Beast master

A beast master, also spelled beastmaster, was a ranger that formed a remarkable and profound bond with a certain natural beast. .

Activities
Rangers that began the path of the beast master attracted a bestial companion that accompanied them on their journeys. It learned to follow simple commands, fighting alongside one another with exceptional coordination. Beast masters tended to believe their companions were more reliable and often capable than other people.

Culture
They were solitary individuals that were more at home in the wilderness, surrounded by the wild animals they so cherished. Interestingly enough, they often made their livings as hunters and fishers. Civilized folks often did not take kindly to beast masters and did not find them as charming as other outdoorsmen might. In turn, some more maligned beast masters became frightened of and even hateful towards city-dwelling folks of the Realms.

Abilities
Over time, the bond between a beast master and their animal companion was so strong, the ranger could experience the animal's visual perception by means of their telepathic link. Despite its obvious benefits, the bond could also be harmful to the beast master. Whenever their companion was struck in combat or otherwise harmed, the psyche of the ranger was damaged in kind.

Beast masters possessed a form of limited telepathy with all of animal kind, up to a range of about. Some could even communicate verbally with animals of the wild. As they became more experienced, some beast masters could even call upon hordes of wild animals to follow basic commands.

Whenever the most experienced beast masters cast primal spells centered upon themself, their companion beast would also receive its benefits.

Notable Beast Masters

 * Z'neth, the hobgoblin zookeeper of the Wandering Emporium.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn
 * Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
 * Avernus Rising (Faces of Fortune • Infernal Insurgency)