Animal Taming

Background

Animal Taming is the ability to train and tame wild animals and domesticate them in certain scenarios. Unlike pets such as dogs or cats that can be tamed more easily, this ability applies to far more difficult animals, such as bears, boars, tigers, elephants, and other creatures that would normally be hostile or resistant to human interaction. Taming may take an extended period of time depending on the creature, but many users can do so in a much shorter timeframe due to skill, intuition, or deep empathy with animals. Unlike Animal Manipulation, which is typically a supernatural or psionic power, animal taming is a skill that may be developed through natural means, including experience, empathy, or special training, and even real-life humans can exhibit it.

Also Called

• Beast Taming
• Wildlife Bonding
• Zoological Training
• Animal Handling

Possible Applications

• Companionship and Protection: The tamed animal can defend the user or act as a bodyguard.
• Hunting Assistance: Tamed predators may help track, corner, or bring down prey.
• Transportation: Larger animals such as horses, elephants, or giant fantasy beasts can be used as mounts.
• Reconnaissance: Animals with sharp senses can detect enemies, track scents, or sense danger the user cannot.
• Support in Combat: The animal can fight alongside the user using its natural abilities.
• Emotional Bonding: A strong connection between user and animal can serve as emotional support or even open pathways for deeper understanding and communication.
• Rescue and Recovery: Animals trained in specific tasks (e.g. search-and-rescue dogs) can assist in difficult environments.
• Performance or Display: The ability may also apply in peaceful or entertainment-based settings, such as circuses or shows.

Practical Uses

Once an animal is successfully tamed, it can act as a valuable ally and resource for the user. The animal may:

• Serve as a companion in both combat and non-combat scenarios.
• Detect enemies, traps, or hidden dangers through enhanced senses such as smell, hearing, or instinct.
• Assist in combat by physically attacking threats or acting as a shield.
• Act as a mount or method of travel, especially in the case of large animals like horses, elephants, or fantastical beasts.
• Carry supplies or perform laborious tasks, making them useful in survival or exploration scenarios.
• Serve as emotional support or a morale booster, particularly for users who travel alone or operate in harsh environments.
• Be trained to perform specific tasks such as retrieving items, scouting, or sending messages.
• Exhibit loyalty and protective instincts once a strong bond is formed, creating a dependable ally even under duress.

In many cases, the dynamic between the user and the tamed animal enhances both parties' effectiveness, often representing a union of intelligence and physical might.

Possible Limitations

• Taming may require a prolonged period of exposure, trust-building, and consistent interaction.
• Not all animals can be tamed, especially under extreme conditions (illness, trauma, territorial instincts).
• Environmental factors (injury, starvation, captivity) can impair the taming process.
• The animal may revert to wild behavior under stress or threat.
• Requires deep understanding of animal behavior, which not all users may have.
• May not function well on intelligent or magical beasts without additional abilities.