I am curious on this as I haven't played a ranger yet. I have assumptions of how it works, but figure I would just get it clarified.
I assume that by default the companion is slowed like everyone else. The questions are more on the line of ghost heart's ghost companion and if the Island Aumaua trait has any effect. I have no idea how being a spirit affects slog zones. As for Island Aumaua, my sad assumption is that the animal companion will end up slogged even as your character runs just fine. Still that is rather rare occasion where I think the racial bonus ability may make sense to bleed over to the Animal Companion, given that being strongly bonded to such an individual could have helped the animal learn to be more mobile in such circumstances.
Was thinking of doing a Island Savage playthrough and was debating between doing a ranged ghost heart build or a melee stalker. But if the animal companion is just going to fall behind that may be what pushes me over since I could see myself accidentally grieving myself due to that with the stalker.
I didn't get the crash, but I apparently like Eder so much that I have become him. Like you it was in the first cave during the first level up and I opted to level Eder first. Anyways a screen shot - http://steamcommunity.com/id/usana/screenshot/919177627921216036 - Weirdest part is the abilities I had popping up beside my watcher ability. I almost couldn't find the save game due to it being labeled Eder rather than my player character. No just before save, because I didn't think I needed to save much in the Sea Cave or before the first level. So the auto save is the closest save. I tried to load from the auto save. Perform same actions and get you a just before save with the level up choices I made. But it didn't want to be reproduced.
