XerExaltedLite/Animals

Animals

Sizes

Some terms.

Very Small - Health levels are (permanent Essence + Brawn + Might) - Cat-sized.

Small - Health levels are (permanent Essence + Brawn + Might) x 2 - Wolf-sized.

Normal - Health levels are (permanent Essence + Brawn + Might) x 3 - Human-sized.

Large - Health levels are (permanent Essence + Brawn + Might) x 4 - Horse-sized.

Very Large - Health levels are (permanent Essence + Brawn + Might) x 5 - Elephant-sized.

Sizes are all pretty rough. There are large and small specimens of every species.

Movement

Most animals can only run or sprint, and walk. Dogs and wolves being the only real exception - though some exceptional horses can rival human endurance. Running speeds generally range from 35 - 65 yards per Turn, while sprinting creatures can barely exceed 100 yards in a Turn.

Bats fly at about 15 yards in a Turn, while most birds are significantly faster, and often have two speeds, one being twice the other, ranging from 35 - 100 yards per Turn between the two. Larger birds tend to be faster than smaller ones, and quieter birds tend to be slower. As these are all guidelines, when in doubt, look it up :-)

Horses gallop at (30 + quadruple (Dexterity + Prowess (Running))). They can maintain this speed for their Brawn in minutes,

Animals

• Animals should usually be minor characters unless potent familiars.
• Intelligence and Manipulation are always limited to 1 unless specified. Primary attribute is -always- physical.
• Most animals will have a special ability of some sort. Cats and Owls have excellent night vision, etc.
• Animals are rated based upon their utility for the Familiar background. For this reason, basic animals are rated in dots, depending on their relative strength. These dots, along with some guidelines, 'make' the animal. They rate from zero (insignificant) to six (Tyrant Lizard, River Dragon, etc).
• Because of this, these scores represent creatures with a penchant for conflict. Creatures that do bashing damage should be stronger. Creatures without inclination for combat are at least one dot rating lower.

No dots

Mice, small rats, and their ilk. Tend to have only one Health level, and no soak whatsoever.

They are at +3 difficulty to hit and many have an easy time finding cover. All attributes are 1, and they do 0B base damage.

•

Cats, small dogs, etc. A Very Small animal with 1/1/1 for Attributes. They do 0L base damage.

They are at +2 difficulty to hit.

••

A Normal sized animal with 4/1/1 for Attributes, or a Small one which has a +1 difficulty to hit. Dexterity and Brawn are limited to four.

•••

Large animal with 7/1/1 for Attributes. Dexterity and Brawn are limited to six.

••••

Large animal with 10/1/1 for Attributes. Dexterity and Brawn are limited to eight.

•••••

Very Large animal with 13/1/1 for Attributes. Dexterity and Brawn are limited to ten.

••••• •

Very Large animal with 16/1/1 for Attributes. Dexterity and Brawn are limited to fifteen.

Temporary

The above is just a temporary framework while I let my thoughts on the matter get organized. Suggestions are welcome but understand I see a lot of flaws already :-) This is a placeholder node sketching out a basic idea.