EDSG Episode 19: Beastmaster

* 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. Find and Follow: Email: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeoifzUuBjez9V6wnvzom3g Twitter: @EDSGPodcast Josh on Twitter: @LoreMerchant Dan on Twitter: @boice_voice Get product information, developer blogs, and more at www.fasagames.com FASA Games on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fasagamesinc FASA Games Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/uuVwS9u Earthdawn Guild Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/earthdawnguild Earthdawn West Marches: https://discord.gg/hhHDtXW