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Thor
10-07-2004, 05:04 PM
This trait is inspired by a video game called the Mark of Kri, where the character has the ability to see through the eyes of his raven familiar. Could also be of use for a Beast Master-type character

Spirit Familiar

Die trait, 5 pts (rule breaking 5, pitap +1, cool beans -1)

This character has an animal companion whose spirit is linked with his own. He can see through the animal's eyes (using its Perception attribute and any applicable traits, like Keen Sight), even when physically separated from his familiar. However, when using his familiar's eyes, a character with this trait cannot look through his own (though other senses may still be employed). It takes two actions of concentration to engage his familiar's eyes, and two more actions to return his sight to his own eyes. This trait DOES NOT grant Low Speech. However, the animal does understand its companions wishes, and will go where its human directs it to go, look at what its human directs it to look at, etc. A character with this trait feels the pain of his familiar, and is at -1D if it receives a Light or more severe wound, until the familiar heals to Superficial. He must also make a Steel test in this case. If the familiar is ever killed, the character is physically unharmed, but is mentally affected as if he had taken a Traumatic Wound (including die penalties). He must immediately test Steel. He must also make a Recovery test as if he suffered a Traumatic Wound. Healing according to the success or failure of that roll. A botched Recovery roll will earn the character a new Trait (blank stare or blind seem appropriate; the player may choose, with GM approval).

Let me know what you think!

Viper
10-07-2004, 05:08 PM
Su-wheet, dude! Could you take it multiple times and have several companions (a la the Beastmaster)? Also, any limits on the type of animal you can choose?

Thor
10-07-2004, 05:12 PM
Su-wheet, dude! Could you take it multiple times and have several companions (a la the Beastmaster)? Also, any limits on the type of animal you can choose?

Thanks man. I imagine you could take it multiple times, although it would get pretty expensive on trait points. I don't see a reason to limit the type of animal, though I'm sure someone could come up with a reason if they try hard enough. ;)

I think you could also switch it up by using different senses (hearing, scent, etc.), which could cost less as far as trait points go. I was actually tempted to use Unnatural Ability as the base (which would definitely make it more cost-effective), but figured that 3 pts for something like this might be a little too cheap.

Viper
10-07-2004, 05:24 PM
A loincloth-clad Marc Singer should get as many trait points as he wants, godammit! :wink:

But seriously, I think the point cost is spot on... expensive, but not TOO expensive.

Thor
10-07-2004, 05:27 PM
A loincloth-clad Marc Singer should get as many trait points as he wants, godammit! :wink:

But seriously, I think the point cost is spot on... expensive, but not TOO expensive.

:P

Cool. I tried to limit it with a good number of drawbacks to keep it from being too much of a freebie.

Kublai
10-07-2004, 05:48 PM
I would add animals at the cost of 1 trait point each beyond the 1st. I would indeed.

Thor
10-07-2004, 05:49 PM
I would add animals at the cost of 1 trait point each beyond the 1st. I would indeed.

Hey, that's a great idea, actually. Cool.

Viper
10-07-2004, 05:50 PM
Yeah, then you could make a reasonable beastmaster facsimile for 8pts, same cost as Mr. Lee! and other high-powered human traits. Purrr-fect.

Thor
10-07-2004, 05:54 PM
You know, we could probably use it as a template for a Witch's familiar also. Instead of sharing senses, maybe it can Sustain spells and add a Helping Die for Tax tests? Just brainstorming here.

Kublai
10-07-2004, 06:10 PM
Yeah, it's a good idea until you fail your tax test and your raven familiar explodes! :shock:

Thor
10-07-2004, 06:11 PM
Yeah, it's a good idea until you fail your tax test and your raven familiar explodes! :shock:

Hee hee! No one claimed there wasn't a down-side to using that helping die. :twisted:

luke
10-07-2004, 06:13 PM
This is good. It'll work well with the new trait pricing. The Gift is only going to cost 1 pt for Socerers. So you'll actually be able to afford this stuff for your wizards!

-L

Thor
10-07-2004, 06:19 PM
This is good. It'll work well with the new trait pricing. The Gift is only going to cost 1 pt for Socerers. So you'll actually be able to afford this stuff for your wizards!


Very cool! At the risk of derailing my own thread though, why do it that way? Wouldn't it be less fiddly to reduce Sorcerer's Apprentice to 2 trait points instead of 1, and give Gifted as a lifepath trait? Just wonderin'.

luke
10-07-2004, 06:32 PM
let's start another thread.

-L