Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Principles • Give thanks to the spirit of animals whose life sustains you. • Ask for Kurnous’ blessing in the hunt and you will never go hungry. • Protect those who dwell within Kurnous’ realm, judge those who intrude upon it. • Beastmen are perversions of Kurnous’ image and should not be suffered to live. Th e Wi l d Hu n t Lurking within Orion is a darker spirit that surfaces every autumn and manifests as the Wild Hunt. When Orion blows his horn to signal this occasion, Wood Elves are filled with bloodlust and an overwhelming urge to slay Athel Loren’s enemies. These emotions are sometimes attributed to Anath Raema, Goddess of the Savage Hunt, a member of the Cytharai pantheon. Hunters caught up in the thrill of the chase enter a frenzied state, temporarily gaining the Frenzy Talent (WFRP pg. 98), and may even turn on their fellow Elves. Although some Human hedgefolk celebrate the Wild Hunt with apocalyptic revelry, others consider it to be a corruption of the natural world. Ancient druidic legends mentioned “warriors of the storm” riding across lightning-wracked skies and ravaging the land. Elves of the Laurëlorn have witnessed storms accompanied by strange lights in the direction of the Isles of Albion during the winter solstice. These days, many Bretonnians consider the Wild Hunt to be a manifestation of the natural world’s anger at continued transgressions against Mother Earth. Beastmen or greenskins are usually the Hunt’s first quarry, and then it begins a journey of random destruction across Bretonnia, demolishing whole villages while bypassing others altogether. After leaving Athel Loren, Orion’s riders are borne aloft in a ferocious storm that rips roofs from houses and carries away screaming villagers. Wild Riders who continue the hunt far beyond Loren give themselves over completely to the elements. The majority of Wood Elves never participate in a Wild Hunt during their lifetimes, and those who do are considered spiritually imbalanced by their kin. However, the Hunt is regarded as a necessary part of nature’s cycles, and the Wild Kindred even treat it as a coming-of-age rite. Spellsingers believe the taint of Chaos is purged from their race every year through the Hunt, after seeping into the forest through the Warp rifts (see Wild Chaos, pg. 115). Cu l t o f Ke r n The Cult of Kern is a radical Laurëlorn faction centred around the worship of an ancient hero of legend who they believe is the offspring of a tryst between Orion and Torothal at the end of one autumn’s Wild Hunt. Kern’s followers believe their hero still protects Laurëlorn’s pathways, wearing a black cowl and passing judgement upon those who cross the forest’s borders. The majority of Kern’s followers can be found defending their realm in the Vale of Skulls (pg. 82). While many cultists endorse aggressive and hostile policies against human settlers in the east, some have gone as far as to collect skulls as trophies of their work. Whispers of this practice have led other Asrai to accuse those in the cult of serving Khorne or Khaine. The Hunter’s Vale It is believed that hunters who kill only to test their skills are violating a sacred code and angering Kurnous. Under the Hunter’s Moon, these transgressors find a quarry that leads them to an Otherworld domain called the Hunter’s Vale (see pg. 27 for details on the Otherworld). After passing through magical vine portals, the hunter transforms into the very animal he wronged and becomes hunted by the ghostly avatar of Kurnous himself. The few Elves who survive this punishment become such devout followers of Kurnous that they are blessed with immortality and given the title of Horned Rider (see pg. 22). Or i o n , t h e Ki n g in t h e Wo o d s Every year, Orion is reborn into the material world through the living sacrifice of an Elf. This sacrifice, known as “He-Who-Would-Be-King”, is chosen by priests of Kurnous and transformed through bloody rites into Orion, King of the Woods. Orion stands over ten feet tall with legs and hooves of a mighty Stag. His muscular, green-tinged torso ripples with barely contained rage. Great antlers curl from his forehead and upon his brow is a crown of horns. The King of the Wood inspires fear amongst his own subjects when not invigorating them with hunter’s bloodlust. Main Profile – Orion Statistics – WS BS S T Ag Int WP Fel 86% 54% 55% 51% 91% 64% 64% 45% Secondary Profile A W SB TB M Mag IP FP 6 38 5 5 5 - - - Skills: Common Knowledge (Elves), Concealment +10, Common Knowledge (Athel Loren, Laurëlorn, Bretonnia), Dodge Blow +20, Follow Trail +20, Intimidate, Navigation, Outdoor Survival +20, Perception +20, Ride, Search +10, Secret Signs (Ranger, Scout), Secret Language (Ranger Tongue), Scale Sheer Surface, Silent Move +20, Trade (Bowyer/Fletcher), Speak Language (Elthárin, Breton, Malla-room-ba-larin). 21
Talents: Hardy, Specialist Weapon Group (Longbow, Twohanded, Cavalry, Throwing), Coolheaded, Excellent Vision, Keen Senses, Lightning Parry, Marksman, Menacing, Mighty Shot, Rover, Night Vision, Orientation, Quick Draw, Warrior Born, Very Resilient, Rapid Reload, Sure Shot, Strike Mighty Blow, Strike to Injure, Unsettling, Wrestling. Kithband Talents: Braveheart, Weaponmaster Special Rules: • Aura of Kurnous: Orion is infused with the wild magic of the hunt, gaining the Berserker and Predator Divine Marks (see ToS pg. 246). Any time a non-magical weapon hits Orion, his Toughness Bonus is +2. Additionally, Orion’s own attacks are considered to be magical. • Hounds of the Hunt: Orion can call upon 1d10 spectral hounds by blowing upon the Horn of the Wild Hunt. These hounds use the War Dog profile (see WFRP pg. 233) and are counted as Forest Spirits. Their attacks count as being magical. • Bound to the Seasons: Orion’s strength waxes and wanes with the seasons, using the Seasonal Divine Mark (see ToS pg. 246) until his self-sacrifice in the midwinter. • Silent as the Beasts of the Woods: Orion’s animalistic legs grant him the same bonuses as Beastmen (see ToC pg. 99), conferring +20% to Silent Move Tests and +10% to Concealment Tests. Trappings: Cloak of Isha, Horn of the Wild Hunt (see sidebar) Armour: (None) Antlers (Arms 0, Body 0 Legs 0, Head 2) Weapons: Spear of Kurnous, Hawk’s Talon (see sidebar) Us i n g Or i o n Often found brooding on his throne during the spring, Orion only ventures forth to confront threats to Athel Loren when requested by Ariel. PCs are more likely to encounter Orion in the summer and autumn seasons when he becomes increasingly restless. During winter, after Orion has departed Loren for the Wild Hunt, Athel Loren is ruled by Ariel alone. Orion is easily angered and does not suffer foolish behaviour. In WFRP adventures, Orion fulfils the role of travelling judge, jury and executioner. During the Wild Hunt, Orion and his Horned Hunters become an elemental force of nature that can demolish entire villages. Th e Ho r n e d Hu n t e r s The reclusive Horned Hunters, or Equerries of Kurnous, are immortal priests and guardians of the great conjunction, when Orion’s immortal spirit is bound to a mortal Elf. Every spring in Athel Loren, High Priest Atolmis the Hunter and four other horned riders search for a new candidate to be reborn as Orion. The apotheosis ritual is an agonising physical transformation in which the new Orion is immolated, has sacred herbs sewn into his flesh, and receives an oak heart implanted next to his own. He i r l o o m s o f Or i o n The following enchanted items are carried by Orion and should not be easily accessible to others. Cloak of Isha Woven by Ariel herself to ward off evil magic, the Cloak of Isha is made from leaves of the sacred rowan trees from the Grove of Isha. Orion gains a +20% bonus on Will Power Tests to resist magic. Horn of the Wild Hunt The Horn of the Wild Hunt is crafted from the horn of a mighty forest creature. This enormous hunting horn sends a shiver of fear through all those hearing its call. Everyone in close proximity must pass a Will Power Test or suffer the effects of Terror (see WFRP pg. 198). Animals and Elves who succeed must make a second Will Power Test or be drawn into the Wild Hunt. Spear of Kurnous When Orion goes to battle, he takes up the Spear of Kurnous from its shrine within the Oak of Ages. This mighty weapon is double the size of a normal Wood Elf Hunting Spear (OWA pg. 32), and always receives the Impact Quality, even when thrown. When used in a Charge Action, the spear also receives the Fast and Armour Piercing Qualities, and inflicts SB+2 damage. Hawk’s Talon This immense and powerful longbow, made from the talon of a mighty Warhawk, can only be drawn by somebody with Orion’s strength. Hawk’s Talon doubles the normal range of an Elfbow, receives the Impact and Armour Piercing Qualities, and strikes with Damage 5. The Horned Hunters are muscle-bound Elves that stand around 8’ feet tall and have eyes of feral savagery. These bare-chested giants are often covered in a red sheen of blood from a recent kill, and carry trophies upon their belts. Spellsingers theorise that Horned Hunters are Elves who were elevated to the status of Kurnous’ divine servants after surviving their ordeal at Hunter’s Vale, or Wild Riders who endured the carnage of the Wild Hunt. Main Profile – Horned Hunter – WS BS S T Ag Int WP Fel 67% 47% 48% 55% 65% 61% 67% 44% Secondary Profile A W SB TB M Mag IP FP 3 18 4 5 6 3 0 0 Skills: Academic Knowledge (Spirits +10), Channelling +10, Common Knowledge (Elves), Common Knowledge (Athel Loren), Concealment +10, Dodge Blow +20, Follow Trail +20, Intimidate, Navigation +10, Magical Sense +10, Ride +20, 22
Page 2 and 3: Defenders of the Forest Cr e d i t
Page 4 and 5: Chapter I: Playing Wood Elf Charact
Page 10 and 11: Chapter II: Kindreds Ch a p t e r I
Page 12 and 13: Chapter II: Kindreds Ve n g e a n c
Page 14 and 15: Chapter II: Kindreds Beastfriend Pr
Page 16 and 17: Chapter III: Wood Elf Religion Ch a
Page 18 and 19: servants, fallen gods or aspects of
Page 20 and 21: Viydagg Viydagg, the Laurëlorn Br
Page 24 and 25: Outdoor Survival +20, Perception +2
Page 26 and 27: To r o t h a l , Wi t c h Qu e e n
Page 28 and 29: Pr i e s t s o f Va u l The Asrai o
Page 30 and 31: Ch a p t e r IV: Wo o d El f Ma g i
Page 32 and 33: Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Spellsin
Page 34 and 35: Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Forecast
Page 36 and 37: Chapter IV: Wood Elf Magic Ri t u a
Page 38 and 39: Chapter V: Armoury and Equipment Ch
Page 40 and 41: Aoilym Fruit The Aoilym fruit (pron
Page 42 and 43: Chapter VI: Careers Ch a p t e r VI
Page 44 and 45: Chapter VI: Careers Sp e l l w e a
Page 46 and 47: Chapter VI: Careers There are some
Page 48 and 49: Exits: Bodyguard, Hunter, Outrider,
Page 50 and 51: Existing Ad v a n c e d Ca r e e r
Page 52 and 53: them. Sometimes these mysterious ro
Page 54 and 55: Chapter VII: The Forest of Athel Lo
Page 56 and 57: Elves with both the Common Knowledg
Page 62 and 63: 1. Quenelles 2. The Wild Heath 3. C
Page 64 and 65: Politics Quenelles’ dilapidated d
Page 66 and 67: 5. Meadow Glades Navigation: Easy (
Page 70 and 71: Ot h e r Lo c a t i o n s Athel Lor
Page 72 and 73:
Lost Heir of Dukae Tancred II: Einh
Page 74 and 75:
Treachery in the Wildwood: Last yea
Page 76 and 77:
Chapter VIII: The Laurëlorn Forest
Page 78 and 79:
Page 80 and 81:
Page 82 and 83:
Page 84 and 85:
Page 86 and 87:
Page 88 and 89:
Chapter IX: The Hinterglades Ch a p
Page 90 and 91:
Chapter IX: The Hinterglades Pl a y
Page 92 and 93:
Chapter IX: The Hinterglades Pl a y
Page 94 and 95:
Chapter IX: The Hinterglades harmle
Page 96 and 97:
The pure of heart are allowed to wa
Page 98 and 99:
Chapter X: Friends of the Forest Dr
Page 100 and 101:
Chapter X: Friends of the Forest Pa
Page 102 and 103:
Gr e a t St a g (New) Wood Elves re
Page 104 and 105:
• Luminescents: These odd Spites
Page 106 and 107:
Chapter X: Friends of the Forest Th
Page 108 and 109:
(see Wood Elf Magic pg. 30). • Te
Page 110 and 111:
Chapter XI: Flora, Fauna and Foes o
Page 112 and 113:
Special Rules: • Thorns: The Deat
Page 114 and 115:
Page 116 and 117:
Page 118 and 119:
Page 120 and 121:
Ma n-Fl e s h Centigors have a grea
Page 122 and 123:
Page 124 and 125:
Chapter XII: Revolutions in Progres
Page 126 and 127:
Ot h e r w o r l d Po r t a l s Mis
Page 128 and 129:
Page 130 and 131:
Page 132 and 133:
Page 134 and 135:
Page 136 and 137:
missing party (false) and that he w
Page 138:
Loba...............................
show all

Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?