/agree with callen
I've seen arguments both ways on the forums and was being conservative. I'm good with Ind.
Yeah, I just didn't see a good option for linking the change to my cloak's activation...
...like this one. 
Much better. Thanks for the analysis.
Just realized I never posted the updated version of Bernhard. In brief, he's six years older and the xp from those years were used to buy two virtues, a longevity ritual, and his magic armor. Some of his Abilites changed due to the addition of Hermetic Experience.
Characteristics (human): Int -1, Per +1, Str +2, Sta +3, Prs 0, Com -2, Dex +1, Qui +2
Characteristics (bear): Int -1, Per +1, Str +6, Sta +4, Prs 0, Com -2, Dex +2, Qik 0
Size: +1 (+2 in bear form)
Age: 43 (39)
Decrepitude: 0 (0)
Warping Score: 0 (4)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)
Virtues: Skinchanger (bear), Improved Characteristics, Large, Tough, Warrior, Piercing Gaze, Puissant Single Weapon, Forge Companion, Enduring Constitution [20 bp/xp], Hermetic Experience [20 bp/xp]
Flaws: Magical Air, Lesser Malediction, Judged Unfairly, Pessimistic, Magical Animal Companion, Missing Ear
Personality Traits: Brave +3, Pessimistic +2, Loyal (Vulcanus) +3, Loyal (Faran) +2
Reputations: Dangerous +4 (Bavaria), Cursed -2 (Bavaria), Cursed -1 (Rhine Tribunal)
Combat (human):
Excellent axe: Init +3 / Atk +17 / Def +12 / Dam +8
Excellent heater shield: Init +2 / Atk +10 / Def +16 / Dam +2
Punch: Init +2 / Atk +6 / Def +7 / Dam +2
Dodge: +7
Soak: 6 + 12 from armor
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-6), -3 (7-12), -5 (13-18), Incapacitated (19-24), Dead (25+)
Combat (bear):
Claw: Init +0 / Atk +14 / Def +9 / Dam +10
Bite: Init +0 / Atk +10 / Def +6 / Dam +7
Dodge: +5
Soak: 10
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-7), -3 (8-14), -5 (15-21), Incapacitated (22-28), Dead (29+)
Abilities:
[table][tr][th]Ability (Specialty)[/th][th]Scr.[/th][th]Exp.[/th][th]Notes[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Animal Handling (horses)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Area Lore: Africa (geography)[/td][td]1[/td][td]5[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Area Lore: Bavaria (history)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Area Lore: Holy Roman Empire (geography)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Area Lore: Iberia (covenants)[/td][td]1[/td][td]5[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Athletics (Running)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Awareness (alertness)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Bargain (armaments)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Brawl (claw)[/td][td]5[/td][td]85[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Carouse (avoiding fights)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Chirurgy (cauterization)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Craft: Blacksmith (armor)[/td][td]6[/td][td]105[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Dead Language: Latin (Hermetic usage)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Folk Ken (violent intentions)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Great Weapon (warhammer)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Leadership (intimidation)[/td][td]4[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Living Language: High German (Bavarian)[/td][td]5[/td][td]75[/td]Native Language[/tr]
[tr][td]Living Language: Low German (military terms)[/td][td]4[/td][td]20[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Living Language: Spanish (smithing terms)[/td][td]3[/td][td]34[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Magic Lore (creatures)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Organization Lore: German Nobility (military)[/td][td]3[/td][td]30[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Organization Lore: Order of Hermes (Valdarian)[/td][td]1[/td][td]5[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Ride (battle)[/td][td]4[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Single Weapon (axe)[/td][td]7+2[/td][td]140[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Stealth (natural settings)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Survival (mountains)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr][/table]
Equipment:
Axe (Excellent +2)
Heater Shield (Excellent +2)
Steel Skin of the Bear - Chain mail of quality (soak 12, bulk 4) which changes shape and size to fit Bernhard when he assumes his bear form. The triggers for initiating and cancelling the effect are the same as the triggers for his Skinchanger power. MuTe(An) 30 [Base 4 (Makes something grow to eight times its previous volume), Personal +0, Conc +1, Individual +0, affect metal +2, change shape +1, An casting requisite +0, item maintains concentration +5 levels, 24 uses/day +5 level] [36 bp/xp]
Level 30 longevity ritual (cast at age 35) [50 bp/xp]
Faran the Destrier
Magic Might: 3
Characteristics: Cun +1, Per +0, Str +8, Sta +3, Pre -2, Com -3, Dex +3, Qui 0
Size: +3
Confidence Score: 1 (3) [only usable when ridden in battle]
Qualities: Improved Fatigue x2, Improved Soak, Lesser Power
Inferiorities: Susceptible to Deprivation
Virtues: Ferocity, Long-Winded, Enduring Constitution
Flaws: Essential Flaw (surly), Proud (min), Magical Friend
Personality Traits: Surly +3, Aggressive +2, Loyal (Bernhard) +1
Soak: +5
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0/0, -1/-1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-8), -3 (9-16), -5 (17-24), Incapacitated (25-32), Dead (33+)
[table][tr][th]Ability (Specialty)[/th][th]Scr.[/th][th]Exp.[/th][th]Notes[/th][/tr]
[tr][td]Athletics (running)[/td][td]4[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Awareness (battle)[/td][td]1[/td][td]5[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Brawl (hooves)[/td][td]4[/td][td]50[/td][/tr]
[tr][td]Folk Ken (Bernhard)[/td][td]2[/td][td]15[/td][/tr][/table]
Magic Powers:
Panic of the Trembling Heart
Mentem, 1 Might point, Init -3
Eye / Sun / Ind