel	Ta'Vaalor
Fenvaok	Dhole	Leopard	Mongoose	Ta'Vaalor
Kingfisher	Foxhound	Rasper	Sloth	Ta'Vaalor
Swift	Hyena	Wildcat	Wolverine	Ta'Vaalor
Caracara	Bushwag	Cheetah	Muzzlerat	In-Between Areas
Pigeonhawk	Curhound	Yowler	Wombat	In-Between Areas
Besra	Culpeo	Clouded Leopard	Jabady	Caligos Isle
Harpy Eagle	Jungle Fox	Goldencat	Fossa	Caligos Isle
Caligos Eagle	Bush Dog	Caligos Lynx	Fanaloka	Caligos Isle

Unrecorded: Zul Logoth, Old Ta'Faendryl, Mist Harbor

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Tell Commands

Syntax: TELL COMPANION TO <action>

• ATTACK <player or creature>:

This will request your companion to engage a beast or player. An order to ATTACK will be performed immediately when the companion has not recently taken a combat action. If the ranger leaves the room or if the target dies, the companion will cease the battle. **Can be used in roundtime.

Your companion senses your atavistic feelings as his raw untamed emotions begin to surface and he turns his attention fully toward the stone gargoyle that he believes is the source of your irritation.

• GUARD:

This requests your companion to shield you when you are in need of some help. An order to GUARD will be performed immediately when the companion has not recently taken a combat action. **Can be used in roundtime.

Your companion wanders closer as he detects your desire for protection.

• WANDER:

Basically giving your companion the freedom to wander about the area. (Supposedly helps with bonding)

You impress upon your companion the thought of boundless freedom and sense an eagerness from him to explore in return.

• RETURN:

Brings your companion to your side. **Can be used in roundtime.

Your desire to see your companion again attracts his attention and you feel him start to race to meet you.

• FEED:

This will have your companion looking for food if it's around.

You concentrate on the tastes and smells of food and focusing it down the link to your companion.  After a few moments you feel the hunger pangs that this induces in your companion.

• LEAVE:

This will send the companion away until you cast it again. It should appear as it left your side.

Your feelings push outward in askance of your companion to rest.  The link carries back his discontent but grudging agreement to leave for now.

Your thoughts and feelings stray outward, as they impinge upon your companion's thoughts, you edge a bit of tiredness to them and soon your companion feels the need to rest.

• SCOUT:

Sends your companion forth in a certain area to scout the surroundings and its inhabitants. (Ex: tell companion to scout northward)

• CEASE:

This will stop all commands that you have given to the companion, such as telling it to wander then stopping it. **Can be used in roundtime.

You feel outward to your companion and impress upon him your desire that he cease his current endeavor.
Roundtime: 13 sec.

• TRACK:

Requests your companion to locate a player, certain restrictions are involved with this as companions dislike to venture into some areas or to far from your side.

• NUDGE:

For all companions that don't fly, this allows them to propel various objects about by applying a modicum of nose-power.

• DRAG:

The canine and feline companions will frolic about with corpses if asked politely. This allows you to ask them to drag the stiffs in certain directions.

• MESSAGE:

The flying companions can deliver messages to others adventurers. There are restrictions to what the companion can deliver. Beware what you write, most of the more intelligent companions have a slight understanding of the written word.

• SIT:

This will let the companion know that you desire it to sit down.

Your thoughts filter outward, impressing upon your companion the desire that he should sit.

• STAND:

Requests your companion to stand up.

• STAY:

Requests the companion to stay where it currently is located.

You send a flicker of desire for your companion to stay where he currently is at.  A sense of reluctance can be felt washing back over you but in the end you feel him acquiesce.

• SLEEP:

Will give your companion some well-deserved rest.

You force a feeling of indolence out along your link to your companion and feel him begin to slowly sink into a slumber.

• FLY:

Requests your avian companion to get airborne. Hooyah!

• LAND:

What goes up must come down. Use this to request your avian companion to land.

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Healing and Feeding

A Ranger may use the proper healing herb or potion on their companion and it will heal the appropriate wound. Companions will only let their Ranger, or someone in their Ranger’s group, feed or heal them. Only the Ranger will see link messaging when they feed their companion.

When companions have a bleeding wound or are under half health, they'll indicate their declining state to the Ranger. This messaging will not occur more than once per 15 minutes.

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Affinity

Use GAZE to assess the current affinity level:

Level	Messaging	Notes
Animosity	...simply glares back at you with barely contained animosity.
Disdain	...stares back at you with disdain and turns away.
Familiarity	...glances back at you with familiarity.	Initial level before BEFRIEND
Contentment	...returns the look with a sense of contentment.	Initial level after BEFRIEND
Friendly	...gives a warm, friendly look in return.
Companionship	...gazes back at you as if to affirm your companionship.
Longtime friend	...meets your gaze with one like that of a longtime friend.
Admiration	...gazes back at you with strong admiration.	Can follow indoors with Nature's Touch active
Fellowship	...returns your look along with a solid feeling of fellowship.
Fondness	...meets your gaze and returns a strong feeling of fondness.
Commitment	...gazes back at you as if to impart a solid sense of commitment.
Undying loyalty	...looks directly into your eyes and offers a sense of undying loyalty.

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Interactive Messaging

Caster Messaging

VERB	TYPE	FIRST	THIRD
PET	FELINE/CANINE	Warm: You pet the goldencat, scratching her behind the ears. Friendly: You pet the goldencat, scratching her neck affectionately. Neutral or below:You pet the goldencat.	Person rubs the goldencat, scratching her behind the ears. Person affectionately scratches the goldencat's neck. Person pets the goldencat.
	RODENT	Warm: You pet the weasel, gently rubbing her fur. Neutral or below:You pet the weasel.	Person gently rubs the weasel. Person pets the weasel.
	AVIAN	Warm: You stroke the seahawk, rubbing her feathers gently. Friendly:You stroke the seahawk, rubbing her affectionately. Neutral or below:You stroke the seahawk.	Person strokes the seahawk, rubbing her feathers gently. Person affectionately rubs the seahawk. Person strokes the seahawk.
RUB	FELINE/CANINE	You gently rub the sable-point goldencat on the head and neck. The goldencat breathes out a quick sigh.	Person gently rubs the sable-point goldencat on the head and neck. The goldencat breathes out a quick sigh
	RODENT	You gently rub the russet timber weasel on the head and neck. The weasel slightly twitches her whiskers.	Person gently rubs the russet timber weasel on the head and neck. The weasel slightly twitches her whiskers.
	AVIAN	You gently rub the dappled seahawk on the head and neck. The seahawk fluffs up her feathers.	Person gently rubs the dappled seahawk on the head and neck. The seahawk fluffs up her feathers.
PLAY	FELINE/CANINE (forces ranger prone)	You cast a sidelong glance at your companion and manage to catch her attention, bracing yourself as best you can. Suddenly, she leaps toward you and knocks you playfully to the ground! You roll around attempting to dodge soft paws and nips as she attempts to get the upper hand. The bout finally ends in a draw, both of you breathing a little heavier. Roundtime: 10 sec.	Person casts a sidelong glance at the chestnut forest fox and manages to catch her attention, bracing herself for impact. Suddenly, the fox leaps toward her and knocks her playfully to the ground! The two of them tumble and roll around hand-to-paw, each attempting to gain the advantage. The bout finally ends in a draw, each of the contenders breathing a little heavier.
	RODENT	You cast a sidelong glance at your companion and manage to catch his attention, bracing yourself as best you can. Suddenly, he bounds toward you and hurtles himself toward your chest! You instinctively hold out your arms to receive him as he scuttles and wriggles about, playfully scratching and nipping at you. He manages to get about as high as your shoulder before you get him under control and plop him back on the ground. Roundtime: 10 sec.	Person casts a sidelong glance at the russet timber weasel and manages to catch her attention, bracing herself for impact. Suddenly, the weasel bounds toward her and hurtles herself toward Person's chest! Person instinctively holds out her arms to receive the creature, who begins scuttling and wriggling about, playfully scratching and nipping at Person. The weasel manages to get about as high as Person's shoulder before she gets the weasel under control and plops her back on the ground.
	AVIAN	You cock your head and lock eyes with the seahawk, initiating a playful staring match. She returns your gaze, jerking her head back and forth before turning her back and fluffing her feathers. Roundtime: 5 sec.	Person dips her head and cocks it to one side, locking eyes with the dappled seahawk. The two continue their staring match, posturing and mimicking each other for a long moment before the seahawk breaks it off by turning her back and fluffing her feathers.
REST	FELINE/CANINE	You take a seat near the sable-point goldencat, leaning against her side and closing your eyes for a moment's rest. The goldencat gazes about the area, watching over you dutifully.	Person takes a seat near the sable-point goldencat, leaning against the goldencat's side and closing her eyes for a moment's rest. The goldencat gazes about the area, watching over Person dutifully.
	RODENT	You lean up against the russet timber weasel, closing your eyes for a moment's rest. The weasel squeaks and glances about the area, watching over you dutifully.	Person leans up against the russet timber weasel, closing her eyes for a moment's rest. The weasel squeaks and glances about the area, watching over Person dutifully.
	AVIAN	You take a seat near the dappled seahawk, leaning against her side and closing your eyes for a moment's rest. The seahawk casts a wary eye over the area, watching over you dutifully.	Person takes a seat near the dappled seahawk, leaning against the seahawk's side and closing her eyes for a moment's rest. The seahawk casts a wary eye over the area, watching over Person dutifully.
SCRATCH	FELINE	As you scratch the sable-point goldencat behind the ears, she tilts her head into your hand, attempting to offer up the best angle to reach the itchiest spots.	As Person scratches the sable-point goldencat behind the ears, the feline tilts her head into Person's hand
	CANINE	As you scratch the chestnut forest fox behind the ears, she tilts her head into your hand, attempting to offer up the best angle to reach the itchiest spots.	As Person scratches the chestnut forest fox behind the ears, the canine tilts her head into Person's hand
	RODENT	As you scratch the russet timber weasell behind the ears, she tilts his head into your hand, attempting to offer up the best angle to reach the itchiest spots.	As Person scratches the russet timber weasel behind the ears, the creature tilts her head into Person's hand.
	AVIAN	You gently scratch at the dappled seahawk's nape feathers, picking at the sheath of a budding pinfeather. The dappled seahawk closes her eyes and twists her head to offer the best possible reach of the itchiest spots.	Person gently scratches at the back of the dappled seahawk's neck, preening and fussing over the bird's feathers.
KISS	FELINE	You lean in and plant a kiss on the sable-point goldencat's nose. She turns to lap at your cheek with her rough tongue.	Person gives the sable-point goldencat a kiss on the nose. The sable-point goldencat turns to lap at her cheek with her rough tongue.
	CANINE	You lean in and plant a kiss on top of the chestnut forest fox's muzzle. She turns to lap at your cheek with no small bit of slobber.	Person gives the chestnut forest fox a kiss on the top of her muzzle. The chestnut forest fox turns to lap at her cheek with no small bit of slobber.
	RODENT	You lean in and give the russet timber weasel a kiss on the top of her snout. She squeaks and twitches her nose at you.	Person gives the russet timber weasel a kiss on the top of her head. The russet timber weasel squeaks and twitches her nose at Person.
	AVIAN	You lean in and give the dappled seahawk a kiss on the top of her head.	Person gives the dappled seahawk a kiss on the beak. The dappled seahawk turns and rubs her head softly against Person's cheek.
LEAN	FELINE	You reach over and lean a hand on the sleek sable-point goldencat's back, rubbing her gently. She tilts her head toward you and purrs in response.	Person reaches over and leans a hand on the sable-point goldencat's back, rubbing her gently. The sable-point goldencat looks toward her and purrs in response.
	CANINE	You reach over and lean a hand on the chestnut forest fox's back, rubbing her gently. She tilts her head toward you and pants in response.	Person reaches over and leans a hand on the chestnut forest fox's back, rubbing her gently. The chestnut forest fox looks toward her and pants in response.
	RODENT	(From standing):You reach over and lean a hand on the russet timber weasel's back, rubbing her gently. She tilts her head toward you and emits a small squeak. (From sitting, lying, kneeling)You shuffle over and lean lightly on the russet timber weasel, wrapping an arm around her body.	Person reaches over and leans a hand on the russet timber weasel's back, rubbing her gently. The russet timber weasel looks toward her and emits a small squeak. Person shuffles over and leans lightly on russet timber weasel, wrapping an arm around her body.
	AVIAN	You reach over and lean a hand on the dappled seahawk's back, rubbing her feathers gently. She tilts her head toward you as she emits a low trill.	Person reaches over and leans a hand on the dappled seahawk's back, rubbing her feathers gently. The dappled seahawk tilts her head toward her and emits a low trill.
PUSH	FELINE	You shove playfully at the sable-point goldencat, who bats playfully at you with a paw before jumping to the side in attempts to avoid your touch.	Person shoves playfully at the sable-point goldencat, who bats playfully at her with a paw before jumping to the side in attempts to avoid her touch.
	CANINE	You shove playfully at the chestnut forest fox, who yips excitedly and jumps sideways in attempts to avoid your touch.	Person shoves playfully at the chestnut forest fox, who yips excitedly and jumps sideways in attempts to avoid her touch.
	RODENT	You shove playfully at the russet timber weasel, who scratches playfully at you with a paw before jumping to the side in attempts to avoid your touch.	Person shoves playfully at the russet timber weasel, who scratches playfully at her with a paw before jumping to the side in attempts to avoid her touch.
	AVIAN	You shove playfully at the dappled seahawk, who flutters up and playfully clacks her beak at you and flies just out of reach before landing again.	Person shoves playfully at the dappled seahawk, who flutters up and playfully clacks her beak at Person and flies just out of reach before landing again.
PULL	FELINE/CANINE/RODENT	You reach over to the sable-point goldencat, running your fingers through her fur to check for burrs, twigs, and insects.	Person reaches over to the sable-point goldencat, gently running her fingers through the goldencat's fur to check for burrs, twigs, and insects.
	AVIAN	You offer your arm to the dappled seahawk, who quickly steps up onto it. You pull the bird close to your chest, holding it near to your body for a few moments before she hops back down.	Person offers her arm to the dappled seahawk, who confidently steps up onto it. Person pulls the bird close to her chest, protectively hovering over it for a few moments before the seahawk hops back down.
TAP	ALL	You give the sable-point goldencat a little tap between the shoulder blades. She turns her attentive gaze toward you.	Person gives the sable-point goldencat a little tap between the shoulder blades. The goldencat turns her gaze toward Person!
DUST	ALL	You raise an arm and lean toward the sable-point goldencat, playfully making a dusting motion in her direction.	Person raises an arm and leans towards the sable-point goldencat, playfully making a dusting motion in her direction.
HOLD	ALL	You consider holding hands with a sleek sable-point goldencat. Surely your prospects can't be that dim?	Person glances at a sleek sable-point goldencat with a forlorn expression on her face.
TICKLE	ALL	You consider tickling a sleek sable-point goldencat, but decide against it. If anyone saw you doing that, you'd never live it down!	Person flexes her fingers and extends them toward a sleek sable-point goldencat as if to tickle her, but then shakes her head at the last minute and pulls her hand back.
SLEEP (when AC sitting or lying)	ALL	You curl up against a sleek sable-point goldencat as you close your eyes and drift off to sleep.	Person curls up against a sleek sable-point goldencat as she closes her eyes and appears to fall asleep.

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Resources

• Saved posts
• Ranger Base/saved posts
• Companion Accessories
• Animal Companion grooming
• Vyrshkana's Great Elanthian Companion Project