30 days of Magic Animals

Games Discussion ArM Post a Day
1

I will be posting a Magic Animal each day of November. These creatures are meant to serve as potential Familiars, so each of them will also include an entry on what it offers the Magus, and what it might take to find and befriend it.

At the end of the month, I plan to gather all of these animals into a PDF on DriveThruRPG. And I hope to add some Art to it, and a few more Magic Animals. But we'll see how that part goes. The Art for this is likely to be AI, simply because I do not have the funds to commission it.

Table of Contents:
1. Adder of the Barrows
2, Black Forest Salamander
3. Bronze Beetle
4. Carpathian Bear
5. Catacomb Owl
6. Chamois of the Crags
7. Cicada of the Sun
8. Desert Falcon
9. Dolphin of Delos
10. Edelweiss Lynx
11. Firebird Nestling
12. Gagoyle Hawk
13. Golden Eagle of the Glen
14. Granda Lizard
15. Hare of the Sidhe
16. Highland Cú
17. Iron-Barked Woodpecker
18. Laurel Snake
19. Lavender Fox
20. Leshy Fox
21. Marble Adder
22. Mirage Jackal
23. Raven of the Tor
24. Seal-Dog
25. Silver Pike of the Volga
26. Silver-Horned Stag
27. Strix
28. Sun-Rooster
29. Tide-Otter
30. Wolpertinger Kit

2

Adder of the Barrows (Terram), Might 12

The Adder of the Barrows is an eerie, petrified predator (Size -4) native to ancient megalithic tombs, grassy burial mounds, and forgotten stone barrows scattered across ancient hillsides. Imbued with deep earth magic, its flesh has fused into a living, supple Body of Stone, making it look as though it were carved from ancient, weathered rock veins.

Governed by an Infamous reputation and a Loathsome Appearance (Presence -6), the adder avoids the sunlight, preferring to coil within dark, sealed sarcophagi and subterranean burial vaults. Local peasants and superstitious villagers whisper fearful stories of the "Barrow Worm"—a venomous stone snake that guards ancient treasures, slips through solid rock walls like water, and leaves a trail of withered, dead vegetation in its wake.

Hermetic Utility: How It Uses Its Powers on Behalf of Its Magus

When successfully bound as a familiar (featuring an incredible total bind cost of 0), the Adder of the Barrows offers extraordinary subterranean utility, defensive support, and destructive versatility:

· Fluid Subterranean Movement (Slither Through Stone): Through its MuTe15 personal power, the adder can slither through packed earth and even hard stone as if it were river clay. This allows it to tunnel directly into enemy covenants, bypass locked stone doors, scout sealed underground chambers, or retrieve hidden treasures from behind masonry walls.

· Versatile Spells (Master of Terram): Using its powerful Focus Power, the adder can duplicate any non-Ritual Muto or Perdo Terram spell up to level 10, costing 1 Might point per magnitude. This provides the magus with a flexible, on-demand toolkit for altering stone, weakening masonry, or manipulating earth obstacles on the fly.

· Decimating Foliage (Wither the Green): With its PeHe20 lesser power, the adder can instantly wither up to 10 cubic paces of plant material, clearing away thick overgrowth, destroying enemy crops, or breaching wooden-and-vine defenses with a single touch.

· Lethal Ambush and Protection: Backed by its high Ambush Predator quality (granting automatic initiative and a +3 attack bonus on the first round), incredible Slippery defense against grapples, and venomous stone fangs, it acts as a silent, deadly guardian inside a magus's laboratory.

Hardening the Trial: Making It Harder to Close In and Befriend

Binding a Might 12 creature is mathematically trivial, but befriending the Adder of the Barrows is a claustrophobic, grim, and hazardous ordeal:

· The Labyrinth of the Dead: The adder nests deep within ancient barrow mounds and sealed subterranean vaults. A prospective magus must risk disturbing angry spirits, navigating unstable burial tunnels, and breaking into sacred or cursed tombs just to find it.

· Loathsome and Repulsive Presence: The adder possesses a Loathsome Appearance. It does not welcome warmth or companionship; it strikes defensively from the dark, and its stone-cold, intimidating presence causes instinctive revulsion in those who try to approach it unprepared.

· Earning the Trust of the Tomb-Dweller: The adder cannot be won over with flattery, bright lights, or surface-world luxuries. To earn its trust, a magus must demonstrate a deep reverence for the silence of the earth and the lore of the dead, often leaving offerings of rare minerals, ancient grave-goods, or performed rites of stone-shaping in the dark. Only when the magus proves they are as patient, enduring, and unyielding as stone will the barrow adder allow the bond of a familiar to be forged.

Characteristics: Int -1, Per -2, Pre 0, Com 0, Str -8, Sta +3, Dex +3, Qik +3

Size: -4

Season: Summer

Gender: Female

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Animal, Lightning Reflexes (Initiative on Surprise Attack: +9), Tough (Soak: +3), Ways of the Mountain, Infamous, Terram Monstrosity [Monstrosity: Body of Stone], Magical Air

Qualities and Inferiorities: Ambush Predator (Bonus: Automatic Initiative, +3 Attack 1st round), Loathsome Appearance (Presence: -6 normally, +3

when trying to intimidate), Slippery (Bonus: +6 defending Grapple attacks), Venomous

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Focus Power × 1, Terram Resistance, Improved Defense × 1 (Fangs: +2), Improved Damage × 1 (Fangs: +3), Lesser Power × 1, Personal Power × 1, Improved Initiative × 1 (Fangs: +3), Vis Mastery

Reputations: Venomous 4

Combat:

Fangs: Init: +6, Attack +11, Defense +11, Damage -4

Soak: +6

Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1), -3 (2), -5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities:), Awareness 2 (prey), Brawl 4 (fangs), Hunt 4 (prey), Penetration 4 (Perdo), Terram Resistance 5, Stealth 5 (stalking prey Survival 4 (rocky areas)

Powers:

Master of Terram, Points: 1 or 2, Initiative: -2, Terram

R: Varies, D: Varies, T: Varies

Duplicates any of a range of non-Ritual Muto or Perdo spells pertaining to Terram, at a cost of 1 Might point per magnitude of the effect.

The level of the effect cannot be greater than 10.

MuTe25 or PeTe25 (Base 25); Focus Power (25 levels)

Slither Through Stone, Points: 1, Initiative: +4, Terram

R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind

The Adder of the Barrows can slither through earth, and even hard stone, as if it was river clay.

MuTe15 (Base 3, +2 Sun, +1 Hard Stone, +1 special); Personal Power (15 levels, +2 Initiative cost)

Wither the Green, Points: 3, Initiative: -5, Herbam

R: Touch, D: Mom, T: Group

The Adder of the Barrows can cause up to 10 cubic paces of plant material to wither.

PeHe20, Design: 20 levels, Base 5, +1 Touch, +2 Group); Lesser Power (20 levels, -1 Might cost)

Total to Bind: (-7*5) + 25 + 10 = 0

Suitable Te and Fo for Binding: Muto, Perdo, Animal, Herbam, Terram

3

Because tomorrow I know I'll be busy, am posting the seocnd one now.

Black Forest Salamander (Ignem), Might 10

The Black Forest Salamander is a minuscule, subterranean amphibian (Size -7) native to the dark, mossy undergrowth, damp volcanic fissures, and ancient charcoal-burners' pits of the Rhine Tribunal's legendary Black Forest. Unlike ordinary fire salamanders, its skin is pitch-black and slick with a toxic, sulfurous secretion, while its internal biology is utterly saturated with Ignem magic, granting it absolute immunity to fire.

Governed by its Sympathetic +2, Quiet +3, and Nosy +2 traits, it is a strangely inquisitive yet entirely silent creature (Mute). It does not flee from warmth or danger; instead, it creeps silently into campfires, hearths, and alchemical furnaces to bask in the heat, watching humans with curious, unblinking eyes. Local foresters and German apothecaries whisper fearful yet reverent tales of the "Cinder-Crawler"—a tiny, venomous spirit of the hearth that brings warmth to those it likes and suffocating sulfurous distraction to those it dislikes.

Hermetic Utility: How It Uses Its Powers on Behalf of Its Magus

When successfully bound as a familiar (featuring a total bind cost of 0), the Black Forest Salamander offers exceptional alchemical assistance, stealth shielding, and fire manipulation:

· On-Demand Fire & Hearth Crafting (Crafter of Ignem): Through its powerful Focus Power, the salamander can duplicate any non-Ritual Creo or Rego Ignem spell up to level 10 (costing 1 Might point per magnitude). This gives the magus a living, mobile forge assistant capable of lighting alchemical burners, controlling laboratory flames, or igniting fires with precision.

· Predator Deterrence & Camouflage (Stench of Sulphur): Using its ReAn15 lesser power, the salamander can project an oppressive, sulfurous aura across a group range that causes carnivorous predators and enemies to completely lose interest in the magus and their companions, treating them as unappealing non-targets as long as concentration is maintained.

· Absolute Fire Immunity & Thermal Reconnaissance: With its Greater Immunity (Fire), See in the Dark, and Keen Sense of Smell (+3), the salamander can crawl directly inside blazing furnaces, burning ruins, or volcanic vents to scout or retrieve items that would incinerate a human explorer.

· Tiny Infiltrator Stealth: Backed by its high Quickness (+9), tiny size (-7), and Skilled Climber quality, it can slip through microscopic cracks and keyholes into enemy sanctums completely unnoticed.

Hardening the Trial: Making It Harder to Close In and Befriend

Binding a Might 10 creature is mathematically effortless, but befriending the Black Forest Salamander before the ritual is a test of patience, warmth, and resilience:

· The Chilling Vulnerability: Because of its Environmental Sensitivity (Extreme cold) flaw, the salamander hides deep within warm subterranean pockets, active charcoal pits, or smoldering hearths. During cold weather or outside of warm micro-climates, it suffers a -3 penalty and becomes sluggish, retreating deep into places hostile to human entry.

· Silent and Unfathomable Curiosity: The salamander is completely Mute, meaning it cannot communicate through speech or cries. A magus cannot charm it with conversation or listen to verbal bargains; everything must be interpreted through its silent, "nosy" observation and physical cues.

· Earning the Trust of the Hearth-Crawler: The salamander cannot be caught by force—its high defense (+14) and venomous bite make it dangerous to grab despite its tiny size. To win its favor, a magus must seek out its fiery resting places in the deep woods, leave offerings of rich, warm oils or burning coals, and sit quietly beside the heat without threatening it. Only when the salamander realizes the magus is a source of pleasant warmth and fascinating magical energies will it voluntarily slither onto the magus's hand to form the lifelong bond.

Characteristics: Int -1, Per -1, Pre -5, Com -3, Str -12, Sta +3, Dex +2, Qik +9

Size: -7

Season: Summer

Gender: Female

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Animal, Greater Immunity (Fire), Keen Sense of Smell (Smell: +3), See in the Dark, Tough (Soak: +3), Nocturnal (All Rolls: -1 between dawn and midday), Temperate, Environmental Sensitivity (Extreme cold) [Penalty: -3], Mute

Qualities and Inferiorities: Amphibious (Bonus: Hold breath twice as long as normal), Keen Sense of Smell Quality (Bonus: +3 using smell, +2 to Hunt rolls), Venomous, Loathsome Appearance (Presence: -6 normally, +3 when trying to intimidate), Skilled Climber (Bonus: +3 when climbing)

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Improved Abilities × 2, Improved Defense × 1 (Bite: +2), Improved Initiative × 1 (Bite: +3), Focus Power × 1, Lesser Power × 1, Improved Might × 1, Improved Powers × 1

Personality Traits: Sympathetic +2, Quiet +3, Nosy +2

Combat:

Bite: Init: +12, Attack +5, Defense +14, Damage -12

Soak: +6

Fatigue levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1), -3 (2), -5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities: Awareness 2 (food), Brawl 3 (dodging), Penetration 4 (Ignem), Swim 5 (home terrain), Survival 4 (home terrain)

Powers:

Stench of Sulphur, Points: 1, Initiative: +3, Animal

R: Voice, D: Conc, T: Group

The targets takes no interest in you as long as you continue to concentrate, and do not threaten it. A carnivore treats you as if you were simply something it does not eat. It retains normal interest, however, in anyone else nearby,

ReAn15 (Base 2, +2 Voice, +1 Conc, +2 Group); Lesser Power (15 levels, -2 Might cost)

Crafter of Ignem, Points: 1 or 2, Initiative: +4, Ignem

R: Varies, D: Varies, T: Varies

Duplicates any of a range of non-Ritual Creo or Rego spells pertaining to Ignem, at a cost of 1 Might point per magnitude of the effect. The level of the effect cannot be greater than 10.

CrIg25 or ReIg25 (Base 25); Focus Power (25 levels) Note: Effects for both Creo and Rego can be duplicated

Total to Bind: (-7*5) + 25 + 10 = 0

Suitable Te and Fo for Binding: Creo, Rego, Animal, Ignem

4

Bronze Beetle (Terram), Might 5

The Bronze Beetle is a marvel of the Theban Tribunal—a tiny (-10 Size) beetle whose carapace is forged of living, lustrous bronze rather than chitin. Born deep within abandoned ancient subterranean mines or hidden volcanic pockets where rich mineral veins intersect with concentrated magical auras, this creature behaves like an organic piece of masterwork machinery.

It is intensely Industrious +3, spending its endless hours scraping, measuring, and testing mineral deposits. It views the world with a cold, analytical eye (Judgemental +2, Thoughtful +2), completely indifferent to human vanity, but endlessly fascinated by the quality of metals, fine craftsmanship, and structural integrity.

Hermetic Utility: How It Uses Its Powers on Behalf of Its Magus

When successfully bound as a familiar (requiring a remarkably low Lab Total due to its negative bind cost adjustment, making it ideal for young or specialized magi), the Bronze Beetle offers exceptional workshop and exploratory utility:

· Mineral Prospecting & Ore Detection: Using its Probe for Earth's Bounty power, the beetle can smell gold, iron, silver, and other metals through up to 3 paces of solid rock or earth. It can instantly determine the purity and exact quantity of the deposit, acting as a living divining rod for a covenant's mine or a Verditius magus hunting for raw materials.

· Clay-Like Metal Manipulation: With Malleable Metals, the beetle can touch a piece of base or precious metal (up to a cubic foot for base metals) and instantly soften it so it can be dug out, molded, or shaped with bare hands just like wet river clay. This short-circuits hours of tedious smithing and carving labor.

· Defensive Disarming: In combat, its Blunt the Iron's Edge power allows it to touch an incoming blade and hopelessly warp and blunt it, reducing the weapon's total damage to half and completely neutralizing physical threats from armed opponents before they can strike the magus.

· Workshop Precision: Its high Dexterity (+3), Quickness (+11), and Survival/Terram affinities make it an unmatched, hyper-precise lab assistant for intricate metal-inlay work, talisman engraving, and automated laboratory maintenance.

Hardening the Trial: Making It Harder to Close In and Befriend

Binding a Might 5 creature is mechanically straightforward, but befriending the Bronze Beetle is a masterclass in patience and precision:

· The Unreachable Burrow: The beetle lives deep inside jagged metallic veins, narrow rock fissures, or sealed subterranean geodes. Because of its tiny size (-10) and immense Quickness (+11), it can scuttle into micro-crevices that are completely inaccessible to a human hand or tool.

· Total Indifference to Flattery: Unlike social animals, the beetle cannot be won over by gentle petting, sweet foods, or emotional appeals. It possesses a negative Presence (-4) and a detached, analytical mindset. To even catch its attention, a magus must display supreme metallurgical skill, present it with samples of exceptionally pure, folded steel or refined precious ores, or repair a broken piece of art with flawless precision.

· Deterring Force with Counter-Magic: If a magus attempts to capture or coerce it by force, the beetle will rely on its blindingly fast Dodge (Defense +15) and immediately cast Blunt the Iron's Edge on any iron tools or weapons the magus carries, frustrating physical capture while it simply slips away through a small crack in a stone wall.

Characteristics: Int -1, Per +1, Pre -4, Com -3, Str -17, Sta +3, Dex +3, Qik +11

Size: -10

Season: Spring

Gender: Male

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Animal, Rapid Convalescence (Recover from Wounds: +3), Reserves of Strength (Strength: +3 once/day), Perfect Balance (Avoid Falling and Tripping: +6), Terram Monstrosity [Monstrosity: Bronze Carapace], Temperate, Poor Presence × 1

Qualities and Inferiorities: Crafty, Hardy (Extra Fatigue: +1), Fast Runner (Bonus: +3 when running), Tough Hide,

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Lesser Power × 2, Limited Movement, Personal Power × 1, Improved Abilities × 2, Terram Resistance

Personality Traits: Judgemental +2, Industrious +3, Thoughtful +2

Combat:

Dodge: Init: +11, Attack --, Defense +15, Damage --

Soak: +5

Fatigue levels: OK, 0/0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1), -3 (2), -5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities: Athletics 5 (running), Awareness 3 (food), Brawl 3 (Dodge), Terram Resistance 2, Survival 5 (home terrain)

Equipment: Tough Hide (Soak: 5) (Soak: 5; Protection: 2)

Powers:

Probe for Earth's Bounty, Points: 1, Initiative: +9, Terram

R: Per, D: Sun, T: Smell

The Bronze Beetle can smell any type of metal (gold, iron, silver), through up to 3 paces of intervening material. It has a good idea of how much is there and how pure it is, if appropriate.

InTe20 (Base 2, +2 Sun, +2 Smell, +2 all metals); Personal Power (20 levels, -1 Might cost)

Malleable Metals, Points: 3, Initiative: +3, Terram

R: Touch, D: Sun, T: Part

The Bronze Beetle can touch a piece of metal enough that it can be dug out, molded, and otherwise manipulated in the same way that hard river clay can be. For base metals this can be a cubic foot, and for precious metals it is a tenth of that.

MuTe20 (Base 3, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 Part, +1 Metal); Lesser Power (20 levels, -1 Might cost)

Blunt the Iron's Edge, Points: 0, Initiative: +12, Terram

R: Touch, D: Diam, T: Ind

When the Bronze Beetle touches any bladed weapon, this warps and blunts the blade hopelessly. The affected weapon has its total damage (including Attack Advantage) reduced to half (round up). The weapons return to their undamaged state once the Duration expires.

MuTe5 (Base 1, +1 Touch, +1 Diam, +2 affect metal); Lesser Power (5 levels, -1 Might cost, +3 Initiative cost)

Total to Bind: (-10*5) + 25 + 5 = -20

Suitable Te and Fo for Binding: Intellego, Muto, Animal, Terram

5

Carpathian Bear (Animal), Might 18

The Carpathian Bear is a massive, legendary apex predator (Size +2) that roams the deep, brooding pine forests and snow-capped peaks of the Transylvanian Tribunal. Unlike ordinary beasts of the wild, this female bear is imbued with ancient, raw earth-and-bone magic, giving her an imposing stature, iron-like hide, and a fiercely independent, territorial disposition.

Governed by her Reclusive, Greedy, and Slothful +3 traits, she spends long stretches in deep, magical hibernation or lording over a wide mountain territory, hoarding honey, rich game, and occasionally magical trinkets or ores. She holds a deep Hunger for Animal Magic, instinctively seeking out sources of magical vitality. Local villagers and border-guards whisper terrified legends of the "Iron-Clawed Mother," a beast whose skin cannot be pierced by cross-bow bolts and whose roar can shatter the courage of an entire hunting party.

Hermetic Utility: How It Uses Its Powers on Behalf of Its Magus

When successfully bound as a familiar (requiring a substantial Lab Total due to its Might 18 score), the Carpathian Bear offers devastating physical might, peerless protection, and unique tactical advantages:

· Impenetrable Organic Armor (Iron Hide Resilience): Through its MuAn20 personal power, the bear’s coat sprouts bone-like, dense structural reinforcement, granting it an additional +3 Protection with zero load penalty. When combined with its natural Tough Hide and high Stamina, this makes it a virtually indestructible living bulwark in combat.

· Shapeshifting Empathy & Communication (Form of the Melancholic Bear): Using its second MuAn20 personal power, it gains a temporary boost of +2 Stamina, a +4 bonus to communicate across language barriers via empathy or sign language, and acquires the Creative Personality Trait at +3, allowing it to bridge the gap between beast and human intellect when complex cooperation is required.

· Summoning the Wild: Backed by its high Summon Animals (bears) ability (5+2), it can call forth about 10 ordinary bears from across the mountain range to act as an army of defenders or laborers for the covenant.

· Unmatched Combat Dominance: In direct confrontation, its massive Large Claws (Attack +16, Damage +15) and Large Teeth (Attack +14, Damage +14), backed by Reserves of Strength (+3 Str once/day), allow it to rip through enemy warbands, or magical beasts with terrifying efficiency.

Hardening the Trial: Making It Harder to Close In and Befriend

Binding an 18 Might creature is a massive undertaking requiring a high Lab Total (53), but befriending the Carpathian Bear before the ritual begins is an intimidating and hazardous ordeal:

· The Isolated Mountain Lair: The bear makes her den in nearly inaccessible, high-altitude alpine caves or deep, shadow-draped ravines littered with the bones of past intruders. Simply finding her requires surviving severe wilderness hazards and steep terrain.

· Reclusive and Aggressive Demeanor: Because of her Reclusive and Aggressive +2 traits, she does not appreciate uninvited guests. Approaching her territory triggers immediate territorial hostility rather than curiosity; she will charge with blinding speed (enhanced by Fast Runner) to drive away trespassers before they can even speak.

· Feeding the Greed: The bear is intensely Greedy and driven by a Hunger for Animal Magic. She cannot be charmed with mere flattery or mundane food. To even earn a moment's pause for parley, a magus must offer high-value tributes—such as potent Animal vis, freshly slain grand game infused with magic, or rare ritual offerings—proving they are a powerful provider capable of sustaining her immense magical appetite.

Characteristics: Int -1, Per +1, Pre +1, Com -4, Str +8, Sta +6, Dex +3, Qik -1

Size: +2

Season: Summer

Gender: Female

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Animal, Improved Characteristics, Tough (Soak: +3), Great Stamina × 1*, Summon Animals, Reserves of Strength (Strength: +3 once/day)*, Great Strength × 1*, Puissant Summon Animals*, Greedy, Hunger for Animal Magic, Reclusive, Animal Monstrosity [Monstrosity: Additional Claws]

* From Magical Qualities/Inferiorities

Qualities and Inferiorities: Aggressive, Extra Natural Weapons [Weapon: Large Claws], Fast Runner (Bonus: +3 when running), Grapple, Hardy (Extra Fatigue: +1), Imposing Appearance, Large Claws, Pursuit Predator (Extra Fatigue: +1), Tough Hide

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Minor Virtue (Reserves of Strength), Improved Soak × 1 (Soak: +2), Improved Attack × 1 (Large Claws: +2), Improved Attack × 1 (Large Teeth: +2), Improved Damage × 1 (Large Teeth: +3), Improved Damage × 1 (Large Claws: +3), Personal Power × 2, Minor Virtue (Great Stamina) x2, Improved Stamina × 1, Minor Virtue (Puissant Ability), Animal Resistance, Improved Abilities × 2

Personality Traits: Aggressive +2, Brave +3, Slothful +3

Combat:

Large Claws: Init: -1, Attack +16, Defense +8, Damage +15

Large Teeth: Init: -1, Attack +14, Defense +5, Damage +14

Grapple: Init: -1, Attack +8, Defense +4, Damage +8

Soak: +13

Fatigue levels: OK, 0/0/0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1-7), -3 (8-14), -5 (15-21), Incapacitated (22-28), Dead (29+)

Abilities: Summon Animals 5+2 (bears), Athletics 3 (running), Awareness 3 (prey), Brawl 5 (Large Claws), Animal Resistance 6, Hunt 4 (prey), Survival 5 (foraging) , Swim 3 (against the current)

Equipment: Tough Hide (Soak: 13) (Soak: 13; Protection: 2)

Powers:

Iron Hide Resilience, Points: 1, Initiative: -3, Animal

R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind

The Carpathian Bear’s coat grows bone-like structures, making her more resistant to weapons, teeth or claws, while still remaining supple enough. She gains +3 protection with no load penalty.

MuAn20 (Base 5, +2 Sun, +1 Size); Personal Power (20 levels, -1 Might cost)

Form of the Melancholic Bear, Points: 2, Initiative: -2, Animal

R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind

The Carpathian Bear gains a boost of +2 Sta, and +4 to all rolls to communicate across a language barrier, through empathy, via sign language, and so forth; it also temporarily acquires the Creative Personality Trait at +3.

MuAn20 (Base 5, +2 Sun, +1 Size); Personal Power (20 levels, +1 Initiative cost)

Total to Bind: (2*5) + 25 + 18 = 53

Suitable Te and Fo for Binding: Muto, Animal

6

Catacomb Owl (Imaginem), Might 10

The Catacomb Owl is an eerie and spectral nocturnal raptor (-4 Size) native to the subterranean crypts, catacombs, and ruined pagan hypogea scattered beneath the hills of Rome and the wider Roman Tribunal. Possessing a sharp, calculating intellect and feathers that shimmer with an unearthly, shifting chromatic sheen, the owl is a creature born of darkness, silence, and stone.

It is governed by its Graceful +2, Patient +2, and Frightening +3 traits. Rather than hunting in open forests, it nests in the deep niches of ancient tombs, watching over long-dead secrets. Thanks to its Second Sight and See in the Dark, it perceives the ethereal phantoms and hidden spirits that dwell in burial grounds, treating subterranean mazes as its private domain.

Hermetic Utility: How It Uses Its Powers on Behalf of Its Magus

When successfully bound as a familiar (requiring an accessible Lab Total of 15), the Catacomb Owl offers unmatched subterranean reconnaissance, counter-illusion utility, and stealth support to a magus:

· Absolute Invisibility (The Invisible Owl): Through its PeIm15 personal power, the owl becomes completely undetectable to normal sight, regardless of its actions (though it still casts a shadow). This allows it to scout hostile covenants, slip past guards, or spy on whispered conversations in pitch darkness without a sound.

· Shapeshifting Disguise (A Bird for Every Season): Using its MuIm15 personal power, the owl can alter its appearance to look like any kind of bird up to Size -1, affecting sight, touch, and sound. This lets it disguise itself as a common pigeon or falcon when flying in broad daylight, evading suspicion.

· Shattering Phantoms (Destroy the Phantom Image): With its PeIm20 lesser power, the owl’s unearthly hoot can literally blast apart magical Imaginem illusions, phantasms, or sensory spells of equivalent power, clearing away deceptive magical wards and trickery with a single cry.

· Elite Sensory and Stealth Edges: Backed by its high Athletics (5+2 flying), Stealth (4), Second Sight (4), and the Clear Thinker virtue (giving it a +3 bonus to resist lies and mental confusion), it acts as an infallible guide and defender against mental subversion and hidden traps.

Hardening the Trial: Making It Harder to Close In and Befriend

Binding a Might 10 creature is mechanically straightforward, but befriending the Catacomb Owl is a chilling and claustrophobic ordeal:

· The Labyrinth of the Dead: The owl nests in deep, pitch-black underground catacombs, collapsed burial vaults, and sealed ruins. A prospective magus must navigate dangerous, unmapped subterranean networks filled with hazards, getting lost in the dark without torchlight.

· Nocturnal and Aloof Nature: Because of its Nocturnal flaw, the owl is sluggish and unresponsive during the day, hiding in deep shadows where it cannot be easily reasoned with. Approaching it at night means entering its territory on its terms, surrounded by the oppressive atmosphere of the dead.

· The Cost of Silence: The owl carries the Afflicted Tongue flaw (spells using words add an extra botch die), and its personality is intensely Frightening. It does not care for flattery or noisy human socialization. To earn its trust, a magus must demonstrate absolute calm, respect for the quiet of the tombs, and offer rare tokens of silent, reflective beauty (such as polished obsidian, grave-goods, or Imaginem vis) while enduring its unsettling, unblinking gaze in total darkness.

Characteristics: Int -1, Per +3, Pre +1, Com -2, Str -6, Sta 0, Dex +1, Qik +6

Size: -4

Season: Summer

Gender: Female

Decrepitude: 0

Warping Score: 0 (0)

Confidence: 1 (3)

Virtues and Flaws: Magic Animal, Puissant Athletics, See in the Dark, Second Sight, Sharp Ears (Hearing: +3), Clear Thinker (Bonus: +3 to resist lies, confusion, subterfuge)*, Nocturnal (All Rolls: -1 between dawn and midday), Imaginem Monstrosity [Monstrosity: Feathers of Shifting Colors], Slow Power (Silent Vigil), Afflicted Tongue [Spells Using Words: Extra botch die]

* From Magical Qualities/Inferiorities

Qualities and Inferiorities: Accomplished Flyer, Ambush Predator (Bonus: Automatic Initiative, +3 Attack 1st round), Pursuit Predator (Extra Fatigue: +1), Sharp Ears Quality (Bonus: +3 using hearing), Camouflage (Bonus: +3 to hide without moving)

Magical Qualities and Inferiorities: Improved Attack × 1 (Claws: +2), Improved Initiative × 1 (Claws: +3), Animal Resistance, Imaginem Resistance, Improved Abilities × 2, Lesser Power × 1, Personal Power × 2, Minor Virtue (Clear Thinker)

Personality Traits: Graceful +2, Frightening +3, Patient +2

Combat:

Claws: Init: +9, Attack +6, Defense +9, Damage -6

Soak: 0

Fatigue levels: OK, 0/0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious

Wound Penalties: -1 (1), -3 (2), -5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities: Athletics 5+2 (flying) (75), Awareness 4 (food), Brawl 2 (Claws), Hunt 4 (prey), Imaginem Resistance 3, Animal Resistance 3, Second Sight 4 (invisible things), Stealth 4 (stalking prey), Survival 3 (home terrain)

Powers:

The Invisible Owl, Points: 1, Initiative: +6, Imaginem

R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind

The Catacomb Owl becomes completely undetectable to normal sight, regardless of what she does, but still casts a shadow.

PeIm15 (Base 4, +2 Sun, +1 changing image); Personal power(15 levels, -1 Might cost, +1 Initiative cost)

A Bird for Every Season, Points: 1, Initiative: +6, Form: Imaginem

R: Per, D: Diameter, T: Ind

The Catacomb Owl can appear to be any kind of bird up to Size -1. This illusion affects sight, touch, and sound.

MuIm15 (Base 3, +1 Diameter, +2 Flexibility, +1 Size); Personal Power (15 levels, -1 Might cost, +1 Initiative cost)

Destroy the Phantom Image, Points: 3, Initiative: -2, Imaginem

R: Voice, D: Mom, T: Ind

The Catacomb Owl’s hoot can destroy an image from a CrIm spell or effect whose level is equal to or less than a stress roll +20.

PeIm20 (Base 10, +2 Voice); Lesser Power (20 levels, -1 Might cost)

Total to Bind: (-4*5) + 25 + 10 = 15

Suitable Te and Fo for Binding: Muto, Perdo, Animal, Imaginem