Creature Intelligence

The intelligence of various creatures can be placed into rough categories.

## Brainless (0)

A creature with an intelligence of 0 has no brain, and thus does not think at all. Plants, mussels, sea sponges, and sea cucumbers fall in this category.

## Dumb as a Brick (1)

A creature with an intelligence of 1 (-5) functions purely on instinct. They cannot recognise themselves in their reflection. If captured, they cannot be trained. They do not have the capabilty to learn. They will not understand words, though they may be sensitive to changes in tone.

They will not move to defend any creatures other than themselves, and they do not form hierarchical packs.

These creature will react predictability, and there is little variance between individuals. They will all be "true to type" in that all individuals will follow the same decision making processes instinctively.

These creatures will have to be contained physically or they will stray (with the exception of territorial creatures, which may refuse to leave if not moved physically), they cannot form relationships with individuals not of their own species. These creatures are able to recognise their own kind.

## Pet-Worthy (2 - 3)

A creature with an intelligence of 2 - 3 is incapable of understanding language, but can be trained to follow basic comands through repetition. These commands can be verbal or gesture based.

They can only be motivated thorough positive and negative reinforcement, such as with food. They may form packs, and may form relationships with other creatures.

They are still animalistic and instictive, and will forget commands if they are left unrepeated for a significant time. These creatures are incapable of forthought, and does not make decisions based on cause and effect. They understand the concept of self.

## Highly Trainable (4 - 5)

A creature with an intelligence of 4 - 5 (-3) is able to follow more complex commands with fewer repetitions, and is less prone to forget them. They have understandings of concepts such as fairness, but they are unable to understand more abstract things. They have limited problem solving ability.

They are intelligence enough to adapt their actions based on surrounding factors, and can be taught to do things otherwise unnatural to them, and drastically alter their behaviour.

If tamed, some individuals may start to take on the habits and alignments of their partner.

## Familiar Level (6 - 7)

A creature with an intelligence of 6 - 7 (-2) is intelligent enough to comprehend and differenciate between the motivations of strangers, even of another species.

They may have their own language with their species, and can pick up other languages, though they may frequently misunderstand complex things in languages not natural to them. They may be able to communicate directly with their partner.

They are capable of learning quickly, and do not forget once they do. They understand cause and effect. They are able to use simple tools and may also be able to craft them. They are able to infer future occurances based on past patterns, making them capable to predicting moods or desires.

If tamed, they will start to take on the habits and alignments of their partner.

## Borderline (8 - 9)

A creature with an intelligence of 8 - 9 (-1) is considered to be the borderline between animalistic and intelligent. It starts to make decisions based more in logical thought than pure instinct.

They are intelligent enough to understand language, and may be able to communicate complex and abstract concepts. They are able to solve problems independently, and will form strong friendships with other creatures.

They may have difficulty understanding things foreign to them, and things such as magic or ritualistic habits of other species, if not natually capable, they will be baffled by.

Individuals become highly varied within species, and will pick up different ideals depending on surroundings and experiences. They may refuse to do acts that conflict with their morals.

## Intelligent Lifeform (10 - 11)

A creature with an intelligence of 10 - 11 (+0) is considered to be an intelligent lifeform. They are capable of logic and reason, and are able to communicate via language. They have a high capacity to learn, and may gain mastery over a variety of subjects if given enough time. They can learn to do math or solve logic puzzles with reasonable accuracy.

Although intelligent enough to learn, adapt, and plan, they are unable to develop new processes or uses for knowledge, and are incapable of complex planning for the long term.

They can be enticed into partnership with the right incentives.

Alignment and personality will vary between individuals, and they will not pick up the alignments of their partner. They will refuse to do acts that conflict with their morals.

## Gifted (12 - 19)

A creature with an intelligence of 12 - 19 (+1 - +4) is considered to be highly intelligent, and will have their own independent motivations. They cannot be tamed in the traditional way that animals can, but may choose to travel as a companion.

They are able to understand new tasks quickly, and can constantly invent new processes and uses for their knowledge. They are able to create and execute complex plans.

They will always think for themselves, and will not take on the alignment of their partner. Humans would fall into this category.

## Genius (19+)

A creature with an intelligence of 19+ is beyond the capability of almost all humans. They are able to make Holmesian leaps of logic, and can easily pick up concepts that are completely foreign to them.