* Beastmasters in Depth
* Josh often uses them as pre-mades in his demo games!
* A “pet class” that can revolve around animal companions.
* Potential for added complexity and breaking the action economy.
* Inspired at least in part by the eponymous Beastmaster, Dar from film and TV.
* Animal companions are independent characters. While the player may roll dice and generally guide their actions, the GM should have veto authority.
* Object lesson in animal companion problems: Josh’s wife got a dyre!
* Karma Ritual and Important Attributes
* Both urban and wilderness, but still trend “feral”.
* Half-Magic
* No free talent, higher Durability.
* Novice Discipline talents.
* Unarmed Combat and Claw Shape is their combat style.
* Reason for the +3 bonus to Claw Shape.
* The awkward status of Dominate Beast.
* A character’s Discipline should inform the Narrative expression of their talents.
* Novice talent options.
* The weaknesses of animal companions in earlier editions.
* There is lots of conceptual space for the Beastmaster.
* Pet talents are options to avoid forcing people to take pets if they don’t want.
* Lots of unique and flavorful options, possible to swap Discipline talents for options.
* Enhance Animal Companion as a way of addressing previously mentioned weaknesses.
* Sidebar: Not everything is about animal companion combat prowess!
* Journeyman special ability: Cat’s Grace
* Journeyman Discipline Talents
* Animal Talk is a Journeyman talent?
* Claw Frenzy buzzsaw of death.
* Journeyman talent options.
* More pet talents as options.
* Beastmasters have higher Charisma, but aren’t really a social Discipline; they lack talents to support it.
* Animals don’t deal with artifice, white lies, and social lubrication.
* Beastmasters often take after animals and are blunt and forthright.
* Special and iconic in the world of Earthdawn.
* Decent fighters, but lack as many combat support talents as Warriors or Swordmaster.
* GM advice: Beastmasters often don’t need magic weapons, but armor and defensive items are valued.
* GM advice: Think of ways to leverage animals and the information that can provide to put the spotlight on the Beastmaster.
* GM advice: Reskin the stat block for one animal to make others.
* Cave crabs are NOT suitable animal companions.
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Dan on Twitter: @boice_voice
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