Wyrd of the Week: Loyal Sidekicks

 As those of you familiar with previous materials for The Hero's Journey, Second Edition can probably guess, I'm a bit of an animal lover. I like to think it's evident in the Rover Lineage from The Hero's Companion and the plethora of animal Lineages in Of Beasts Brave and True. But what if you want an animal companion without actually having to take up the role of a furry or feathered friend?

Perhaps your character wants a loyal hound that walks beside them across the dangerous wilderness, or maybe an uncanny feline brings uncanny luck, or perhaps you have a tiny cricket dispensing simple wisdom. All of these companions are non-combatant allies that do not participate in battle, but instead serve as support for a hero through even the darkest times. Through thick and thin they are Loyal Sidekicks.

Loyal Sidekicks

Any time after reaching second level, a player character can declare they wish to have a Loyal Sidekick. This can be a previously mundane animal they purchased or an entirely new creature that will be introduced organically by the Narrator over the course of the legendarium. Once the player character has undergone the necessary steps appropriate to the legendarium to earn a Loyal Sidekick, they must spend a single Myth Point and decide what kind of Loyal Sidekick is now accompanying them on their adventures. There are three types:

• Steadfast: Rugged and dedicated, Steadfast Sidekicks stand beside their friend through thick and thin, helping the player character overcome insurmountable odds and survive the most dire perils they encounter. Steadfast Sidekicks are most often small beasts of burden or canines. Select one Steadfast Boon. 
• Uncanny: Fickle and mercurial, Uncanny Sidekicks bring a kind of strange luck to their friend and though they sometimes seem to harass or harangue the player character, in their heart the bond of love and loyalty is nigh unbreakable. Uncanny Sidekicks are most often avians or felines. Select one Uncanny Boon.
• Wise: Observant and patient, Wise Sidekicks offer council and words of comfort to the player character. They can help guide their friend in troubled times and restore hope when all seems lost. Wise Sidekicks are often insects or clever woodland creatures. Select one Wise Boon.

A player character's Loyal Sidekick has no Defense, Endurance, Attack Bonus, Saving Throw, or other combat abilities. It does not participate in combat, nor can it be targeted. In short, it is more a narrative device and not a target to be leveraged against the player character. Whether or not it can be targeted by environmental effects or spells is entirely up to the Narrator, though such instances should be rare and appropriate to the nature of the situation and the legendarium. If somehow a Loyal Sidekick is required to make a Saving Throw, it uses the same Saving Throw value as the player character it serves. Some Boons (see below) are one-time use and may, in rare instances, result in the death of the Loyal Companion.

As the player character advances in level, they can choose to spend any Myth Points they earn on either Universal Boons or the Boon-type specific to the type of creature that matches their Loyal Sidekick. Steadfast Sidekicks can grant Steadfast Boons, Uncanny Sidekicks can grant Uncanny Boons, and Wise Boons can grant Wise Boons. Each Boon costs a single Myth Point.

Unless otherwise specified, the player character must be within sight of their Loyal Sidekick to gain the benefits of any Boons. Distance between the two must be traversed naturally unless otherwise stated or some Boon provides an alternate means of the them being reunited.

Universal Boons

Universal Boons can be taken by any type of Loyal Sidekick.

• A Whisper in Your Ear: You and your Loyal Sidekick can speak in hushed whispers to one another, able to understand each other's speech as easily as you do your own native language.
• Gentle Companionship: When the Loyal Sidekick and player character are both at the same location, the player character receives a +2 bonus on all attempts to Relax Around the Campfire.
• My Life For Yours: In the event that the player character suffers a Grievous Wound, the Loyal Sidekick is slain instead. The player character permanently loses a point of Resolve, must make a Despair Saving Throw as if suffering the effects of a Fallen Ally, and their Loyal Sidekick is lost.
• Sharp Whistle: You can give a sharp, loud whistle and if your Loyal Sidekick is not established to otherwise be at another, specific location, they will arrive at the edge of the horizon in 1d12 combat rounds.

Steadfast Boons

Steadfast Boons can only be taken by Steadfast Loyal Sidekicks.

• Comfort of the Wild Womb: Any time you and your Loyal Sidekick make camp together or rest for an extended period within close proximity of one another, you heal three points of Endurance each day naturally instead of two.
• Creature of the Rugged Realm: While the Loyal Sidekick and player character are traveling together, the player character has a Forestry of 1. If the player character already has Forestry, they gain +1 to their Forestry ability, to a maximum of 5.
• Ease Your Burden: Your Loyal Sidekick can carry up a number of items equal to 5 Significant Items on their person. They are readily accessible to the player character as if they were on their person as long as the Loyal Sidekick is within arm's reach.
• Trod Upon the Hard Road: Once per day a Natural Hazard that is encountered while exploring the Wilderness can be avoided completely.

Uncanny Boons

Uncanny Boons can only be taken by Uncanny Loyal Sidekicks.

• A Second Set of Eyes: Your chance to be surprised is reduced by one as long as you are within sight of your Loyal Sidekick.
• Sense the Misshapen: Whenever you encounter a being that is under an enchantment or magical effect that conceals their true appearance through magical means, such as an illusion or transmutation, you may make an Insight-based Saving Throw at Disadvantage. If this Saving Throw is successful, your Loyal Sidekick gives you some subtle indication that the individual is not what they seem.
• Strange Kind of Kismet: You receive a +2 to all Weal-based Saving Throws as long as you are within sight of your Loyal Sidekick.
• Well-Timed Distraction: Once per session of play, the Loyal Sidekick can provide a brief distraction that allows you to remain stealthy and more easily concealed. For purposes of remaining unseen and silent, you gain a Thievery of 3, or if you already have Thievery you receive a +2 bonus to your Thievery (up to a maximum of 5). This benefit can only be applied to a single attempt, regardless of whether it is successful or not.

Wise Boons

Wise Boons can only be taken by Wise Sidekicks.

• Detect the Deceiver: Once per session of play the Loyal Sidekick can detect when an individual is knowingly telling a lie to the player character and subtly inform them of the lie. They can only tell the player character whether a lie is occurring - not the exact nature of the lie.
• Recall the Conscience: Once per session the Loyal Sidekick can remind the player character of their morals and virtues, entitling them to a new Saving Throw if they are currently under the influence of a spell, enchantment, or magical effect that would otherwise cause them to break their personal code.
• Simple Wisdom: As long as you are within sight of your Loyal Companion, you receive a +2 to all Insight-based Saving Throws.
• Lore of the Humble: Once per session you can consult with your Loyal Sidekick, asking them a simple question with a "Yes" or "No" answer that is answered correctly if you succeed on an Insight-based Saving Throw. If both "Yes" and "No" are appropriate answers, then the Loyal Sidekick will provide whichever answer is more true to the spirit of your question.

OPTIONAL RULE: If the Narrator permits it, Steadfast Sidekicks can purchase Uncanny and Wise Boons at the cost of 2 Myth Points, Uncanny Sidekicks can purchase Steadfast and Wise Boons at the cost of 2 Myth Points, and Wise Sidekicks can purchase Steadfast and Uncanny Boons at the cost of 2 Myth Points.

It is important to note that a player character can never have more than one Loyal Sidekick at any given time.