Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

[bigdamnhero]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Mr. Wrong by Cracker

 

Well, meet me by the river that goes nowhere.

Let me lay my sorry trip on you.

Won't you meet me by the river, little darling'?

I might just let you see my bad tattoo.

 

Well I was gonna bring you flowers, but I didn't.

It's the thought that counts and I think I'm a bit too broke.

But there's some change in my ashtray--maybe just enough to pay.

For a half pint of somethin', probably make us choke.

 

CHORUS:

Well you know I'd rather not go and meet your family.

They'd probably send me back where I belong.

Don't want to hear about Mr. Right.

'Cause he's out of town tonight.

Baby come and spend some time with Mr. Wrong.

 

I drive a one-eyed Malibu without a muffler.

And a tape deck that works if you kick it hard enough.

And baby if you like to read, I've got some great pornography.

And a ten pound flashlight rolling in the trunk.

 

CHORUS

 

Now, do you have a girlfriend and does she look as good as you?

Would she like to meet my brother?

He'll be out of jail in a month or two.

 

CHORUS

 

Where I come from they call me Mr. Wrong.

[Cancer]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Lightning's Hand (by Kansas, off Point of Know Return)

 

Can you see me, do you know my position how quick is your eye?

I have no home, no reason to roam yet I travel the length of the sky

I stretch my fingers jagged icy white 'till my energy's all around

My clutch is swift, my force is fearful I convey it without a sound

I live to free the skies from everyone, watch me run - watch me

 

The north wind rises, old man's eyes wondering deeply as he locks his door

He knows the fear when I'm too near him, he's seen me angry before

The black intruding clouds approach as I release a destructive blow

All the crashing, all the flashing light brings terror upon my foe

I fight with force and power for my land

I command the lightning's hand!

 

Run for cover - Oh your life is in vain if you try to escape me

Don't look back - Oh your wealthy world cannot save you

'Cause I'm gonna break you

I hear them moan, I hear them weep because they feel I belong to the devil

They feel the pain, and will again 'till they stop reaching up for this level

No one will defeat me, no one can

I command the lightning's hand!

 

(Best energy blaster song ever.)

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm beginnin' to think some of you outta take a swing at writing some of these characters up. Sheesh... I'm only human.

[Cancer]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

This one is a victim of spell backfire, or, perhaps, demonic possession.

 

Black Flame, by Renaissance (off Turn of the Cards)

 

I am words, I am speaking

I never heard my conclusion

Lost the way in my confusion, in illusion

Lost inside the picture frame

 

I'm not to blame, I didn't see the black flame

I'm not ashamed, its poetry, the black flame

I'm rearranged, it's changing me, the black flame

Burns my blackened brain

 

I am strong, I am leaving

I never knew I'd feel the need so

Where to go, I'll turn the flow, I could not know

Screams inside the burning pain

 

It's spinning head, it's under hand-the black flame

It lies instead, I turned and I ran-the black flame

On me, it fed,I understand-the black flame

Burns my blackened brain

 

Run from me, don't you see

That we are one and I'm a part of you

Get away, any way

I'm still a secret in the heart of you

And I'm the burning in your soul

 

Now I'm weak, I am losing

I never thought I'd stop trying

I'm a lie, I'm just a sigh, just a crying

Just a symbol of the game

 

Suspended pain, I can not face the black flame

Intended fear, I can not trace the black flame

Extended reaching into space-the black flame

Burns my blackened brain

[Cancer]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Acually, in my last fantasy campaign I based an entire college off of Lightning's Hand.

[Deadman]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

How 'bout The Sentinel - Judas Priest

 

Along deserted avenues

Steam begins to rise

The figures primed and ready

Prepared for quick surprise

Hes watchin for a sign

His life is on the line

Dogs whine in the alleys

Smoke is on the wind

From deep inside its empty shell

A cathedral bell begins to toll

A storm begins to grow

 

Amidst the upturned burned-out cars

The challengers await

And in their fists clutch iron bars

With which to seal his fate

Across his chest is scabbards rest

The rows of throwing knives

Whose razor points in challenged tests

Have finished many lives

 

Now facing one another

The stand-off eats at time

Then all at once a silence falls

As the bell ceases its chime

Upon this sign the challengers

With shrieks and cries rush forth

The knives fly out like bullets

Upon their deadly course

Screams of pain and agony

Rent the silent air

Amidst the dying bodies

Blood runs everywhere

The figure stands expressionless

Impassive and alone

Unmoved by this victory

And the seeds of death hes sown

 

Sworn to avenge

Condemn to hell

Tempt not the blade

All fear the sentinel

[Curufea]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

 

Description:

Although Queen's Killer Queen doesn't say, exactly, who the song is about, it seems (to me) to describe a classic femme fatale, of the film noir or Bond-girl type. I added in various skills that seemed to be inferred by the song lyrics, building a "super-spy" type character, although she could easily be a rich and spoiled heiress, some sort of criminal mastermind, or even an information broker working both the heights and depths of society. The character, as stands, is open to a great deal of expansion, with additional languages, gadgets, bases, and so on.

 

(Killer Queen created by Queen, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

 

When I first saw this thread title - this is the song I immediately thought of suggesting

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

When I first saw this thread title - this is the song I immediately thought of suggesting

 

Hey, great minds usually have their minds in the gutter.

 

[Lucius]

Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm beginnin' to think some of you outta take a swing at writing some of these characters up. Sheesh... I'm only human.

 

You won't have to ask me twice....I made Christina Aguilera a fighter and she can't stop thanking me!

 

 

 

Presenting Kristina of Aquilonia.

 

 

After all you put me through

(Hunted <= 14 Former Patron)

You'd think I'd despise you

But in the end I want to thank you

Because you made me that much stronger

(STR 13 3 pts)

 

When I, thought I knew you

(KS: Former Patron 4 pts)

Thinking, that you were true

I guess I, I couldn't trust

(Psych Limit: Suspicious)

Called your bluff, time is up

(Gambling 3 pts)

'Cause I've had enough

You were, there by my side

(Teamwork 3 pts)

Always, down for the ride

(Riding 3 pts)

But your, joy ride just came down in flames

'Cause your greed sold me out of shame, mmhmm

(Hunted: Agents of the King of Aquilonia <= 8 )

 

After all of the stealing and cheating

You probably think that I hold resentment for you

But, uh uh, oh no, you're wrong

'Cause if it wasn't for all that you tried to do

I wouldn't know just how capable I am to pull through

(EGO 14 8 pts)

So I wanna say thank you

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(BOD 11 2 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(CON 13 6 pts)

It makes me that much wiser

(+1 perception 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Fam Common Melee Wpns 2 pts)

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Cramming 5 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(PD 6 3 pts)

Makes me that much smarter

(INT 13 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Fam Common Missile Wpns 2 pts)

Ohh, ohh, ohh, ohhhh, ohh-yeah ah uhhhuh

 

Never, saw it coming

All of, your backstabbing

(Combat Sense)

Just so, you could cash in

On a good thing before I realized your game

I heard, you're going around

(KS: Intrigue 2 pts)

Playing the victim now

(Reputation, <= 14 : Betrayed Mentor)

But don't, even begin

Feeling I'm the one to blame

'Cause you dug your own grave

 

 

After all of the fights and the lies

Yes you wanted to harm me but that won't work anymore

(Danger Sense)

Uh, no more, oh no, over

'Cause if it wasn't for all of your torture

(Resistance)

I wouldn't know how to be this way now, and never back down

(Psych Limit: Stubborn)

So I wanna say thank you

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(STUN 30 5 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(REC 7 2 pts)

Makes me that much wiser

(Tactics 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(PS: Warrior 3 pts)

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Linguist 3 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(ED 6 3 pts)

It makes me that much smarter

(Scholar 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 all combat 8 pts)

 

How could this man I thought I knew

Turn out to be unjust so cruel

Could only see the good in you

Pretended not to see the truth

(Vulnerable to Illusions: Twice effect from Mental Illusions, double perception penalty from Images.)

You tried to hide your lies, disguise yourself

Through living in denial

But in the end you'll see

YOU-WON'T-STOP-ME

(PRE 20 10 pts)

 

I am a fighter and I

I ain't goin' stop

(Maybe regeneration?)

There is no turning back

I've had enough

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(+10 STR, No Figured Characteristics, only to meet STR minima or do added damage with weapons or hand to hand 5 pts)

Makes me work a little bit harder

(END 29 1 pt)

Makes me that much wiser

(Deduction 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 Melee Combat 5 pts)

 

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Jack of All Trades)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(Damage Resistance 6 pts (does not stop 1st BOD of a killing attack - ¼ ) Real pts 5 - I like this kind of build more than Combat Luck)

It makes me that much smarter

(+1 all INT based skills 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(+1 Swords 3 pts)

 

Thought I would forget

but I...

I remember, I remember, I remember

Thought I would forget

but I...

I remember. I remember, I remember

(Eidetic Memory, No Conscious Control)

 

'Cause it makes me that much stronger

(+5 STR .. )

Makes me work a little bit harder

(...X5 END cost on +5 STR)

Makes me that much wiser

(Analyze Motive - Analyze skill for deducing the true motivations behind words and deeds 3 pts)

So thanks for making me a fighter

(Martial Arts, 15 pts)

 

Made me learn a little bit faster

(Cramming 5 pts)

Made my skin a little bit thicker

(Power Defense 3 3 pts)

It makes me that much smarter

(Speed Reading)

So thanks for making me a fighter

 

 

Lucius Alexander

 

 

 

 

I kind of concieved of Kristina of Aquilonia as a swordswoman of the late Hyborean Age, a scion of the royal family of Aquilonia founded by Conan of Cimmeria. Maybe the Patron or Mentor can be a noble who is secretly an undead wizard (He's said to have "dug his own grave") who sold out Kristina in some intrigue or dispute of succession. Or maybe he even isn't a villain and some manipulative third party has convinced each that they were betrayed by the other!

 

Lucius Alexander

 

My approach was of course very different; for some reason I wanted to attach a game element to almost every line. And when some lines repeat multiple times, I felt obliged to come up with variations on what the line means; "Thanks for making me a fighter" appears no less than EIGHT times!

 

This led to a character weighing in at 104 pts plus disads. Of course, I had trouble thinking of suitable disads.

 

Lucius Alexander

 

The palindromedary keeps singing

"Manuever just a little bit quicker,

Turn just a little bit tighter

Oh, such lethal weapons,

Thanks for making me - a fighter jet!"

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

TUFFY

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
16	STR	6	12-	Lift 229.7 kg; 3d6 [3]
15	DEX	15	12-	OCV:  5/DCV:  5
16	CON	12	12-
12	BODY	4	11-
10	INT	0	11-	PER Roll 11-
10	EGO	0	11-	ECV:  3
18	PRE	8	13-	PRE Attack:  3 1/2d6
10	COM	0	11-

5	PD	2		Total:  5 PD (0 rPD)
5	ED	2		Total:  5 ED (0 rED)
3	SPD	5		Phases:  4, 8, 12
6	REC	0
32	END	0
30	STUN	2		[b]Total Characteristic Cost:  56

Movement:[/b]	Running:	6"/12"
Leaping:	3"/6"
Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Martial Arts:[/b]  [i]Roller Derby[/i]
[i]Maneuver	OCV	DCV	Damage[/i]
3	Arm Bash	+1	+0	5 1/2d6 Strike
5	Evade	--	+4	Dodge All Attacks, Abort; FMove
3	Knockdown	+1	+1	3 1/2d6 Strike; Target Falls
4	Shove	+0	+0	33 STR to Shove
5	Skate-By	+1	+0	3 1/2d6 +v/5; FMove

[b]Perks[/b]
3	[b]"Fans Call Her Tuffy ... Buddies Called Her Spike":[/b]  Reputation:  meanest, toughest 
woman in the derby (Roller Derby Crowd) 14-, +3/+3d6

[b]Skills[/b]
9	[b]"Knew How To Scuffle And Fight":[/b]  +3 with Roller Derby Martial Maneuvers

3	[b]"Roller Derby Queen":[/b]  Acrobatics 12-
3	[b]"Roller Derby Queen":[/b]  Breakfall 12-
0	Climbing 8-
0	Concealment 8-
0	Deduction 8-
2	KS: Roller Derby 11-
0	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
0	Paramedics 8-
3	[b]"Roller Derby Queen":[/b]  PS: Roller Derby 12-
0	Shadowing 8-
0	Stealth 8-
3	[b]"Knew How To Knuckle":[/b]  Tactics 11-
3	[b]"Knew How To Scuffle And Fight":[/b]  Teamwork 12-
1	[b]"Roller Derby":[/b]  TF:  Roller-skates, Small Motorized Ground Vehicles
[b]50	Total Powers & Skills Cost
106	Total Character Cost

75+	Disadvantages[/b]
10	Distinctive Features:  "Built Like A Fridgerator With A Head" (5'6" And 215 lbs) 
(Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15	Psychological Limitation:  "She Might Be Nasty" -- bad tempered and mean (Common, 
Strong)
10	Reputation:  "The Meanest Hunk O Woman That Anybody Ever Seen", 14- (Known 
Only To Roller Derby Fans)
[b]110	Total Disadvantage Points[/b]

 

Description:

She's known as "Tuffy" to her adoring fans (and "Spike" to her friends) and is generally acknowledged to be the Queen of the Roller Derby. She has bleach-blonde hair, stands five foot, six inches, and weighs in at a hefty 215 pounds, with most of it muscle. She seems to thrive in the rough-and-tumble world of roller derby, and can tussle with the best of them -- at least on skates.

 

Yet another creation of Jim Croce, the Roller Derby queen seems to hail from the era of the late 50s and early 60s, when the derby was at its height. She might fit into a Pulp Hero setting and is perfect as a participant in some sort of underground "Rollerball"-type game in a Dark Champions setting. And speaking of Rollerball, perhaps she's part of the Rollerball Murder league in your Cyber Hero campaign?

 

To make the Roller Derby Queen more powerful, give her a SPD of 4, Dirty Infighting, extra Running defined as skates, and some weapons skills.

 

(Roller Derby Queen created by Jim Croce, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

You won't have to ask me twice....I made Christina Aguilera a fighter and she can't stop thanking me!

 

Is there a character sheet?

[csyphrett]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm surprised no one asked for John Lee Pettymore, or the Devil's right hand.

CES

[Lucius]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Is there a character sheet?

 

There wasn't originally, but I did make one later. I'll see if I can find it.

 

I got that point total off the character sheet, since of course I had to include things that weren't in the song (DEX, COM, SPD)

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Rummaging through the palindromedary's saddlebags.

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm surprised no one asked for John Lee Pettymore, or the Devil's right hand.

CES

 

Lyrics?

[Lucius]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm surprised no one asked for John Lee Pettymore, or the Devil's right hand.

CES

 

Is that anything like the Hand of Vecna?

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Giving the palindromedary a hand.

[yamamura]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Actually, you know, A Boy Named Sue would make a pretty good example of game play.

 

GM: Okay, you've arrived in Gatlinburg, and it's mid-July. You're thirsty, and you want beer. The muddy street has a saloon on it.

 

Sue: Okay, I go in.

 

GM: All right, then. Make a Perception Roll, please, as you're entering the saloon.

 

Sue: Okay... um... rolled a nine.

 

GM: Good. As you look around the interior of the saloon, you see a big, bend, gray, old man dealing stud poker to a group of other men, and he looks very familiar to you.

 

Sue: Who is he?

 

GM: Make an INT roll to recognize him.

 

Sue: Um... ten. Is that enough?

 

GM: Well, you haven't seen him since he left home when you were three, but your penalty was offset by the worn-out picture that your mother had, plus the man has the Disad Distinctive Features: Scar on Cheek and Evil Eye, which is Difficult to Conceal, Noticeable and Recognizable.

 

Sue: Wait, is it my father?!

 

GM: Why, yes it is. Is your commitment to killing him Moderate or Strong?

 

Sue: Let me check... Strong.

 

GM: Well, your inclination is to attack him immediately, so you'll have to make an EGO roll to do anything except that.

 

Sue: Well, I don't even care, I'm going to attack him regardless. Do I have to make an EGO roll to make a PRE Attack first?

 

GM: Oh, no, I'll allow a PRE Attack.

 

Sue: Great. Let's see... I'll just walk right up to him and say, as menacingly as possible, "My name is Sue, how do you do? Now you're gonna die!"

 

GM: Okay, that's a pretty good soliloquy, I'll give you your base 4d6 attack plus two extra dice for making a deadly threat and for startling him.

 

Sue: Six dice, then. I rolled... let's see... 24 total.

 

GM: Well, you got him at his own PRE level and then some, so you get to act first regardless of DEX.

 

Sue: I can't shoot him just yet, we're indoors and he's not holding a gun. I punch him, hard as I can, calling Head Shot on the Hit Location Chart, hoping for Head, of course.

 

GM: Okay, he's just starting to get up, so I'm saying he's 1/2 DCV, so you've got to hit DCV 3. What's your OCV?

 

Sue: With the Head Shot penalty, it's 3. Do I get a bonus for surprise?

 

GM: No, you made your intentions known to him, he's looking right at you and fully expecting an attack. Eleven or less, give me a roll.

 

Sue: C'mon, don't miss, don't miss... ten!

 

GM: That's a hit; roll location, High Shot, that's 1d6+3, roll one or two to hit Head.

 

Sue: C'mon, Head Shot, Head Shot... yes! Rolled a two!

 

GM: You hit him hard right between the eyes, roll damage... he takes double STUN and BODY after defenses.

 

... and so on.

 

I just love this combat example. Too bad it is copyrighted in a way.....

[yamamura]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Is that anything like the Hand of Vecna?

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Giving the palindromedary a hand.

 

I think it is one of Nick Cave's song if I am not mistaken. Hmm The Curse of Milhaven could be an interesting character to write. Great now Murder Ballads from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are running through my head.

[Flames]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I just love this combat example. Too bad it is copyrighted in a way.....

 

You know, I ought to re-write the example as if both the son and the father are PCs. That way, the really specific rules for maneuvers like Covered and so on, and even spending points buying off a Disad, could be shown.

 

In the song's lyrics, there are about four specific combat actions described, maybe five.

 

"I hit him hard right between the eyes" (unarmed Strike)

"He come up with knife and cut off a piece of my ear" (Strike with HKA)

"We crashed through the wall and into the street" (a Move-Through?)

"A-kicken' and a-gougin'" (no specific maneuvers described, just melee)

"Kicked like a mule and bit like a crocodile" (more melee)

"He went for his gun and I pulled mine first" (higher-DEX character is able to use his Fast Draw Skill followed by a Cover maneuver)

[Lucius]

Song-Based NPCs

 

Once I found it, I had to fiddle with it. But here it is.

 

KRISTINA OF AQUILONIA

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

15 STR -10 12- Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [6]

14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5

13 CON 6 12-

11 BODY 2 11-

13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 13-

14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5

20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6

14 COM 2 12-

 

6 PD 3 Total: 6 PD (6 rPD)

6 ED 3 Total: 6 ED (6 rED)

3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12

6 REC 0

26 END 0

26 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 43

 

Movement: Running: 5"/10"

Leaping: 2"/4"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

Cost Powers END

Lyrics

5 "Made my skin a little bit thicker": Damage Resistance (6 PD/6 ED) (6 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about a fourth of its effectiveness (Cannot stop first BOD of a killing attack; -1/4)

7 "YOU-WON'T-STOP-ME": +10 PRE, Does Knockback (+1/4), Double Knockback (+3/4) (20 Active Points); 3 Charges (-1 1/4), Costs Endurance (-1/2) 2

3 "It makes me that much wiser": +1 PER with all Sense Groups

10 "'Cause it makes me that much stronger, makes me work a little bit harder": +15 STR (15 Active Points); Increased Endurance Cost (x2 END; -1/2) 6

Non-Lyrics

10 Luck 2d6

 

Talents

Lyrics

15 "Never, saw it coming, all of your backstabbing": Combat Sense 12-

22 "Yes you wanted to hurt me but that won't work anymore": Danger Sense (self only, out of combat, Function as a Sense) 12-

2 "If it wasn't for all of your torture": Resistance (2 points)

2 "I am a fighter and I, I ain't gonna stop": Rapid Healing (5 Active Points); 2 Charges (-1 1/2), Limited Power Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (Not Vs. Poisoned, Infected, or Maiming wounds; -1/2)

2 "Thought I would forget, but I....I remember, I remember, I remember.": Eidetic Memory (5 Active Points); No Conscious Control (-2)

 

 

Skills

Lyrics

4 "Called your bluff": Gambling (Card Games, Dice Games) 12-

3 "You were there by my side": Teamwork 12-

3 "Always down for the ride": Riding (horses) 12-

3 "Makes me that much wiser": Tactics 12-

4 "Thanks for making me a fighter": "Thanks for making me a fighter" WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons

8 "Thanks for making me a fighter": +1 with All Combat

3 "Thanks for making me a fighter.": +1 with any sword

3 "Makes me that much smarter": Deduction 12-

0 "Always down for the ride" TF: (Background Skill), Carts & Carriages

5 "Made me learn a little bit faster": Cramming

3 "Makes me that much wiser.": Concealment 12-

0 "Thanks for making me a fighter": PS: Warrior (Background skill) 11-

3 "Made me learn a little bit faster": Linguist

0 1) Aquilonian: Language (imitate dialects; literate) (6 Active Points)

5 2) Cimmerian: Language: Both "Court Cimmerian" the language of Aquilonia's court, and the "real thing" (imitate dialects; literate) (6 Active Points)

1 3) Nemedean: Language (completely fluent; (Related to Aquilonian))

1 4) Shemite: Language (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

3 "Made me learn a little bit faster": Scholar

1 1) "I heard, you're going 'round": KS: Intrigue (2 Active Points) 11-

2 2) "Thanks for making me a fighter": KS: Aquilonian military (3 Active Points) 12-

2 3) "When I, thought I knew you": KS: Wicked Uncle (3 Active Points) 12-

Non-Lyrics

3 "Ever see a Cimmerian scale a sheer cliff?": Climbing 12-

3 "I am a lady of the Royal House" Courtier: High Society 13-

3 "I have tracked wolves in my ancestral hills": Tracking 12-

6 "I survived winter in Cimmeria. I can survive these slums.": Survival (Arctic/Subarctic, Temperate/Subtropical, Urban) 12-

3 "Makes me that much streetwiser": Streetwise 13-

3 "sshh.": Stealth 12-

1 Trading 8-

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 157

Total Cost: 200

 

100+ Disadvantages

Lyrics

10 "After all you put me through" Hunted: Wicked Uncle 8- (As Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)

10 Psychological Limitation: Suspicious: "I guess I, I couldn't Trust" (Common, Moderate)

10 Hunted "Cause your greed sold me out of shame": Agents of King of Aquilonia 11- (As Pow, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)

10 "I heard, you're going round, playing the victim now" Reputation: Betrayed Uncle, 11-

10 Psychological Limitation: Stubborn: "I wouldn't know how to be this way now and never back down" (Common, Moderate)

5 Psychological Limitation: Merciful, forgiving: "You probably think that I hold resentment for you, but uh uh, oh no, you're wrong." (Uncommon, Moderate)

Notes: Will seldom pursue a fleeing foe, releases those who surrender unarmed but unharmed, etc.

5 "After all of the stealing and cheating" Money: Poor

Notes: When she has money, it's often stolen, lost at gambling, spent helping friends, etc.

5 "After all of the fights and the lies" Hunted: Random Encounters (usually seeking to capture for reward or betray to the King's Men.) 8- (As Pow, Mildly Punish)

10 "Could only see the good in you, Pretended not to see the truth" Vulnerability: 2 x Effect Illusions (Uncommon)

Notes: Double effect Mental Illusions, Double penalties for Images.

Non-Lyrics

10 Dependent NPC: 8- (As powerful as the PC; Group DNPC: x4 DNPCs)

10 Psychological Limitation: Honorable (Common, Moderate)

5 Unluck: 1d6

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 100

 

Background/History: Although not standing too close in line for the throne, the young Kristina was often compared to her heroic ancestor Conan who founded the current royal house, and following custom was fostered for part of her childhood in Cimmeria. She led a small force of knights and men-at-arms on assorted adventures for her kinsman and mentor, the duke of a strangely troublesome province who was himself a couple of steps farther from inheriting than she was. Over a course of a very few years, several members of the royal house fell to odd accidents or illnesses; a friend's chance remark that at this rate it could come down to her or her uncle triggerred some very disturbing ideas. Things she had seen or overheard came back to haunt her; but almost before she began asking questions or looking into things, she found herself accused of trying to assassinate her own uncle, with suspicion cast on her for all the other deaths as well. Now the king has branded her a traitor, and she is a fugitive.

 

Personality/Motivation: Although one would expect Kristina to be both bitter and vengeful, the teachings of Hyborean Mitra influence her more than those of barbaric Crom; while certain of her former patron's treachery and suspecting him of malevolent sorcery, she would shrug and accept self-exile and let him seize the throne she never wanted or expected to have, except that she knows he would never let her simply escape into obscurity. She is often conflicted about having to fight honorable people loyal to her king, and while she does what she must to survive and remain at large, she would prefer not to have to kill those she regards as innocent victims like herself. Her kinsman is making the classic villain mistake; digging his own grave by leaving the hero no option but to come after him and destroy him.

 

Quote: "How could this man I thought I knew turn out to be unjust, so cruel?"

 

Powers/Tactics: Although her limited Eidetic Memory costs only 2 pts, and Deduction only 3, the capacity to notice and remember apparently irrelevant details and find the meaning in them months or even years later is one of Kristina's most unusual and striking abilities. She is learning to understand her own vulnerabity to her uncle's evil mind-bending powers, and is growing suspicious of everything - sometimes even her own perceptions and memories. On the other hand, this near-paranoia makes her very hard to surprise or outmaneuver these days.

 

Appearance: A tall raven haired amazon with startling blue eyes, Kristina's appearance belies two centuries of interbreeding between the dynasty founded by Conan and the noble houses of Aquilonia. She looks as if she just came down from the hills, a throwback to her famous ancestor's traits.

 

Song "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera. Character Kristina of Aquilonia by Lucius Alexander, copyright Palindromedary Enterprises

[csyphrett]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Is that anything like the Hand of Vecna?

 

Lucius Alexander

 

Giving the palindromedary a hand.

 

It's a song by Steve Earle. I'll have to find the CD for the lyrics.

CES

[Michael Hopcroft]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Oddly enough, the subject of Roland has come up on the GURPS boards; since GURPS tends to be somewhat more literal about certain things than HERO, I found myself wondering how the lack of a head would affect things like ranged combat skills (seeing without eyes).

 

The CIA might have initially assumed Roland was dead; they simply didn't expect him to stand right back up and go on killing. Since the opportunity to use Van Owen as a future asset was removed when Roland killed him permanently, that couldn't have pleased his handlers, and they certainly couldn't have been pleased with his later activities.

 

Re the Killer Queen: She is the villain of the Queen-based musical drama We Will Rock You, where she combines a Bill gates level of commercial power with near-dictatorial political power as well. That play is set in a future where a Microsoft-like corporation has co-opted the government and effectively become it. It's alarming how naturally many of Freddy Mercury's lyrics can come out of the mouths of fascist megalomaniacs.

 

Since we've already seen a character from Threepenny Opera, I'm thinking of writing up Pirate Jenny (who is a sort of advance scout for a particularly bloodthirsty group of seaborne raiders; it isn't specified whether she's their leader or the lover of their leader, but whoever she is she's a truly nasty piece of work).

 

I could also go farther afield and write up people like John Wellington Wells (a wizard with the soul of a tradesman who unleashes world-altering magics for a living with too little regard for the consequences) and Major-General Stanley (a career military officer who is a brilliant scientist, mathemetican, historian and overall scholar but, unfortunately for anyone under his command, an utterly incompetent soldier).

[Susano]

Re: Song-Based NPCs

 

One I found it, I had to fiddle with it. But here it is.

 

KRISTINA OF AQUILONIA

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

15 STR -10 12- Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [6]

14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5

13 CON 6 12-

11 BODY 2 11-

13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 13-

14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5

20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6

14 COM 2 12-

 

6 PD 3 Total: 6 PD (6 rPD)

6 ED 3 Total: 6 ED (6 rED)

3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 12

6 REC 0

26 END 0

26 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 43

 

Movement: Running: 5"/10"

Leaping: 2"/4"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

Cost Powers END

Lyrics

5 "Made my skin a little bit thicker": Damage Resistance (6 PD/6 ED) (6 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about a fourth of its effectiveness (Cannot stop first BOD of a killing attack; -1/4)

7 "YOU-WON'T-STOP-ME": +10 PRE, Does Knockback (+1/4), Double Knockback (+3/4) (20 Active Points); 3 Charges (-1 1/4), Costs Endurance (-1/2) 2

3 "It makes me that much wiser": +1 PER with all Sense Groups

10 "'Cause it makes me that much stronger, makes me work a little bit harder": +15 STR (15 Active Points); Increased Endurance Cost (x2 END; -1/2) 6

Non-Lyrics

10 Luck 2d6

 

Talents

Lyrics

15 "Never, saw it coming, all of your backstabbing": Combat Sense 12-

22 "Yes you wanted to hurt me but that won't work anymore": Danger Sense (self only, out of combat, Function as a Sense) 12-

2 "If it wasn't for all of your torture": Resistance (2 points)

2 "I am a fighter and I, I ain't gonna stop": Rapid Healing (5 Active Points); 2 Charges (-1 1/2), Limited Power Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (Not Vs. Poisoned, Infected, or Maiming wounds; -1/2)

2 "Thought I would forget, but I....I remember, I remember, I remember.": Eidetic Memory (5 Active Points); No Conscious Control (-2)

 

 

Skills

Lyrics

4 "Called your bluff": Gambling (Card Games, Dice Games) 12-

3 "You were there by my side": Teamwork 12-

3 "Always down for the ride": Riding (horses) 12-

3 "Makes me that much wiser": Tactics 12-

4 "Thanks for making me a fighter": "Thanks for making me a fighter" WF: Common Melee Weapons, Common Missile Weapons

8 "Thanks for making me a fighter": +1 with All Combat

3 "Thanks for making me a fighter.": +1 with any sword

3 "Makes me that much smarter": Deduction 12-

0 "Always down for the ride" TF: (Background Skill), Carts & Carriages

5 "Made me learn a little bit faster": Cramming

3 "Makes me that much wiser.": Concealment 12-

0 "Thanks for making me a fighter": PS: Warrior (Background skill) 11-

3 Linguist

0 1) Aquilonian: Language (imitate dialects; literate) (6 Active Points)

5 2) Cimmerian: Language: Both "Court Cimmerian" the language of Aquilonia's court, and the "real thing" (imitate dialects; literate) (6 Active Points)

1 3) Nemedean: Language (completely fluent; (Related to Aquilonian))

1 4) Shemite: Language (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)

3 Scholar

1 1) "I heard, you're going 'round": KS: Intrigue (2 Active Points) 11-

2 2) "Thanks for making me a fighter": KS: Aquilonian military (3 Active Points) 12-

2 3) "When I, thought I knew you": KS: Wicked Uncle (3 Active Points) 12-

Non-Lyrics

3 "Ever see a Cimmerian scale a sheer cliff?": Climbing 12-

3 "I am a lady of the Royal House" Courtier: High Society 13-

3 "I have tracked wolves in my ancestral hills": Tracking 12-

6 "I survived winter in Cimmeria. I can survive these slums.": Survival (Arctic/Subarctic, Temperate/Subtropical, Urban) 12-

3 "Makes me that much streetwiser": Streetwise 13-

3 "sshh.": Stealth 12-

1 Trading 8-

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 157

Total Cost: 200

 

100+ Disadvantages

Lyrics

10 "After all you put me through" Hunted: Wicked Uncle 8- (As Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)

10 Psychological Limitation: Suspicious: "I guess I, I couldn't Trust" (Common, Moderate)

10 Hunted "Cause your greed sold me out of shame": Agents of King of Aquilonia 11- (As Pow, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)

10 "I heard, you're going round, playing the victim now" Reputation: Betrayed Uncle, 11-

10 Psychological Limitation: Stubborn: "I wouldn't know how to be this way now and never back down" (Common, Moderate)

5 Psychological Limitation: Merciful, forgiving: "You probably think that I hold resentment for you, but uh uh, oh no, you're wrong." (Uncommon, Moderate)

Notes: Will seldom pursue a fleeing foe, releases those who surrender unarmed but unharmed, etc.

5 "After all of the stealing and cheating" Money: Poor

Notes: When she has money, it's often stolen, lost at gambling, spent helping friends, etc.

5 "After all of the fights and the lies" Hunted: Random Encounters (usually seeking to capture for reward or betray to the King's Men.) 8- (As Pow, Mildly Punish)

10 "Could only see the good in you, Pretended not to see the truth" Vulnerability: 2 x Effect Illusions (Uncommon)

Notes: Double effect Mental Illusions, Double penalties for Images.

Non-Lyrics

10 Dependent NPC: 8- (As powerful as the PC; Group DNPC: x4 DNPCs)

10 Psychological Limitation: Honorable (Common, Moderate)

5 Unluck: 1d6

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 100

 

Background/History: Although not standing too close in line for the throne, the young Kristina was often compared to her heroic ancestor Conan who founded the current royal house, and following custom was fostered for part of her childhood in Cimmeria. She led a small force of knights and men-at-arms on assorted adventures for her kinsman and mentor, the duke of a strangely troublesome province who was himself a couple of steps farther from inheriting than she was. Over a course of a very few years, several members of the royal house fell to odd accidents or illnesses; a friend's chance remark that at this rate it could come down to her or her uncle triggerred some very disturbing ideas. Things she had seen or overheard came back to haunt her; but almost before she began asking questions or looking into things, she found herself accused of trying to assassinate her own uncle, with suspicion cast on her for all the other deaths as well. Now the king has branded her a traitor, and she is a fugitive.

 

Personality/Motivation: Although one would expect Kristina to be both bitter and vengeful, the teachings of Hyborean Mitra influence her more than those of barbaric Crom; while certain of her former patron's treachery and suspecting him of malevolent sorcery, she would shrug and accept self-exile and let him seize the throne she never wanted or expected to have, except that she knows he would never let her simply escape into obscurity. She is often conflicted about having to fight honorable people loyal to her king, and while she does what she must to survive and remain at large, she would prefer not to have to kill those she regards as innocent victims like herself. Her kinsman is making the classic villain mistake; digging his own grave by leaving the hero no option but to come after him and destroy him.

 

Quote: "How could this man I thought I knew turn out to be unjust, so cruel?"

 

Powers/Tactics: Although her limited Eidetic Memory costs only 2 pts, and Deduction only 3, the capacity to notice and remember apparently irrelevant details and find the meaning in them months or even years later is one of Kristina's most unusual and striking abilities. She is learning to understand her own vulnerabity to her uncle's evil mind-bending powers, and is growing suspicious of everything - sometimes even her own perceptions and memories. On the other hand, this near-paranoia makes her very hard to surprise or outmaneuver these days.

 

Appearance: A tall raven haired amazon with startling blue eyes, Kristina's appearance belies two centuries of interbreeding between the dynasty founded by Conan and the noble houses of Aquilonia. She looks as if she just came down from the hills, a throwback to her famous ancestor's traits.

 

Song "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera. Character Kristina of Aquilonia by Lucius Alexander, copyright Palindromedary Enterprises

 

This looks like it was made with Hero Designer. Can you send me the hdc file?

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

It's a song by Steve Earle. I'll have to find the CD for the lyrics.

CES

 

Google has worked well.

 

[song name] + lyrics brings up most any song.

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

"A-kicken' and a-gougin'" (no specific maneuvers described' date=' just melee)[/quote']

 

I'm using this as justification to buy Dirty Infighting.

[csyphrett]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Lyrics for Copperhead Road, basis for the Pettimores:

 

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/steve+earle/copperhead+road_20130576.html

 

Lyrics for the Devil's right hand, and it's unnamed protagonist:

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/steve+earle/the+devils+right+hand_20130582.html