One of my players bought a trained gorilla to help him carry stuff around (he's a gnome with low strength). Now he just reached 7th level, and he is wondering if he can advance the gorilla and have him as a cohort if he takes the Leadership feat.
Is there any rules for this, and in case, where ?
That is totally up to the DM as "a cohort is generally an NPC with class levels." A Gorilla is a CR 2 so if it was me, I would count that as a 3rd level character and add levels up to the level allowed by his Leadership score with a maximum of 2 levels below the character's level.
If you are the DM, you get to decide how much of that kind of thing that you want in your game.
Hey, it's only got 15 strength, right? Why not?
Yes. Look at the tables in the back of the Bestiary that give examples of unusual cohorts. A couple of them have animals listed, like the Giant Vulture. This shows the precedent has been set to allow this.
As a GM I'd probably give you a side quest to have a druid (lvl9) cast awaken on the gorrila, and then use leadership for the newly awakened npc. This way he can advance in class levels, and be a true npc cohort. Plus him being a cohort would make sense if he respected your character, and wanted to show his thanks for awakening him.
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It doesn't need to be awakened, and there is no rule that says that the gorilla can't advance in class levels. At least not one I am aware of. I admit it would be odd to give the gorilla fighter or barbarian levels, but I haven't found a rule stating it can't.
Even then, you could advance it in hit dice instead of class levels.
You do not need Awaken but it sure would help his intelligence and charisma. It would give him extra hit dice too so it would slow his class level progression a bit. The intelligence of 3d6, however, would be more than enough for me to like that route better if available.
It doesn't need to be awakened, and there is no rule that says that the gorilla can't advance in class levels. At least not one I am aware of. I admit it would be odd to give the gorilla fighter or barbarian levels, but I haven't found a rule stating it can't.
Even then, you could advance it in hit dice instead of class levels.
Of course you don't need it, but it would make more sense. A gorilla randomly gaining a ton of benefits such as class levels at level 7 seems odd. Casting awaken at least gives a good reason why said gorilla is now studying in a particular class. It also helps explain the sudden burst in abilities.
It's just a suggestion.
Thanks! I think Awaken is out of the picture right now (availability more than anything else), but it is definetely something to consider at a later stage.
Given the limitations on learning skills and feats with a 2 intelligence, having an animal advance to cohort without becoming awakened is a problem. If the DM has no issue with you choosing a weaker cohort than you are entitled to, then go for it. I would find a way for it to become awakened--you're already paying with a feat, so paying gp on top of that for the spell is a bit much. Notice how the cohort entry says nothing about base animals? It's not really geared that way.
The intelligence of 3d6, however, would be more than enough for me to like that route better if available.I'm imagining a lucky roll of 18 for the int, and picturing Monsieur Mallah.
No need for luck, a maximize rod ensures it.
The Animal Archive talks about intelligent animals taking class levels, and I'm pretty sure the RAI is that normal animals can't take class levels.
Awaken and Intelligent Animals
I wouldn't allow a non-intelligent animals to take class levels as a GM, so I'd make sure your GM is ok with it.
The "argument from silence" is a poor argument in my book. In fact, I think it's a logical fallacy.
On a side note, get an Empowered Maximized Awaken on him. Now he's the smartest member of the party!
The Animal Archive talks about intelligent animals taking class levels, and I'm pretty sure the RAI is that normal animals can't take class levels.
Awaken and Intelligent Animals
I wouldn't allow a non-intelligent animals to take class levels as a GM, so I'd make sure your GM is ok with it.
The "argument from silence" is a poor argument in my book. In fact, I think it's a logical fallacy.
Well, it isn't only an "argument from silence".
1) The bestiary rules (or rather guidelines) for monster advancement has one option of adding class levels. Under the adding class levels section, they mention martial classes as most appropriate for animals (mention amongst others).
Being included here suggest that it is an option.
2) The monster cohort rules have included animals, which specifically are advanced using class levels.
So for this purpose it should definately be possible (albeit the monster cohorts are quite bad compared to a regular PC race cohort).