Scratch

Scratch is a dog and a potential Camp Follower and Attached Follower encountered in the Forest during Act One.
== Overview ==
=== Background ===
Scratch was the dog of , 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 . Scratch defends the body of his dead master, a messenger named Gomwick. The party must tell him they mean no harm.
===Calming down Scratch===
:Without Speak with Animals:
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:With Speak with Animals:
:*Scratch tells the party member to keep moving. The party can respond with:
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:*Once Scratch is calm, he turns his attention to his deceased master and must be convinced to follow the party to the campsite.
===Convincing Scratch to come to the campsite===
:Without Speak with Animals:
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:With Speak with Animals:
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:*Scratch does not leave his master's side, but finds his way to the Campsite during the next long rest. Doing so also rewards 15 experience.
==== Angering Scratch ====
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:* (turns him hostile)
== Involvement ==
=== Camp ===
After he has been at camp for a while, Scratch brings the player character an item called . Succeeding in a Strength, Sleight of Hand, or Animal Handling check, or by using , allows the player character to take the ball.
While in camp, Scratch can also be pet, and will play fetch, retrieving his ball if it is thrown.
If the is recruited, one night, during a long rest, sounds of distress can be heard coming from the cub and Scratch. Hurrying towards the sound, the player character finds Scratch and the owlbear lying together. Without animal speech, the player character can pass an Animal Handling check to discover that the two have become friends. Otherwise, Scratch explains that he is comforting the cub, after he had a nightmare of his time in the Goblin Camp. Scratch shares 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 character as such.
=== Familiar ===
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 the only familiar capable of the action except those from . Scratch can remove , , , , , , , , or from an ally. If his ball is lost in some way other than throwing it into a chasm, Scratch has a spare at camp.
However, the playful Scratch can disrupt sensitive missions. He is afflicted with Scratch's Sniff around buried chests and runs ahead regardless of traps and enemies (think invisible Timmasks with ), sometimes causing spectacular consequences. Scratch also fetches items dropped or thrown, including boxes blocking vent traps and even high explosives.
=== Act Three ===
In Rivington, the party 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 and her put-upon assistant . Talking to Mar'hyah presents the option of summoning Scratch, after which Mar'hyah attempts to take the dog back.
The party must pass an Ability Check in order to keep Scratch. Passing a subsequent ability check banishes Angry Mar'hyah from the game entirely.
== Companion approval ==
Petting Scratch for the first time grants approval from all companions who are within view.
== Related literature ==
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== Achievements ==
== Gallery ==
Scratch Model.png|Scratch's model.
== Notes ==
* Attacking, shoving, or throwing Scratch while in camp causes him and all non-party members to become hostile.
* If Scratch dies or permanently leaves camp, each character has 4 unique voice lines that play when his ball is thrown.
* Unique among pets, familiars, and summons, Scratch is capable of taking the action like a full companion can.
* In Honor mode, using on Scratch turns him hostile once the condition expires.
== External links ==
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Category:Characters
Category:Characters in Act One
Category:Characters in the Forest
Category:Dogs
Category:Beasts
Category:Camp Followers
Category:Attached Followers