CROSS: Agents Of The Vatican Project

pruttm · June 13, 2009

I have decided to post some of the components of my CROSS: Agents Of The Vatican Project here for comments. The general idea is that the material will comprise a source book that can be used in conjunction with standard superhero games. The main organization in the book is CROSS which would be similar to PRIMUS, but attached to the Vatican rather than the U.S. Government. Obviously, there will be strong ties to Western religion for this group which will bring out enemies that may offer a unique flavor to a superhero game.

I will be starting with one character that will likely oppose CROSS, at least in the early days. I am open to criticism on the character build, writing style, background elements or whatever you notice that is especially bad (or good!). I am trying to improve the quality of my characters and a good way is through constructive criticism. Don't worry. I won't cry much.

The Samurai

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

15 STR 5 12- Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [1]

23 DEX 39 14- OCV: 8/DCV: 8

25 CON 30 14-

10 BODY 0 11-

15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-

20 EGO 20 13- ECV: 7

15 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d6

12 COM 1 11-

8/38 PD 5 Total: 8/38 PD (0/30 rPD)

5/35 ED 0 Total: 5/35 ED (0/30 rED)

6 SPD 27 Phases: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12

11 REC 6

50 END 0

34 STUN 3 Total Characteristic Cost: 146

Movement: Running: 6"/12"

Flight: 30"/60"

Leaping: 3"/6"

Swimming: 2"/4"

Teleportation: 10"/20"

Cost Powers END

187 Variable Power Pool, 150 base + 75 control cost, Powers Can Be Changed As A Half-Phase Action (+1/2) (262 Active Points); Limited Power Power looses about half of its effectiveness (The Spirts Can Deny Power Choices At Their Leisure; -1/2); all slots OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2)

0 1) Sear The Enemy's Soul: Killing Attack 3d6, Based On EGO Combat Value (Mental Defense applies; +1) (90 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), No Range (-1/2), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 30 9

0 2) Ten Thousand Minds Shriek: Ego Attack 4d6, Area Of Effect (9" Cone; +1) (80 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 32 8

0 3) Sea Of Souls: Darkness to Sight and Mental Groups 6" radius, Personal Immunity (+1/4) (81 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 32 8

0 4) Barrage Of Souls: Sight Group Flash 9d6, Area Of Effect (10" Cone; +1) (90 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 36 9

0 5) Blanket Of Minds: Entangle 8d6, 8 DEF (Stops A Given Sense Group Mental Group) (90 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 36 9

0 6) Wall Of Wailing Souls: (Total: 89 Active Cost, 35 Real Cost) Force Wall (10 PD/10 ED/6 Mental Defense; 4" long and 1" tall) (71 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) (Real Cost: 28) plus Hearing Group Flash 3d6, Area Of Effect (4" Line; +1) (18 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) (Real Cost: 7) Real Cost: 35 9

0 7) Ten Thousand Mind Chatter & Confuse: Mind Control 9d6, Area Of Effect (10" Cone; +1) (90 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Only To Confuse Target; -1), OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 26 9

0 8) Great Minds Think Alike: Telekinesis (60 STR) (90 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 36 9

0 9) Souls Will Deflect Harm From Their Master: (Total: 80 Active Cost, 32 Real Cost) Missile Deflection (Any Ranged Attack), Uncontrolled (Danny Must "Stir" The Souls so they Can Continue To Missile Deflect Or The Power Fades In One Turn; +1/2) (30 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) (Real Cost: 12) plus +10 with Missile Deflection (50 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) (Real Cost: 20) Real Cost: 32

0 10) Summon Samurai Warriors: Summon 64 300-point creatures (90 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 36 9

0 11) Souls Animate The Dead: Summon 1,024 200-point creatures (90 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Dead Must Within Twenty Meters Of The Katana; -1), OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 26 9

0 12) Souls Animate Exoskeletons: Summon 16 350-point creatures (90 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Exoskeletons Must Within Twenty Meters Of The Katana; -1), OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 26 9

0 13) Swirling Shield Of Souls: Force Field (20 PD/20 ED/20 Mental Defense) (60 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 24 6

0 14) Instant Change: Cosmetic Transform 2d6 (standard effect: 6 points) (10 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Limited Power Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (Clothes Being Worn; -1/2), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 3 1

0 15) Escort Through The Spirit World: Teleportation 10" (20 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 8 2

0 16) Warhorse Of Spirts: Flight 30" (60 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 24 6

0 17) Spirits Heal Their Master: Healing BODY 6d6 (60 Active Points); No Conscious Control (-2), OAF (Katana; -1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Transform User Into A Christian;Resets With A Good Deed; -1/2) Real Cost: 13 6

5 Soul Energy: Endurance Reserve (100 END, 1 REC) Reserve: (11 Active Points); OAF (Katana; -1), Limited Power Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (The Spirts Can Deny This Power At Their Leisure; -1/2)

30 Amakusa Shiro's Katana: Multipower, 60-point reserve, (60 Active Points); all slots OAF (-1)

3u 1) Cutting Edge Of The Blade: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 4d6 (5d6 w/STR) (60 Active Points); OAF (-1) 6

1u 2) Flat Of The Blade: Hand-To-Hand Attack +4d6, Usable By Other (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 1

2u 3) Hilt Of The Blade: Hand-To-Hand Attack +6d6, Usable By Other (+1/4), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4) (45 Active Points); OAF (-1), Hand-To-Hand Attack (-1/2) 2

40 Cut To The Soul: Energy Blast 6d6, No Normal Defense (10 Points Of Mental Defense; +1), Does BODY (+1) (90 Active Points); Limited Power Power loses about a third of its effectiveness (The Spirits Can Deny This Power At Their Leisure; -1/2), No Range (-1/2), Linked (Cutting Edge Of The Blade; -1/4) 9

13 Handgun: RKA 2d6 (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), 12 Charges (-1/4) [12]

20 Wakizashi: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 2 1/2d6 (3 1/2d6 w/STR) (40 Active Points); OAF (-1) 4

20 Kevlar & Ceramic Samurai Armour: Armor (10 PD/10 ED) (30 Active Points); OIF (-1/2)

12 +3 HTH Damage Class(es)

4 Atemi Strike -1 +1 3 1/2d6 NND

5 Defensive Block +1 +3 Block, Abort

5 Breaking Throw -2 -2 Grab One Limb; HKA 1d6 , Disable; Target Falls

4 Martial Disarm -1 +1 Disarm; 40 STR to Disarm

4 Martial Escape +0 +0 45 STR vs. Grabs

3 Joint Lock +0 -1 Grab One Limb; 25 STR for holding on

4 Joint Lock/Throw +1 +0 Grab One Limb; 2 1/2d6 NND ; Target Falls

3 Legsweep +2 -1 7d6 Strike, Target Falls

3 Sacrifice Throw +2 +1 6d6 Strike; You Fall, Target Falls

4 Shime -2 +0 Grab One Limb; 3 1/2d6 NND

3 Slam +0 +1 6d6 +v/5, Target Falls

4 Martial Strike +0 +2 8d6 Strike

3 Takedown +1 +1 6d6 Strike; Target Falls

1 Weapon Element: Blades

Perks

35 Underlings: Follower

5 Money: Well Off

Skills

10 +2 with HTH Combat

4 +2 with any single attack

9 Soul Powers: +3 with any three maneuvers or a tight group of attacks

3 Acting 12-

3 Bribery 12-

3 Breakfall 14-

3 High Society 12-

3 Fast Draw 14-

2 Forgery (Documents) 12-

3 Gambling 12-

3 Interrogation 12-

3 AK: Japan 12-

4 KS: Yakuzu Underworld 13-

3 KS: History Of Jujutsu 12-

6 KS: History Of The Samurai 15-

0 Language: English (Completely Fluent, w/Accent) (3 Active Points)

7 Riding 16-

11 Streetwise 16-

3 Tactics 12-

3 Teamwork 14-

6 WF: Common Melee Weapons, Handguns, Lances, Staffs, Whips

0 TF: Equines

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 515

Total Cost: 661

200+ Disadvantages

10 Distinctive Features: Tarso Tattoos (Easily Concealed; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

5 Distinctive Features: Dresses As A Sword Wielding Samurai (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

15 Enraged: Government Interference (Common), go 8-, recover 11-

15 Hunted: Yakuza Superiors 11- (Mo Pow; NCI; Watching)

10 Hunted: Japanese Government 11- (Mo Pow; Watching)

15 Psychological Limitation: Ambitious and Manipulative (Common; Strong)

15 Psychological Limitation: Dislike Of Japanese Government (Very Common; Moderate)

15 Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Common; Strong)

10 Psychological Limitation: The Sword Can Influence Danny's Actions (Common; Moderate)

15 Psychological Limitation: Will Sacrifice Himself For His Superiors (Common; Strong)

15 Reputation: Yakuza, 14- (Extreme; Known Only To A Small Group)

15 Social Limitation: Subject To Yakuza Orders (Frequently; Major)

306 Experience Points

Total Disadvantage Points: 661

Background/History: Danny Hara is a member of the Japanese organized crime syndicate known as the Yakuza. Danny is an enforcer in Nagasaki, Japan where he runs gambling dens, bars and other illicit activities for the Yakuza. Friends and enemies of Hara often call him The Samurai and it is with good reason. Danny has a very personal tie to the samurai because he is the only living descendant of Amakusa Shiro, Samurai leader of the Shimabara Rebellion. Peasants in the Shimabara region were chaffing against the Shogunate lords that ruled the area. Taxation was at its height, famine strangled the land and as a final straw the lords outlawed the practice of Christianity which was the predominate religion in the region. The peasants decided to revolt and were aided by Amakusa and a small army of other masterless samurai. With the help of these expert warriors, they had a number of victories, but the Shogunate managed to raise armies from neighboring areas and push the peasant army back.

Their last stand was from Hara Castle which was fortified by wood taken from the ships they used to reach the island. They survived numerous attacks and even cannon fire from a nearby ship for many months. Eventually, their lack of food supplies became their enemy and they weakened enough for the Shogunate forces to overrun the castle. The Shogunate beheaded the 37,000 rebels, burned their bodies and the castle to the ground. To show their displeasure in rebellion, The Shogunate publicly displayed the head of Amakusa on a pike to discourage future rebellions.

Danny had a Japanese tattoo artist wrap this story around his torso in honor of the death of his ancestor. This link has allowed Danny to rise quickly through the ranks of the Yakuza because many of them believe that early clans of the Yakuza were originated by masterless samurai. There is some credence to this because during the Meiji Restoration era in Japan, The samurai class was abolished. The government slowly took away all of the things that set the samurai apart from peasants. Many accepted the change and found jobs within the new government, the army or the police force, but a few revolted against this new government. Many died in armed conflict against the new army, but some became outcasts that evolved into criminals supplying the Japanese people with things that were outlawed by the new government.

Modern Yakuza feel they are outcasts just like the Meiji samurai and they display this in their name which means “Bad Fortune” or “Bad Hands of Society”. Today, they run massive rings of prostitution, business “protection”, and the trafficking of drugs, guns, human body parts and cybernetics.

Currently, Danny has the position of shateigashira-hosa – assistant to a regional yakuza boss. With this title he has considerable influence over criminal activities in the area and has inroads to various legitimate businessmen and government officials. As with many Yakuza families, Danny’s Yakuza clan also has their hand in a number of legitimate businesses that they can use to hide their illegal operations or just improve their image. A few years ago, one of Danny’s jobs was to run a number of sporting arenas used heavily for Japanese Professional Wrestling.

Tetsuo Fuduka, Manager of the Nagasaki Statistics Division, was a huge wrestling fan and approached Danny for a loan to get a new promotion underway to tour Danny’s arenas. The promotion flopped and Fudaku had no way to pay the money back. To avoid the violence that was coming, Fuduka worked behind the scenes to secure some unused land as part of another government initiative. He offered Danny, the remains of Hara Castle and the surrounding area as payment for the debt. Danny knew he was having his ego stroked, but it was an interesting proposition. The land was considered haunted by the neighboring people and Japan had never attempted to build upon the land due to the atrocity or the haunting. However, Danny was sure that if the sole ancestor of the land used the area for something it would be a hit and maybe another legitimate entertainment business for his family.

Two days later, he set out with six of his most trusted bodyguards to investigate this new property. Hara Castle was just ruins with only a few stone lines markings the foundation of the structure. Regardless, Danny arrived and set up camp within the confines of the castle’s boundary. It was late and so after a quick meal, the group slept intending to more thoroughly investigate the area in the morning.

Danny awoke to the sound of a scream and rushed out of his tent. He peered into the moonlit night and was astonished to discover that all of his bodyguards were lying dead in front of his tent. Drawing his gun, he looked around for their murderer. The night was still and nothing moved in the dull light. He looked down at his men and discovered that they were positioned around an ornate katana that rested on its decorated stand. Slowly, he put away his gun and picked up the katana. The sword fit perfectly in his hand and he waved it around enjoying its perfect weight. Then, as if in a dream, the stroke of the sword left behind a billowing cloud of smoke that solidified into thousands of Japanese in ancient garb. The crowd was cheering the name Shiro, savior and Son of God. Undaunted by the strangeness of the situation, Danny looked at the blade and wondered if this could really be Amakusa Shiro’s sword. Testing his theory, Danny raised the sword above his head and the crowd went wild. He returned their cheers with his denouncement of the shogunate. Samurai came from the crowd and knelt before him. Just like his Yakuza subordinates, was Danny now master to these samurai? He rallied the crowd once again returning their chants. In the frenzy the scene began to blur again. He watched as the samurai and then the rest of the peasants faded into smoke and returned to the sword. Once again, the night was silent. He fell to his knees still grasping the katana. Was this really Shiro’s katana in his hands? Did he really see all the poor souls that were slaughtered by the Shogunate enter into the blade? He had to know.

Danny stood up and waved the sword once again – commanding it. As if he had been doing it all his life, six ghostly souls erupted from the blade and entered into the dead men. Each of them stirred to their feet and approached Danny. Then they bowed to him and asked for his orders. Danny laughed into the dim light. He knew he could now be the most powerful Yakuza in their long history. However, unknown to Danny, this Christian blade may have other aspirations.

Personality/Motivation: Danny is an extremely driven and violent man. While he has many friends, anyone that crosses him or other members of the Yakuza will be off that list and likely dead. His goal is to rise as high in the ranks of the Yakuza as he can. His work ethic and cleverness have been great assets to put him on the fast track. Now, with Shiro’s katana be believes he can offer even more to his superiors and move through their ranks even faster. Unfortunately for Danny, the blade has its own aspirations. To all intents and purposes, the blade can be considered somewhat sentient as it embodies the will of the people during the Shimabara revolt. Now, the blade is anti-government which would align well with some of Danny’s orientation. However, the blade is also Christian and will fight for those ideals. The blade has no mercy for evil and is intolerant of harm towards the innocent. At times, this could cause the sword to engage its influence upon Danny. With time, Danny could evolve into something very different then he currently intends.

Quote: “I am samurai. I am Yakuza. In a moment you will be but a memory.”

Powers/Tactics: Danny has mastered the soul powers of his sword and can use it to create temporary armies to accomplish his goals. He is a decent swordsman, as he has trained heavily over the years to compliment his nickname of The Samurai. In general, he will engage late in any combat and will use his minions for cover if he feels a need to extract himself.

Campaign Use: Today, Danny is a master villain and could easily be used in an adventure in Japan or anywhere that the Yakuza operates, for that matter. His motivations will likely conflict with any normal superhero. However, the Christian blade gives him a facet that may see some change in Danny over the course of a campaign. A GM may want to slowly change Danny’s ambitions from strictly Yakuza goals to the preservation of innocents, Christians and Christian ideals. He may also become aware of corruption in government and the Roman Catholic Church that could influence his plans. In general, he is unstable and may be useful as a villain or a hero in any longer running campaign.

Appearance: Danny wears a black suit and white shirt over his extensive Tattoos depicted the Shimabara Rebellion. As The Samurai, he wears gold armor with black accents. However with each good deed he performs the black mysteriously grows paler. His pants are embroidered with scenes of the battle at Hara Castle and his black and gold handled katana and Wakizashi are tied security only his black belt.

Legatus · June 13, 2009