So, I was writing up a Bjornaer/Bonisagus mage and in writing up his stats I came across the following section in HoH: MC
Concentration is a General Ability. So, it would appear in the RAW, that Bjornaer become worse at concentrating once they change form, though they are not any worse at arithmetic or theology.
Am I the only one who thinks the Bjornaer is getting gypped by this?
I had not thought about that before, but you're right. Concentration does, theoretically, have mundane uses. But it's primarily used for spellcasting.
I have always thought that classifying it as a General ability instead of Arcane was a game-design way to give magi at least one General ability that would apply to their magical career, and which they therefore could spend childhood points on, if they really wanted to focus. That is, classifying it as General was sort of a gift to players who wanted to min/max.
Maybe we could classify it as both General and Arcane, in the same way that some Virtues are both Story and Supernatural?
Hi,
I'd modify the rule, so that general abilities that are mostly mental are kept but others are not. Concentration uses stamina, but is still mental (stamina is not necessarily only about the body, after all.) Folk Ken should carry over, but maybe not Carouse. Etiquette should work, although a moose probably isn't able to do much with it even if it knows the best behavior.
I would really prefer to rule that all abilities of the natural form carry over when they exceed the new form, that part of the magic allows the adaptation, and that abilities are only usable when they make sense: Latin 5 allows a magus in bear form to understand but not speak it without a spell or virtue, Brawl 9 works fine but Single Weapon 6 not so much (although a talking bear can train or teach someone, so there is that.) Etc. Experience goes to the natural form's abilities. This is wholly advantageous, but also simple, since animal forms always remain the same.
Anyway,
Ken
Etiquette applies to humans interacting with humans. I would not allow that. Folk ken maybe, concentration for sure, but not etiquette. If you want etiquette learn Animal Etiquette spending extra XP. An animal and a human fiught quite differently using brawl, so the same score should not be applied to both forms.
Xavi
Etiquette applies to humans, yes, and changing to animal form shouldn't wipe the knowledge even if it isn't very helpful when you're a shark.
Brawl is close enough that I'd say the magic is enough to account for that.
MMVs