A question about the Auran language.

I have a player who wants to choose Auran as one of his bonus languages. He wants to choose this language because he is a Ranger and wants to be able to talk to his Raven companion. However I don't know if they can speak it. We are playing Pathfinder and the Rulebook states that Auran is spoken by flying creatures and air-based creatures. But beyond this, there is no extra explanation. I'm not sure if Ravens and other birds count, as I don't think they'd be intelligent enough to speak it. I've tried looking online but I can't find anything about it beyond what the rulebook states. Does anyone know more about this? Or is it left up to the DM?

Instead of wracking your brain I'd say let him do it and balance the game accordingly. You know he'll send the bird to look ahead, hide stuff under a bush/tent etc. Have the bird get captured, wounded, or have an attitude with him. Roll with it shrug.  Ps I don't play pathfinder so I don't know. 

Voth said: Instead of wracking your brain I'd say let him do it and balance the game accordingly. You know he'll send the bird to look ahead, hide stuff under a bush/tent etc. Have the bird get captured, wounded, or have an attitude with him. Roll with it shrug.  Ps I don't play pathfinder so I don't know.  Okay, thanks. I think I could make it work. I wanted to check as I'm pretty new and want to stick to the rules as much as possible for now.

I understand thoroughly, you could just as easily say no too. Saying no tho tends to get people butthurt. Saying yes can bring a lot of flavor and fun to the game for you the player and the party, if the player abuses just take it out of the equation. Dude your bird got hurt and can't fly for 1d4 weeks cuz you had him fly into a massive goblin lair, again...

Regarding Auran, creatures that speak Auran have that language listed in their statblocks. Animals do not (normally, see below) have a language. Animal Companions are still just animals. While Raven Familiars have a language they are not animals, they are magical beasts and the language is a supernatural ability. If he wants to speak to his animal companion there are several alternatives: The Animal Companion can take the Totem Guide archetype (Animal Archives p21) The Ranger can equip the Animal Companion with a Circlet of Speaking (Animal Archives p26) The Ranger can increase the Animal Companion's intelligence when the Animal Companion reaches 4 HD (Ability Score Increase) and then, if the Animal Companion's intelligence is a 3 or higher, teach it a language (this will take time). The Ranger can use the spell Speak with Animals.  In short, Animal Companions do not have languages normally.  Regarding scouting, the Paizo blog on Animal Companions states that even if an Animal Companion gains a language (and/or a higher intelligence score) it is still limited to animal thinking. Scouting using an Animal Companion is not very effective since it cannot properly relate all the details players usually want related. - Gauss

Gauss said: Animals do not (normally, see below) have a language. Animal Companions are still just animals. While Raven Familiars have a language they are not animals, they are magical beasts and the language is a supernatural ability. If he wants to speak to his animal companion there are several alternatives: The Animal Companion can take the Totem Guide archetype (Animal Archives p21) The Ranger can equip the Animal Companion with a Circlet of Speaking (Animal Archives p26) The Ranger can increase the Animal Companion's intelligence when the Animal Companion reaches 4 HD (Ability Score Increase) and then, if the Animal Companion's intelligence is a 3 or higher, teach it a language (this will take time). The Ranger can use the spell Speak with Animals.  In short, Animal Companions do not have languages normally.  Regarding scouting, the Paizo blog on Animal Companions states that even if an Animal Companion gains a language (or a higher intelligence score) it is still limited to animal thinking. Scouting using an Animal Companion is not very effective since it cannot properly relate all the details players usually want related. - Gauss Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

NP. BTW, if you do not have Animal Archives you can do a search on d20pfsrd for the Animal Archive information.  - Gauss