Scratch

Scratch
Level 2
Role	Camp follower, familiar
Voiced by	Shaun Mendum
Information
Race	Dog
Hometown	Baldur's Gate (former)
Stats
Size	Medium
Type	Beast
Armour Class	11
Hit points	11
Movement speed	9 m (30 ft)
Weight	60 kg (120 lb)
Initiative	+1
Ability scores
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 11 (+0) 13 (+1) 12 (+1) 3 (-4) 13 (+1) 6 (-2)
Proficiency bonus	+2
Saving throws	Str 0 Dex +1 Con +1 Int -4 Wis +1 Cha -2
Features
Opportunity Attack	Automatically attack an enemy moving out of your reach.

Scratch is a dog and a potential camp follower encountered in the Forest during Act One.

Overview

Background

Scratch was the dog of Gomwick, a courier who worked for Sword Coast Couriers. The pair were making a delivery to Baldur's Gate when a group of gnolls attacked them. Gomwick forced Scratch to flee, but he himself died in the attack. Scratch later returned to find his master and, thinking him merely injured, waited patiently by his side for him to wake.

Recruitment

Scratch can be recruited as a camp follower and familiar.

He is found in the Forest, west of and above Owlbear Nest X: 69 Y: 476. Scratch will be defending the body of his dead master, a messenger named Gomwick. The player can comfort him and urge him to follow them back to their camp. Scratch will not leave his master's side, but will find his way to the campsite during the next long rest. Doing so will also reward 15 experience.

Shouting at Gomwick's corpse will turn Scratch hostile.

Involvement

Camp

After he has been at camp for a while, Scratch will bring the player an item called Scratch's Ball. Succeeding in a Strength, Sleight of Hand, or Animal Handling check, or by using Speak with Animals, will allow the player to take the ball. While Scratch's Ball is in someone's inventory, they may summon Scratch as a familiar. Scratch can find a variety of hidden items, and is also the only familiar capable of the  Help action. Scratch can remove Burning, Downed, Ensnared, Entangled, Enwebbed, Gaping Wounds, Sleeping, Off Balance, or Prone from an ally. If his ball is lost in some way other than throwing it into a chasm, Scratch will have a spare one at camp.

While in camp, Scratch can also be pet, and will play fetch, retrieving his ball if it is thrown.

If the Owlbear Cub is recruited, one night, during a long rest, sounds of distress will be heard coming from the cub and Scratch. Hurrying towards the sound, the player will find Scratch and the owlbear lying together. Without animal speech, the player can pass an Animal Handling check to discover that the two have become friends. Otherwise, Scratch will explain that he is comforting the cub, after he had a nightmare of his time in the goblin camp. Scratch will share that he used to sleep under Gomwick's coat as a pup, and that he thinks Gomwick would be happy that he is travelling with his new master – a little surprised at himself for calling the player as such.

Act Three

In Rivington, the player can visit Sword Coast Couriers, the messenger service that employed Gomwick and Scratch. The dog kennels adjoined to the building are overseen by the abusive Angry Mar'hyah and her put-upon assistant Oyster Boy Dringo. Talking to Mar'hyah presents the option of summoning Scratch, after which Mar'hyah will attempt to take the dog back.

The player must pass an ability check in order to keep Scratch. Passing a subsequent ability check will banish Angry Mar'hyah from the game entirely.

Companion approval

When meeting Scratch by the remains of Gomwick in the Forest while using Speak with Animals.

Succeed a check to calm him down then tell his friend isn't going to wake up.

• Prove the man is dead - shout at his corpse. (Causes Scratch to attack.)

 -1  -1  -1

• "Come on, you can travel with me if you like." Followed by "If he doesn't wake up, follow my scent. I have a camp."

 +1  +1  +1  +1

Petting Scratch for the first time will garner approval from some companions.

Achievements

Fetch Quest
Play fetch with Scratch - the best boy in the Realms.

You Have Two Hands for a Reason
Pet Scratch and the owlbear cub at the same time - the greatest joy an adventurer could ask for.

Gallery

• 

  Scratch's model.

Notes

• Attacking, shoving and throwing Scratch after being recruited in your camp will make him and everyone that isn't in your current party hostile.
• If Scratch dies or leaves camp permanently, and his ball is thrown, each character has 4 new unique voice lines.

External links

• Scratch (dog) on the Forgotten Realms Wiki