Pallas, Familiar ex Talus

Retired Play by Post Campaigns Ars Magica 5th Edition: Ad Astera per Aspera
1

[size=150]Pallas Familiar ex Talus[/size]
Small Owl

Familiar Bonds
Gold Cord: +3
Silver Cord: +0
Bronze Cord: +2

Magic Might: 9 (Animal)
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +1, Str –6, Sta +2, Dex +1, Qik +6
Size: –5
Season: Summer
Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Virtues (8):
Affinity for Magical Theory (+1)
Arcane Lore (+1)
Educated (+1)
Gossip (+1)
Improved Characteristics, x2 (+2)
Magical Animal (+1)
Wilderness Sense (+1)

Flaws (8):
Busybody (-1)
Indiscreet (-3)
Magical Friend (-1)
Nocturnal (-1)
Small Frame (-1)
Visions (-1)

Magic Qualities (34):
Gift of Speech (+1)
Grant Minor Virtue: Apt Student/Book Learner/Free Study/Independent Study (+3)
Grant Minor Virtue: Second Sight (+3)
Improved Abilities, x8 (+8)
Improved Powers (+1)
Lesser Power: Eyes of the Owl (+1)
Major Power: Immobilize Prey (+3)
Minor Virtue: Animal Ken (+1)
Minor Virtue: Gift of Tongues (+1)
Minor Virtue: Good Teacher (+1)
Minor Virtue: Improved Characteristics, x2 (+2)
Minor Virtue: Independent Study (+1)
Minor Virtue: Keen Eyes (+1)
Minor Virtue: Personal Vis Source: Rego, x2 (+2)
Minor Virtue: Second Sight (+1)
Minor Virtue: Unaffected by The Gift (+1)
Personal Power: Hands of the Magical Animal (+1)
Personal Power: Invisible Flight (+1)
Variable Power: Grant Apt Student (+1)

Magic Inferiorities (14):
Reduced Initiative: claws (-1)
Reduced Might, 11 (-11)
Restricted Power: Invisible Flight [only while flying] (-1)
Susceptible to Deprivation (-1)

Personality Traits: Inquisitive +3*, Loquacious +6*, Loyal to Telus +3, Owl +3*

Combat:
Claws: Initiative +5, Attack +5, Defense +12,
Damage –4
Soak: +2
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: –1 (1), –3 (2), –5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities:
Animal Handling 3 (owls)
Animal Ken 5 (forest animals)
Area Lore: The Forest 6 (woods)
Area Lore: Greece 2 (Places holy to Athena)
Artes Liberales 4 (logic)
Athletics 5 (flying)
Awareness 4 (rodents)
Bargain 3, (small talk)
Brawl 3 (dodging)
Charm 3, (inspiring confidence)
Classical Greek 5 (conversation)
Concentration 1 (stalking prey)
Faerie Lore 4 (vis sources)
Finesse 2 (precision) [5]
Folk Ken 3 (travelers)
High German 5 (conversation)
Hunt 2 (rodents)
Intrigue 3 (gossip) [4]
Latin 4 (hermetic usage)
Magic Lore 4 (regiones)
Magic Theory 7 (assisting in lab)
Penetration 2 (Animal)
Philosophiae 2 (natural philosophy)
Second Sight 5 (seeing the invisible)
Stealth 4 (flying)
Survival 3 (woods)
Teach 4 (magi)
Theology: Greek Gods 2 (Athena)
Wilderness Sense 3 (find prey)

Natural Weapons: The Owl’s claws are Init –1, Atk +2, Dfn +3, Dam +2.

Vis: 28 Re vis

2

[size=150]Might Calculation[/size]

Base Might: 13 (owl of Virtue) +2 (per silveroak) +5 (Size) = 20

[size=150]Ability Modifications from Qualities[/size]

Arcane Lore (50 xp)
Magic Theory 5 (50 xp = 75 xp)

Educated (50 xp)
Artes Liberales 4 (50 xp)

Improved Abilities (200 xp)*
Area Lore: Greece 2 (15 xp)
Classical Greek 5 (75 xp)
Theology: Greek Gods 2 (15 xp)
Intrigue 2 (15 xp)
Philosophiae 1 (5 xp)
Second Sight 4 (50 xp)
Stealth 2 (15 xp)
Teach 2 (15 xp)

* Note: I used the base owl Abilities which account for the 360 base points and 4 of the 8 ‘Improved Abilities’ Qualities.

Improved Powers (5 mastery points)
Grant Apt Student, etc., -2 Might cost (2 MP)
Grant Second Sight, -2 Might cost (2 MP)
5 xp in Finesse (1 MP)

3

[size=150]Virtues/Qualities[/size]

Eyes of the Owl – MuCo(An) 10
Corpus or Animal, 0 Might points, Init +5
R: Voice, D: Sun, T: Ind
The target gains the eyes of an owl, which allow him or her to see in near darkness (but not in absolute darkness, such as a lightless subterranean cavern).
(Base 2, +1 Voice, +2 Sun, requisite free)
Lesser Power (10 levels, –2 Might cost)

Gift of Tongues
Minor, Heroic Virtue, Allows the character to understand and speak any language as long as she communicates directly with someone else who is fluent in that language. Others who hear the character’s words and who understand that language can understand what the character is saying. The character cannot carry on a conversation in multiple languages, but can act as a translator for two or more people who do not have this virtue.
See HoH: TL, p. 105

Grant Apt Student/ Book Learner/Free Study/Independent Study
3 points, Init-4, Vim
R: Touch D: Mom T: Ind, Ritual
Imposes the named Minor Virtue upon a target. Each creature may have more than one power of this type, each bestowing a different Virtue. The creature can decide to bestow the Virtue permanently or temporarily. If permanent, the power is a ritual-like power and costs points from the creature’s Might score as well as Might pool (see Ritual Power, above). If temporary, the Might points spent on this power are only recovered when its effects are withdrawn. 5 similar effects from Variable Power.
See, RoP:Magic, p. 39

Grant Second Sight
3 points, Init-4, Vim
R: Touch D: Mom T: Ind, Ritual
Imposes the named Minor Virtue upon a target. Each creature may have more than one power of this type, each bestowing a different Virtue. The creature can decide to bestow the Virtue permanently or temporarily. If permanent, the power is a ritual-like power and costs points from the creature’s Might score as well as Might pool (see Ritual Power, above). If temporary, the Might points spent on this power are only recovered when its effects are withdrawn. 5 similar effects from Variable Power.
See, RoP:Magic, p. 39

Hands of the Magical Animal – ReTe 15
Terram, 0 Might Points, Constant, Init+12
R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind
This allows Pallas to manipulate and carry an item as if she had human hands and a Strength of +5. Pallas must concentrate to do anything other than carry the object, including dropping it or taking something else.
(Base 3, +1 Touch, +2 Sun, +1 constant):
Personal Power (15 levels, –2 Might cost)
See, RoP: Magic, p. 39

Immobilize Prey – ReMe(An) 15
Mentem or Animal, 0 Might points, Init +6
R: Eye, D: Conc, T: Ind
Any creature that makes eye contact with Pallas is unable to move and may only make small whining or moaning sounds. The target may move only if he successfully makes a Strength roll against an Ease Factor of 9.
(Base 5, +1 Eye, +1 Conc)
Lesser Power, x2 (15 levels, –2 Might cost, 15xp in Penetration, +2 Init)
See, RoP: Magic, p. 65

Invisibile Flight – PeIm 15
Imaginem, 0 Might points, Init +5
R: Per, D: Sun, T: Ind
Pallas can become completely undetectable to normal sight, regardless of what she does, but still casts a shadow. This spell only works when Pallas is in the air.
(Base 4, +2 Sun, +1 changing image, Restricted)
Personal Power (15 levels, –2 Might cost)

4

[size=150]Pallas Familiar ex Talus[/size]
Small Owl
(at binding)

Magic Might: 9 (Animal)
Characteristics: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str –6, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik +6
Size: –5
Season: Summer
Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Virtues (8):
Affinity for Magical Theory (+1)
Arcane Lore (+1)
Educated (+1)
Gossip (+1)
Improved Characteristics, x2 (+2)
Magical Animal (+1)
Wilderness Sense (+1)

Flaws (8):
Busybody (-1)
Indiscreet (-3)
Magical Friend (-1)
Nocturnal (-1)
Small Frame (-1)
Visions (-1)

Magic Qualities (34):
Gift of Speech (+1)
Grant Minor Virtue: Apt Student/Book Learner/Free Study/Independent Study (+3)
Grant Minor Virtue: Second Sight (+3)
Greater Power: Immobilize Prey (+3)
Personal Power: Hands of the Magical Animal (+1)
Personal Power: Invisible Flight (+1)
Improved Abilities, x8 (+8)
Improved Powers (+1)
Lesser Power: Eyes of the Owl (+1)
Minor Virtue: Animal Ken (+1)
Minor Virtue: Apt Student (+1)
Minor Virtue: Book Learner (+1)
Minor Virtue: Gift of Tongues (+1)
Minor Virtue: Good Teacher (+1)
Minor Virtue: Independent Study (+1)
Minor Virtue: Keen Eyes (+1)
Minor Virtue: Personal Vis Source: Rego, x2 (+2)
Minor Virtue: Second Sight (+1)
Minor Virtue: Unaffected by The Gift (+1)
Variable Power: Grant Apt Student (+1)

Magic Inferiorities (14):
Reduced Initiative: claws (-1)
Reduced Might, 11 (-11)
Restricted Power: Invisible Flight [only while flying] (-1)
Susceptible to Deprivation (-1)

Personality Traits: Inquisitive* +3, Loquacious* +6, Loyal to Telus, Owl* +3

Combat:
Claws: Initiative +2, Attack +5, Defense +12,
Damage –4
Soak: +2
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, –1, –3, –5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: –1 (1), –3 (2), –5 (3), Incapacitated (4), Dead (5+)

Abilities:
Animal Ken 4 (forest animals)
Area Lore: The Forest 6 (woods)
Area Lore: Greece 2 (Places holy to Athena)
Artes Liberales 4 (logic)
Athletics 5 (flying)
Awareness 4 (rodents)
Bargain 3, (small talk)
Brawl 2 (dodging)
Charm 3, (inspiring confidence)
Classical Greek 5 (conversation)
Faerie Lore 4 (vis sources)
Finesse 1 (precision)
Folk Ken 3 (travelers)
High German 5 (conversation)
Hunt 2 (rodents)
Latin 4 (hermetic usage)
Magic Lore 4 (regiones)
Magic Theory 5 (assisting in lab)
Penetration 2 (Animal)
Philosophiae 1 (natural philosophy)
Second Sight 4 (seeing the invisible)
Stealth 2 (flying)
Survival 3 (woods)
Teach 2 (magi)
Theology: Greek Gods 2 (Athena)
Wilderness Sense 3 (find prey)

Natural Weapons: The Owl’s claws are Init –1, Atk +2, Dfn +3, Dam +2.

5

[size=150]Development[/size]

Typical Year of Study
Spring: 10 xp - 9 (Might) + 4 (2 vis spent) = 5 xp
Summer: 10 xp - 9 (Might) + 4 (2 vis spent) = 5 xp
Autumn: 10 xp - 9 (Might) + 4 (2 vis spent) = 5 xp
Winter: 10 xp - 9 (Might) + 4 (2 vis spent) = 5 xp

TOTAL: 20 xp/year

Year 8
Summer: Bound as familiar
Autumn: Help instill power into familiar (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points in MT = 78, MT = 5]
Winter: Help instill power into familiar (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points in MT = 81, MT = 5]

Years 9 and 10 (40 xp)
+16+8=24 xp in Magical Theory [Points in MT = 105, MT = 6]
+24 xp in Teach

Year 11
Spring: Assist preparing talisman for enchantment (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 108, MT = 6]
Summer: Assist attuning talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 111, MT = 6]
Autumn: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 114, MT = 6]
Winter: Assist with LR (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 117, MT = 6]

Years 12-22 (220 xp)
+25 xp in Second Sight
+26 xp in Teach
+30 xp in Intrigue
+15 xp in Finesse
+5 xp in Concentration
+25 xp in Stealth
+10 xp in Philosophia
+25 xp in Animal Ken
+30 xp in Animal Handling
+9 xp in Brawl

Year 23
Spring: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 120, MT = 6]
Summer: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 123, MT = 6]
Autumn: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 126, MT = 6]
Winter: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 129, MT = 6]

Year 24
Spring: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 132, MT = 6]
Summer: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 135, MT = 6]
Autumn: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 138, MT = 6]
Winter: Assist instilling power in talisman (2+1=3 xp in MT) [Points MT = 141, MT = 7]

Year 25 (20 xp)
+6 xp in Brawl
+10 xp in Stealth
+4 xp in Intrigue

[size=150]Vis[/size]

17 years, 2 seasons of vis sources: +140 Re vis
14 years of consuming 8 vis/year: -112 Re vis

Remaining vis: 28 Re vis

6

So here's my go at designing my familiar. I tried to keep the build to the concept of a wise owl. I started with the Wise Owl of Virtue from RoP:M, p. 65 as a template. Then I focused on aspects that seem to define the wise owl, and which are iconic mythical aspects of owls: seeing the unseen, moving without being seen or heard, being wise, sharing wisdom/teaching, and connection with the magical. I also added in a bit of Classical Greek and knowledge of Greece/Greek theology. I hope I didn't go too far astray.

As always, I tried to do the math right. But mistakes are always possible. I tried to make the various expenditures and the like as transparent as possible so people could recheck my math. Please let me know if I've done something in error.

7

First of all, you cannot simply reduce dx+1 to Dx0 and raise com+1 to com+2, because the points do not balance.
Also the wise owl of the forest paid for these stats with improved charateristics:2 which you left off of your sheet, along with 2 levels of improved characteristics as qualities which are also not on your sheet, allowing for 12 extra points in characteristics you have not paid for before you decided on an uneven swap granting this character another free characteristic point. As it stands you have a character which should have 7 points in attributes and has 20.

8

Do magical animals start with 0 points in characteristics? I thought they started with 7 like other characters.

I'f I'm incorrect, I apologize for the error.

9

They start with 7.
You do have improved characteristics x2, bringing this to 13
In terms of points allocated to stats you have 20.

you also have grant apt student twice

10

I tried to calculate the points right. Here's what I had.

Her stats are: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str –6, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik +6
Unadjusted for size, that's: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str –2, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik +2
(Small Frame does not add/subtract from Str and Qik)

So for the stats I wrote, I get:

3 Int +2
3 Per +2
1 Pre +1
3 Com +2
-3 Str -2
3 Sta +2
0 Dex +0
3 Qik +2

13 points [=7 (base) + 2*3 (Improved Characteristics, x2)]

Swapping back to the original stats:

3 Int +2
3 Per +2
1 Pre +1
1 Com +1
-3 Str -2
3 Sta +2
1 Dex +1
3 Qik +2

12 points

Please let me know where I made my math error.

11

to begin with, Str adjustment is based on twice size, so Str:-6 after size adjustment is str:+2 not str-2 before size adjustment...

12

My bad on the Str/Qik adjustments. Here are adjusted numbers.

Her stats are: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str –6, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik +6
Subtract 2*(-4)=-8 to Str and add 2*(-4)-8 to Qik
Unadjusted for size, that's: Int +2, Per +2, Pre +1, Com +2, Str +2, Sta +2, Dex +0, Qik -2
(Small Frame does not add/subtract from Str and Qik)

So for the stats I wrote, I get:

3 Int +2
3 Per +2
1 Pre +1
3 Com +2
3 Str +2
3 Sta +2
0 Dex +0
-3 Qik -2

13 points [=7 (base) + 2*3 (Improved Characteristics, x2)]

Swapping back to the original stats:

3 Int +2
3 Per +2
1 Pre +1
1 Com +1
3 Str +2
3 Sta +2
1 Dex +1
-3 Qik -2

12 points

13

strength doubles, quickness does not

14

Ah, there is my math error. Very sorry. That [i]does[/] make a 6 point gap in stats. I'll correct accordingly.

15

Okay, I've adjusted Qualities to correct my error.

16

area lore: the forest has two issues: 1) it should not be above 5, and 2)it is too generic- which woods? Bohemian?

17

I took the level 6 Area Lore straight from the Wise Owl of the Forest stats. But I'll be glad to drop it to 5 if you want.

That sounds good. I'll go with that.

18

I'll allow the 6 as an exception then, I was using the fact that summer animals are equivalent to 'about 20' to set the guideline, but...

19

Okay, I'm getting that your starting abilities should be 820 points (8*50+50+50+320) and are at 1015... before seasonal advancement

20

I'll admit to only eyeballing the totals from the Wise Owl listing. I assumed that the Wise Owl, as written, balanced out. But doing the numbers (below) I see that RoP:M managed to go 5 points over on its build. Here are my numbers.

What I get for starting abilities is: 360 (Summer Creature) + 50 (Arcane Lore) + 50 (Educated) + 400 (Improved Abilities) + 5 (Mastery Point) = 865

The starting Abilities for the Wise Owl of the Forest are:

45* Animal Ken 4 (forest animals)
105 (Area) Lore 6 (woods)
75 Athletics 5 (flying),
50 Awareness 4 (rodents)
30 Bargain 3 (small talk)
15 Brawl 2 (dodging)
30 Charm 3 (inspiring confidence)
50 Faerie Lore 4 (vis sources)
30 Folk Ken 3 (travelers)
15 Hunt 2 (rodents)
50 Magic Lore 4 (regiones)
15 Penetration 2 (Animal)
30 Survival 3 (woods)
25* Wilderness Sense 3 (find prey)

565

  • The associated Virtue starts you with level 1 in this skill

The Wise Owl should start with 360 + 200 from 4 levels of Improved Characteristics = 560. So it looks like the Wise Owl is actually going over by 5 points.

I added:

From the Arcane Lore Virtue (50 xp)
Magic Theory 5 (50 xp * 1.5 = 75 xp)

From the Educated Virtue (50 xp)
Artes Liberales 4 (50 xp)

From 4 more instances of Improved Abilities (200 xp)
Area Lore: Greece 2 (15 xp)
Classical Greek 5 (75 xp)
Theology: Greek Gods 2 (15 xp)
Intrigue 2 (15 xp) [Oops, this got left off the Ability list]
Philosophiae 1 (5 xp)
Second Sight 4 (45 xp)
Stealth 2 (15 xp)
Teach 2 (15 xp)

From 1 Mastery Point in Improved Powers (5 xp)
Finesse 1 (5 xp)

Free with Familiar Bond
High German 5
Latin 4

So I get 565 (Wise Owl Abilities) + 50[+25] (Arcane Lore) + 50 (Educated) + 200 (Improved Abilities) + 5 (Mastery Point) + 0[+125] (Familiar Bond) = 870[1020]
Which is to say that I spent 870 xp, but that was effectively 1020 when you count her Affinity and the free languages.

What I should have had available is: 360 (Summer Creature) + 50 (Arcane Lore) + 50 (Educated) + 400 (Improved Abilities) + 5 (Mastery Point) = 865
So again, I'm that same 5 points over that the starting Wise Owl abilities were.

A quick double check on the Abilities list at bonding shows:

45 Animal Ken 4 (forest animals)
105 Area Lore: The Forest 6 (woods)
15 Area Lore: Greece 2 (Places holy to Athena)
50 Artes Liberales 4 (logic)
75 Athletics 5 (flying)
50 Awareness 4 (rodents)
30 Bargain 3, (small talk)
15 Brawl 2 (dodging)
30 Charm 3, (inspiring confidence)
75 Classical Greek 5 (conversation)
50 Faerie Lore 4 (vis sources)
5 Finesse 1 (precision)
30 Folk Ken 3 (travelers)
0[+75] High German 5 (conversation)
15 Hunt 2 (rodents)
15 Intrigue 2 (gossip) [Note, this was listed in Ability Modifications from Qualities, but I forgot to transfer it to the Abilities list]
0[+50] Latin 4 (hermetic usage)
50 Magic Lore 4 (regiones)
50[+25] Magic Theory 5 (assisting in lab)
15 Penetration 2 (Animal)
5 Philosophiae 1 (natural philosophy)
45 Second Sight 4 (seeing the invisible)
15 Stealth 2 (flying)
30 Survival 3 (woods)
15 Teach 2 (magi)
15 Theology: Greek Gods 2 (Athena)
25 Wilderness Sense 3 (find prey)

870[+150]

Again, 5 points over.

So I propose taking the 5 points off Intrigue (since that's the one I forgot to put in the listing).

Does my math hold up?