Betwixt and Between Preview: Whisper Unto the Villar

 We're keeping busy behind the scenes at Barrel Rider Games and I wanted to give a taste of what's to come. Below you'll find one of the new spells included in Betwixt & Between: A Book of Fairie Lore for The Hero's Journey, Second Edition. You'll find this spell along with new Lineage Variants, Archetype Variants, Heirlooms, Creatures, as well as rules for crossing into the Realm of Fairie and the many Domains you'll find there - not to mention the soul-changing chance to become one of the fey-touched! Also, we've got Jon Hodgson back for our cover and the amazing Nic Giacondino doing all the interior art!

Kristof the Wizard becomes a Friend of the Villar

Whisper Unto the Villar (Apprentice)

Magic is as natural as sunlight, springtime showers, and the gentle winds of the west to the Villar of the woodlands. Some Wizards who hold the natural realm dear to their heart or earn the friendship of the Villar are able to learn a small bit of their uncanny magic. Whisper Unto the Villar allows the caster to commune and bond with the lesser creatures of the natural realm, harnessing the surprising power of humility and fellowship that allows these gentle creatures to survive in a realm where predators hide in every shadow and on every moonless night.

 

A Brief Whisper to the Meek: When this spell is cast, the caster can ask a single question to a small woodland creature or bird such as a squirrel, sparrow, or badger, that is not hostile. First they must provide the woodland creature some small gift, typically a tiny portion of food. Once accepted, the caster can then ask their new friend a single question. The animal will reply with a one-word answer to the best of its knowledge in its own woodland tongue to the best of its knowledge. This answer is always honest. The animal will then take its gift and depart, doing no further favors for the caster.

Beneath the Notice of the Mighty: When this spell is cast, the caster gives off an aura akin to a small creature that is easily ignored by humans and other large folk. For the remainder of the scene, as long as the caster does not speak above a whisper and does nothing to draw attention to themselves (such as casting a spell or attacking), they remain unnoticed by most any creature who is either 3rd level or higher (in the case of characters with an Archetype) or 15 or more Endurance (in the case of characters without an Archetype) as if they had the To Be Ignored Is To Be Forgotten lineage changeling ability, though its chances of success are increased to 1-4 on 1d6 instead of 1-2 on 1d6. Changelings are immune to the effects of this spell, as are all fey creatures. More information on To Be Ignored Is To Be Forgotten can be found on page 20 of THJ2e.

Kindred Spirit, Small and Simple: This spell may be cast on a single creature no larger than a small bird, little woodland creature, common housecat, or other tiny beast weighing no more than 10 lbs and having no more than 1 Hit Die. The caster must have naturally gained the animal’s trust and friendship. The conditions of establishing this friendship are determined by the Narrator. With that friendship established and the casting of A Kindred Spirit, Small and Simple an unbreakable bond is established between the creature and the caster. Both can sense the general emotional state of the other in a broad sense, such as whether or not the creature is afraid, injured, content, or happy. The caster may close their eyes and concentrate for one full round to strengthen the bond between themselves and their small friend and share senses. The caster sees the world through all the physical senses of the creature and vice versa. This replaces their own perceptions. While the creature and caster’s senses are exchanged, their own senses are muted. Both caster and creature always know the distance from and general direction from each other as long as both are alive. If either the caster or the creature are slain, the survivor permanently loses 2d4 Endurance, which can never be recovered or healed. A caster can only be bound to one creature at a time. Casting this spell while already under the benefit of Kindred Spirit, Simple and Small has no effect.

 

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