Animal Companions - How are their deaths handled here?

[maulofthetitans55]

So me and Kaltyra got into a debate about animal companions and would like some DM clarification please.

When you kill an animal companion does it leave a corpse behind? Is it Resurrectable? Can I eat it after I kill it, if allowed? Does it wisk away as soon as it dies or leave behind pixie dust like dismissing a familiar does? Can I Rp stuffing the animal in my bag? etc.

Not suggesting someone shouldn't be able to resummon their pet if i kill/eat it but would like more info on how their deaths are handled on BGTSCC please!

Thank You

[DM Narshe]

Animal Companion (Ex): A druid may begin play with an animal companion selected from the following list: badger, camel, dire rat, dog, riding dog, eagle, hawk, horse (light or heavy), owl, pony, snake (Small or Medium viper), or wolf. If the DM’s campaign takes place wholly or partly in an aquatic environment, the DM may add the following creatures to the druid’s list of options: crocodile, porpoise, Medium shark, and squid. This animal is a loyal companion that accompanies the druid on her adventures as appropriate for its kind.

A 1st-level druid’s companion is completely typical for its kind except as noted in the sidebar on page 36. As a druid advances in level, the animal’s power increases as shown on the table in the sidebar.

If a druid releases her companion from service, she may gain a new one by performing a ceremony requiring 24 uninterrupted hours of prayer. This ceremony can also replace an animal companion that has perished.

A druid of 4th level or higher may select from alternative lists of animals (see the sidebar). Should she select an animal companion from one of these alternative lists, the creature gains abilities as if the character’s druid level were lower than it actually is. Subtract the value indicated in the appropriate list header from the character’s druid level and compare the result with the druid level entry on the table in the sidebar to determine the animal companion’s powers. (If this adjustment would reduce the druid’s effective level to 0 or lower, she can’t have that animal as a companion.) For example, a 6th-level druid could select a leopard as an animal companion. The leopard would have characteristics and special abilities as if the druid were 3rd level (taking into account the –3 adjustment) instead of 6th level.

It's an extraordinary ability, meaning you're not summoning anything from another plane. You are simply calling it. You can resurrect it. It is always the same companion until it dies (assuming you don't revive it) or you send it away permanently and spend the 24 hours praying to replace it with another (also in the event that it dies..) It does not disappear when slain. A lost animal companion can be immediately replaced by the 24 hour prayer for another.

A familiar is similar to an animal companion in many regards. It is a normal animal until bound to a spellcaster, then it become a magical beast. It is still native to the plane and does not disappear when slain. A slain familiar cannot be replaced for a year and a day and also requires 24 hours to replace. It can also be raised from the dead.

An animal companion cannot be chosen as your familiar if you have class combinations that allow for both.

If you wish to eat an animal that's your call. Just remember that if it's your companion, you might suffer consequences such as a sudden loss of druid spells and affinity. It's not a free source of meals.

Ex-Druids

A druid who ceases to revere nature, changes to a prohibited alignment, or teaches the Druidic language to a nondruid loses all spells and druid abilities (including her animal companion, but not including weapon, armor, and shield proficiencies). She cannot thereafter gain levels as a druid until she atones (see the atonement spell description, page 201).

If you eat someone else's companion, you'll still probably suffer the consequences of them hating you.

[maulofthetitans55]

Wow quick response! Thanks a ton!