Chapter 1 - Class - Character Kits - Dwarven Kits
Animal Master
Note: This kit is taken from the Complete Book of Dwarves.
The Animal Master has a close affinity with the animals employed to guard
strongholds. He looks after and controls them, making sure they are properly fed and
exercised. He trains them to act as guards and to attack on command. Animal Masters
develop a deep bond with their animals and are reluctant to endanger the animals' lives.
An Animal Master must have a Wisdom of 12 or more.
Role: Well respected members of dwarf society, Animal Masters are usually
welcome at any stronghold, though they are treated with wary respect. If they are willing
to train others in the art, they are even more welcome.
Animal Masters are responsible for looking after a stronghold's animal guards. These
are usually 2d4 brown bears or 5d4 wolves, but other animals such as giant lizards, cave
bears, boars, or giant rats may be used. They may train a stronghold's cavalry mounts, if
these are present.
Secondary Skills: An Animal Master should have Groom (animal handling) and
Trapper/Furrier secondary skills.
Weapon Proficiencies: They may be proficient with any weapon.
Bonus Nonweapon Proficiencies: Animal Lore, Animal Training (chosen animal),
Endurance.
Recommended Nonweapon Proficiencies: Animal Handling, Animal Training
(other animal), Appraising, Direction Sense, Dwarf Runes, Etiquette, Herbalism,
Hunting, Modern Languages, Rope Use, Sign Language, Signalling, Underground
Survival.
Equipment: When created, the Animal Master may have any kind of weapons and
equipment. He starts with one fully trained animal of his choice, which he may equip
with leather or metal armor.
Distinctive Appearance: Animal Masters frequently dress in the pelts or skins of
their animal charges. This helps bond him to his animals and makes them more accepting
of his presence.
Special Benefits: An Animal Master gains an Animal Training proficiency. This
bonus proficiency is automatically at +1. He must choose the kind of animal he is capable
of training upon taking the proficiency. He may buy another Animal Training proficiency
but the second does not gain the +1 bonus.
The bonus Animal Mastery proficiency allows him to train four animals at one time,
instead of three. For each additional slot spent on Animal Training, one extra animal can be trained.
Because of his affinity with them, an Animal Master reduces the time it takes to train
the animals by one week per slot spent on the proficiency, but it never takes less than two
weeks. This extra slot includes the Animal Trainer's initial +1 bonus. He can increase the
number of tasks he can teach an animal by +1 for each slot spent on Training. One who
chooses brown bears as the animals for his bonus proficiency can teach four bears at one
time. He can teach them 2d4+1 tricks or tasks in 2d6-1 weeks.
When working with wild animals, he gains a +4 ability modifier to his chances of
taming them, if the animals are of a litter whose mother he has trained. When working
with such animals, an Animal Master's commands are obeyed on rolls of 1-19 on a 1d20.
Only when he rolls a 20 will the animals refuse to obey.
If an Animal Master has the Sign Language proficiency, he may direct his own
trained animals with it. They must be able to see his hands for this to work.
An Animal Master with the Signalling proficiency can direct personally trained
animals by using simple sound signals. When working with animals other than his own,
he may direct them by making a successful Animal Training check.
Special Hindrances: Animal Masters tend to be loners, spending more time with
animals than with other dwarves. Consequently, there is always a level of distrust. Most
dwarves, obsessed with their crafts, have little in common with Animal Masters who
dedicate their lives to creating a rapport with their animals. Other dwarves react to
Animal Masters at B2. This does not mean they will be antagonistic, but that they are
wary of the trainer and his animals. They will show respect, but without friendship.
Wealth Options: An Animal Master starts with only 4d4x10 gp.
