Defenders of the Forest - Liber Fanatica

Chapter X: Friends of
the Forest
Special Rules:
• Branchwraiths: apply the Brute template (WFRP pg. 227) to
the base Dryad profile.
• Soul Drinker: Branchwraiths and Winter Dryads are capable
of mimicking Elves, Humans and Dwarfs with near perfect accuracy.
Perception Tests to spot their disguises are Hard (-20).
Ha n d m a i d e n s
The majority of Dryads serve Treemen as guardians, marching
with the Lord of the Forest into battle against intruders (see
Shepherds of the Forest pg. 104). When a Treeman is in the
long sleep, the Dryads watch over his dormant form and tend to
his every need. The term Handmaiden is often given to Dryads
in this role, as they will fetch water for the sleeping Treeman in
times of drought, or awaken their lord should the need arise.
When a Treeman is destroyed, its Handmaidens become cold
of heart and vengeful. While some are able to serve another
Lord of the Forest, the majority turn into Winter Dryads and
Branchwraiths.
Ro l e p l a y Tip: Is h a’s Se c r e t s
Most Asrai know something about their spirit-neighbours. GMs
can provide basic information about magical forest creatures to
Wood Elf players who pass a Common Knowledge (Woodland
Realm) Test. However, Elves do not trust other races to respect
the woodlands as they do. When asked questions about the
Forest Spirits by their non-Elven colleagues, Wood Elves usually
respond cryptically, change the topic, or lie outright.
El v e n St e e d s
Source: Old World Bestiary, pg. 122.
El v e n St e e d Co m p a n i o n s
While the warhorses of Brettonia and the Empire are bred for
strength and fidelity, the horses of the Asrai are encouraged
from birth to be agile and cunning. Elven riders work in close
partnership with their steeds, forgoing the need for mounts to
be broken or dominated as in human custom. Elven riders do
not view horses as subservient beasts or property.
The bond between rider and steed develops over many years
and is often deeper than ties of friendship or family. This bond
allows Elven Steeds to form an empathetic link with their riders
and receive directions without the need for bit or bridle.
Eventually, the cooperation between horse and rider evolves to
the point where they act as one. The silent interaction between
an experienced mount and rider is impossible to detect by the
untrained eye.
Even those Elves who are not bonded to an Elven Steed gain
a +10% bonus on Ride Tests because the superior Asrai stock
can sense a rider’s intentions intuitively. However, Elven steeds
are also empathic enough to sense a rider’s motives and may
therefore refuse to carry “evil” riders (enemies of Elves, anyone
aligned to the Ruinous Powers, the Restless Dead, etc.).
Elven Steeds gain a +20% bonus to Fear and Terror tests while
carrying their companions, representing increased trust and confidence
in the face of danger. Saddles are almost never employed
although an Elven Steed might consent to wearing one for an
ailing or disabled rider.
St a b l e Gl a d e s
When an Elven Steed is not needed by its rider, it returns to a
special Stable Glade where the most delicious and nutrient-rich
grasses grow. Glade locations are carefully selected to provide
fresh water, freedom of movement and protection from marauders,
horse thieves and the elements. Supposedly, even carnivorous
animals do not attack steeds within their Stable Glades.
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