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This afternoon I was driving up from DC to New Jeresy. It was about a 5 hour drive. On the way I listened to the “hobbit” on CD. I enjoyed the story.
I also enjoyed the Character Beorn.
I was wondering how you would simulate a “skin changer”, as Gandalf described him, in Pathfinder terms? I remember he could turn into a big bear, and at the end of the book, a big angry bear who “grew almost to giant size in his wrath, and nothing (weapons) could bite him. “ also as Gandalf said.
What are your thoughts?
Thanks
A Phasm ? :)
A druid or an invulnerable rager who describes his rage as "Transformative"?
Beorn = Wherebear, based of Norse legend :)
Oh, natural, not afflicted :)
Think Druid who's nearly spell-less, maybe some divination or speak with animals but not Call Lightning or even Summon Nature's Ally. He had natural allies all right, but more a la Leadership feat. That sacrifice in turn made his wild shape that more powerful, like infinite DR/ Magic.
Well, as awesome as Beorn is, he'd probably be unbalanced as a PC, unless you tone down his aspects.
I agree that a natural Werebear might do the trick, though a buffed Bear Shaman Druid might do the trick - they get Druid level +2 if they Wild Shape into a Bear. No idea if you can rage or not in bear form, but if so, some Barbarian levels couldn't help.
Barbarian Werebear.
Beorn is the reason why werebears in D&D were LG. So, yeah. Werebear.
Beorn, LG Natural Wherebear Ranger :)
This afternoon I was driving up from DC to New Jeresy. It was about a 5 hour drive. On the way I listened to the “hobbit” on CD. I enjoyed the story.
I also enjoyed the Character Beorn.
I was wondering how you would simulate a “skin changer”, as Gandalf described him, in Pathfinder terms?
Perhaps the Shapechanger Variant Ranger from the APG combined with some levels of Barbarian for Raging and Rage powers to naturally augment his Bearness?
Try also to remember that Beorn was not a 'normal' human, much like Tom Bombadil was not human or Gandalf was not a human at all but a Celestial Fire Spirit sent to Middle Earth and bound to Human form while there. Beorn could be a lot more powerful than a standard character depending on what scale you wanted to go with him but I think the 'Shapeshifter Ranger Variant'/Babarbarian combo could be a good way to start.
While I admit Druids are better shapchangers and have better spells, Beorn never evidenced that sort of power in the book, hence my melee based suggestion.
Another way is, if you have access to 3.5 Material, use the 'Bear Warrior' PrC with Barbarian as a base.
Or you could do Barbarian with Natural Were Bear if that fits your interpretation of him better. Remember that he was born as a shapeshifter as were his sons (who were also at the Battle of Five Armies) if my memory serves me, hence natural. The Were Bear DR would be a good way of making sure 'no weapon would bute him' and the Barb level DR would be a decent back up if somehow something was using silver weapons.
I personally would try the Ranger/Barbarian route if I wanted to be a character like him, and choose rage powers that enhanced my 'bear concept'. This makes for an easier time fitting into into a standard game and party. Isn't there a rage power that can increase your size?
And Brewing. Don't forget to max brewing. He made those awesome drinks...
As well as being a consummate beekeper.
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Thank you for all of your suggestions.
As a NPC, a were bear with barbarian levels probably sounds good.
As a PC, it would seem some combination of barbarian and druid, or perhaps, the shape shifting ranger. Or Barbearian and “bear warrior” prestige class
.
On the CD I particularly enjoyed the moment where Gandalf was introducing himself : “ I am Gandalf, and I am a wizard,” and beorn’s reply was “hrumph never heard of him”
and Gandalf was a little put out by that.
And yes he must have profession” bee keeper”
thanks again
beast shape III.
Always thought of beorn as a druid.
There's an article in Dragon 313 about playing were-creatures as classes with progression 1st to 10th level. It should be of use. I use it all the time for NPCs. In fact, since some of my games are gestalt, I've used them to create werebear/druids.
See also SKR's Savage progressions for a conversion of the werebear template to class levels:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20031114a
LG Alchemist? Mutations and brewing!!!! Maybe an archetype that replaces bombs with rage powers while mutating?