DwD Studios

In the first ever AoW game I ran as a GM, two of the four players had trained animals. For the sake of setting some expectations of what these non-human characters could do I crafted the following house rule. From my (GM) perspective this worked reasonably well. I think the players had mixed feelings about the rule. What do you all think? What do you like? What would you change? How do other GMs handle trained animal capabilities?

Trained Animals:

All trained animals are “house trained” and know proper manners for eating, drinking, and elimination. Additionally, they understand and follow several basic commands when given to them by their trainer and/or primary companion. Each type of animal also has a set of other known commands they understand. Scouts may add one additional command per level for each animal they train. Having an animal perform an untrained action requires a successful Scout (animal handling) check.
Basic commands in common for all trained animals include voice and hand signals for:

1. Sit/stay/release – stay quietly in position until released or another command is given
2. Return (come/here) – return to companion
3. No/stop – stop what it is doing and maintain its current position, wait for next command

Guard Dogs have the following additional known commands:

1. Attack – advance and attack identified target, will attempt to tackle as part of initial attack
2. Guard – hold position (either a fixed spot or close to trainer) and bark when approached by unfamiliar person or creature and attack if target closes distance
3. Track – attempt (LOG check +40) to follow a target based on an identified scent

Trained monkeys have the following additional known commands:

1. Get it – retrieve an identified target and return it to companion
2. Hide – attempt to hide using stealth and will follow companion stealthily
3. Watch – alert companion if someone or something approaches

Trained animals act on the companion’s initiative if they are following a command previously given. When not commanded to take action, trained animals will attempt to stay close to their companions. Giving a command counts as an action for the trainer. Complex commands or strings of commands may require multiple actions.