Since the bulk of the Hogwarts RPG posts for the past several weeks have been fantastic beasts, I think it’s about time I explain how the creatures can be used to create more interesting kinds of characters. Here I have two methods, one for Player characters, and one for non-player characters. for more on character creation for the Hogwarts RPG, see Characters: Students, Houses, Teams and Classes.
To create a nonhuman or demihuman Player Character, first you must get approval from the Headmaster.
If the headmaster says that you can create a nonhuman or demihuman character, you can use a fairly simple form to decide how your character’s attributes can be bought. First of all, nonhumans only get 1d6 points to spend on their base attributes(Strength, Willpower, Intelligence, and Social), which start out at the base level in the creature description. However, all special abilities known to that type of creature are automatically included in the characters description as “Experiences.”
When playing a nonhuman character, one usually has limited access to certain kinds of magic, with restrictions ranging from a lack of opposable thumbs to social controls and legal issues. If your character’s species has some kind of special restriction, such as a house-elf’s slavery or a vampire’s inability to cross water or go out in sunlight, these characteristics must be truly dealt with in play.
Demihumans, or Half-Breeds, are part human, part creature beings who tend to disply more humanlike characteristics than non-humanlike characteristics. Examples would be Hagrid, Professor Flitwick, Madame Maxine, Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour, and by a twist of fate, Bill Weasley. Demihumans have the same method of generating attributes as normal humans, but rather than simply assigning points, after the abilities have been assigned adjust them based on the following chart.
Additionally, they have a 50% chance of inheriting any traits that the nonhuman species posesses, as long as it fits in with basic humanoid physiology.
Demihumans also have a special skill(Experience-Type), social based, called “Heritage Masking.” It represents how well the character can resist attempts to guess his or her ancestry in situations where the need should arise. This skill is a percentile based skill with simple success or failure rules. This also is the skill that determines whether a student can be accepted into Hogwarts in spite of being half-breed, and a demihuman student is required to spend 3 of his starting experience points in this skill.
Non- and Demi- human non player characters are much more common in most games than non- or demi-human player characters. When the GM wants to make a nonhuman or demihuman non-player character he need only start with a base creature and adjust it to meet the needs of his NPC. Some guidelines are.
A gnome is a small, potato like magical humanoid that infests wizard’s gardens and homes. Real gnomes look nothing like the muggle conception, which paints them as miniature Santa Claus.
Attributes
5 Health
Abilities
(+2)Bite(Strength Based, Roll greater than 7 to succeed) A gnome’s bite is painful, but does no damage. Instead, it has a 33% chance of confering a temporary 1 point bonus to intelligence and making the bitten student restless.
So, before I publish stock stats for a hyperintelligent cat, I’d like to apologize for the addition of banner advertising to the site temporarily. I went out of my way to be unobtrusive about it, but my roommate owes me 420 dollars. Blame her.
Kneazle
A Kneazle is a magical creature, similar to a cat in appearance. They have spotted, speckled or flecked fur, large ears and a lightly plumed tail, like a lion. They make excellent pets if they like a witch or wizard. They are very intelligent, independent and occasionally aggressive, and have an uncanny ability to detect suspicious and distrustful people. They can also safely guide their owner home.
3 Health
Ability:
(+3) Detect Lies(Intelligenece Based, Roll greater than opposed Social roll to succeed): A kneazle has an uncanny ability to detect liars, and can easily spot all but the best decievers. The Headmaster rolls this skill whenever a lie is told within earshot of a kneazle in game.
(+1) Spot Device(Intelligence Based, Roll greater than 10 to succeed) Kneazles are very perceptive, intelligent creatures and gain a bonus to spot concealed devices, such as the knot on the whomping willow.
(+3) Social: A kneazle has a social score of 4 when dealing with other animals, but a social score of one when dealing with humans.
Care of Magical Creatures
Taught by professor’s Kettleburn, Hagrid, and Grubbly-Plank, Care of Magical Creatures is the class where students study fantastic, and some would say monstrous, creatures. Ranging from worms to hippogriffs, students learn the behavior, diet, and magical qualities of the world’s magical beasts.
