Animals

[Kangleton]

Okay, it's happened so many times, so I think it should recieve a post.

I wander around as a rat, as a bird, and sometimes as a pig, or chicken or something stupid like that. But everytime, without fail, at least one person treats it as though it is some kind of freak occurrence. It is getting frusterating.

If you see a bird in a tree, and you're in a forest, you have to assume that it really isn't that strange... there is no reason to call out "Hey, look, a bird!", or "Let's touch it and stuff!", because realistically there are tons of birds flying about. It's a forest. And also, please don't assume that the bird is actually running. I know it looks like it's on the ground, but birds can't really run that fast - feel confident in the opposite assumption, being that the bird is actually flying.

With flight coming into the picture, something else should be noted. Yes, True Sight sees through polymorph, and yes you can spot a bird in the air, but take into account that your character probably doesn't spontaneously look straight into the air without provocation. I mean, how often in real life do you tilt your neck back and look up on a 100% vertical angle just to check if there is a bird in the vacinity? It might happen... but not that often. And if you were being chased by orcs, gnolls, and goblins, you are probably even less likely to check for miscellaneous birds. So, yeah... I don't mind being spotted, detected, or declared to be polymorphed, but try to ensure that it makes sense that your character even saw me in the first place.

This applies for all things. If I'm in chicken-form in the middle of a chicken-pen, don't declare "That chicken is different from all the other chickens, on account of it having the name 'Karthus' floating over it!", or something to that effect. Try to treat the situation as though you really didn't know it was a PC - because really, unless you have True Sight active, you don't know. And on that note, don't cast True Sight just because an animal shows up, and you want to know if it's actually Karthus in disguise. Realistically, to make this RP logical, you'd have to cast True Sight a lot as you have to figure that there are a lot more animals than just one shapeshifting Druid.

And, yeah... that's all I can think to say at 3:26am. I'll be back, though.

[Gamling]

I have wanted to do a post on this for a long time, even though none of my characters can shape shift... yet. I was in the forest when a shapeshifter ran in as a wolf, naturaly, Lauan tried to make friends with it while the others wanted to kill it, as it was a wolf. One of the people in our party though, a fighter, made it clear that there was something fishy about this wolf, and that it was most likely a druid. I really wanted to say something IC, but sadly i was playing my mentaly stunted Lauan.

[Raksha]

Playing the character on the server that probably has the greatest number of True Seeing casts available at any given time, I have to wholeheartedly agree with this. Animals such as birds and chickens and the like are supposed to be like "invisible NPCs", the presences that are there but can't be modelled in game due to the ridiculous memory requirements.

I always do my best to have Tam be neutral to the presence of critters like that, unless they're something unusual ("OMG! A dire wolf!") or doing something unusual ("OMG! A badger humping my foot!") By no means perfect, mind you, because there is the level on which I, the player, am aware that there's a PC around -- so I'm more likely to take care and emote actions, even if Tam is unaware that she's being observed.

While by no means a staffer, I'd be inclined to think that a high-wisdom character, especially one with a lot of ranks in Spot, would be more likely to notice the presence of the creatures in the first place. Honestly, what was the last time you really took a good hard look at a robin, or something similar?

[Dune]

Also, if you notice that the chicken has a name you recognise floating above its head don't just cast true sight but have a good reason for doing so - You saw him polymorph into a chicken and then jump into the chicken pen.

[DeathRose52]

There would be nothing greater then to walk out to the chicken coop with true see on and find a Elf or something sitting on a nest making weird chicken sounds because he polyed. Hehe.

[ThePaganKing]

The only character I have that could maybe possibly have an inclination that an animal is more than it seems is my ranger. He has a ludicrous spot, a decent wisdom, and of course, is a ranger, knows the woods, animals, and such. So, he may be able to tell there is something "fishy" about a wolf or something, but may not know just what. He usually doesn't do anything about it, but maybe watch the creature, but he definitely doesn't say, oh, hi Karthus, or hey druid, shape back.

Now, I remember one time though when I was stealthed around a group and I did see a certain bird that kept flying around the group, so I watched the bird as I watched the group, but I didn't know who it was IC, I just thought it curious that this bird seemed to be watching the group as I did. My character may have thought it was rangers pet or maybe a mages familiar.

And yes, I do agree with Karthus, we shouldn't know IC about Karthus, that is unless he is shitting on Hano, then everyone knows the bird is Karthus

[Tolomara]

well I agree with the automaticly spontanous casting trueseeing when this sort event occours is wrong. It is mega gaming.

Also have to realise some charaters do notice the local wild life, (might be their stik, Ariel talks to the butterflies) Rangers , other druids, or elfs, or even a character thats been raised on a farm or in the woods might notice an animal acting in what they consider a un-natural like manner, like following you around.

eg. hey were in the forest with gnolls goblins and orcs, and that chicken is still following us, hey there he is again. Man that one curious chicken. Even in real life if I walking through the woods and a bird is flying by i notice it, same bird flies by 10 times or starts following me around the woods, i start to wonder whats up with this bird.

if you want to be taken like one of the local wildlife, you should act like one of the local wildlife.

most PC's know that not the animals in the forest are just wildlife, most PC know that many others use the animals as companions or spies (eg LOTR the 9 hid from the birds, cause some of them reconized them as minions of the white wizard whom was hunting them)

[Phantom Lamb]

Funny, LH and I just had a brief chat about polymorph and shapechanging the other night...

TPK made a good point. Although shapeshifting makes you look exactly like the animal, it doesn't make you act like it. Given a very high wisdom roll, he might be able to discern your actions are unusual. That being said, use high discretion with this. You could get into arguments over DCs. Use tells to work out a DC in private, or simply ask a DM.

As for randomly spotting, I think that happens all the time. We are naturally drawn to motion. I walk outside, and if a bird flies by, yes, I turn my head to look at it, if only for a second or two. However, it doesn't mean I see anything unusual, nor does it mean I would comment on it.

[Dune]

The floating name shouldn't even be considered, that is metagaming. The Name is an OOC Mechanic so OOCly you know who it is. In regards to Polymorphs into animals, how the hell would you know who that animal is? Besides said Seeing the Transformation.

Exactly what I said

[Swebbs]

I agree with everything said here. The only thing I'd like to point out that would make the animal suspicious is if you see a visible magical effect on it like stoneskin, tortise shell, glowy spell etc. Not something like bull's strength that dosnt show though. A rat running around with stoneskin though should pretty much be a dead givaway.

[Raksha]

...unless you're untrained in Spellcraft and have lived under a rock.

"AAAAHHH! An animated badger statue!"

[Silas North]

I imagine Karthus has been doing this shape shifting thing for a while now, giving him the ability to mimic animal movements and behaviors quite well. I still get a kick out of remembering the chicken incident.

[Kangleton]

I wish stoneskin and other visual buffs could be dispelled without resting, but I don't think there is a way - it makes it difficult for me in that department, Swebbs. I understand where you're coming from and I don't mind that you react that way (it isn't unreasonable), but it's just inconvenient that, if I'm unable to rest yet, it is impossible for me to deactivate my own magic.

And yes, I agree with a lot of what was said in regards to animals just looking like animals, but not acting that way - however, I have one specific issue with that. People think it is unsusual for a bird to follow adventurers around in a forest, but I would imagine that there would be dozens doing so. Don't birds always fly over a battlefield, awaiting a meal? I might be wrong, but I always thought that was the cliche'. Now, if it was a chicken following you around, that would be strange, though I've yet to be a chicken, ever, aside from the time Osclow mentioned.

[Larando]

It's easy to find out if a shapeshifted person wants to interact with other PC's. Just emote something simple and if they don't respond, don't persue unless they slip up and make a mistake.

ie...Larando de'Kaun: *glances at the rat and grimaces, then looks to the troll walking into the camp and begins reciting spells*

Obviously someone walking into camp as something that doesn't belong (I know an troll is overklill) would instigate a reaction. But, there are ways to let a person know you are open to RP with a shapeshifted critter (but, they will likely not respond to you).

On a side note, don't expect invis'd PCs to respond to you when you run up on them in busy city areas and do a listen/spot check, either. I understand a listen check out in the wilderness. It makes since that when there's not a lot of people/noise around that you would RP that, but a city is a busy place and unless they walk right up to you or past you (which I go to great lengths to avoid), assume theyre purposefully avoiding people. And on a personal note, I don't resopond IC to people who cast see invis/blind sight once they notice me in the area. I do examine people to see who can and can't see me so I'll know who has IC reason for interaction and I try not to let that affect who I will and won't go close to. I try to make that decision before I check them to prevent metagaming from my end.

Ok, I'm done venting...not trying to hijack the thread, just seemed this was a logical place to add something of simular value.

[Mighty_Draco]

I reserve the right, as "Mad" Jack Flynn, to kick/batter/berate/mistreat small, nearby fauna, regardless of it's status as a familiar/animal companion/shapeshift/DMposssedNPC.

Especially cats