Laeg nél(Sindarin: Sharp Tooth), or Nel for short, has grown to the size of a Dire Wolf, like many in her pack. Her fur was almost black, but now there's a lot of the tell-tale silver indicating her age. She was Alpha Female of the pack, and the way she walks shows self-confidence simply not found in domesticated animals, her icy blue eyes betraying a intelligence that could inspire fear in her choosen enemies, if they had time enough for that emotion before she rips them apart.
Personality:
Nel's pack had been watched over and guided by Turion since generations. She, and the others, are devoted to him. Nel was Alpha Female, but has grown old, too old for more cubs. Instead, the Honor of accompanying and guarding their ageless Mentor fell to her! His intelligence and Wisdom are unquestioned, and those he decides to associate with are not to be doubted...but Nel does feel competitive towards any Females coming too close to her Ward, no matter their Species.
Role in Party/Mechanical Concept:
Built as a Master Tripper for added control and support(via flank and having prone enemies provoke AoO's).
Depending on Buffs, can easily function as Tank(e.g. Shield + Mirror Image).
With eventual boosts like Transformation or Animal Growth, the raw damage and CMB can be sent high enough to Trip a lot of creatures and damage them effectively.
Some of these buffs would also stack on nicely to altered forms via Polymorphing if Tripping is not an option.
Much of that is in the future, but listed to show that while focused on a certain combat tactic, the very needed flexibility is granted via a diverse set of available spells - including buffs normally not providable to melee party members.
AC 28 =10+10(Natural)+3(Dex)+5(Armor)
Barding: Masterwork Studded Leather +2, ACP=>0, Max Dex=5 HP 90 =(5(d8)+5(Con))*9(HD)
Fort 12, Refl 9(Evasion), Will 4(Devotion),
CMD 28 = 10(base)+6(bab)+8(str)+3(dex)+1(size)
GEAR:
Belt of Giant Strenght +2
Headband of Intelligence(Acrobatics) +2
Cloak of Resistance +1
Starting Statistics/Progression:
Size Medium; Speed 50 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6 plus trip); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
7th-Level Advancement
Size Large; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8 plus trip); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4.
=>
Size Large; Speed 50 ft.; AC +4 natural armor; Attack bite(1d8 plus trip); Ability Scores Str 21, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6;
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
Size Large; Speed 50ft,; AC +10 natural armor; Attack bite(1d8 plus trip); Ability Scores Str 24, Dex 16, Con 20, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
Link (Ex): A druid can handle her animal companion as a free action, or push it as a move action, even if she doesn’t have any ranks in the Handle Animal skill. The druid gains a +4 circumstance bonus on all wild empathy checks and Handle Animal checks made regarding an animal companion.
Share Spells (Ex): The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (plant). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.
Evasion (Ex): If an animal companion is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw.
Devotion: An animal companion gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects.
Multiattack: An animal companion gains Multiattack as a bonus feat if it has three or more natural attacks and does not already have that feat. If it does not have the requisite three or more natural attacks, the animal companion instead gains a second attack with its primary natural weapon, albeit at a –5 penalty.
