Animal Lore

This proficiency enables a character to observe the actions or habitat of an animal and interpret what is going on. Actions can show how dangerous the creature is, whether it is hungry, protecting its young, or defending a nearby den. Furthermore, careful observation of signs and behaviors can even indicate the location of a water hole, animal herd, predator, or impending danger, such as a forest fire. The DM will secretly roll a proficiency check. A successful check means the character understood the basic actions of the creature. If the check fails by 4 or less, no information is gained. If the check fails by 5 or more, the character misinterprets the actions of the animal.

A character may also imitate the calls and cries of animals that he is reasonably familiar with, based on his background. This ability is limited by volume. The roar of a tyrannosaurus rex would be beyond the abilities of a normal character. A successful proficiency check means that only magical means can distinguish the character's call from that of the true animal. The cry is sufficient to fool animals, perhaps frightening them away or luring them closer. A failed check means the sound is incorrect in some slight way. A failed call may still fool some listeners, but creatures very familiar with the cry automatically detect a false call. All other creatures and characters are allowed a Wisdom check to detect the fake.

Finally, Animal Lore increases (+2) the chance of successfully Setting Snares and Traps (for hunting) since the character knows the general habits of the creature hunted.

All Barbarians automatically have the animal lore proficiency for creatures in their homeland terrain. In situations where a proficiency check is required, the DM should make an Intelligence check instead. If a Barbarian spends a slot on this proficiency, he acquires a knowledge of animal lore for creatures other than those native to his homeland terrain. He then uses the rules in the animal lore proficiency description in the Player's Handbook.

Class Grouping

Warrior

Slot Cost

1

Attribute

Intelligence

Modifier

0