Here's a write-up of Duncan MacLeod, the character played by Adrian Paul in Highlander: The Series. I originall wrote up the character for 4th Edition and updated it to 5th Edition. If you think of a way I can improve the write-up, please let me know.
Duncan MacLeod
Val Char Cost Roll Notes
20 STR 10 13- Lift: 400 kg, 4d6 HTH damage
20 DEX 30 13- OCV: 7/DCV: 7
20 CON 20 13-
22 BODY 28 13-
18 INT 8 13- PER Roll: 13-
18 EGO 16 13- ECV: 7
20 PRE 10 13- PRE Attack: 4d6
18 COM 4 13-
10 PD 8 Total: 10 PD (3 rPD)
10 ED 8 Total: 10 ED (3 rED)
5 SPD 30 Phases: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
12 REC 12
60 END 15
60 STUN 28
Total Characteristics Cost: 227
Movement: Run: 6"/12", Swim: 2"/4", Leap: 4"
Cost Powers END/Roll
5 Immunity to aging
10 Immunity to disease
40 Regeneration: 1 BODY per Turn, resurrection (may be stopped by beheading), reduced endurance (0 END, +1/2), persistent (+1/2), self only (-1/2)
15 Does not bleed
7 The Buzz: Danger Sense, functions as a sense, out of combat, Only works against Immortals and pre-Immortals (-2)
13 The Quickening: 1d6 Aid, applied to any Characteristic or power (+2), Fade rate 1 century (+3 1/4), Takes 1 Turn (-1 1/4), Self only (-1/2), Only by beheading another Immortal (-2)
Martial Arts: Boxing, Fencing, Jujutsu, Karate, Kenjutsu, Kung Fu
Cost Maneuver OCV DCV Damage/Effect
4 Choke Hold -2 +0 Grab a limb, 2d6 NND(2)
5 Defensive Strike +1 +3 4d6 strike
3 Defensive Throw +1 +1 Block, target falls
4 Killing Strike -2 +0 HKA 1/2d6 (2DC)
4 Martial Block +2 +2 Block, abort
4 Martial Disarm -1 -1 Disarm, 30 STR
4 Martial Dodge -- +5 Dodge all attacks
4 Martial Escape +0 +0 35 STR vs. all grabs
4 Martial Grab -1 -1 Grab 2 limbs, 30 STR
4 Martial Strike +0 +2 6d6 strike
3 Martial Throw +0 +1 4d6 + v/5, target falls
5 Offensive Strike -2 +1 8d6 strike
3 Takedown +1 +1 4d6 strike, target falls
Cost Skills, Talents, Perks Roll
5 Acrobatics 14-
5 Breakfall 14-
3 Combat Driving 13-
6 Combat Luck (+3 rPD/+3 rED)
5 Concealment 14-
5 Contact: Joe Dawson
9 Fast Draw 16-
5 High Society 13-
3 KS: Other Immortals 12-
3 Linguist
0 Scots Gaelic (native)
4 English
2 Arabic
4 French
3 German
3 Italian
3 Japanese
3 Lakota Sioux
2 Mandarin
3 Mongolian
3 Romany
2 Russian
2 Spanish
2 Turkish
3 Navigation 11-
3 PS: Antiques Dealer 12-
2 PS: Dancer 11-
2 PS: Journalist 11-
3 Riding 13-
5 Seduction 14-
9 Shadowing 14-
5 Stealth 14-
1 Transport Fam: Planes 8-
1 Transport Fam: Ships 8-
3 Traveler
1 AK: London 11-
4 AK: Paris 14-
4 AK: Seacouver, WA 14-
1 AK: Glen Finnan 11-
10 Wealthy
2 WF: Small Arms
1 WF: Staff
2 WF: Common Melee Weapons
24 +3 levels on all OCV
10 +3 levels with swords
12 +4 levels with katana
15 +3 levels on DCV
2 KS: Boxing 11-
2 KS: Fencing 11-
2 KS: Jujutsu 11-
2 KS: Kenjutsu 11-
2 KS: Karate 11-
2 KS: Kung Fu 11-
Total Skills and Powers Cost: 363
Total Cost: 590
250+ Disadvantages
10 Distinctive Feature: Immortal (Not concealable,
Detectable only by other Immortals)
10 Hunted 11- by other Immortals
10 Hunted 8- by renegade Watchers (NCI)
10 Observed 14- by Watcher Organization (NCI)
15 Physical Limitation: Can't fight on holy ground
20 Normal Characteristic Maxima
0 Physical Limitation: Cannot have children
20 Psychological Limitation: Code of honor
15 Psychological Limitation: Judgmental
15 Psychological Limitation: Must fight duels one-on-one
15 Secret ID: Immortal
200 Experience
Total Disadvantages Cost: 590
Background: Duncan MacLeod was born in Glen Finnan, Scotland on the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21) in the year 1592. He was a foundling, taken in as an infant by Ian MacLeod, the clan chieftain, and his wife Mary. The couple raised Duncan as their own son.
When Duncan became a young man, he fell in love with Debra Campbell, who returned his love. Unfortunately, Debra was betrothed to Duncan's cousin Robert. Enraged, Robert challenged Duncan to a duel, and Duncan was forced to kill his kinsman. Debra died soon after the incident, falling from a great height. Thus, the union between the MacLeods and Campbells would never come to pass.
Duncan was mortally wounded in a skirmish with the Clan Campbell in 1622. He died in his father's house, but returned to life shortly thereafter. He thought a miracle had taken place, but the rest of the clan suspected him of practicing witchcraft. His own father denounced and banished him.
Distraught, Duncan left his home. He encountered Ian soon after his banishment. The elder MacLeod again rejected his son, revealing the fact that Duncan was in fact a foundling.
Duncan saw his family once more two years later. An Immortal marauder named Kanwulf raided Duncan's village with his men and personally killed Ian MacLeod. Duncan tracked down Kanwulf and defeated him. But Duncan still had not learned about the Game and failed to take Kanwulf's head.
In 1625, Duncan fought in a battle at Glen Fruin. Although he was cut down, he recovered from his wounds. A man came to him and introduced himself as Connor MacLeod, who lived in Glen Finnan generations before Duncan was born. Like Duncan, Connor had recovered from a mortal wound and was cast out of the clan. Connor revealed that they were Immortal and taught Duncan the rules of the Game. The two clansmen became good friends and had many adventures together.
Duncan wandered throughout the world in the 1600s and 1700s. He saw many things and learned many skills. In Renaissance Italy, he learned how to read and write. In Mongolia, he learned the martial arts. He traveled far and wide, growing in experience and wisdom. He made many friends and many enemies.
In 1635, Duncan first met Amanda, a beautiful Immortal thief. The two became friends and eventually lovers. Their on again, off again relationship would continue for centuries. Two years later, he met another Immortal named Hugh Fitzcairn, who became one of his closest friends.
In 1658, Duncan, weary of the world, took refuge in a monastery that sheltered Immortals. He met Kalas, a talented scribe and singer. Duncan soon learned that Kalas secretly waylaid departing Immortals and took their heads. Duncan exposed Kalas' treachery and had him expelled from the Monastery. Kalas left, swearing vengeance on Duncan MacLeod.
In 1745, Duncan fought under the banner of Bonnie Prince Charlie. The Scots fought bravely, but they were no match for the English soldiers. Duncan helped smuggle the Prince to France, then he returned to Scotland to protect his people from the depredations of the English occupying force.
After he had tired of killing English soldiers, Duncan rejoined Connor in Ireland. Duncan met a pre-Immortal named Kate, eventually falling in love with her. The two married, but Duncan stabbed his bride on their wedding night to grant her Immortality. Kate was horrified by the prospect and ran off into the night.
In 1778, Duncan was shipwrecked in Japan. He was rescued and befriended by a samurai named Hideo Koto. The samurai sheltered Duncan and taught him jujutsu and the use of the katana. But Hideo Koto knew he was breaking the law by harboring a foreigner. His lord allowed him to commit seppuku to atone. He bequeathed his katana to Duncan, who used it as his sword thereafter.
In 1815, while serving in the Napoleonic Wars under Lord Wellington, Duncan met an Immortal named Darius. Darius had once been a ruthless warlord, but he had reformed and was now living as a Catholic priest. Darius taught Duncan the way of peace, and the two Immortals became good friends.
Duncan traveled to the United States, where he worked as a journalist. He also took part in the Civil War. He first fought in the Union army; then he worked in the Underground Railroad.
After the Civil War, Duncan settled down with the Lakota Sioux. He fell in love with a woman who had a son, and he took them as his own family. He lived happily until 1872. One day, the tribe was wiped out by American soldiers. An Immortal named Kern was working with the army. Mad with grief, Duncan searched for Kern, but he never found him. Instead, he ran into Koltec, an Immortal shaman who helped Duncan come to terms with his grief.
Duncan was active in both World Wars. In World War I, Duncan served in both the French and British armies as a medic. In World War II, he fought in the French Resistance and later worked for British Intelligence. In 1944, he took part in an unsuccessful plot to kill Adolph Hitler.
In 1980, Duncan met Tessa Noel, a beautiful artist. They fell in love and lived together for twelve years. Ducan revealed his Immortality to Tessa, and she accepted him for who he was. Duncan and Tessa lived in Paris and in Seacouver, where they opened an antiques shop.
In 1992, a young thief named Richie Ryan tried to break into the shop. He was discovered by Duncan. Realizing that the young man was also going to be Immortal one day, Duncan took Richie under his wing. Richie lived with Duncan and Tessa, first in Seacouver, then in Paris.
Later that year, Darius sent word to Duncan, warning him about an evil Immortal named Grayson. Grayson was once Darius' second in command and hated the priest for turning his back on his martial practices. Grayson attempted to kill Darius' mortal protege, Victor Paulus. Duncan stopped Grayson and took his head. Duncan then flew to Paris, where he had sent Tessa and Richie.
In 1993, Duncan and Fitzcairn found Darius' headless body inside his own church. They tracked down the killers, but the leader escaped. Duncan ran into him upon his return to Seacouver. He also learned about the Watchers, a secret group of mortals dedicated to observing and recording Immortal lives, but never interfering. A group of Watchers had betrayed their oath and started hunting down Immortals. Duncan fought the leader of these renegades, James Horton, and left him for dead. He also met a Watcher named Joe Dawson, who later became his friend.
Soon after these events, Tessa and Richie were shot by a mugger. They died, but Richie came back to life and learned that he too was Immortal. Duncan began to train Richie. The young Immortal showed great promise, and he soon became a skilled fighter.
During the next few years, Duncan fought many Immortals. He again crossed paths with Kalas, Kern, and Kanwulf. Duncan eventually defeated these opponents. However, he also lost several friends including Fitzcairn, who was killed by Kalas.
In 1996, Duncan met Adam Pierson, who turned out to be Methos, the oldest living Immortal. Methos had been alive for over 5000 years. The ancient
Immortal had retired from the game and was posing as a Watcher. He proved to be a good ally for Duncan, once helping Duncan get rid of the effects of a Dark Quickening.
But Methos had a dark side too. Thousands of years ago, he was one of the Four Horsemen, a group of Immortals who spread terror throughout the known world. Methos was forced by Kronos, another of the Horsemen, to reunite the group. He pretended to go along, but he secretly enlisted the aid of Duncan MacLeod. Together, Duncan and Methos put an end to the Horsemen.
In 1998, the demon Ahriman returned to Earth after a thousand years. Having the ability to appear in any form, Ahriman tricked Duncan into killing Richie.
Grieving, Duncan hid himself in a monastery for a year to meditate and form a plan to defeat Ahriman. He learned that that the way to defeat the demon was not to use force, but to meditate and suppress the evil eithin one's self. Duncan defeated Ahriman and banished him from the Earth.
In 2000, Duncan came to Connor's aid. Connor had earned the enmity of Jacob Kell, a powerful Immortal. Kell was too strong to overcome alone. Connor, in despair, challenged Duncan and forced his student to take his head. Empowered by Connor's Quickening, Duncan killed Jacob Kell.
Kate, now calling herself Faith, was working for Kell. She was still angry with Duncan for what he did. After Duncan had defeated Kell, however, she and Duncan were able to reconcile.
Height: 183 cm (6'1"), Weight: 98 kg (215 lbs), Sex: male, Race: Immortal
Appearance: Duncan is tall and has a muscular build. He has short black hair and brown eyes. He is usually dressed casually, but he almost always wears a trench coat to conceal his katana. He is quite charming and often attracts women.
