So, we have blocks that describe creatures. These assume that a creature is, in fact, aware of its own abilities and has used them at some time in the past.
Obviously a creature knows what senses it has; these actively return information.
However, I've been unable to find if a creature innately knows all of its abilities from the time it learns them.
For example, does a creature that gains one level of sorcerer(which is oft an unexplained, spontaneous thing) know it has spellcasting?
Does a Cleric, on his first day being accepted by a patron, know he can channel energy?
Does a dragon know the exact time between uses of its breath weapon? This one I'd presume so, since I've always thought of it as some kind of 'exhaustion'.
Yes, yes, and yes.
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Yes, you know if you can cast spells. The only way to become a sorcerer is to unlock your inner capability to cast arcane spells through your bloodline. Thus, you get your first level as soon as you can cast as a sorcerer, not before.
Yes, you know if you can channel energy. You have been practicing focusing the divine power of your deity for many years, and know every trick you can use by the time you become a cleric. This includes channel energy.
Yes, you know the exact time between uses of your breath weapon, or at least, you know exactly when you have it back, because it isn't exaustion, its supernaturally conjuring [insert element] through your mouth, and you learn how as you are a hatchling, just like you learn to fly and roughly how long you can fly.
At least, thats how I think of it.
Yes, you know if you can cast spells. The only way to become a sorcerer is to unlock your inner capability to cast arcane spells through your bloodline. Thus, you get your first level as soon as you can cast as a sorcerer, not before.
This explanation makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks.
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I guess it depends on how it came to be. Gaining a level of a class is a result of training or unlocking abilities, as described above. It makes sense though that any character without Knowledge Religion wouldn't immediately know it's new undead powers. That could follow for any transformation against one's will.
This leaves the deeper question about the Dragon. I suppose you could write it off as instinct, the way everyone knows how to breathe. But how do creatues learn their powers? Does a new demon/angel know what its capable of?
From a practical gaming perspective though, this should only be the territory of story telling. Players aren't generally fond of being told they have to learn how to smite evil and the like over several sessions before doing it once their class says they can do it. As a GM, be up front with players if you plan on making them spend time or otherwise do something beyond gaining experience points at the table to learn an ability in the rule book. You could also go the dramatic route and have a cleric's diety appear to them in a vission to explain their new powers to them, or a sorcerer's ancestor appear in a dream and say "here's how fireballs work". Alternatively, have that newly minted demon or undead villain appear to scare the players, but not know just how deadly (or helpful!) its new abilities are.
Be creative!
In game, the answer is Yes. You (or anything) is presumed to know if it has an ability that can be utilized.
I recently made a backstory for a sorc, where he discovered his abilities by experiencing traumas and allowing the magic to flow on instinct and reckless emotional surges. None of it worked out in exactly his favor, as he wasn't in control of his powers yet. But, after the initial exposure to his newfound abilities, quickly worked to keep it bottled up, until he could manage to control the mystic energies within himself, which took a few years to master.
But, it is almost always assumed that any initial exposure to an ability has already been worked through, honed, been practiced and is fully understood by the character who has it.
If you, your dm, and your group are the sort that likes creative license... start a conversation about how you or someone/something would RP the exploration of newfound abilities in game, and have them ease into mastering these skills over time and exposure and practice.
Strictly RAW, yes, they know what they can do.
** spoiler omitted **