first draft: beasts

Any creature (and, perhaps, even some plants) may be encountered by a character, but only cetain beasts -- therions -- may be linked with. By forging a link, the two become effectively one and the therion's abilities join with those of the human character.

All therion possess their own stats, as characters do. Likewise they have hit points, which pool with those of the character when the link is being actively used. However, when in combat a therion's stat modifiers, as well as any special bond-granted modifiers, are added to those of the human character to create one pool. A therion's unique abilities also become accessible, within reason -- the human "half" of a link will not suddenly grow wings, but contact with a beast with resistance to flame will cause that resistance to be shared.

All therion possess a base attack of 5, though the exact form of the attack differs by beast type, and an effective "weapon skill" of 50% modified for Strength; a therion also possesses a special skill, chosen from the list below.

Small beasts have lower stats and deal only a base damage of 2, but gain two special skills.


Felid
Str: 3 Agi: 4 For: 2 Psy: 3 Attack: claws or fang Armour: 2 Dodge: 25%
Bond Skill: +1 initiative

Canid
Str: 3 Agi: 3 For: 3 Psy: 3 Attack: fang Armour: 2 Dodge: 40%
Bond Skill: +1 Armour

Avian
Str: 2 Agi: 5 For: 2 Psy: 3 Attack: claws or beak Armour: 2 Dodge: 60%
Bond Skill: +1 initiative (+2 if avian is non-volant)

Ungulate
Str: 4 Agi: 4 For: 2 Psy: 2 Attack: hooves or horns Armour: 3 Dodge: 40%
Bond Skill: +10% Dodge

Reptilian
Str: 3 Agi: 2 For: 5 Psy: 2 Attack: fang Armour: 3 Dodge: 20%
Bond Skill: +2 Armour

Ursid
Str: 5 Agi: 2 For: 4 Psy: 2 Attack: claws or fang Armour: 3 Dodge: 20%
Bond Skill: --

Draco
Str: 4 Agi: 3 For: 4 Psy: 4 Attack: claws or fang Armour: 4 Dodge: 25%
Bond Skill: --

Gryph
Str: 3 Agi: 4 For: 3 Psy: 4 Attack: claws or beak Armour: 2 Dodge: 40%
Bond Skill: --


Small Beasts

Felid: Str: 1 Agi: 3 For: 1 Psy: 3
Canid: Str: 2 Agi: 2 For: 1 Psy: 2
Avian: Str: 1 Agi: 3 For: 1 Psy: 2
Ungulate: Str: 2 Agi: 3 For: 1 Psy: 2
Reptilian: Str: 1 Agi: 3 For: 1 Psy: 3
Draco: Str: 2 Agi: 3 For: 2 Psy: 3
Gryph: Str: 1 Agi: 3 For: 2 Psy: 3


Special Skills

- +1 modifier to a stat
- +5 hit points
- increased damage: special attack (horn or horns, barbed tail, sabre fangs, etc) at 8 base damage
- increased base damage: +1 to base damage
- elemental attack: special attack, 6 damage, may be ranged
- flight (for non-avians)
- +2 Armour
- +10% Dodge
- +10% to attack skill
- elemental resistance (half damage)
- aquatic (shared with contact)

* special attacks have a 50% chance of success but may be modified by experience

further meanderings on beasts

Barely 24 hours and I'm already revising my plans ... ;3

Basic "types", whether large or small:

Felines
Canines
Ungulates
Reptilians
Avians
Draconics
Gryphs

Small types only:

Lagomorphs
Rodents

Large types only:

Ursids

... of course, if someone really really wants a midget bear (or giant hamster!) there's probably no reason to say no under most circumstances ~

I want dinosaur- and pterosaur-like critters but haven't decided yet how to deal with those ... maybe a variable "ornithodiran" category. Overlaps in a few places with other types, though. Hrm.

Small therion get an extra special ability to make up for their lowered stats. All critters will have an ability to have Weird Shit [tm] -- as soon as I work out the system ;3

therion: beasts

The therion (beasts) are probably best described in broad categories, at least mechanics-wise. That would allow for maximum customization in-game for appearance, behaviour, and possibly even any special tricks.

The categories I'm looking at so far:

Feline
Canine
Avian
*Cervid
*Equid
Reptilian (Archosaurian?)

* these are really too narrow for my liking, but until I can think of suitable substitutes for Perissodactyla and Artiodactyla ...


And if I want to get fancy:

Draconian
Gryph

... though "draconian" at least could probably be lumped under Reptilian.


- Beasts may or may not be sapient depending on the specific game being played, but for the sake of the mechanics at least an ability to be well-trained is assumed

- Beasts will possess a basic attack and a special ability (rake, gore, etc etc)

- One possibility is smaller and larger beasts: smaller critters have lower stats but an extra ability

- "Exotic" abilities (special attacks unusual for the beast type, a spell, or stranger) may be gained by leveling/training/special items/special quests?