Many adventurers have pet dogs, horses, or even a magical familiar. These animals can bring a lot of personality to the owner, and flavor the adventures with a new spice. These rules will bring greater depth and knowledge into the skills, advancement, and attributes of the various animals. Only normal animals follow these rules. Sentient creatures, including pecks, and many of the magical monsters of the game must use the Advanced New Skill Rules instead.
The first step is to choose or identify the species of animal for the pet. Each species has a separate HEA, STR, AGL, DEX, and movement rate. All animals have the same INT + WIL however. Animal Intellect is always rolled on a 1d10, while animal Willpower is rolled with 4d10. The following chart will determine the physical attribute of the animal or pet. Attributes for horses and beasts of burden can be found in Riding Animals.
| Animal | HEA | STR | AGL | DEX | MOVE |
| Bird, Small | 10 + 1d10 | 5 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 5 + 1d10 | FLY 60ft |
| Bird, Large | 20 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | FLY 60ft |
| Bird, Hunting | 25 + 1d10 | 15 + 1d10 | 50 + 1d10 | 25 + 1d10 | FLY 60ft |
| Dog, Small | 20 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 25 + 1d10 | RUN 37ft |
| Dog, Large | 30 + 1d10 | 20 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | RUN 42ft |
| Dog, Hunting | 35 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | 50 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | RUN 45ft |
| Cat, Small | 15 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | 50 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | RUN 37ft |
| Cat, Hunting | 35 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | 55 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | RUN 50ft |
| Rodent, Small | 5 + 1d10 | 5 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 25 + 1d10 | RUN 30ft |
| Rodent, Large | 15 + 1d10 | 15 + 1d10 | 45 + 1d10 | 25 + 1d10 | RUN 35ft |
| Toad | 1d10 | 1d10 | 20 + 1d10 | 5 + 1d10 | HOP 5ft |
| Snake, Small | 10 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | 20 + 1d10 | 10 + 1d10 | SLITHER 20ft |
| Snake, Large | 30 + 1d10 | 20 + 1d10 | 30 + 1d10 | 20 + 1d10 | SLITHER 35ft |
Animals can learn certain skills and tricks. Animals will increase their skills or add new skills when their owner does. When the owner advances to a new level of experience, the pet will gain two skill slots to improve or learn new skills. Animals cannot increase their attributes. All animals have Defensive Tactics. Most animals are skilled in Swimming, Combat (Natural Weapon Brawling), Camouflage and Hiding. Hunting animals have been trained in Hunting/Tracking. The full list of skills that an animal can learn follows with a brief description of each. Not every animal can learn every skill. Some discretion is required for logic's sake.
| Name of Animal Skill | Brief Description of Skill |
| Battle Trained | The animal will not spook in combat. Generally taught only to horses and other skittish animals. |
| Camouflage | Hiding in the underbrush and in natural surroundings. |
| Climbing | Climbing trees, difficult terrain, but few other barricades. |
| Combat | Attacking with any and all natural weapons. Bites, Claws, Horns, etc. |
| Defensive Tactics | Defending oneself from attack. |
| General | Basic domestication and training. Riding for horses. Sit, stay, etc. |
| Guard | Guarding and watching a certain location or individual. Will attempt to make noise or drive away intruders. |
| Hiding | Hiding in a civilized or populated environment such as a town or city. |
| Housetrained | Will wait until the proper setting for organic duties and requirements. |
| Hunting | Will track a subject by scent, sound, or sight. Will not attack unless told. |
| Stealth | Sneaking about very quietly. |
| Swimming | Doggy paddle, staying mostly afloat. |
| Trick (per individual trick) | Similar to a Lore skill. Each trick must be learned separately. |
© 2000 J. K. Wykowski & T. Coonrod