So I'm sticking this in Homebrew because I'm quite sure there's no written rules for it.
Long story short, one of my players (a summoner) wants to use his Summon Monster power to summon an Awakened animal. How should I handle this? Should I treat it as a template? What would be the CR, and thus the spell level required? Can he even DO it; I know at higher level he can summon outsiders, which are intelligent, but he's only level 1.
Side note, a hypothetical: a society of awakened animals. Would they simply lived as normal animals do, or would they have towns and buildings and tools? How would you guys handle such a society?
So far as I know, there's no precedent for this. Why, exactly, does the player want to do this? Curiosity, not accusation.
Brony. Wants to summon an Awakened Pony.
I would recommend using a creature from the list of one level below, requiring a single feat and applying to one animal off of the list, scale hd to match cr of creatures of one level lower than the summon spell used
I would also restrict it to being a single creature that is resummoned
So maybe
Awakened Summons
Prereq: Able to cast Summon Monster II or Summon Nature's Ally II
When casting Summon Monster or Summon Nature's Ally II or higher, you may choose to summon a single creature from a Summon list at least 1 level lower that would be eligible for an alignment template and instead apply the effects of Awakened spell. Regardless of the level of Summon spell you cast, you may only summon a single creature in this way.
How about this, too
Equipped Summoning
Prereq: caster level 5
Creatures you summon may carry equipemnt that you designate when they return to their home plane. If they are carrying more than a light load, any excess equipment is instead dropped at their feet, starting with the heaviest item.
Special; Summoners may apply this to their eidolon, though it still cannot wear armor.
You should deny it on principle of him being a brony.
I'd argue that what you created with the metamagic feats would be the best way to go. It seems unlikely that anything intelligent would be summoned before at least 3rd level.
As for a society, the awaken spell covers personalities and classes.