Bruin

First Impressions

Huge evil-looking cave bear, bearing scars from numerous fights. Smells a bit rank.

On closer inspection:

Perhaps too calm for a wild bear; unafraid of (doesn't threaten) humans.

Hang on - isn't that a silver bracelet under the fur?

Hang on - it's talking in a deep, distorted voice! [Referee should emphasize "arghhs".]

Referee Only

Bruin is the Allied of a Seven Mothers rune lord based in Newcastle, Bindle. He is the 1 in 100 Allied Spirits who refused to be in a bat, because - :

- Bears can sleep all winter
- You don't get given messages to take
- You don't need to hunt your own food all the time
- People respect a bear
- Bears are diurnal
- Being nearer human form it is easier to manipulate things, be social
- etc. ad nauseam

Character Traits

Can't stand his Allied Lord and has gone off to follow his own interests. Bit of a scholar. He was originally a priest of 7M who lived in Carmania a hundred years ago, and he likes to point out how things were better in the old days. [Occasional Allieds remember snatches of their previous lives.]

Easygoing, humourous, enjoys playing a bear and winding up people (taking the best place by the fire, etc.). But readily helps those in need. A good fellow to find your injured PC in the woods... but invites himself to dinner for months afterwards.

Typical Catchphrases

"Surely you can't eat all that venison yourselves!"
"Let us give thanks to the Goddess for this magnificent repast" [he's keen on prayers]
"Honey cakes!"
"Needs a bit of marjoram"
"I'd help with the washing up but alas, these paws aren't suitable"
"In the old days, these woods were full of Black Karmans..." [Launches into unsettling story of bandits who would sneak up & slit your throat in the night]

Statistics

19-20 (Head):     8hp / 6ap(+Protn.4) STR 24

16-18 (L. arm):   7   / 6 (+4)        CON 17

13-15 (R. arm):   7   / 6 (+4)        SIZ 29

12    (Chest):    9   / 6 (+4)        INT 15

9-11  (Abdomen):  8   / 6 (+4)        POW 19

5-8   (L. leg):   8   / 6 (+4)        DEX 13

1-4   (R. leg):   8   / 6 (+4)        CHA 13 / PA 12 (for a bear)

Total hit points: 23

Skills

• Perception skills: 65%
• Manipulation: 15%
• Knowledge: 75% (thickbut old)
• Stealth: 50%
• Dodge: 40%

Attacks

• Claws 45%; d6+damage bonus (+3, Ironclaw) twice/round
• Bite 65%; d8+damage bonus+3
• Crush 45%; 7d6+3 Note: increase Attacks by +15% (Strength Spell), +15% (Ironclaw), + half base percentage (Fanaticise, if used).
  Bears may either bte and claw twice (against up to 3 seperate foes) or bite and hug (same foe only).

Damage bonus is 2d6, or 3d6 with the Strength spell.

Spells (Magic Points: 18)

Spirit Magic

• Strength
• Demoralise
• Protection 4
• Healing 2 (6 if you allow)

Rune Spells

• Mind Blast
• Medium Lune

Special Abilities

• As an Allied Spirit, killing the body merely inconveniences him. He may engage in spirit combat (to possess your body) if he senses your MMP are lower than his.
• He is in Mind Link with an ally whom he can call on for spells. This Rune Lord can use Bruin as a "spell platform" and throw an extra spell every round. The Lord has 50 MP available with Bounds, etc; he always defends on full POW (17) vs incoming spells; he has access to the following spells:
-First couple of rounds: Ironclaw 3, Protection 4 whilst Bruin casts Strength and Demoralise;
-Thereafter: Healing; Dispel 6; Befuddle; Demoralise.
-Casts Protection-4 on the Lune, if there's time.
• Remember, bears can run slightly faster than humans.
• For specialised use the Rune Lord also has Detect Silver, Magic; Light; Mobility; and sometimes casts Fanaticise on Bruin 'cos he knows Bruin hates that. They despise each other!
• I don't agree with the RQ stat of 3 point skin for a bear. I figure 3 AP fur + 3 AP fat.

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