Animal Performance (sage study)

Animal Performance is a sage study in the field of Circus, giving the opportunity to master a host of intriguing animal companions and increasing their capacity to take actions on behalf of the player. Importantly, the study is a testament to the power of collaboration and harmony between trainer and performing animal. For characters pursuing this study, management of dangerous and exotic animals can be a path to fame and fortune, receiving invitations to astound royalty and be acclaimed by thousands.

Circus animals hold a special place beneath the spotlight, showcasing an array of astounding tricks and feats of agility. From the graceful dance of trained horses to the playful antics of cunning monkeys, these performances transport spectators into a realm of wonderment and delight. However, behind the enchanting facade lies a world of dedication and skill, where the training of these animals demands unwavering patience, trust and mutual love.

The potential menagerie includes awe-inspiring large cats, majestic camels, towering elephants, graceful horses, clever donkeys, enchanting birds, playful bears, cunning monkeys, powerful cats, loyal dogs, and a host of other extraordinary beings. Every character begins with just one of these, but may expand into tricks and training with other animals at a later time. It's always presumed the character is learning, meeting with other circuses and finding opportunities to engage with other creatures.

Sage Abilities

The sage abilities below are those acquired by a character through the study, according to status.

Amateur Status

• Animal Wellness I: trainer possesses a deep understanding of each chosen animal's health and nutrition. They can assess the physical condition of their circus animals and provide appropriate care, including feeding and grooming. The trainer also knows how to maintain the animal's prime physical condition, reducing the risk of injuries during performances and enhancing the longevity of their careers.

• Animal Bond: the trainer begins with one animal of a type chosen, with a maximum of 2 hit dice (with no bonus). The trainer has developed a strong bond with this animal, increasing it's intelligence by 1, so that it's extremely loyal, trusting and responsive to cues. Any animal may be chosen once the trainer becomes an authority.

• Basic Training: the animal has mastered the fundamentals of a performance, which it's able to do upon command. This performance can be expanded and elaborated once the trainer gains more knowledge.

Authority Status

• Animal Wellness II: allows extensive knowledge of veterinary care, nutrition and overall animal well-being of chosen animals. Animals remain in peak physical condition, rarely falling ill or suffering from injuries.

• Menagerie Extraordinaire: The trainer excels in designing elaborate and breathtaking routines with multiple species that showcase their circus animals' abilities. They can create awe-inspiring shows that leave audiences spellbound, incorporating multiple animals in intricate performances.

• Trainer Supreme: the trainer's ability to communicate with animals reaches a great height, to where the animal can be encouraged to perform actions that would seem remarkable — allowing animals to function almost like attendants or henchfolk. They act to protect the trainer with a guardian's vigilance.

Expert Status

• Intuitive Assistance: the trainer's animals possess an uncanny ability to anticipate the trainer's needs at all times, seeking aid if it's needed, rescuing the trainer or any allies of the trainer, in dozens of ways simply anticipating what needs to be done without needing an order. Of course this includes a sufficiently sized animal's willingness to act as a mount.

• Mirrored Mastery: any physical action the trainer can do, certain select trained animals can also perform, even acting as an animal training; as best as animals can, they mirror the trainer's actions, acting just as the trainer would in nearly any situation. Once the trainer does it, the animal does also.

• Phenomenal Agility: training has pushed the limits of each animals' natural agility, so they can perform gravity-defying feats, such as virtually flying beyond their normal capabilities, leaping between platforms with uncanny precision or balancing with an impossible equilibruim.

• Voice of Nature: the trainer's animals are able to communicate with their own kind, allowing other creatures to find familiarity and trust for the character, as conveyed by those animals with whom the trainer has a bond.

Sage Abilities

• Primal Bond: the trainer is able to speak with his or her animals directly, while they're able to communicate fully as creatures with an wholly average intelligence.

• Wildheart's Empowerment: the trainer's animals have the extraordinary ability to undergo a transformation at will, growing up to double their usual size. The transformation can be triggered by the trainer or the animal.

See Bard Sage Abilities