ROUND TWO: any monster IQ too low to sign a meaningful Blood Pact with a Shifter?

[Plane]

This references the note found under Shifter's 9th ability Summoning, in the right column of page 42 in Dimensional Book 7 (Megaverse Builder) under "if the shifter overpowers the monster" introduced in 2003 and retained on page 123 of RUE in 2005.

Seems like pretty much anything that can be contacted via a Communication Rift and summoned can be pressured into signing a blood contract as long as it has blood to sign it with.

Apparently this works even if they lack a name since they can just sign an "X" in their blood.

What I'm wondering about though is - how exactly does one communicate to form this consenting pact? What about language barriers or intelligence barriers?

A lot of creatures like demons know lots of languages (or even all of them) and for those who don't, I guess there's always the "tongues" spell for negotiation...

Assuming a creature has a fear for its life and a willingness to negotiate for it (maybe some would rather die or be tortured than serve?) it makes me wonder which ones could actually understand TERMS of negotiation though.

Even though the text initially says "lesser supernatural being" we're told in a followup example that "lesser creatures of magic" also get baited this way, which can leave a bit of guesswork as to what can and can't be targeted.

I'm mostly wondering about the dumbest of creatures though, who would easily underestimate and attack shifters (they may not understand spells or energy weapons and just see lunch) but who would also not necessarily understand things like being offered mercy or what is expected of it if it consents to accept a contract of mercy.

In cases like IQ of 1D4 to 1D6 this seems really unlikely unless there was some way to temporarily or permanently boost the IQs of these creatures.

[Grazzik]

Refer to RUE pg 282-283 re low IQ.

As GM, I would disallow any monster that has a stat block label of "animal intelligence" or similar, regardless of IQ. Animals may understand commands and it could be argued that a bond could be formed with an animalistic monster, but they would simply not comprehend a contract / binding agreement.

For non-animal IQ, it depends on the player's maturity in roleplaying and my interest as GM in being the NPC monster and putting up with player complaints when I indicate the monster is too busy chasing its shadow to pay attention. So, I'd probably limit to 3+. IQ of 1 or 2 is described by RUE as being like a 2yo, while IQ of 3-4 is like a 5yo. So, IQ of 1 or 2 sounds like either a stretch for them to agree to something binding or simply too much work for the GM. And yes this is despite write ups like the Boschala... I'd claim GM fiat and sidestep any rules lawyering.

[Marcethus]

Refer to RUE pg 282-283 re low IQ.

As GM, I would disallow any monster that has a stat block label of "animal intelligence" or similar, regardless of IQ. Animals may understand commands and it could be argued that a bond could be formed with an animalistic monster, but they would simply not comprehend a contract / binding agreement.

For non-animal IQ, it depends on the player's maturity in roleplaying and my interest as GM in being the NPC monster and putting up with player complaints when I indicate the monster is too busy chasing its shadow to pay attention. So, I'd probably limit to 3+. IQ of 1 or 2 is described by RUE as being like a 2yo, while IQ of 3-4 is like a 5yo. So, IQ of 1 or 2 sounds like either a stretch for them to agree to something binding or simply too much work for the GM. And yes this is despite write ups like the Boschala... I'd claim GM fiat and sidestep any rules lawyering.

This is how I'd run it.

[Shorty Lickens]

I'd say anything with an IQ is fine. they mostly communicate thru thought and feeling so even relatively dumb animals or monsters can make bonds and follow instructions.
I can't remember where I saw it but once I read that even the simplest of vermin or reptiles have an IQ of at least 1. So basically anything can work.

Insects were considered a 0, because they don't really think. They just operate on instinct and for gaming purposes, might take orders from a queen, who again would be at least a 1. Great instincts. Cannot think above survival.