[ArM5] Companion Ideas

[Andrew Gronosky]

Hi all,

ArM5 gives five templates for companion characters.  They are fully made 
as playable characters that can be customized as needed.  To recap, the 
templates are:

* Female Scholar
* Knight
* Priest
* Rogue
* Witch

I find that players, especially newbies, have trouble coming up with 
ideas for companions.  So I would like to share some of the "companion 
seeds" I've come up with so far - just rough character concepts with 
some suggested Virtues and Flaws.  I will probably put these up on my 
Web site when I get around to it.

As an aside, I did not come close to the +10/-10 allowance of Virtues 
and Flaws for these seeds.  I think perfectly enjoyable, playable 
characters can be made with 4 to 6 points' worth of V/F's.  YMMV.

Doctor
  V: Magister in Artibus, Affinity with Medicine
  F: Compassionate (Major), Vow (Hippocratic Oath)

Dragon Hunter - this is Mythic Europe, after all
  V: Greater Immunity (Fire), Strong-Willed, Knight
  F: Ambitious, hatred (of monsters, minor), Animal Companion

Gentleman Outlaw - Count of Monte Cristo / Robin Hood type
  V: Social Contacts, Inspirational, Strong-Willed, Great Presence,
     Priveleged Upbringing, Famous
  F: Enemies, Driven

Hedge Wizard - another take on the Witch idea
  V: Entrancement, Second Sight, Wise One
  F: Magical Air, Visions, Wrathful (minor)
  Optionally, substitute Magical Animal Companion for Visions

Innkeeper - a handy contact
  V: Lesser Immunity (alcohol), Gossip, Merchant
  F: Indiscreet, Obese

Minstrel - Enchanting Music is a bit of a cliche, but it's an option
  V: Well-Traveled, Social Contacts, Free Expression, Inspirational,
     Wanderer
  F: Favors, Optimistic (minor)
  Optionally, replace Inspirational with Enchanting Music

Spy - Works undercover for the covenant or a foreign power
  V: Puissant Intrigue, Premonitions, Puissant Guile, Educated,
     Gentleman/woman
  F: Dark Secret (spy), Higher Purpose (patriot)
  Optionally, replace Higher Purpose with Avaricious (minor)

Templar - an ex-Crusader who learned a little too much Eastern mysticism
  V: Knight, Protection, Arcane Lore, Premonitions, Student of Magic
  F: Monastic Vows, Proud (minor), Tainted with Evil
  Optionally, replaced Proud with Obsessed (magic) or similar

Does anyone have ideas to add?

-Andrew Gronosky