Magic Animals

and How to Bond Them

 Magic Animals

E
very city in El'Nalas reveres a different type
of animal. These animals are seen as the
city's protectors, and are worshipped as
sacred gifts from the gods. However, while
most of these animals are just normal
animals, some manifest special
peculiarities. Their appearance changes,
they develop an extraordinary intelligence and even seem to
give magical gifts and abilities to those who revere them.
No Mere Beasts
These magical animals are not simple creatures. They have
been imbued with fey or celestial magic and have become
something more. They are as intelligent as a normal man,
and have their own personality, goals and objectives. They
can naturally understand any spoken language and, even
though they cannot speak, find ways to communicate with
others. To kill one of these animals is seen as a terrible crime
in the city that worships them, and people are sometimes put
to death even for simply harming one.
Animals imbued with fey magic manifest this touch in
different ways. Some of them have glowing eyes, others have
strange runes on their pelt or feathers.
Bonding a Magical Animal Al Laat by Hazem Ameen
A character may attempt to bond a magical animal by
spending 8 hours interacting with it. The character makes a Optional Rule: Familiars
DC 15 animal handling check at the end of these 8 hours, if and Steeds
they succeed the animal becomes bonded to them. This bond
ends if either of them die, or if the character bonds another The following is an optional rule that some DMs may allow.
magical animal. A magical animal may also decide to bond Speak with your DM to understand if they'll allow it.
itself to a character if the character achieves a great feat or A creature bonded to an Ilenesyan crow or a Siran snake
proves themselves to be particularly skilled in an area of that knows the find familiar spell may choose to make the
interest to the animal. bonded animal their familiar.
If the character mistreats the magical animal or A creature bonded to a Kurdan lion or a Lykian Wolf that
consistently acts in a way the animal doesn't approve of, the knows the find steed spell (or find greater steed, if the DM
animal may choose to sever the bond. The character may also prefers) may choose to make the bonded creature their steed.
undertake a ten minute ritual to sever the bond themselves. A If a magical animal becomes a familiar or steed, all
creature cannot be bonded to more than one other creature characteristics of creatures summoned these spells are
at a time. applied to them instead. If the character already had a steed
Once a character has failed to bond a creature, they may or familiar, this disappears. Additionally, if the character
not try to bond the same individual creature again. If the dismisses the magical animal or it dies, whenever the
magical animal chooses to sever the bond with a character, it character next summons their familiar or steed, they may
may not be reestablished, and the animal will become hostile choose to give it the form of the magical animal they bonded.
to the character if they try to do so.
As long as a character is bonded to a magical animal, the Optional Rule: Immortal
animal always knows the character's direction as long as they
are on the same plane of existence, and vice versa. The Beings
magical animal is also friendly to the character and will obey
its verbal commands. In battle, the magical animal acts on its The following is an optional rule that some DMs may allow.
own initiative, and acts independently unless the character Speak with your DM to understand if they'll allow it.
gives it specific commands on their turn (no action required). If a magical animal dies, it returns to life after 24 hours
Furthermore, both bonded creatures (the animal and the with 1 hitpoint. It then regains all its hitpoints after an
character) have advantage on any Wisdom (insight) checks additional 24 hours.
made to understand each other.

2
Ilenesyan Crow
Sacred symbols of knowledge and intelligence, crows are
revered in the island city of Ilenes. Magical crows from this
city are attracted to geniuses and scholars, therefore
characters must use their Intelligence modifier instead of
their Wisdom modifier for animal handling checks made to
bond an Ilenesyan crow.
Ilenesyan arcanists are not considered truly great unless
they have sucessfully bonded an Ilenesyan crow.
Ilenesyan Crow
Tiny fey, Neutral good
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 3(1d6)
Speed 10 ft., fly 60 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
3 (-4) 15 (+2) 10 (0) 12 (+1) 14 (+2) 8 (-1)
Skills Arcana +3, Perception +4, Stealth +4
Senses Darkvision 60ft., passive Perception 14
Languages. The crow understands all languages, but
cannot speak
Challenge 0 (10 XP)
Bonded Magic. As long as the crow is within 100
feet of a creature bonded to it, that creature can
cast detect magic as a ritual. Furthermore, based on
the creature's level, as long as the crow is within
100 feet of it the creature can also cast one of the
following spells once without consuming a spell slot
or material components. After it has done so, it
must finish a long rest to do so again. Intelligence is
the bonded creature's spellcasting modifier for
these spells.
Level 1: Comprehend languages or speak with
animals.
Level 3: Animal messenger or borrowed
knowledge.
Level 5: Nondetection or tongues.
If the creature has spell slots, it can cast these
spells as if it knew them or had them prepared as
long as the crow is within 100 feet of it.
Keen Sight. The crow has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Well of Knowledge. As long as the crow is within 5
feet of a creature bonded to it, that creature has
advantage on Intelligence (arcana) checks it makes.
Actions
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 1 slashing damage.
Kurdan Lion
Sacred symbols of strength and bravery, lions are worshipped
in the warrior city of Kurda. Magical lions from this city are
attracted to great warriors and soldiers, therefore characters
must use their Strength modifier instead of their Wisdom
modifier for animal handling checks made to bond a Kurdan
lion.
Kurdan warriors often ride these lions into battle.
Kurdan Lion
Large fey, Lawful neutral
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 30 (4d10+8)
Speed 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 (+4) 15 (+2) 14 (+2) 9 (-1) 12 (+1) 8 (-1)
Skills Athletics +6, Perception +3, Stealth +4
Damage Resistance Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing From Nonmagical Attacks
Senses Darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages. The lion understands all languages, but
cannot speak
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Keen Smell. The lion has advantage on Wisdom
(Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. The lion has advantage on an attack roll
against a creature if at least one of the lion's allies is
within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't
incapacitated.
Pounce. If the lion moves at least 20 ft. straight
toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack
on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC
13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If
the target is prone, the lion can make one bite
attack against it as a bonus action.
Protective bond. Whenever a creature within 5 ft. of
the lion hits the creature bonded to it with an
attack, the lion may make a claw attack against that
creature as a reaction.
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the lion
can long jump up to 25 ft..
Well of Strength. As long as the lion is within 10 feet
of a creature bonded to it, that creature has
advantage on Strength (athletics) checks it makes.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.
3
Lykian Wolf
Symbols of wisdom and loyalty, wolves are the sacred
animals of the small mountain town of Lykoikos. Lupian
wolves value wisdom and empathy.
Lykian Wolf
Medium fey, Lawful good
Armor Class 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 13 (2d8+4)
Speed 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 14 (+2) 10 (0) 14 (+2) 8 (-1)
Skills Insight +4, Perception +4, Stealth +5
Damage Resistance Bludgeoning, Piercing, and
Slashing From Nonmagical Attacks
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages. The wolf understands all languages, but
cannot speak
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Bonded Magic. As long as the wolf is within 100 feet
of a creature bonded to it, that creature can cast
alarm as a ritual. Furthermore, as long as the wolf is
within 100 feet of it the creature can also cast
either hunter's mark or longstrider once without
consuming a spell slot or material components.
After it has done so, it must finish a long rest to do
so again. Wisdom is the bonded creature's
spellcasting modifier for these spells. If the creature
has spell slots, it can cast these spells as if it knew
them or had them prepared as long as the wolf is
within 100 feet of it.
Keen Hearing and Smell. The wolf has advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or
smell.
Pack Tactics. The wolf has advantage on an attack
roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf's
allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't
incapacitated.
Protective bond. Whenever a creature within 5 ft. of
the wolf hits the creature bonded to it with an
attack, the wolf may make a bite attack against that
creature as a reaction.
Well of Understanding. As long as the wolf is within
10 feet of a creature bonded to it, that creature has
advantage on Wisdom (insight) checks it makes.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: (2d4 + 3) piercing damage. If the
target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 11
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone
Siran Snake
Sacred symbols of foresight and lies, snakes are sacred in the
city of Sira, seat of the Oracle. These snakes are attracted to
performers and deceivers, therefore characters must use
their Charisma modifier instead of their Wisdom modifier for
animal handling checks made to bond a Siran snake.
Siran Snake
Tiny fey, Chaotic neutral
Armor Class 13 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 2(1d4)
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
6 (-2) 15 (+2) 10 (0) 11 (0) 13 (+1) 14 (+2)
Skills Stealth +4, Deception +2
Senses Blindsight 10 Ft., passive Perception 11
Languages. The snake understands all languages, but
cannot speak
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Bonded Magic. As long as the snake is within 100
feet of a creature bonded to it, that creature can
cast augury as a ritual. Furthermore, based on the
creature's level, as long as the snake is within 100
feet of it the creature can also cast one of the
following spells once without consuming a spell slot
or material components. After it has done so, it
must finish a long rest to do so again. Charisma is
the bonded creature's spellcasting modifier for
these spells.
Level 1: Detect good and evil or Detect poison
and disease.
Level 3: Locate animals or plants or locate object.
Level 5: Clairvoyance or speak with dead.
If the creature has spell slots, it can cast these
spells as if it knew them or had them prepared as
long as the snake is within 100 feet of it.
Well of Guile. As long as the snake is within 5 feet of
a creature bonded to it, that creature has advantage
on Charisma (deception) checks it makes.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage plus (2d4)
poison damage. The target must make a DC 10
Constitution saving throw, taking the poison
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on
a successful one.
 
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