Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!: A Dresdenverse Bestiary

[Deadmanwalking]

Well, there's a notable lack of mundane beasties in the book, so I (at least) am gonna try and fix that:

A few notes on the rules I, personally, am operating under:

I put the cutoff for Hulking Size at 1,000 lbs. Anything less and it doesn't apply (some 800 lb critters are still quite sneaky). Likewise, Diminutive Size is for things that are 15-20 lbs at most.

That said, to accurately reflect the toughness of large critters who don't deserve Inhuman Toughness, I've given them No Pain, No Gain.

I've also based Endurance scores more on damage capacity than anything, some of these high-Endurance creatures should get compelled to lose in any contest of pure endurance vs. a human.

Some of these creatures should have Investigation-like skills (such as scent-based tracking, for example). They use Echoes of the Beast to use Alertness on any such rolls.

I've obviously gone with the idea that mundane creatures should get powers.


This thread has gotten a bit long, and Jeckel has been kind enough to provide an off-site homepage to the animal list. Check out the Animals' Group Home-Page for a full listing of the creatures to date, which will be updated somewhat after the thread.


So, without further ado, here are some critters:

Aspects:
High Concept: Silverback Gorilla

Skills:

Superb: Fists, Might
Great: Athletics, Intimidation,
Good: Endurance, Survival,
Fair: Alertness, Empathy,
Average: Presence, Rapport,

Stunts:

Defend My Tribe (Fists)
No Pain, No Gain (Endurance)

Powers:

Inhuman Strength [-2]

Total Refresh: -4

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOOO (+1 Mild Consequence)
Social: OOO
Armor: None.



Aspects:
High Concept: African Lion
Other:
King (Or Queen) of Beasts
Male: Protector of the Pride
Female: Huntress Beyond Compare

Skills:

Great: Athletics, Fists, Intimidate,
Good: Alertness, Endurance, Stealth
Fair: Might, Presence, Survival,
Average: Discipline, Empathy, Rapport,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Pride Instincts [-1]

Total Refresh: -7

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: None.



High Concept: Full Grown Bengal Tiger
Other:
In The Forests of The Night
Savage Jungle Cat

Skills:

Superb: Athletics, Fists,
Great: Alertness, Stealth,
Good: Endurance, Might,
Fair: Intimidate, Survival,
Average: Discipline, Presence

Stunts:

No Pain, No Gain (Endurance)

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]

Total Refresh: -7

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOOO (+1 Mild Consequence)
Social: OOO
Armor: None.



High Concept: Grizzly Bear
Other:
Never Back Down

Skills:

Superb: Might, Endurance,
Great: Fists, Intimidate,
Good: Discipline, Survival,
Fair: Alertness, Athletics, Conviction,
Average: Empathy, Presence, Stealth,

Stunt:

No Pain, No Gain (Endurance)

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]

Total Refresh: -7

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO(OO) (+2 Mild Consequences)
Social: OOO
Armor: 1.

Note: Kodiacs have Hulking Size as well, making them even more frightening.



High Concept: Black Bear
Other:
Adaptable

Skills:

Great: Endurance, Survival,
Good: Athletics, Fists, Might,
Fair: Alertness, Intimidate, Stealth,
Average: Empathy, Discipline, Presence, Rapport,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]

Total Refresh: -6

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOOO(OO)
Social: OOO
Armor: 1.



High Concept: Mountain Lion
Other:
Silent Killer
Scaredy Cat

Skills:

Superb: Stealth,
Great: Athletics, Fists,
Good: Endurance, Intimidate,
Fair: Alertness, Survival,
Average: Discipline, Might, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Speed [-2]

Total Refresh: -6

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.




High Concept: Goddamn Coyote
Other:
Opportunistic To A Fault

Skills:

Great: Athletics, Stealth,
Good: Alertness, Survival
Fair: Deceit, Fists,
Average: Endurance, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Speed [-2]

Total Refresh: -4

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

[Deadmanwalking]

High Concept: Big Bad Wolf
Other:
Pack Loyalty

Skills:

Great: Alertness, Athletics,
Good: Endurance, Fists
Fair: Intimidate, Might, Survival,
Average: Conviction, Discipline, Empathy, Presence, Rapport,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Speed [-2]
Pack Instincts [-1]

Total Refresh: -5

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

Note: Werewolves turn into unusually large and thus unusually strong wolves. Hence the whole Inhuman Strength thing. Normal wolves aren’t as strong or as dangerous.




High Concept: Full-Grown African Elephant
Other:
Smarter Than Some People
Goddamn Huge

Skills:

Superb: Might, Endurance,
Great: Fists, Presence,
Good: Intimidate, Survival
Fair: Alertness, Discipline, Rapport,
Average: Athletics, Conviction, Empathy,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Supernatural Strength [-4]
Supernatural Toughness [-4]
Hulking Size [-2]

Total Refresh: -12

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOOOO(OOOO) (+1 Mild Consequence)
Social: OOOO
Armor: 2.



High Concept: Rhinoceros
Other:
Near-Sighted
Very Tempermental

Skills:

Superb: Endurance, Fists
Great: Intimidate, Might,
Good: Alertness, Survival
Fair: Athletics, Discipline,
Average: Conviction, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Supernatural Strength [-4]
Supernatural Toughness [-4]
Hulking Size [-2]

Total Refresh: -11

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOOOO(OOOO) (+1 Mild Consequence)
Social: OOO
Armor: 2.




High Concept: Great White Shark
Other:
Always Hungry
Are You A Seal?

Skills:

Superb: Endurance, Fists
Great: Athletics, Intimidate,
Good: Alertness, Survival
Fair: Discipline, Might,
Average: Conviction, Presence,

Powers:

Aquatic [-1]
Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Supernatural Strength [-4]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]
Hulking Size [-2]

Total Refresh: -11

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOOOO(OO) (+1 Mild Consequence)
Social: OOO
Armor: 1.



High Concept: Big Doggie
Other:
Loyal To My Master

Skills:

Great: Athletics, Fists
Good: Alertness, Endurance,
Fair: Intimidate, Might, Rapport,
Average: Conviction, Discipline, Empathy, Presence, Survival,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]

Total Refresh: -2

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

Note: Dogs likely also have Pack Instincts, but it's only relevant if they have an actual pack to use it with.


High Concept: ‘Domestic’ Cat
Other:
Skilled Hunter

Skills:

Great: Alertness,
Good: Athletics, Fists,
Fair: Rapport, Stealth, Survival,
Average: Discipline, Empathy Might, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Diminutive Size [-1]

Total Refresh: -3

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

Note: Really big cats may lack Diminutive Size. Such cats will likely have much higher Stealth (up to Great at least) to compensate. In exchange they will likely lack Might as a skill (due to scale differences), though they may possess Average Endurance and Fair Intimidation, as well as other skills.



High Concept: Lynx
Other:
Skilled Hunter

Skills:

Great: Alertness, Fists, Stealth,
Good: Athletics, Might, Survival,
Fair: Endurance, Intimidation, Presence,
Average: Discipline, Empathy, Rapport,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Speed [-2]

Total Refresh: -4

Stress:

Mental: OO
Physical: OOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

[Papa Gruff]

I guess I would probably never go to the length of stating out something like a wild animal/beast myself. At least not for the group of PC we play with right now.

Don't get me wrong, your effort is admirable. You provide nice reference points for shape shifters and stuff. Your Bestiary looks very sophisticated so far. I just don't know how much use can be made during play.

For me it's always simpler to just jot down the one or two things that seem reasonable with the beast. I only bother with skills needed. I note an appropriate physical stress track and thats it.

As fare as powers are concerned. I really wouldn't use them on the critters. They are what they are after all. A wolf has fangs and claws, so has a lion, a lynx and a saber-tooth tiger. A bear has a thick pelt and layers of fat, so that merits some physical stress and perhaps a point of physical armor. For me at least it's not worth the bother as skills and powers will rarely come into play during gaming.

   

[Deadmanwalking]

Oh, it's probably not worth doing on your own for most games. But it's a fun intellectual exercise (for me, at least).

But it's even easier to just grab an entry from this bestiary than do the jotting you're talking about. That's the real purpose of this (beyond amusing me, personally): to allow people a full stat write-up of various animals sans effort on their part.

[Papa Gruff]

But it's a fun intellectual exercise (for me, at least).

Yeah ... I thought as much. I wasn't trying to discourage you. This is still totally worth doing and if it's just for the hell of it ...

I's still not sure about using powers. Those are for the supernatural. Most skills don't apply to animals like they do to humans too. I'd try to use more stunts, but where game mechanics are concerned they are really not worth it without a nice set of Aspects that fuel them with Fatepoints.

If you stick with powers, might I suggest at least not to bother with the refresh cost? That seems really not necessary and at least for me that would make stating out beasts less of a chore

... keep on the good work! Could you stat a couple of demons or a dragon for me? That would really come handy right now *g*

[Deadmanwalking]

Yeah ... I thought as much. I wasn't trying to discourage you. This is still totally worth doing and if it's just for the hell of it ...

More or less. 

I's still not sure about using powers. Those are for the supernatural. Most skills don't apply to animals like they do to humans too. I'd try to use more stunts, but where game mechanics are concerned they are really not worth it without a nice set of Aspects that fuel them with Fatepoints.

Yeah...you'll notice the list of powers is VERY limited: Strength, Speed, Toughness (NOT Recovery), and selected Creature Features. That all sounds appropriate.

And I don't know why animals shouldn't have skills (again, a limited selection). Nor Powers actually, I mean, if a weretiger gets Inhuman Strength why wouldn't an actual tiger?

If you stick with powers, might I suggest at least not to bother with the refresh cost? That seems really not necessary and at least for me that would make stating out beasts less of a chore

That's actually for purposes of guaging threat level (as it is on monsters and NPCs). Very useful to know. And it's no real hassle, I mean, I need to pick powers anyway, and after that it's a second or two of addition.

... keep on the good work! Could you stat a couple of demons or a dragon for me? That would really come handy right now *g*

Sure, if you like, though I'd need more specifics on what kind of demons and/or dragons. Though I'd rather not do it in this thread. It's intended for the mundane stuff. But feel free to start a thread or send me a PM.

[neko128]

I'm 100% behind the use of powers, because...  Well...  Stunts are *human* mortal-based.  Look at "claws".  It's a power, even though any countless number of natural critters have them.  What's the simplest way to model a lion's claws?  ...The "claws" power.  What's the simplest way to model a creature's ability to track via scent, or whatever?  "Echoes of the Beast", which is defined as having the abilities of a creature.

The powers are designed and described for use by the supernatural, because the game is based around the assumption that all statted critters will be human-centric, not because there are no natural creatures in the game.  A human with claws *is* super-natural; a lion with claws is just being itself.

[Mal_Luck]

This thread makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

I'm assuming you would use Big Doggie for something like a German Shepard?

Hyenas might be something nice to see stated. I'm trying to think of anything else that I want stated... apart from dinosaurs I'm drawing a blank. 

[Tush Hog]

Hey great job!

I was thinking of doing this exact thing. You've done it and done it better. 

[Leatherneck]

I could use some bayou anminals. Alligators, non-native Python snake.  For the bayou panther or couger, I can use Mountian Lion.

[Deadmanwalking]

Thanks for all the kind words. 

Big Doggie is for everything from Huskies to German Shepherds, to Doberman Pinschers. Any large dog that, say, the police might use. Or could fight a wolf and win. Really big dogs (like Caucasians) are ptobably a bit more impressive (maybe tack on Inhuman Strength, No Pain No gain, or both).

Hyenas, Alligators, and Pythons coming up. And you're right to use Mountain Lion for bayou panthers, they're the exact same species, just in a different place.

[Deadmanwalking]

High Concept: Hyena
Other:
Predator and Scavenger

Skills:

Great: Intimidation,
Good: Athletics, Endurance, Fists,
Fair: Alertness, Rapport, Stealth, Survival,
Average: Conviction, Discipline, Empathy, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Pack Instincts [-1]

Total Refresh: -5

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

Note: The Inhuman Strength is mostly in the jaws, and doesn’t apply for most non-biting purposes. Then again, what else are they gonna use it for?



High Concept: Python
Other:
I Want To Hug You

Skills:

Great: Endurance, Might, Stealth,
Good: Alertness, Fists, Intimidation,
Fair: Athletics, Discipline, Survival,
Average: Conviction, Rapport, Presence,

Powers:

Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]

Total Refresh: -4

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO
Social: OOO
Armor: 0.

Notes: Larger Pythons may have No Pain, No Gain or Inhuman Toughness to reflect their greater size and toughness. Really big ones may have Supernatural Strength.



High Concept: Alligator
Other:
Ambush Hunter

Skills:

Great: Fists, Intimidation, Stealth,
Good: Athletics, Endurance, Might,
Fair: Alertness, Discipline, Survival,
Average: Conviction, Empathy, Presence,

Powers:

Aquatic [-1]
Claws [-1]
Echoes of the Beast [-1]
Inhuman Strength [-2]
Inhuman Toughness [-2]

Total Refresh: -7

Stress:

Mental: OOO
Physical: OOOO(OO)
Social: OOO
Armor: 1.

Notes: Also used for crocodiles. Larger Alligators may have No Pain, No Gain or even (in the case of some crocodiles) Supernatural Strength or Toughness to reflect their greater size and toughness.

[Mattastic]

Thanks Dmw!
Pretty useful list.

[Deadmanwalking]

And thank you. For the kind words. 


Anyone have anything else they'd like statted?

[Jeckel]

Anyone have anything else they'd like statted?

Great list, you do awesome work.

I got a few suggestions for other animals, camel, dolphin, and whale would be awesome. And I have to suggest my favorite animal, the capybara.