There is something terrifying about the historical Beast of Gévaudan murders. The sheer number of unexplained deaths and the theories surrounding the murders have played on the imagination, no where as great as in 2001's The Brotherhood of the Wolf. While still an action/horror film, it offered a unique take on real events, and I really liked it. I thought at one time I should do a entire set of write-ups on the major characters, but in the end, I figured I'd focus on the beast itself.Monstrous animals, secret societies, and the terror of the unknown make it one of my favorite films of the 2000s (I saw it in the theater at an art house and then again when it was released several months later to the general public).

I think the beast is one of those creatures that is best served not as the monster, but as the servant/tool of the greater society. I thought about including the stats for the beast's master, but I think if I do end up statting the rest of the characters, it would better served to devote a full write-up there. This is again looking at the Beast of Gévaudan from the perspective of the movie, not the actual events or the suggestions of other creatures.

So....The Beast of Gévaudan


The Beast of Gévaudan



F: Rm (30)
A: Ex (20)
S: Ex (20)
E: Rm (30)
R: Pr (04)
I: Ex (20)
P: Pr (04)

Health: 100
Karma: 28
Resources: N/A
Popularity: -10/-20 (in Pre-Revolutionary France)

Talents:
None

Powers:
Beast of Extraordinary Size: The Beast is an exceptionally large , and as such, has greater strength, stamina, and durability than a normally sized creature. The Beast has the following attributes:

• Tracking: The Beast can track with Rm (30) ability, and can determine specific scents or scents that are similar.
• Stealth: The Beast has Gd (10) stealth
• Increased Movement: Unlike others of its kind, the Beast may move up to 3 areas per round.

Enhancements: The Beast has been 'enhanced' through the applications of armor and 'fitted' pieces. The enhancements provide the following:

• Body Armor: The Beast has Gd (10) physical protection due to metal/leather armor.
• Enhanced Natural Weaponry: Claws: The Beast strikes with RM (30) edged damage, halving effective body armor due to the steel claws fitted over its own.

Contacts:

The Beast has none, as it an animal, but it is the enforcer of the Le Pacte des Loupes, or the Brotherhood of the Wolf.

Limitations:

Animal: The Beast is an animal, and as such, albeit a larger than normal version. As such, it is vulnerable to the same conditions that a normal animal of its species is.

Controlled: The Beast has been conditioned and trained to respond to commands and scents. The Beast will never make a Psyche FEAT to resist this commands, especially if given by the handler. The Beast however will respond to those who 'smell' similar, and will not seek to injure or harm such people.

Hideous: The Beast has been hideously scarred (on purpose), and suffers a -1cs reaction bonus. In addition, the Beast is always in a state of near rage due to its physical pain, and suffers a -1cs to reactions when it is - 75% of its health.


The Brotherhood of the Wolf: The Brotherhood of the Wolf is a secret society established by Father Henri Sardis and other well-connected nobles and gypsies from the Gévaudan region. The society is dedicated to forcing the French King to return to a more 'morale' path in service to the church. While strongly opposed by the church, the group continues to attempt to spread terror throughout the region through use of the Beast. While believed wiped out in the purge of 1764, it is unknown if it has been completely destroyed.

Notes:

Just a great movie, and a great monster.