Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter X: Friends of
the Forest
Paths leading to Stable Glades are very well hidden; some can
only be reached from the Elven halls themselves. An Elven Steed
will answer its companion’s call when summoned, although
response time is dependent on distance to the Stable Glade.
Co m b a t Ta c t i c s
Elven Steeds are brave and graceful like no other cavalry mount.
They can make bold charges, but are intelligent enough to avoid
hopeless engagements. The following table should only be used
when Steeds are encountered riderless.
1-2 Avoid Combat: Elven Steed decides to avoid combat.
Melee combat: Disengage
3-4 Reckless Charge: Elven Steed makes full charge.
Melee combat: All Out Attack
5-8 Graceful Charge: Elven Steed makes normal attack
Melee combat: Charge Attack
9-10 Watchful Grace: Elven Steed decides to evade the
enemies swiftly running around them.
Melee combat: Defensive Stance
Fo r e s t Dr a g o n s
Source: Old World Bestiary, pg. 52-54 and 91-92.
Fo r e s t Dr a g o n Co m p a n i o n s
According to Asrai legend, Forest Dragons are descended from
great Wyrms driven into hiding after losing a battle of supremacy
against their larger and more aggressive Wyrm-kin. The
fleeing Wyrms found sanctuary beneath the expansive canopy
of ancient Loren and quickly attuned themselves to the forest.
Now, the great forest Wyrms are counted amongst the woodland
realms’ fiercest protectors and are called upon to vanquish foes
that prove too mighty for even the powerful Tree Lords.
The few Asrai who bond with Forest Dragons are said to be as
hot-tempered as the volatile Wyrms themselves. These “Dragon
riders” as they are known, gain 1 Insanity Point after Bonding
and suffer a -5% penalty to their Fellowship Characteristic
representing their fiery dispositions. And while Dragon-riders
are allied with one of the forest’s most powerful creatures, Forest
Dragons are reluctant to obey orders from lesser beings. Dragon
riders’ ‘calling’ ability is performed with a -20% penalty, so
companions usually travel to the Wyrm’s lair and offer a gift in
exchange for aid.
Special Rules:
• Snake-like: Forest Dragons are more serpentine than their
mountain kin, having evolved for life under the trees. Their
Agility Characteristic is increased by +10% and Movement
Characteristic by +1. However, both their Strength and Toughness
Characteristics are reduced by -10%.
• Green Fuming Breath: Forest Dragons no longer Breathe
Fire. Instead, they belch corrosive green fumes, using the cone
template. Anything caught within the plume of gas must pass
a Challenging (-10) Toughness Test or suffer a Damage 6 hit
that ignores armour and Toughness Bonus.
Ne s t i n g Gr o u n d s
The Chasm Glade of Beithir Seun in Athel Loren (see pg. 74)
occupies an entire vale and is the largest of the Forest Dragons’
nesting grounds. In other forests, dragons tend to conceal their
lairs within foliage, behind a waterfall or a submerged entrance
at the bottom of a pond, stream or lake. The majority of Forest
Dragons have evolved away from a carnivorous diet. Instead,
they subsist on what nourishment the forest provides, including
leaves, branches and roots of trees. Although this transition
to a herbivore diet makes them slightly more placid than their
mountainous kin, Forest Dragons are happy to dine on the flesh
of those foolish enough to raise their ire.
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