Beornings [Aurania]

By D. Daniel Wagner
A new class for Dungeons & Dragons
Transcribed from the Manual of Aurania (1977) with permission from the author

Beornings                                                                                                      LAW-NEUTRAL

Level	Experience Points	Hit Dice	Dice Damage	Adds to Reaction	Supernormal Hirelings	Armor Class	Load
1	0	2	1	0	0	5	3,000
2	2,000	3	1	1	0	5	3,000
3	4,000	4	1	1	0	4	3,000
4	8,000	5	1+1	1	1	4	3,500
5	16,000	6	1+1	2	1	3	3,500
6	32,000	7+1	1+2	2	2	3	4,000
7	64,000	8+2	2	3	3	2	6,000
8	100,000	10	2	4	5	2	8,000
9	200,000	11+2	2+1	4	7	2+1	10,000
10	300,000	13	2+2	5	10	2+2	12,000
11	400,000	14+2	3	5	12	2+3	14,000

A Beorning isn't a true were-bear, but is more of a shape-changer and thus may be hit with any weapon unlike a were-bear which can be hit only with a silver or magical weapon.

The add to reaction chart is used when rolling for the reaction of lawful intelligent animals or monsters. No hostile reaction possible, but a low reaction doesn't leave any opening for any more offers.

In his human form, a Beorning may use such normal weapons as maces, swords, axes, etc. He may use such magical weapons as follows: maces, axes, bows, spears and swords (non-flaming and of low intelligence/ego). May wear only leather armor as anything else will encumber his shape-changing.

A Beorning may hire such numbers of men and/or normal animals as his charisma permits. However, a "Supernormal" hireling is other Beornings, were-bears, Pegasi, Hippogriffs, etc. and he may only hire as many as the chart indicates at that level.

He may speak to mammals & birds at 3rd level, to all animals from 4th level on and plants from 8th level on. He may also cure up to one die (no adds) of animal wounds per day.

As for human hirelings, a Beorning may hire only fighting-men, clerics and some specialists. He may hire other Beornings (see "Supernormal" hirelings). He may not hire men-at-arms. He may hire clerics only up to second level as anything else requires a place of worship.

[A few minor typos corrected from the original]

Update: "defers" in paragraph 2 changed to "offers" after consultation with Daniel.