Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Permission to post this to my site?

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

what about the characters from the Robert Service classic

"The Cremation of Sam McGee"

 

I know its from a book, but I also have a reading of it by Hank Snow, and there are others out there

 

you could also do Dangerous Dan Mcgrew

[SKJAM!]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Permission to post this to my site?

 

Sure, and the Hero Designer file should be attached to this post.

[Mephron]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I'm currently working on a Miami-born girl being trained to do the job her grandfather failed years ago.

 

Yeah. You got to go, Sister Havana.

[Blue Jogger]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Johnny

 

Player: NPC

 

Val Char Cost

10 STR 0

12 DEX 6

11 CON 2

10 BODY 0

8 INT -2

10 EGO 0

13 PRE 3

10 COM 0

 

3 PD 1

3 ED 1

3 SPD 8

4 REC 0

22 END 0

25 STUN 3

 

6" RUN 0

2" SWIM 0

2" LEAP 0

Characteristics Cost: 22

 

Cost Power

10 "You can't really blame him." - Diplomatic Immunity

 

Cost Skill

3 Survival 11-

2 "Like to burn things" KS: Arsonist 11-

2 "Shot her in the leg" WF: Small Arms

12 "and when he stole that car" Lockpicking 14-

Skills Cost: 19

 

Total Character Cost: 51

 

Pts. Disadvantage

5 "You get away with murder, and you think it's funny"

Psychological Limitation: Casual Killer

10 Physical Limitation: Unable to perceive consequences

10 Hunted: Local Police 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical

Area, Minor)

10 2D6 Unluck

 

Base Points: 100

Experience Required: 0

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

 

APPEARANCE

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Blue

Height: 130 lbs.

Weight: 5' 8"

Description: Boyish appearance. Looks evil (even as a child

everyone could tell).

 

BACKGROUND

Johnny was bad, even as a child everybody could tell.

But Johnny didn't care, he was an outlaw by the time

that he was ten years old. He didnt wanna do what

he was told. Just a prankster, juvenile gangster.

 

His teachers didnt understand. They kicked him out

of school at a tender early age. Just because he didn't

want to learn things (had other interests), he liked to

burn things.

 

The lady down the block. She had a radio that Johnny

wanted oh so bad. So he took it the first chance he

had, then he shot her in the leg.

 

PERSONALITY

"Johnny is only a lad. He really couldn't help it.

He didnt want to do it. He's underprivileged and abused.

Perhaps a little bit confused. It's not his fault that he

can't behave. Society made him go astray. Perhaps if

were nice he'll go away."

 

CAMPAIGN USE

Due to some sort of mental illness, Johnny seems unable

to sort out the consequences of his actions, so he burns,

loots, and steals cars. Unfortuately, he seems to have

a weird ability that he never seems to get blamed for his

actions and gets off with the lightest of sentences or

having the judge throw out the case, "He's only a lad,

he didn't mean to do it."

 

He could be the worst DNPC ever, or the starting point

of a new anti-hero.

 

Song: Only a Lad by Oingo Boingo

http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/oingo+boingo/only+a+lad_20102731.html

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Permission to post Johnny to the website?

[Narratio]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress

 

Mungo Jerry had a relatively hit single in the UK - "Long Legged Woman dressed in Black". Assuming they both refer to the same lady, this tells us that 'she knows how to move, how to rock'. Indicating a good dancer and a person who enjoys herself. But she keeps people at a distance. If it's the same protagonist from the prior song, then she keeps him at arms length; 'Everytime I make a move, she tells me no.' He also comments of how 'she's stoned like a flash in the night'. Which may indicate that her other associations or relationships have caused her emotional problems.

 

Nice one Mike.

[Bazza]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Heh... I'd been considering Pink for some time. But I'd really need to get the lyrics to all of the The Wall first. I have also debated Tommy.

Tommy, maybe too difficult, due to the number of dimensions to the character, Jimmy from Quadrophenia maybe more straightforward.

[Bazza]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Susano, have a go at this:

 

MR DAMAGE

(performed by The Angels (aka 'Angel City' in the USA). Song written by Brewster-Neeson-Brewster)

 

Holding counsel with the King and Queen

Trying hard to decide the fate of the regime (this dynamic repeated

in society – business, socil etc)

There's only one thing needed to complete the harmonizing

That's the man with the voice like a scraping violin

Waiting for Mr Damage

 

Toothless jaws gumming melancholy stuff

A burst of rapid fire Spanish from the window up above

Students out to pose in their studied disarray

Books of Sartre, Marcuse openly displayed

Waiting for Mr Damage

 

Mr Damage. Walks through the door of his sacrificial church

Mr Damage. Meets you in the lobby and he'll leave you in the lurch

Mr Damage. Stands at the alter, sermon of the search

All the faithful follow

 

Resident winos stumbling and lurching

Walking cadavers smiling and searching

Man with the D.T.'s looking at the feeble glossy portraits

Of long dead celebrated people

Waiting for Mr Damage

 

Trying hard just to keep a candle lit

A leather flyer leaves the subway anxious to admit

That the marveled one so recently deposed

Was seen three days later in a brand new suit of clothes

A brand new suit of clothes for a very special day

A very, very, very special day

 

Mr Damage holds a curse!

Mr Damage drives a hearse!

Don't you know who did it first? Mr Damage!

 

Repeat Verse 1

 

Mr Damage. Walks through the door of his sacrificial church

Mr Damage. Meets you in the lobby and he'll leave you in the lurch

Mr Damage. Stands at the alter, sermon of the search

All the faithful follow

Holding frozen hands as Mr Damage holds the curse.

 

ps: Mr Damage was based on a real person, a punter who regularly visited a pub in Sydney, Aus in the late 70s/early 80s. Mr Damage was his nickname.

[Blue Jogger]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Permission to post Johnny to the website?

 

Sure, although he's surprisingly easy to build given the song as a reference point. The only hard part was deciding that his "only a lad" power was something akin to weird form of Diplomatic Immunity and his "little bit confused" was a physical limitation which made him unable to understand the consequences of his actions which made his Diplomatic Immunity actually a form of automatic "non compos mentis" status.

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Sure' date=' although he's surprisingly easy to build given the song as a reference point. The only hard part was deciding that his "only a lad" power was something akin to weird form of Diplomatic Immunity and his "little bit confused" was a physical limitation which made him unable to understand the consequences of his actions which made his Diplomatic Immunity actually a form of automatic "non compos mentis" status.[/quote']

 

Do you have a text file you could send me?

[Mephron]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Hopefully this will work....

 

Mariel Torres "Sister Havana"

Val  	Char   	Cost
15  	STR	5
18  	DEX	24
13  	CON	6
10  	BODY	0
13  	INT	3
10  	EGO	0
15  	PRE	5
16  	COM	3
3  	PD	0
3  	ED	0
3  	SPD	2
12  	REC	0
26  	END	0
25  	STUN	0

6"  	RUN	 0
4"  	SWIM	2
4"  	LEAP	1
Characteristics Cost: 59

Cost  	Power	END
8       "You Got To Roll": +4" Running
7  	"There's No Time To Lose": +6 REC (12 Active Points); 4 Boostable Charges (-3/4) 	
Powers Cost: 7

Cost  	Martial Arts Maneuver
1  	Weapon Element: Knives 
4  	Choke: 1/2 Phase, -2 OCV, +0 DCV, Grab One Limb; 2d6 NND 
4  	Escape: 1/2 Phase, +0 OCV, +0 DCV, 30 STR vs. Grabs 
4  	Karate "Chop": 1/2 Phase, -2 OCV, +0 DCV, HKA 1d6 +1 
Martial Arts Cost: 13

Cost  	Skill
8  	+1 with All Combat 
5  	Demolitions 13- 
4  	TF: Common Motorized Ground Vehicles, Agricultural & Construction Vehicles, 
       Small Motorized Boats 
6  	Language: Spanish (imitate dialects; literate) 
3  	KS: The Espionage World 12- 
3  	KS: The Military/Mercenary/Terrorist World 12- 
3  	Stealth 13- 
3  	Streetwise 12- ("Don't you want to, want to get along?")
4  	WF: Small Arms, Blades, Garrote 
3  	Breakfall 13- 
5  	Seduction 13-  ("Come around to my way of thinking") 
5  	Persuasion 13-  ("Come around to my way of thinking")
3  	SS: Pharmacology/Toxicology 12- 
Skills Cost: 55

Cost  	Perk
1  	False Identity 
15  	Contact: "The Bay Of Pigs Society" (Contact has access to major institutions, 
       Contact has significant Contacts of his own, Contact has very useful Skills 
       or resources), Organization Contact (x3) (15 Active Points) 8- 
Perks Cost: 16 Total Character Cost: 150

Val  	Disadvantages
15  	Hunted: Cuban Police 11- (Mo Pow, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish) 
15  	Psychological Limitation: Must carry on family duty to kill Castro and free Cuba 
       (Common, Strong) 
10  	Psychological Limitation: Willing to kill anyone who even seems
        to support Castro, in US or Cuba (Uncommon, Strong) 
10  	Social Limitation: Subject to Orders: Anti-Castro organization
        she works for (Occasionally, Major) 
10  	Dependent NPC: Esteban Torres, interfering grandfather 14- (Slightly 
       Less Powerful than the PC; Useful Noncombat Position or Skills) 
10  	Reputation: Crazy Anti-Castro Girl, 11- (Extreme, Limited area: Miami, FL)
5  	Enraged: People talk about how great Fidel Castro is in her presence. 
       (Uncommon), go 8-, recover 14- 
Disadvantage Points: 75 Base Points: 75 Experience Required: 0 Total Experience Available: 0 Experience Unspent: 0

Mariel Torres is the granddaughter of a minor official of the Batista regime that 
Castro overthrew.  Many of them, after the revolution, settled in Miami, 
passing down their anger to their children.  Mariel is one of the less-lucky ones.

Her parents were killed when she was young, and her grandfather became her guardian.
Seeing her clear eyes, ready smile, and excellent physical condition, he worked
with a group of associates who called themselves 'the Bay of Pigs Society' 
(remembering always how the Americans failed to help them!) to train her to 
take down Fidel Castro.  Giving her the codename of 'Sister Havana', they set up 
an identity for her with local anti-Castro rebels in Cuba.

She has no sympathy nor desire for same for anyone who supports the government 
of Fidel Castro.  Unfortunately, her idea of 'support' is more akin to 'does not adequately 
protest', and she's been raised to think that any support of Castro is evil, so sometimes 
she gets a little out of control...

She usually has equipment of some kind - drugs, weapons, et cetera, but as she was 
being built as a 'talented normal', and the gear should be tailored to her situation, I left 
it off so that the GM using can fit to need.

Inspired by the song 'Sister Havana' by the band Urge Overkill.

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

The Village People next?

 

 

LOL

 

 

QM

[Mephron]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

....do you want me to try? I once wrote a song parody that annoyed a lot of White Wolf players using a Village People song. I think I could do the Village People as a superteam with a few really not-good ideas...

[Enforcer84]

A stranger always in danger, a black angel on the run...

 

Outlaw

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

13 STR 3 12- Lift 151.6kg; 2 1/2d6 [3]

17 DEX 21 12- OCV: 6/DCV: 6

13 CON 6 12-

11 BODY 2 11-

13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 12-

11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4

15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6

18 COM 3 13-

 

7/9 PD 4 Total: 7/9 PD (0/2 rPD)

5/7 ED 2 Total: 5/7 ED (0/2 rED)

3 SPD 3 Phases: 4, 8, 12

6 REC 0

26 END 0

25 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 56

 

Movement:

Running: 7"/14"

Leaping: 2"/4"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

 

Cost Powers END

12 Her Daddy's Shotgun: (Total: 48 Active Cost, 12 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (37 Active Points); STR Minimum 1-5 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 5 Charges (-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Reduced By Range (-1/4), Reduced Penetration (-1/4) (Real Cost: 7) plus +1 OCV (5 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 2) plus +2 vs Range (6 Active Points); OAF (-1) (Real Cost: 3) [5]

11 Knives: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1/2d6 (1d6+1 w/STR), Range Based On STR (+1/4) (12 Active Points); OAF (-1) 1

\tab Notes: (x2 number of items)

3 Something of a fighter: Hand-To-Hand Attack +1d6 (5 Active Points); Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 1

Leather Outlaw Cowgirl Outfit

1 1) Lookin' Good: +2 COM; OIF (-1/2)

4 2) Protection: Armor (2 PD/2 ED) (6 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

8 3) Spikes And Metal Bits: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1 point, Damage Shield (+1/2), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Persistent (+1/2), Continuous (+1) (17 Active Points); No STR Bonus (-1/2), OIF (-1/2)

Talents

6 Combat Luck (3 PD/3 ED)

Skills

6 +2 with Firearms

3 Fast Draw 12-

3 Forgery 12-

3 Gambling 12-

2 KS: Rodeo 11-

3 Lockpicking 12-

2 PS: Cowgirl 11-

3 Persuasion 12-

5 Riding 13-

3 Seduction 12-

3 Sleight Of Hand 12-

3 Stealth 12-

3 Streetwise 12-

4 Survival (Desert, Urban) 12-

2 TF: Common Motorized Ground Vehicles, Equines

3 Tracking 12-

2 WF: Handguns, Rifles

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 98

Total Cost: 154

 

75+ Disadvantages

5 Distinctive Features: Cowgirl (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

20 Hunted: Authorities 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Capture)

10 Hunted: Old Flame who wants to save her 11- (As Pow, Mildly Punish)

15 Psychological Limitation: Tough and Independant (Common, Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: Wild Child (Common, Moderate)

15 Social Limitation: Criminal Record (Occasionally, Severe)

4 Experience Points

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 154

 

 

 

Background/History: Cassie Willsmith was a teenage rodeo champion who could have been an all american cowgirl. But she fell in with a bad crowd and became a wild child. When she was in her 20's she committed some armed robbery and did jail time. She escaped and has been on the run since.

 

Behind her is the law, and a boy from her past who can't seem to let her go.

 

Personality/Motivation: Outlaw is an adrenaline addicted hedonist who doesn't really think things through. She doesn't hurt anyone who doens't deserve it, but she's not going back to jail either.

 

Quote: "Don't Follow me I'm lost too."

 

Powers/Tactics: a combination modern day out law and cowboy survivalist.

 

Campaign Use: Flavor NPC?

From the Hanoi Rocks song, Don't Follow Me

 

Well, she used to be an ordinary cowgirl

She could handle her daddy's gun when she was young

And I never believed she'd turn out to be an outlaw

Now she is the rebel on the run

 

Now she's a stranger always in danger

A black angel on the run

But I'm gonna get her I won't let her disappear

Out of my life like she's always done before

 

Got a shotgun by her side gunpowder in the fires and

Boy, as she rides!

She just eliminates troubles times with her knives

She's a suffragette and she'll always be a refugee

Seems like she's always been the black sheep of her family

 

Now she's a stranger always in danger, a black angel on the run

But I'll never get her will I ever learn

She'll repeat the line I've heard so many times before

 

She says: Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Baby, I'm lost just like you

 

I recall she got lost already at the age of seventeen

Her daddy told she was always in the wrong company

She was my teenage love, the queen of the big, big rodeo

And I remember what she was always tellin' to me

Yeah, yeah, and I remember what she was always tellin' to me

 

She says: Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Baby, I'm lost just like you

 

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Don't follow me, I'm lost too

Baby, I'm not just like you.

 

Appearance: Not described in the context of the song.

 

Cassie is tall and leanly muscled. She's still fond of "Cowgirl" fashions; often black, often leather. She has shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes.

[Enforcer84]

Comin' on strong, a real show stopper...

 

Headknocker

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

17 STR 7 12- Lift 263.9kg; 3d6 [3]

15 DEX 15 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 5

15 CON 10 12-

15 BODY 10 12-

10 INT 0 11- PER Roll 11-

11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 4

18 PRE 8 13- PRE Attack: 3 1/2d6

12 COM 1 11-

 

8 PD 5 Total: 8 PD (0 rPD)

8 ED 5 Total: 8 ED (0 rED)

4 SPD 15 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

6 REC 0

30 END 0

32 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 78

 

Movement:

Running: 6"/12"

Leaping: 3"/6"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

 

Cost Powers END

5 .38 Special (S&W Model 10): Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1 (20 Active Points); STR Minimum 7 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Beam (-1/4) [6]

 

Dirty Infighting

Maneuver OCV DCV Notes

4 Block/Chin Block +2 +2 Block, Abort

4 Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 27 STR to Disarm roll

4 Eye Gouge -1 -1 Flash 4d6

5 Hoist 'n' Heave -2 -2 Grab Two Limbs, 20 STR to Throw

4 Kidney Blow -2 +0 HKA 1d6 +1

4 Low Blow -1 +1 2d6 NND

4 Punch/Backhand +0 +2 5d6 Strike

5 Roundhouse/Two-Fisted Smash -2 +1 7d6 Strike

3 Tackle +0 +0 +v/5; You Fall, Target Falls

3 Throw +0 +1 3d6 +v/5, Target Falls

1 Weapon Element: Clubs

 

Perks

62 57 Coupe: Vehicles & Bases

 

Skills

3 +1 with Firearms

15 +3 with HTH Combat

3 ...He's gonna teach you a lesson: Instructor 11-

3 Combat Driving 12-

3 Interrogation 13-

2 KS: Rock N Roll 11-

3 PS: Guitar Player 12-

2 PS: Singer 11-

3 Persuasion 13-

2 TF: Common Motorized Ground Vehicles

2 WF: Small Arms

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 149

Total Cost: 227

 

75+ Disadvantages

10 Dependent NPC: His Lady 8- (Normal)

5 Psychological Limitation: In denial about the death of James Dean (Uncommon, Moderate)

10 Psychological Limitation: Likes to Fight (Common, Moderate)

15 Psychological Limitation: Loves to Play (Very Common, Moderate)

10 Psychological Limitation: Jealous (Common, Moderate)

10 Reputation: Headknocker, 11-

87 Experience Points

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 222

 

 

 

Background/History: Beats up guys in bars who look to closely at his lady.

 

Personality/Motivation: Just a drinkin, rockin', fightin' guy.

 

Quote:

 

Powers/Tactics: Likes to use his fists. Guns are for backup.

 

Campaign Use:

From Headknocker, by Foreigenr

 

He drives a '57 coupe

Walks with a stoop

Swears James Dean isn't dead

He's a dedicated rocker

A real headknocker

Don't look at his lady again

'Cause if he catches you messin'

He's gonna teach you a lesson

Don't let me say it again

 

Headknocker, headknocker

Comin' on strong, a real showstopper

Headknocker

 

He might like to fight, oh but boy does he love to play

Ooh, headknocker, headknocker

Ooh, headknocker

 

He's got an old fender strat

Plays behind his back

While he sings out Louie, Louie

He's a backseat mauler

A barroom brawler

I think he's gonna blacken your eye

If that don't teach you a lesson

Might show you his Smith & Wesson

Don't let me say it again

 

Headknocker, Headknocker

Comin' On strong, a real show stopper

Headknocker

 

He might like to fool around

ooooh Baby does he love to play

oooh

oh baby does he love to play

Up all night, rock n' roll all day

oooh Headknocker

Listen to him

ooh Headknocker

I know he just loves to play

 

Appearance: Walks with a stoop...Not much else. Probably denim clad barr room fellow, mullet optional.

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Cool! Can I get the HDC Enforcer?

[yamamura]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

I don't know if this has been suggested or not, but how about Red Right Hand by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds:

 

I don't really know if you can work a character out of that or not, but it's still a kick-ass song.

 

There are several songs (Murder Ballads) from that band that could be used like the Song of Joy, Curse of Millhaven, Stagger Lee or even Where the Wild Roses Grows focusing on a victim instead of a killer.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Sent

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Thank you!

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

LEVON TOSTIG

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
10	STR	0	11-	Lift 100 kg; 2d6 HTH Damage [2]
10	DEX	0	11-	OCV:  3/DCV:  3
11	CON	2	11-
10	BODY	0	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
11	EGO	2	11-	ECV:  4
13	PRE	3	12-	PRE Attack:  2 1/2d6
10	COM	0	11-

3	PD	1		Total:  3 PD (0 rPD)
3	ED	1		Total:  3 ED (0 rED)
2	SPD	0		Phases:  6, 12
4	REC	0
22	END	0
21	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristic Cost:  12

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

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills
Perks[/b]
10	[b]"Levon Likes His Money":[/b]  Money:  Wealthy
2	[b]"Makes A Lot They Say":[/b]  Reputation:  wealthy businessman (People 
In Town) 11-, +2/+2d6
1	[b]Garage By The Motorway:[/b]  Bases

[b]Skills[/b]
3	Bureaucratics 12-
1	High Society 8-
1	KS: Service Branch History and Customs 8-
0	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
2	[b]"Sells Cartoon Balloons":[/b]  PS: Businessman 11-
1	[b]"Wears His War Wound":[/b]  PS: Soldier 8-
2	[b]"His Family Business Thrives":[/b]  SS:  Accounting 11-
3	Trading 12-
2	WF:  Small Arms

[b]Total Powers & Skill Cost:  28
Total Cost:  40

0+	Disadvantages[/b]
15	DNPC:  Jesus (his son) 11- (Normal)
5	Distinctive Features:  war wound (Easily Concealed; Noticed and 
+Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
15	Psychological Limitation:  "Likes His Money" (Common, Strong)
5	[b]Experience Points

Total Disadvantage Points:  40[/b]

 

Description: A military veteran (he has the scar to prove it), Levon was born on Christmas Day to Alvin Tostig, his father. Currently, Levon runs the family business (selling cartoon balloons and other such items), and has become so well off he can afford to send his son Jesus to the finest school in town. While nominally a happy man, Levon does seem like this money a great deal, and is known to spend time counting it. His son, however, seems to be dissatisfied with his life, and secret wishes to leave Levon for some place more exciting -- Venus, for example.

 

Levon can be found on Elton John’s fourth album, Madman Across The Water. I built him as a fairly basic character, with only a few Skills representing his former time in the military (I’m presuming the army). You could use him in any number of settings, such as Pulp Hero (he fought in WWI), or Dark Champions (where he could be a WWII, Korea, or Vietnam-era vet, depending on the setting. As the song was written in 1971, odds are Levon is a veteran of WWII. Levon could be a simple NPC, a Contact for a hero, or even have a dark secret or two tucked away in his garage by the motorway....

 

To make Levon a more powerful character, give him the Military Package Deal from Dark Champions as well as increased Characteristics to match.

 

(Levon Tostig created by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

DAVID WATTS

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
11	STR	1	11-	Lift 114.9 kg; 2d6 HTH Damage [2]
12	DEX	6	11-	OCV:  4/DCV:  4
11	CON	2	11-
10	BODY	0	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
11	EGO	2	11-	ECV:  4
13	PRE	3	12-	PRE Attack:  2 1/2d6
14	COM	2	12-

3	PD	1		Total:  3 PD (0 rPD)
2	ED	0		Total:  2 ED (0 rED)
3	SPD	8		Phases:  4, 8, 12
4	REC	0
22	END	0
22	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  28

Movement:[/b]	Running:	7"/14"
	Leaping:	2"/4"
	Swimming:	2"/4"

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills[/b]
2	[b]Swift Of Foot:[/b]  Running +1" (7" total), END 1

[b]Perks[/b]
1	[b]"Head Boy At The School":[/b]  Fringe Benefit:  Head Boy
1	[b]"Captain Of The Team":[/b]  Fringe Benefit:  School Team Captain
5	[b]"I Wish All His Money Belonged To Me":[/b]  Money:  Well Off

[b]Talents[/b]
3	[b]"He Is Of Pure And Noble Breed":[/b]  Resistance (3 points) versus 
Seduction

[b]Skills[/b]
10	[b]"Fight Like David Watts":[/b]  +2 with HTH Combat
10	[b]"Pure And Noble Breed":[/b]  +2 with Interaction Skills

3	[b]"Noble Breed":[/b]  High Society 12-
3	[b]"Captain Of The Team":[/b]  KS: Rugby 12-
7	[b]"Take... Exams And Pass The Lot":[/b]  KS: Assorted School Subjects 16-
0	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
3	[b]"Lead The Team To Victory":[/b]  PS: Play Cricket 12-
2	[b]"Lead The Team To Victory":[/b]  PS: Play Football (soccer) 11-
5	[b]"Lead The Team To Victory":[/b]  PS: Play Rugby 13-
3	[b]"Lead The Team To Victory":[/b]  Tactics 12-

[b]Total Powers & Skill Cost:  58
Total Cost:  86

50+	Disadvantages[/b]
5	Distinctive Features:  School Uniform (Easily Concealed; Noticed and 	Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
0	Normal Characteristic Maxima
15	Psychological Limitation:  "So Gay And Fancy Free" (Common, Strong)
10	Social Limitation:  Minor (Frequently, Minor)
6	[b]Experience Points

Total Disadvantage Points:  86[/b]

 

Description: David Watts is the top student at school, the envy of many of his classmates, and is greatly desired by many of the local girls. However, his nature is such he’s virtually immune to the girl’s attempts to go out with him, concentrating instead on his school work. In addition, he’s apparently sports prodigy, having led the school’s team to victory and being named team captain. He’s also Head Boy at school, well manner, well liked, and greatly admired (aside from the aforementioned envious classmates).

 

David Watts comes from the song David Watts by The Kinks and appears on the 1967 album Something Else By The Kinks. I started with a Normal character sheet with all 8s and then added in elements from the Athlete Package Deal from Pulp Hero. He makes an excellent DNPC for a hero, or a possible target of some plot the PCs must disrupt. To make David Watts more powerful, increase his STR, DEX, CON, and EGO to 13 and give him either Boxing or Wrestling.

 

(David Watts created by The Kinks, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

“...we came in?”

 

PINK

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
10	STR	0	11-	Lift 100 kg; 2d6 HTH Damage
13	DEX	9	12-	OCV:  4/DCV:  4
11	CON	2	11-
10	BODY	0	11-
13	INT	3	12-	PER Roll 12-
8	EGO	-4	11-	ECV:  3
13	PRE	3	12-	PRE Attack:  2 1/2d6
12	COM	1	11-

2	PD	0		Total:  2 PD (0 rPD)
2	ED	0		Total:  2 ED (0 rED)
2	SPD	0		Phases:  6, 12
4	REC	0
22	END	0
21	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  14

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

[b]Cost	Powers & Skills[/b]
8	[b]"All In All It's Just Another Brick In The Wall":[/b]  +20 PRE; Only To 
Defend Against PRE Attacks (-1), Only To Shield Pink From 
Society (-1/2)

[b]Perks[/b]
12	Contact:  assorted people in the music industry (Contact has 
significant Contacts of his own, Contact has useful Skills or resources), 
Organization Contact (x3) 11-
1	Fringe Benefit:  Passport
5	[b]"What A Fabulous Room!":[/b]  Money:  Well Off
2	Rock And Roll Refugee:  Reputation:  skilled musician (throughout the 
World) 11-, +1/+1d6

[b]Skills[/b]
9	[b]"Are All These Your Guitars?":[/b]  +3 with all musical PSs
2	[b]"I Need You To Beat To A Pulp":[/b]  +1 with Punch

3	[b]"Through This Disguise":[/b]  Acting 12-
3	KS: Rock And Roll Music 12-
3	KS: The Rock Music World 12-
2	[b]"I've Got A Little Black Book With My Poems In":[/b]  KS: Poetry 11-
0	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
2	[b]"Are All These Your Guitars?":[/b]  MIF (Chordophones) 11-
3	[b]"Ooooh, I Need A Dirty Woman":[/b]  Seduction 12-
3	[b]"Where Are All The Good Times?":[/b]  Streetwise 12-
1	[b]"In The Suitcase... You'll Find My Favorite Axe":[/b]  WF:  Axes
3	Jack of All Trades
2	1) [b] "Are All These Your Guitars?":[/b]  PS: Play Guitar 12-
1	2)  [b]"Take This Rock And Roll Refugee":[/b]  PS: Musican 11-
2	3) [b] "Mother Do You Think They'll Like This Song?":[/b]  PS: Songwriting 11-

[b]Total Powers & Skill Cost:  67
Total Cost:  81

50+	Disadvantages[/b]
15	Dependence:  Addicted To Cocaine And Nictoine, must partake of one 
or the other daily; Incompetence: -1 to Skill Rolls and related rolls per 
time increment (Easy To Obtain [for a rock star], Addiction)
[b]Notes:[/b] [i] I've got nicotine stains on my fingers./ I've got a silver spoon 
on a chain.[/i]
10	DNPC:  Wife 8- (Normal)
[b]Notes:[/b]  [i]What shall we use/ To fill the empty spaces/ Where we used 
to talk?[/i]
5	Distinctive Features:  "Cold Eyes" (Easily Concealed; Noticed and 
Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)
[b]Notes:[/b]  [i]If you wanna find out what's behind these cold eyes/ You'll 
just have to claw your way through this disguise.[/i]
20	Hunted:  His Mother 14- (As Pow, NCI, PC has a Public ID or is 
otherwise very easy to find, Watching)
[b]Notes:[/b]  [i]Mother's gonna make all your nightmares come true./ 
Mother's gonna put all her fears into you./ Mother's gonna keep you 
right here under her wing./ She wont let you fly, but she might let you 
sing.[/i]
20	Psychological Limitation:  Periodic Psychotic Episodes (Common, Total)
[b]Notes:[/b]  [i]And I can feel one of my turns coming on./ I feel cold as a 
razor blade,/ Tight as a tourniquet,/ Dry as a funeral drum./.../ Don't 
look so frightened/ This is just a passing phase,/ One of my bad days.[/i]

[b]Total Disadvantage Points:  81[/b]

 

Description: Pink (real name unknown) lost his father during World War II, resulting in his mother becoming highly (over) protective of her only offspring. Regulating and watching over everything Pink did, she made sure to keep her son ‘safe’, shielding him from anything bad that might possible happen to him. At the same time, he attended school, where the tyrannical teachers apparently took great delight in abusing their charges, holding up anything they did for ridicule. These various traumas all caused Pink to start to withdraw from society, isolating himself by building a metaphysical wall between himself and the rest of the world.

 

Curiously, this isolation didn’t prevent Pink from breaking out into the rock and roll scene, and getting married. Musically, he’s successful enough to go on tour in the USA, but at the same time his wife cheats on him with another man, resulting in Pink becoming more isolated. He attempts to strike back by taking a groupie back up to his room, but the sudden inset of a psychotic episode (in which he smashes up the hotel room) results in the groupie fleeing.

 

Later, having sunken into an almost catatonic state, he’s revived by a doctor, and then led out to perform. While on stage, he hallucinates that he’s a fascist dictator leading a revolution in England, were the unworthy (blacks, homosexuals, Jews, and so on) are beaten and killed. However, his conscience rebels at this imagery, resulting in a ‘trail’ (held only in his head), where he orders himself to “tear down the wall” and open himself back up to the outside world.

 

The preceding is a basic synopsis of Pink Floyd’s The Wall, a rock opera written by Roger Waters and based around many of his personal experiences (for example, Waters lost his father during the Second World War). This character sheet represents Pink at around the time of the song Comfortably Numb, in which he has fully built the wall, but hasn’t opened back up to the world. The wall itself is all in Pink’s head, and serves to primary shunt away bad experiences and undesired interactions. It won’t prevent certain forms of PRE Attacks (usually relating to fear, shock, and horror), although a truly catatonic Pink might be immune to even that.

 

Built around a Normal human character sheet (using all 10s as a base), I dropped Pink’s EGO to 8, but boosted his DEX, CON, INT, and PRE to represent his skills as a rock star. While not much use as a PC (look at his Disadvantages!), he makes an excellent catalyst for a plot (such as protecting Pink from himself or others). For Champions fans one could venture into the dreamscape of Pink’s mind (not a pleasant trip) to be part of the trial or to try and help break down the wall (either with or without Pink’s help).

 

(Pink created by Roger Waters and Pink Floyd, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

 

“Isn’t this where...”

[Susano]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

TOMMY WALKER

 

[b]Val	CHA	Cost	Roll	Notes[/b]
9	STR	-1	11-	Lift 87.1 kg; 1 1/2d6 HTH Damage [2]
13	DEX	9	12-	OCV:  4/DCV:  4
9	CON	-2	11-
9	BODY	-2	11-
15	INT	5	12-	PER Roll 12-
13	EGO	6	12-	ECV:  4
15	PRE	5	12-	PRE Attack:  3d6
10	COM	0	11-

2	PD	0		Total:  2 PD (0 rPD)
2	ED	0		Total:  2 ED (0 rED)
3	SPD	7		Phases:  4, 8, 12
4	REC	0
18	END	0
19	STUN	0		[b]Total Characteristics Cost:  27

Movement:[/b]	Running:	6"/12"
	Leaping:	1"/2"
	Swimming:	2"/4"

Cost	Powers & Skills
4	[b]"Plays By Sense Of Smell":[/b]  Spatial Awareness (Unusual Group); Only 
Useable On Pinball Tables (-2), Concentration, Must Concentrate 
throughout use of Constant Power (0 DCV; Character is totally 
unaware of nearby events; -1 1/2), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 
12), Only to Activate, Character May Take No Other Actions, -3/4)

[b]Perks[/b]
0	[b]"Come To My House":[/b]  Base
20	[b]"His Disciples Lead Him In":[/b]  Followers (16 0-point Normals)
10	[b]"He's A Millionaire":[/b]  Money:  Wealthy
6	[b]"A Master Of The Game":[/b]  Reputation:  “World's New Pinball Lord/
Champion Of The Young" (internationally) 14-, +2/+2d6
0	[b]"Momma's Got A Brand New Cadillac":[/b]  Vehicle

[b]Skills[/b]
3	[b]"He's A Pinball Wizard":[/b]  KS: Pinball 12-
5	Language:  English (idiomatic; literate)
9	[b]"If I Told You What It Takes/ To Reach The Highest High":[/b]  Oratory 15-
9	[b]"Sure Plays A Mean Pinball":[/b]  PS: Pinball 18-
3	[b]"Crazy Flipper Fingers":[/b]  Sleight Of Hand 12-

[b]Total Powers & Skill Cost:  69
Total Cost:  96

50+	Disadvantages[/b]
20	Psychological Limitation:  "I Am The Light" (Common, Total)
15	Reputation:  Self-Styled Messiah, 14-
15	Social Limitation:  Famous (Frequently, Major)

[b]Total Disadvantage Points:  96[/b]

 

Description: (Note: this character sheet uses the timeline set by Tommy the film, as opposed to the one used in the original rock opera. The film version results in a more believable sequence of events in Tommy’s life.)

 

Born at the tail-end of World War II (perhaps on the day the war was declared over), Tommy Walker never knows as his father, as Captain Walker has been declared missing and is presumed dead. His mother, Nora Walker, eventually falls in love with “Uncle Frank,” and for a time, Tommy’s life is a happy one. However, in 1951, Captain Walker returns home, and kills Uncle Frank in a fit of rage. Tommy, witness to this murder, is told by his parents that he didn’t see or hear anything and that he’s not to say anything “to no one ever in [his] life.” Traumatized by these vents, Tommy retreats into self-imposed isolation, effectively becoming deaf, dumb, and blind.

 

Over the next ten years or so, Tommy is subject to a number of ‘treatments’ from various doctors, religious leaders, and even a woman who plys him with hallucinogenic drugs. He’s also abused by those who’s care he;’s left in, such as his Cousin Kevin (who tortures him) and Uncle Ernie (who rapes him).

 

Left alone Tommy encounters a pinball machine and quickly shows his prowess by defeating the local champions. His skill is such that he soon gains international fame as a pinball player, while his mother is delighted at the cash his winning brings in. At the same time, she brings him to another medical specialist, who tells her Tommy is physically fine, and his disabilities are all psychosomatic. Later, frustrated that Tommy does nothing but stare into a mirror, Nora Walker smashes the mirror, causing Tommy to wake up from his self-imposed isolation.

 

His experiences having brought him to a certain level of enlightenment, Tommy now desires to pass his spiritual elevation on to others, only to find his methods (and the exploitive actions of Tommy’s family) have alienated his many fans, who revolt. Once again left alone, Tommy realizes he’s attained a new form of enlightenment.

 

So there you go, a brief synopsis of the first ‘rock opera’, Tommy, by The Who. Written almost entirely by Pete Townshend, Tommy is apparently based on some of his experiences with guru Meher Baba as well as being “a metaphorical story of different states of consciousness.”

 

This character sheet presumes Tommy to be a Normal, hence his low physical characteristics. However, he has a certain presence, so I upped his INT, EGO, and PRE. His skills are limited, as all he can really do is play pinball, but he does seem to be an inspirational speaker. You can use him in your game pretty much as-is -- the leader of a new cult promising enlightenment and self-discovery. If you keep to the album, Tommy himself is well-meaning, but his family/handlers are far more unscrupulous in their dealings with Tommy many followers.

 

(Tommy Walker created by The Who, character sheet created by Michael Surbrook)

[D. Guss Tibus]

Re: Susano's Song-Based DC NPCs

 

Wow! This is a hell of a resourse! Thanks!