Civilized Bjornaer

Civilized Bjornaer
This template represents a modern Bjornaer magus, fully engaged in the Order's scholarly culture while still connected to his House's ancient mysteries.

Characteristics: Int +1, Per 0, Com +3, Str -1, Sta +1, Dex 0, Qik 0
Size: 0
Age: 25 (25)
Decrepitude: 0
Warping Score: 0 (0)
Confidence Score: 1 (3)

Free Virtues: The Gift, Hermetic Magus, Heartbeast (cat)
Major Virtues: Major Magical Focus (domesticated animals)
Minor Virtues: Affinity with Animal, Book Learner, Inoffensive to Animals, Quiet Magic (x2), Puissant Animal, Subtle Magic
Major Flaws: Difficult Longevity Ritual, Meddler
Minor Flaws: Animal Companion, Deficient Form (Ignem), Missing Ear, Oversensitive (maltreatment of animals)

Personality Traits: Meddler +3, Oversensitive +1, Curious +1
Reputation: None
Combat:
Dodging: Init 0, Attack n/a, Defense 0, Damage n/a
Soak: 0
Fatigue Levels: OK, 0, -1, -3, -5, Unconscious
Wound Penalties: -1 (1-5), -3 (6-10), -5 (11-15), Incapacitated (16-20)
Abilities: Artes Liberales 1, Heartbeast 1, Charm 2, Animal Handling 3 (cats), Folk Ken 2, Guile 2, Latin 5, Magic Theory 5, Parma Magica 1, Italian 5
Arts: Cr 0, In 4, Mu 0, Pe 2, Re 9; An 10+3, Aq 0, Au 0, Co 5, He 0, Ig 0, Im 0, Me 5, Te 0, Vi 0
Twilight Scares: None
Equipment: Wizardly robes
Encumbrance: 0 (0)
Spells Known:
Commanding the Harnessed Beast (ReAn 30) +23
Opening the Tome of the Animal's Mind (InAn 25) +18
Panic of the Elephant's Mouse (ReAn 15) +23
Sooth the Ferocious Bear (ReAn 10) +23
Words of the Unbroken Silence (CeMe 10) +6
Loss of But a Moment's Memory (PeMe 15) +8
Confusion of the Numbed Will (ReMe 15) +15

Customization Notes: This Civilized Bjornaer has channeled his Heartbeast mystery into an extreme affinity with Animal and animals. Virtues and flaws related to Hermetic magic and animals are the core of this build, but others may be changed without unduly affecting the character.

We have chosen the unorthodox Characteristics allocation of +3 to Communication and +1 to Intelligence. Intelligence is not as important in ArM5 as it was in previous editions, so +1 Intelligence would serve the character fine. We preferred to invest in Communication to allow the character to produce works of fine Quality, to emphasize his scholarly nature.

We have chosen the cat heartbeast and a magical focus in domesticated animals to emphasize the character's cultured nature. The cat can be easily changed to some other animal related to civilization, such as a dove, but the personality flaws and traits should change accordingly.

The Major Flaw (Difficult Longevity Ritual) represents the fact that the character's dominant animal nature interferes with this Corpus magic. It can be replaced with any other Major Flaw.

The character's two Personality Flaws] can likewise be easily replaced. As written, the character's deep bond with animals also causes him to be oversensitive to their maltreatment. His personality is also dominated by his meddlesome nature, reflective of his cat heartbeast.

The flaw Missing Ear was chosen to provide a characterizing feature for his heartbeast shape. The missing ear is part of his Essential Nature, and should thus transfer through to whatever shape he takes. It can be easily replaced with another Flaw, however.

The Animal Companion flaw seems suitable, but can be easily replaced with some other flaw.

An affinity and puissance with Animal marks him as an expert in Animal-magic. Inoffensive to Animals allows him to interact with them well - removing it will make interacting with animals difficult for him. Quiet and subtle magic allow him to cast his spells in heartbeast shape, which is vital. Book Learner emphasizes his Hermetic, scholarly nature.

His Arts and spells are chosen to affect animals and, to some degree, men socially. He lacks substantive combat spells and defenses, and may want to develop a wider range of spells or some Arts to better cast his existing ones.

More Extensive Variations: You may want to consider the Ways of the Land ("Town") virtue, as well as Mythic Blood (being descended from some Mythic animal related to civilization, like the Capitoline Wolf). You may also want to take the Deft Form (Animal) virtue instead of Quiet and/or Still Casting, but note that this will make casting spell on non-animals very difficult (although spell mastery can help).

Further Supplements: If content from Mystery Cults is included in the saga, it is highly recommended taking up Unbound Tongue instead of both Quiet and Still Casting. If Magic is allowed, you may furthermore want to make use of the Voice of the Land (Town) virtue.