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“Master, friend... I stayed with him until... until I knew he was gone.„
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 party must first tell him they mean no harm:
Without Speak with Animals
- [PERCEPTION] Peer at his collar. (DC 10)
- It's all right, Scratch. I'm not going to hurt you.
- [ANIMAL HANDLING] Kneel - you mean no harm. (DC 10)
- [INTIMIDATION] Stand down! (DC 10)
- [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] ROAR. (DC 5)
- [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Growl. (DC 5)
With Speak with Animals
Scratch tells the party member to keep moving. The party can respond with:
- [PERCEPTION] Peer at his collar. (DC 10)
- You're Scratch, aren't you? Come here. It's all right.
- [INTIMIDATION] If I wanted to hurt either of you, I'd have done it already. (DC 15)
- [HALF-ORC] [INTIMIDATION] I could snap you in half, if I wanted to. I don't. (DC 10)
- [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] I don't want to hurt you. BUT I CAN. (DC 10
) - [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] You don't want me angry. Trust me - one animal to another. (DC 10 )
- [PERSUASION] I'm not an enemy, I promise. (DC 15)
- [DRUID] [PERSUASION] Calm, friend. I mean you no harm. (DC 15 )
- [DRUID] [PERSUASION] I understand your fear, but I promise I mean you no harm. (DC 15 )
- [PALADIN] [PERSUASION] Calm yourself. I harm only those deserving of it. (DC 15 )
Once Scratch has been calmed, he turns his attention to his deceased master and must be convinced to follow you to your campsite:
Without Speak with Animals
- Come on, Scratch. Follow me.
- Motion him to follow.
- Hold out your hand so he can follow your scent to camp.
With Speak with Animals
- I don't think he's going to wake up.
- [DRAGONBORN] It's noble to protect one of your clan, but he's gone.
- [NEUTRAL CLERIC] [GOOD CLERIC] He's with his god now. I'm sorry.
- Come on, you can travel with me if you like.
- If he doesn't wake up, follow my scent. I have a camp.
+1 
+1 
+1 
+1
- If he doesn't wake up, follow my scent. I have a camp.
- Come on, you can travel with me if you like.
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.
Angers Scratch
- [GITHYANKI] Stop deluding yourself - you are guarding a corpse.
- Rest? He needs a grave.
- Prove the man is dead - shout at his corpse. -1 -1 -1
In Honor mode, using 
on Scratch will turn him hostile once the condition expires.
Involvement
Camp
After he has been at camp for a while, Scratch will bring the player character an item called 
Scratch's Ball. Succeeding in a Strength, Sleight of Hand, or Animal Handling check, or by using 
, will allow the player character 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 
action except those from 
. 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.
KEY NOTE: Scratch will also fetch back any item that any character throws on the ground. This can be a problem if the party is trying to throw items to block vents that are emitting poison gas, as Scratch will immediately grab the item back off of the vent, unblocking it. If intending to block gas vents it is best to dismiss Scratch if he is currently summoned.
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 character will find 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 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 character as such.
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 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 party 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 grant approval from all companions who are within view.
Related literature
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 in camp will make him and everyone who isn't in in current party hostile.
- If Scratch dies or leaves camp permanently, and his ball is thrown, each character has 4 unique voice lines.
