Hedgebeasts

Hedgebeasts are a type of hobgoblin which always resembles a mundane animal. They are bears and cats and marmosets, but they are not gryphons or dragons or unicorns. They can speak the tongues of humankind, and many are as intelligent (or more) than those Changelings they come across.

Unlike most hobgoblins, hedgebeasts have little trouble passing unremarked in the mortal world, and cross to it whenever they please. While a bear would have difficulty explaining itself in an urban setting, a cat would not, which makes these particular hobs useful messengers, depending on location.

And more.

They are capricious, as all hobs are, but they are also weak in terms of comparative magic. The weakest of them all are often willing to act as companion to Hobs, or even Changelings/humans. Hence the Hedgebeast Companion merit (Autumn Nightmares, p.132).

The stats below are included as generic examples of animal physical attributes. Please use these as a general guideline when including them in your campaigns, or when choosing an animal to be a Hedgebeast Companion per the merit. Your beast should not vary too far from them. No, you are not going to have an orca. Aside from the fact that we are not located on the coast, they don't NEED you.

Alligator/Crocodile

Attributes: Strength: 4 (6), Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 4 (5)
Attacks: Bite: Str +2 Lethal, Tail Slap: Str +2 Bashing
Notes: Due to their thick, leathery hides, alligators and crocodiles enjoy an extra die to soak against Bashing and Lethal damage (but not Aggravated). The statistics in parentheses represent a large Nile River specimen of crocodile.

Barracuda

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal

Bat

Attributes: Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 2
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: Bats can fly at up to 25 mph.

Bear

Attributes: Strength: 4/7/7, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 4/6/7
Attacks: Claw: Str +2 Lethal, Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: Black Bears are represented by the numhbers to the left of the slashes. Brown and Grizzly Bears are the center number. Polar Bears are the number on the right.

Big Cats

Attributes: Strength: 4 (5), Dexterity: 4 (3), Stamina: 3 (4)
Attacks: Claw: Str +1 Lethal, Bite: Str +1 Lethal
Notes: The numbers represent leopards, panthers, jaguars, cougars and other "smaller" big cats. In parantheses are tigers and lions.

Bird (Large)

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Claw: Str +1 Lethal, Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Size: 2-3
Notes: These numbers represent hawks, eagles, owls and other birds of prey. They can fly at speeds of 25 to 50 mph.

Falcons, while smaller, are faster, and still qualify for these stats.

Bird (Medium)

Attributes: Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 2
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Size: 2
Notes: This template represents ravens and crows and other mid-sized birds without the natural armament of raptors. They can fly at speeds of 25 to 50 mph.

Bird (Small)

Attributes: Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 1
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal (desperation)
Size: 1-2
Notes: This template represents sparrows, blue jays, robins and other common birds with a wingspan of 2 feet or less. They can fly at speeds of 25 to 50 mph.

Bison

Attributes: Strength: 8, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 6
Attacks: Head Butt: Str +3 Bashing, Gore: Str +2 Lethal

Bull

Attributes: Strength: 7, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 5
Attacks: Gore: Str +2 Lethal, Kick: Str +2 Bashing

Camel

Attributes: Strength: 4, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 5
Attacks: Trample/Kick: Str +2 Bashing; Bite: Str +0 Lethal

Cat

Attributes: Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Claw: Str: +0 Lethal, Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: This represents domestic felines.

Coyote

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 2
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal

Deer

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Kick: Str +2 Bashing, Antler Charge: Str +2 Lethal
Notes: Medium sized deer such as whitetails and fallow.

Dog (Large)

Attributes: Strength: 3, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal
Notes: This template represents large hounds such as mastiffs, German shepherds, dobermans and other "attack dogs".

Dog (Small)

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 2
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal
Notes: This template represents smaller, domesticated dogs, such as cocker spaniels, poodles and many terriers.

Dolphin

Attributes: Strength: 3, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 4
Attacks: Ram: Str +2 Bashing

Elephant

Attributes: Strength: 7, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 6
Attacks: Trample: Str +2 Bashing; Tusk Gore: Str +1 Lethal; Trunk Grapple: Str +1 Bashing

Elk/Red Deer

Strength: 4, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 4
Attacks: Kick: Str +2 Bashing, Antler Charge: Str +2 Lethal
Notes: These are the ones you run into on the highway. Medium to large. NOT moose. Those are huge.

Fox

Attributes: Strength: 1, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 1
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal

Horse

Attributes: Strength: 4/6, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 4/5
Attacks: Trample/Kick: Str +2 Bashing, Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: Traits to the right of the slash indicate a Clydesdale or other large stallion.

Moray Eel

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 2
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal

Octopus/Squid

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal, Crush: Str +1 Bashing

Orca (Killer Whale)

Attributes: Strength: 7, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 6
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal, Ram: Str +2 Bashing

Pig/Boar

Attributes: Strength: 2/4, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 4/5
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal; Boars can Gore: Str +1 Lethal
Notes: Traits to the right of the slash represent boars.

Rat/Mouse

Attributes: Strength: 1/0, Dexterity: 2/3, Stamina: 3/1
Attacks: Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: Traits to the right of the slash represent mice. Yes, that means mice cannot inflict damage with their bite unless they score more than one success on the attack roll.

Scorpion

Attributes: Strength: 0, Dexterity: 2, Stamina: 1
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Bashing; Stinger: Str +1 Lethal/3 dice of poison

Sea Lion

Attributes: Strength: 3, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal

Shark

Attributes: Strength: 2-5, Dexterity: 3-4, Stamina: 3-5
Attacks: Bite: Str +2 Lethal
Notes: Variable Attributes cover the different breeds of shark, with Great Whites at the high end.

Snake

Attributes: Strength: 1/4, Dexterity: 2/3, Stamina: 2/3
Attacks: Bite: Str +1 Lethal + Poison
Notes: Vipers, cobras, asps and other poisonous snakes are to the left of the slash. Boa constrictors are to the right.

Vulture

Attributes: Strength: 2, Dexterity: 3, Stamina: 3
Attacks: Claw: Str +1 Lethal; Bite: Str +0 Lethal
Notes: They can fly at speeds of 25 to 50 mph.

Whale

Attributes: Strength: 7-10, Dexterity: 2-3, Stamina: 8-10
Attacks: Ram: Str +2 Bashing, Bite (non-baleen whales only): Str +1 Lethal
Notes: Variable stats cover different breeds of whales. Orcas (killer whales) have their own entry above.

Wolf