Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter X: Friends of
the Forest
Ch a p t e r X: Fr i e n d s o f t h e Fo r e s t
“The forest is neither friend nor foe; it is simply the wild forest. My great grandfather, whom I am
named after, was taken by the forest, but I still follow the family tradition and honour Athel Loren.
It is said that the fey venerate the oldest trees and they are the true Lords of the Forest. Still it is
rumoured that older creatures still inhabit its darkest depths.”
Earl Leofric Carrard, Knight of Bretonnia
An im a l Bo n d i n g
The Asrai view all creatures in the animal kingdom as equals and
therefore refuse to capture or train them as Humans do. Instead,
Wood Elves attempt to form spiritual links, called Sen’aythoi
(literally meaning “the bond” in Elvish), which allow Elves and
beasts to sense each other’s emotions and impulses. Sen’aythoi
is part of the Wood Elves’ sacred pact with the forest, so abusing
an animal’s trust is a serious breach of that accord.
The Asrai are the only Elves who perform this bonding ritual;
their kin in Ulthuan use charisma and willpower to command
and control animals, while the Naggaroth Elves break creatures’
wills to their bidding.
Th e Bo n d i n g
In order to form a bond of Sen’aythoi, the Elf in question must
first present an animal with a gift, such as food or a shiny trinket
to adorn its nest or cave. While presenting the gift, the Elf must
pass a Charm Animal Test or risk offending the creature. The
gift is not part of the bonding process, but is required in order
to gain the animal’s trust and enable the Elf to approach safely.
Offending the animal during initial contact may result in the Elf
being attacked or rejected.
If the gift is well-received, the Elf may approach the animal and
begin the bonding process. The Elf must have a clear and calm
mind to become attuned with the animal; therefore counting as
Surprised and Unaware if attacked during the ritual. Attunement
takes about a minute before a successful Fellowship Test
allows the Elf to bond with the animal. An unsuccessful bonding
attempt has the same result as a rejected gift (see above).
Should the Elf wish to use the bonded animal as a mount, they
must immediately attempt to ride the creature. A successful
Ride Test is required to confirm the bond and enable the Elf to
ride the creature at will. If unsuccessful, the Elf is thrown from
the prospective mount (see WFRP pg. 138, Table 6-10: Falling
Damage). Those who survive being thrown (Warhawk Riders
often do not) may attempt to remount the animal 1d10 times
before the creature permanently rejects them (as with the giftgiving,
rejection can be fatal for the Elf if the animal is hungry).
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An Elf can be bonded with more than one animal, but only one
of each species, so for example a Elven Steed and Warhawk, but
not two Warhawks.
Special Rules
Elves who bond successfully with an Animal Companion observe
the following special rules:
• Broken-hearted: Upon the death of your beloved animalfriend,
you must pass a Will Power Test or gain 1 Insanity
Point.
• Kindred: You share a kindred spirit, and on a successful Fellowship
Test, your animal-friend is able to read your emotions
and perform more advanced tasks than anyone with the Animal
Training Skill could hope to.
• Sixth Sense: Your animal-friend senses your needs instinctively,
giving you an extra Fortune Point that can be used for
any Ride Skill Test.
• The Calling: On a successful Opposed Will Power Test, you
may call your animal-friend to your side. The GM may apply
modifiers for distance and past experiences between the Elf and
animal.
Be f r i e n d i n g Fo r e s t Spirits
Forest Spirits are not evil by nature; nevertheless outsiders often
find themselves on the wrong end of the stick, both figuratively
and literally. As civilisation encroaches upon the woodland
realms, trespassers are greeted as hostile or exploitive forces unless
proven otherwise.
In highly magical forests like Athel Loren, travellers must appease
the forest spirits for the simple privilege of entering the
woods (see Trials of the Forest, pg. 56-57). Elven travellers are
not exempt from the forest’s judgment either, however the elder
race has honoured its sylvan pacts over many generations and
the forest spirits are more positively disposed toward them.