Lore
Karroch, the BeastmasterKarroch was born a child of the stocks. His mother died in childbirth; his father, a farrier for the Last King of Slom, was trampled to death when he was five. Afterward Karroch was indentured to the king's menagerie, where he grew up among all the beasts of the royal court: lions, apes, fell-deer, and things less known, things barely believed in. When the lad was seven, an explorer brought in a beast like none before seen. Dragged before the King in chains, the beast spoke, though its mouth moved not. Its words: a plea for freedom. The King only laughed and ordered the beast perform for his amusement; and when it refused, struck it with the Mad Scepter and ordered it dragged to the stocks.
Over the coming months, the boy Karroch sneaked food and medicinal draughts to the wounded creature, but only managed to slow its deterioration. Wordlessly, the beast spoke to the boy, and over time their bond strengthened until the boy found he could hold up his end of a conversation. He could, in fact, speak now to all the creatures of the King's menagerie. On the night the beast died, a rage came over the boy. He incited the animals of the court to rebel and threw open their cages to set them amok on the palace grounds. The Last King was mauled in the mayhem. In the chaos, one regal stag bowed to the boy who had freed him; and with Beastmaster astride him, leapt the high walls of the estate, and escaped. Now a man, Karroch the Beastmaster has not lost his ability to converse with wild creatures. He has grown into a warrior at one with nature's savagery.
Over the coming months, the boy Karroch sneaked food and medicinal draughts to the wounded creature, but only managed to slow its deterioration. Wordlessly, the beast spoke to the boy, and over time their bond strengthened until the boy found he could hold up his end of a conversation. He could, in fact, speak now to all the creatures of the King's menagerie. On the night the beast died, a rage came over the boy. He incited the animals of the court to rebel and threw open their cages to set them amok on the palace grounds. The Last King was mauled in the mayhem. In the chaos, one regal stag bowed to the boy who had freed him; and with Beastmaster astride him, leapt the high walls of the estate, and escaped. Now a man, Karroch the Beastmaster has not lost his ability to converse with wild creatures. He has grown into a warrior at one with nature's savagery.
| Beastmaster | |
|---|---|
Illus. Clint Cearley Every year the Marrowfell Centaurs send their bravest warriors into Roseleaf to hunt Thunderhides... to them this gruesome safari is a rite of passage, but I will not let these majestic creatures be hunted for sport. The only question that remains is how many centaurs will I have to kill before they realize Roseleaf Forest is no longer their hunting grounds.
— Karroch, the Beastmaster
| |
| About | |
| Associated With | |
| Places | Slom |
| Characters | The Last King of Slom Beastmaster's Father |
Once bound to The Last King of Slom, Karroch vows never to serve nobility again.[1] Now freed, he makes his arms from the materials of the natural world:feathers, leathers, bones and fur.[2]
- Apparently, Karroch communicates better with animals if he shaves his head.[3]
The White Stag
After their escape from Slom, the wise white stag continued to accompany and advise Karroch, who had gathered a following of animals. When the stag died, Karroch made its antlers into a set of pauldrons as tribute.[4]
Friendships and Rivalries
Allies meeting Beastmaster
- ▶️
r Look, he may be loyal, but I don't care what you say. That thing isn't a boar. - ▶️ r Take it from a lady. Lose the beard.
- ▶️ ▶️ Nice mustache.
- ▶️ ▶️ r You like animals. I am an animal. I think you and I are gonna get along just fine.
- ▶️ ▶️ r Ditch the boar, my friend. Primates are where it's at.
- ▶️ r Tell me what's on the horizon, my friend!
- ▶️ r Remember the last time we teamed up?
Enemies killing Beastmaster
- ▶️ You call that an axe?
- ▶️ You call those little things axes?
- ▶️ Your little axes were no match for mine.
- ▶️ This is a battle axe.
- ▶️ r Your pet has nothing on mine.
- ▶️ You were no master of me.
- ▶️ You call yourself a master of beasts? I think not.
- ▶️ ▶️ r No one is my master!
- ▶️ ▶️ r This forest belongs to me!
- ▶️ If you must dominate a beast to your cause, you have already lost.
- ▶️ r I lay your soul to rest with honor, Karroch.
- ▶️ r We could have been allies. Then you might still be alive.
- ▶️ I will happily bury your hatchets.
- ▶️ I was not your Beast to Master.
Enemies meeting Beastmaster
- ▶️ r Jex is going to tear your little pet apart.
Others
- ▶️ Beware lest you be o'ermastered by the bellicose master of beasts.
- ▶️ ▶️ Defend your beard!
- ▶️ ▶️ Defend your mustache!
Artifact
-
Primal Roar Spell Card
Illus. Clint CearleyI've seen many hunters in my day. Each one bold. And strong. And fearless. Fearless that is, until they realize they're not the Apex Predator... and then they run like the cowards they are.— Beastmaster, Apex Predator -
Call of the Wild Boar Creep Card
Illus. Clint CearleyThis forest has been my home for many years... and its denizens are quick to come to my aid.— Beastmaster, Friend of the Forest
Character References
- ▶️ Marrowfell Brawler I'm not afraid of Beastmaster's pets...
References
- ↑ Ancestral Bracers of Karroch description.
- ↑ Hunter of the Red Talon Set description.
- ↑ Ancestral Hair of Karroch description.
- ↑ Primal Paean description.