Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica
Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica
Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica
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Chapter X: Friends <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>the</strong> <strong>Forest</strong><br />
Wa r h a w k s<br />
Source: Old World Bestiary, pg. 34 and 117.<br />
Wa r h a w k Co m p a n i o n s<br />
It is said that <strong>the</strong> first Warhawk Rider was a young warrior who<br />
wished to relive <strong>the</strong> legendary tales <strong>of</strong> Dragon riding. Young<br />
warriors seeking to ride <strong>the</strong>se mighty creatures must face a dangerous<br />
rite <strong>of</strong> passage. A veteran rider leads a group <strong>of</strong> youngsters<br />
high into <strong>the</strong> Grey Mountains, to <strong>the</strong> nesting crags <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
Warhawks. The climb alone is perilous, but approaching <strong>the</strong><br />
nests and attempting to spiritually bond with Warhawks is even<br />
more dangerous. It is rumoured that Warhawk nests are littered<br />
with <strong>the</strong> bones <strong>of</strong> unworthy Wood Elves. Only Highborn Lords<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Pine Crags are gifted with a fledgling chick without having<br />
to undertake <strong>the</strong> rite <strong>of</strong> passage. These mighty birds have a<br />
nigh-unbreakable bond with <strong>the</strong>ir masters and will carry <strong>the</strong>m<br />
into battle without question (+10% bonus to Ride Skill).<br />
Ce t a n<br />
The Hawk Lord Cetan is a Brúidd spirit <strong>of</strong> Laurëlorn whose<br />
eyes are so keen that he can see leagues beyond <strong>the</strong> forest. During<br />
<strong>the</strong> War <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Beard, it was Cetan who saw hordes <strong>of</strong> Dwarf<br />
reinforcements marching forth with axes and fire. He persuaded<br />
<strong>the</strong> Council <strong>of</strong> Beasts to make <strong>the</strong> Elf Torothal a demi-spirit and<br />
crown her Queen <strong>of</strong> Laurëlorn so <strong>the</strong> Elves would fight.<br />
Ae r i a l Ta c t i c s<br />
Although single Warhawks are <strong>of</strong>ten used for scouting, small<br />
flocks are known to employ hit-and-run tactics to harry large<br />
armies. In battle, <strong>the</strong> screeching <strong>of</strong> a flock can be very unnerving<br />
because it usually precedes a rain <strong>of</strong> arrows from above (see<br />
WFRP pg. 139 for Flying rules)<br />
1 Screech: <strong>the</strong> Warhawk releases a shrill screech as it<br />
races around <strong>the</strong> battlefield at low-level, giving all<br />
present Warhawks <strong>the</strong> Unsettling Talent for <strong>the</strong> duration<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> round.<br />
Melee combat: Run…(Fly)<br />
2-3 Swoop: <strong>the</strong> Warhawk swoops down and attempts to<br />
grapple its prey, ei<strong>the</strong>r to rend <strong>the</strong>m with beak and<br />
talon or lift <strong>the</strong>m into <strong>the</strong> air and drop <strong>the</strong>m from a<br />
great height.<br />
Melee combat: Grapple plus Move or Damage<br />
4-8 Dive: <strong>the</strong> Warhawk dives upon its prey with full force<br />
in <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> inflicting a grievous injury.<br />
Melee combat: All Out Attack<br />
9-10 Strafe: <strong>the</strong> Warhawk glides smoothly across <strong>the</strong> battlefield<br />
at low-level, providing its rider with a steady<br />
platform from which to release arrow after arrow upon<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir foes.<br />
Melee combat: Move<br />
Zo a t s (Ne w)<br />
Almost unknown by o<strong>the</strong>r races and spoken <strong>of</strong> only in <strong>the</strong> legends<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Wood Elves, <strong>the</strong> Zoats are an ancient race thought<br />
to have some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> same reptilian heritage as <strong>the</strong> Slann in<br />
distant Lustria. Standing about 6’ tall and 8’ long, a Zoat is a<br />
centauroid, with four stocky, columnar legs and a powerful torso<br />
with two muscular arms. Heavy plates <strong>of</strong> fused scales cover<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir shoulders, back and hindquarters. Their heads resemble<br />
those <strong>of</strong> turtles, but with a broad, heavily-armoured skull to accommodate<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir large brains.<br />
The most striking aspect <strong>of</strong> Zoats, apart from <strong>the</strong>ir distinctive<br />
appearance, is <strong>the</strong>ir unusual weapon <strong>of</strong> choice: a large cylinder<br />
<strong>of</strong> black stone bound with silver, and marked with strange<br />
runes, which sits atop a long wooden staff. This heavy weapon<br />
is <strong>of</strong>ten wielded two-handed and is said to be <strong>the</strong> source <strong>of</strong> a<br />
Zoat’s magical powers.<br />
Main Pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
– Zoat Statistics –<br />
WS BS S T Ag Int WP Fel<br />
59% 0% 54% 54% 47% 66% 75% 43%<br />
Secondary Pr<strong>of</strong>ile<br />
A W SB TB M Mag IP FP<br />
2 25 5 5 7 4 0 0<br />
Skills: Academic Knowledge (History) +20%, Common<br />
Knowledge (Elves) +10, Concealment +10, Follow Trail +10,<br />
Magical Sense +20, Navigation, Outdoor Survival, Perception,<br />
Performer (Singer), Search, Silent Move, Shadowing, Speak<br />
Arcane Language (Arcane Elf), Speak Language (Eltharin,<br />
Malla-room-ba-larin).<br />
Talents: Disarm, Lesser Magic (any four), Lore <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Forest</strong>,<br />
Night Vision, Petty Magic (Arcane), Rover, Specialist Weapon<br />
Group (Two-handed), Scales (2), Stout-hearted, Strike Mighty<br />
Blow, Strike to Injure, Strong-minded, Wrestling.<br />
Special Rules:<br />
• Armoured Shell: The scaled shell <strong>of</strong> a Zoat covers <strong>the</strong> majority<br />
<strong>of</strong> its body, with heavier plates over body and head, and<br />
lesser scales or a lea<strong>the</strong>ry hide elsewhere (see Armour Points).<br />
• Cylindrical Power: When wielding its large cylindrical mace<br />
a Zoat is allowed a Will Power Test when targeted by any spell<br />
(not just those that allow Will Power Tests to resist). If <strong>the</strong> test<br />
is successful <strong>the</strong> spell is dispelled immediately, though <strong>the</strong> Zoat<br />
may forgo this protection to benefit from a friendly spell. The<br />
mace counts as a magical weapon, which upon a successful<br />
hit and Opposed Will Power Test, will dispel Daemons and<br />
Undead.<br />
• Magic <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Earth: A Zoat calls upon earthbound magic to<br />
cast it spells and uses <strong>the</strong> same rules as Wood Elf Spellsingers<br />
106