Skill adjustment for Hsunchen?

Rasta

Mongoose
I'm wondering if this is described anywhere in any of the books.

Do Hsunchen characters gain respective bonuses while in animal form?

Such as tracking or athletic bonus for Telmori.

Or a climbing or stealth bonus for the Cougar people.

etc.
 
Nothing officially. You could make this as a rule, or just assume that they are more likely to spend their experience on those skills.
 
Thanks. I think I actualy found something in the Player's Handbook. (i forget the page number, but it is near the beginning when it describes new background info)

It refers the player to the monsters book for creature abilities.

My interpretation is as follows, but I'd like to hear other's thoughts on the matter.

I think the beast skin ability should be a double edged sword. While in animal form, the character basically has the motor function of an animal, while maintaining their normal mental capacity.

This effectively means that they can't use weapons or any other abilities that require fine motor coordination such as: craft, sleight, lockpicking, etc.

I think this should be offset by temporary skill increases while in animal form.

Here are some ideas off the top of my head.

Wolf Form: -20 to athletics while climbing, + 20 to tracking, + 10 to athletics (except climbing), + 10 to perception

Lion/Cougar Form: + 10 to athletics when jumping or climbing, +10 to stealth, Night sight

Bear Form: + 10 to perception, + 10 to tracking, + 10 to athletics

Bat Form: Gain flight skill, Bat sence (dark sight essentially), + 10 to perception

Thanks in advance for your help.
 
Another question I have.

In the player's guidebook, it describes the ability of beast skin.

In the description, there is a bit that says (paraphrase): "When the character shifts to beast form any equipment or weapons they have do not shift with them . . ."

What does this mean?
 
It means that if you are a Snake Hsunchen and you are wearing a suit of armour and carrying a spear and shield then when you change into snake form you leave your armour, spear and shield behind.

They don't change form as well. It also means that when you change back you are naked and weaponless.
 
soltakss said:
It means that if you are a Snake Hsunchen and you are wearing a suit of armour and carrying a spear and shield then when you change into snake form you leave your armour, spear and shield behind.

They don't change form as well. It also means that when you change back you are naked and weaponless.

The Hsunchen in my campaign has to remember to put all his stuff into a flexible harness which works in both shapes before he changes, or else make a roll to see if he can remember where he left the stuff when he changed.

elgrin
 
soltakss said:
It means that if you are a Snake Hsunchen and you are wearing a suit of armour and carrying a spear and shield then when you change into snake form you leave your armour, spear and shield behind.

They don't change form as well. It also means that when you change back you are naked and weaponless.

Ok, this is what I sort of pictured, but the wording threw me off. This always made me assume most Hsunchen would simply not wear a ton of clothes, as it would get annoying to constantly deal with ripped pants or shirts.

The Hsunchen in my campaign has to remember to put all his stuff into a flexible harness which works in both shapes before he changes, or else make a roll to see if he can remember where he left the stuff when he changed.

I like the idea of a flexible harness. It would make practical sence for Hsunchen hunters, who presumably would desire to switch between beast form and human form without having to back track to pick up weapons.

The converse to this would be that the character simply carries his club, axe, dagger, or whatever in their mouth while in beast form.

Of course this would pose a problem for spears, bows, etc if in heavily wooded areas, or narrow hallways.

Of course the appeal to adventurers would be there too.
 
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