OSE House Rules - Beast Master

Changes and extensions to the OSE Beast Master Class
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Basic Information

Requirements: Minimum PHYS and CHA 9
Alignment: Neutral
Hit Points at First Level: 6
Hit Dice: d6
Armour: Leather, chainmail, shields
Weapons: Any
Starting Languages: Common
Bonus Language Choices: Elvish, Giant, Low Common
Starting Funds: 3d6 x 10sp (min 90sp)
Starting Equipment: None, but the Beast Master may begin play with a single Animal Companion (see below)

Animal Companions: See below
Affinity for Animals: See below

Beast Masters are warriors that have a special affinity for animals of all types. They usually are mistrustful of other humans and their subtle motives, preferring to keep companionship with loyal animals that are faithful and forthright. Rulers are wary of Beast Masters because of their dangerous and capable animal companions that do their bidding and because Beast Masters often reject human societal controls in favor for the more primal rules of the wild.

Animal Companions
A Beast Master may attempt to forge a bond with an animal. If the attempt succeeds, the animal becomes the Beast Master's loyal companion as detailed below:

• Establishing a Bond: The Beast Master must approach the animal in a peaceful manner. On a Reaction Roll of 8 or better, the animal becomes the Beast Master's companion. Note that the Affinity for Animals ability allows the Beast Master a +1 to this check in addition to any bonus because of a high CHA
• Type of Animals: Only wild or domestic, mundane animals may be companions. The Referee may allow a connection to a giant or magical animal under special circumstances
• Maximum Companions: A Beast Master is allowed 1 animal companion per experience level. The Total Hit Dice of all companions cannot exceed the Beast Master's experience level
• Death or Dismissal: If an animal companion dies or is dismissed, the Beast Master may attempt to forge a connection with a new animal
• Companion Behavior: The animal is no smarter than an normal animal of its type, but it will follow and respond the the Beast Master's simple commands (stay, fetch, attack, guard and the like). When fighting in defense of the Beast Master, the animal companion never needs to check morale

Affinity for Animals
The Beast Master has an intrinsic understand of animals that grows deeper as he gains experience levels:

• No Retainers: While Beast Masters can readily forge trusted bonds with animals, they find doing so with others to be very difficult. The Beast Master cannot hire retainers (but may hire other henchmen)
• Identify Tracks: At 1st level, the Beast Master can identify the tracks and spoor of any mundane animal
• Animal Friend: At 1st level, the Beast Master receives a +1 to all Reaction Rolls when interacting with animals
• Speak To Animals: At 1st level, animals understand the basic meaning behind a Beast Master's words
• Speak With Animals: At 2nd level, the Beast Master can understand the speech of animals (limited by the animal's intelligence)
• Animal Empathy: At 4th level, the Beast Master can empathically communicate with animals without the need for speech

Advancement
When you have gained enough experience to increase your level, do the following:

• Roll the number of Hit Dice per the table below, apply your PHYS modifier (if any) to each die rolled and compare the total to your current hit points. If your current hit points are less than the total, set your hit points to this new total. If your current hit points are equal to or more than the total you rolled, add 1 to your existing hit points.
• The Referee will also roll one die matching your hit die. You may use this roll in place of one of your rolls if desired.
• Roll to determine if any of your ability scores increase

Stronghold

• A stronghold cannot be purchased or built until the Beast Master reaches 9th level
• The stronghold must be in a wilderness setting
• Forest animals within a 5 mile radius of the completed stronghold will become friends with the Beast Master. They may warn of intruders, carry messages and news, and so on. In exchange for this friendship, the Beast Master must protect the animals from harm.

Experience and Level Table

* Modifiers from PHYS no longer apply