White Star Character: Kay'Lanna Dreen, Knight of the Rising Star

James Spahn's OSR science fantasy game White Star has taken off like a tramp cargo ship full of fugitive rebels trying to get to the Alderaan System. While I compose my review, I thought I'd share my first character; Kay'Lanna Dreen, Space Knight. While the inspiration for this character class should be obvious, the White Star universe I'm concocting is far less black and white than that one that took place a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Think more Dune than A New Hope, where the psionic Space Knights, products of a thousands-of-year-old breeding program, serve their virtually immortal masters who rule planetary fiefdoms as their elite agents and warriors. 

Dame Kay'Lanna Dreen

1st Level Space Knight of the Rising Star Order

STR: 8

DEX; 15 (+1)

CON: 12

INT: 13

WIS: 13

Chas: 12

AC  6 [13] (Using Dex Bonus for AC Option.)

BHB: 0

HP 6 (I always allow my starting PCs max HP)

Meditations: None

Equipment: Star Sword, Laser Pistol, 1 Energy Cell, Light Armor, Clothing (Common), Communicator. 15 Credits.

A scion of the Dreen lineage of the Rising Star Order, Kay'Lanna has just earned her knighthood and vowed fealty to House Salzor of Caldor. As a novice knight of House Salzor's cadre, Kay'Lanna has been assigned protection detail for Lady Almada's ne'er-do-well son Feldan as he leaps across Imperial space in search of adventure. While Feldan is brash and reckless, Kay'Lanna is a loyal knight and will do her duty to keep the party-boy lordling in line and out of trouble as he hones her own skills.

(SW) First Nova Praxis PC: Janus

As the Kickstarter goodies for Nova Praxis: Savage Worlds Edition keep rolling in, I tried my hand at creating my first PC for this transhumanist sci-fi setting. It could be a very involved process depending on what sort of character you want to create, perhaps more so than creating a PC for Interface Zero 2.0. You get to create your PC au naturel then, depending on the character's "state" (i.e. Pure, Sleeved, or Sim) you then get to upgrade your body accordingly and there are a lot of great augmentations you can use to customize your PC's "sleeve." I decided to create a sleeved Coalition spy/assassin uploaded into a totally synthetic "cybersleeve." 

As usual, thanks go out to the folks behind HeroMachine 3.0 for helping me compensate for my lack of artistic talent.

Note: all stats in parenthesis are for the PC's sleeve.

"Janus:"

State: Sleeved
Rank: Novice

Bennies: 2

Attributes: Agility d8 (d8), Smarts: d6, Strength d6 (d6), Spirit: d6,Vigor: d6 (d6)

Charisma: -4; Cohesion: -3; Pace: 6; Parry: 5 (6); Toughness: 12 (6)

Skills: Athletics: d6, Fighting d6, Knowledge (Politics) d4 (d6), Knowledge (Security) d4 (d6), Investigation d8 (d10 with Agent Bonus), Notice d4+1, Persuasion d6, Shooting: d6, Streetwise d4, Stealth d8

Edges: Assassin, Scion of House Kimura

Hindrances: Habit, VR Pornography (Major), Malware Afflicted, Mean. 

Rep: 4, 1d4, Bump 6
Assets: 3, 1d4-1, Bump 4

Augmentations:

Sleeve: Alpha Cybersleeve Cost 5 (6 -1 for Scion of House Kimura Edge)
Customization: +1 Cost, Removed sleeve's Dubious Construction Hindrance

Hindrances Outsider

Apotheosis (Comes with Mindset, Mnemonic Core, Data Jack)

Agent (Beta) Grants Skill Increases in Knowledge (Politics) and Knowledge (Security)

Fully Synthetic: +1 Toughness, Ignore 1 Wound Penalty, Synthetic Biology, -1 Benny
Performance Enhanced (Agility)

Hidden Weapon System (Monoblade Dagger "Claws")

Gear: Beta Agent, Light Battle Armor, Light Coil PDW, Light Rail Pistol, Spider Gear Kit, Plasti-Rope Dispenser, ARID Tag

Whoever he or she was before hir Apotheosis, "Janus" is a mystery. This newly appeared contract killer prefers to keep their nearly all aspects of hir identity a secret. Janus prefers the anonymity of cybersleeves, even going so far as to adjust hir sleeve's vocoder to produce an entirely androgynous voice. Janus approaches hir profession with ruthless efficiency making hir not the most friendly of companions. To help compensate for the muted existence of life in a cybersleeve, Janus indulges in promiscuous virtual sex during hir downtime. Keeping to hir sexually ambiguous nature, Janus will often alter gender and and orientation; male or female, hetero or homosexual, it doesn't matter. Unfortunately, Janus menomic core has picked up a few annoying trojans and viruses during hir VR trysts, but, so far, nothing serious.

UPDATE: Realized I miscalculated on the skills and had to lose the Licensed edge to increase my Spirit, which meant I had to rethink my Gear and my sleeve's augments. Then I updated my picture.

(Savage Worlds) My First Interface Zero 2.0 Character: Marcus "Fenris" Slade

After finally getting having access to both Interface Zero 2.0 and Wild Card Creator, I decided to put them through their paces by designing my first IZ 2.0 character: A cyborged-up street samurai with timber wolf genes to boot!

Marcus "Fenris" Slade:''

Race: Fierce Hybrid (Timber Wolf)
Rank: Novice

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d6

Skills: Fighting d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Shooting d8, Streetwise d6, Throwing d4, Tracking d6

Charisma: 0; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; Toughness: 8 (2); Firewall: 4; Strain: 3; Street Cred: 2

Hindrances: Code of Honor, Loyal, Vengeful (Minor)

Edges: Chromed, Counterattack, Ex-Soldier

Gear: AGA Thunderbolt (Range 12/24/48, 2d8+1, Shots 11, AP 4, Semi-auto), AS Foley Arms TAW 2022 (Range 25/50/100, 2d8+1, RoF 3, Shots 45, AP 3, 3RB, Auto, see notes), ED Combat Vest (+2, Covers torso), Emergency Support Patch x5, WT Lacerator Knife (Str+d6, AP 2; requires a battery), $33600

Augments: Cyberlimb/Cyber Eyes, 2 Modules (Streetware) (2 Strain; See modules) x2,  Enhanced Vision (Eyes; Halves penalty for Medium and Long Range), Night Vision Optics (Eyes; Gain Low Light Vision monstrous ability), Recoil Compensation (Arm; Removes 2 penalty points from auto-fire), Reflexive Strike Module (Arm/Leg; Gain Counterattack Edge), Smartgun System (Streetware) (1 Strain; Shooting roll Wild Die is a d8 (Extras gain a d4)),

Marcus Slade, grew up in the sprawls of Chicago in the shadow of the corporate metroplexes downtown. While not particularly patriotic or loyal to the Great Lakes Union, he had no love for the racist theocrats of the neighboring North American Coalition (What sane person does?) and joined the  GLU army. Looking for a larger paycheck, and the opportunity to join up with special forces, he opted for transgenic modification. With wolf DNA spliced into his chromosomes he was attached to the 112th Urban Shocktroops (aka "The Berserkers") where he earned the nickname "Fenris." During an assault mission, Slade lost his right arm and both eyes when he was caught by a mortar shell. Patched up with cyber-replacements, Slade was discharged.

Since then, Slade has sold his gun hand to anyone willing to pay. Finding a home in Chicago's Hybrid community, he works as an enforcer for the Vasquez Brothers, a pair of small time hybrid hoods specializing in drugs, gun running, and information brokage that use a huge chunk of their proceeds to protect other hybrids. It was on a run where he met Jasmine "Ixchel" Bravara, a sassy jaguar-hybrid hacker who took an instant shine to the brawny, quiet Slade. The two became fast lovers, using sex to sate their more feral passions. (By the way, only a idiot makes a crack about "dogs and cats sleeping together" in Slade's presence.)

---

All in all, I'm very pleased with the results. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the cyberpunk genre. Especially in this day and age with its near-ubiquitous computing and multinational corporate control of politics resulting in widespread corruption, environmental destruction, and rapidly growing economic disparity between rich and poor.

(Update: I played around with Heromachine until I got something that looked MUCH cooler

New PC: Lálei Kardáma

Lately I've been on an "Old School Renaissance" gaming kick and one of the most interesting projects I've run across is Humanspace Empires by The Drune; a science fantasy game that is set in the pulpy space opera "pre-history" of my favorite fantasy setting. I've had a chance to help playtesting this game and I really enjoy it. Even though there is still a few bugs to work out, Drune has done a fantastic job blending the best elements of the "Classic Fantasy Role Playing Game" with the original Empire of the Petal Throne to create a very playable dark scifi game.

That said, and with all due respect with Drune, the Savage within me will not rest until I have plugged Humanspace into the Savage Worlds engine! Therefore, here is my current PC in a playtest campaign that I'm currently embroiled, parsed into Savage Worlds using Powers and Edges from Slipstream:

Lálei Kardáma (WC)

Race: Human
Gender: Female
Rank: Veteran

Agility: d8, Smarts: d8, Spirit: d6, Strength: d4, Vigor: d6
Charisma: +2, Pace: 6, Parry: 5, Toughness: 9(4)

Edges: Attractive, Arcane Background (Psionics), Rich, Command, New Power (Object Reading), Femme Fatale

Hindrances: Loyal, Vow-Major (Imperial Navy), Vow-Minor (Order of the Verdant Sphere)

Skills: Fighting: d6, Knowledge (Space Battle): d6, Notice: d6, Persuasion: d6, Piloting: d6, Psionics: d6, Shooting: d6, Stealth: d4

Powers: Empathy, Telepathy, Mind Reading, Object Reading

Power Points: 10

Gear: Z-Ray Pistol (12/24/48, 2d6+1), Psi-Sword (Str+ d6+8, AP 12, requires AB: Psionics to use), Skin Suit, Mark II Shield Belt, Communicator, Translator Orb.

Background: Lálei Kardáma was born on Epsilon Eridani 4 to retired Imperial Fleet Admiral Dör Varákka and Sóra Kardáma, his favorite concubine. Sóra , a member of the Order of the Verdant Sphere--an exclusive cult of wealthy and powerful sybarists who seek spiritual enlightenment through sexual ecstasy, initially raised her daughter to become a poised and educated courtesan-priestess of the Order. However, Lálei had other plans than a life of just parties and orgies, and using her father's influence (as well some of the physical and psionic arts her mother taught her) was accepted into the Imperial Naval Academy at 16.

In the academy, Cadet Lálei was schooled in starship mastery and command. Eventually, her psychic abilities came to her instructor's attention and entered into the prestigious School of Special Intelligence were she honed her talents. Upon graduation, Lálei quickly rose through the ranks of the male-dominated Navy through a skillful application of merit and seduction (she had the unofficially-coveted role of "Captain's Woman" on two of her deployments). The Deeds of Glory is her first independent command and she is excited at the prospect for further adventure and advancement.

Lálei is a quiet but ambitious woman who uses her intelligence and sexuality as both a tool and a weapon. She is a fair leader, but is merciless when crossed. Physically, she is small but shapely frame with a dark complication, deep-brown slanted eyes, and long black hair she keeps tied back while on duty. As a legacy member of the Order of the Verdant Sphere, she has the sect's symbol tattooed just above her vulva and will often request the presence of a comely crew member in her quarters to assist her with her "mediations" where she uses her climax as a springboard to reach new states of consciousness where she briefly communes with... something joyous.

New Hellfrost Character: Winterwhite

Here is my current PC for the online Hellfrost game that I'm playing:

Name: Winterwhite, Race: Taiga Elf, Gender: Female

Agility: d6, Smarts: d8, Spirit: d6, Strength: d6, Vigor: d6

Pace: 6, Parry: 6 (5), Toughness: 6 (5), Charisma: 0

Skills: Climbing d4, Druidism: d8, Fighting d6, Healing: d6, Notice: d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d4, Survival d6, Tracking d6

Edges: Arcane Background (Druidism), Agile, Attractive, Forest-Born, Low Light Vision, Natural Realms, Winter Soul

Hindrances: All Thumbs, Enemy (Major), Heat Lethargy, Insular, Loyal, Stubborn

Powers: Bolt, Beast Friend, Heal

Equipment: Short Sword, 2xDaggers, Long Spear, Leather Armor, Waterskin, Flint & Steel, Bedroll, Backpack, Soap. 61 Gold, Pendant +1 vs Swarms.

XP: 10

I'm still working up a background for Winter here. However, we've sort of decided that she is the half-sister of Winterblade, a Frostborn member of the party.

Character: Sgt. Benjamin Washington

The Ideology of Madness has an interview with "The Day After Ragnarok" creator Ken Hite and is holding a contest. Post a DAR character by June 20 when Ken will pick his favorite. The winner will win a .PDF and a print copy of DAR! I decided to enter my own character that I've posted below, complete with stats:


Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d8
Skills: Throwing d6, Shooting d10+1, Fighting d8, Intimidation d6, Guts d6, Stealth d8, Notice d6
Charisma ‑2, Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 6, CV 82
Hindrances: Outsider (Charisma: ‑2 among all but own people), Wanted (By the New Konfederacy), Vengeful.
Edges: Trademark Weapon: M1903 Springfield "Harriet" (Fighting or Shooting: +1 when using specific weapon, Shooting: +1), Nerves of Steel (Ignore 1 point of wound penalties), Soldier: NCO.
Gear: M1903, Colt 1911, Ammo Mk67 Pineapple Grenade (×3), Knife, Pot Helm, fatigues, backpack, bedroll, field kit.

Benjamin “Ben” Washington was always good with a rifle. Living as a impoverished “negro” living in rural West Virginia his shooting prowess was sometimes the only thing keeping his family from starvation. Benjamin was 17 when the Serpentfall occurred and while he survived by virtue of living in the Appalachians, it wasn’t long until he was picked up by Klan slavers. Ben spent eight months being relentlessly worked to death in a Mississippi labor camp, until being liberated by the Free Colored Army.

After recovering from his ordeal, Ben joined the FCA to help free other blacks from racist oppression. His superiors were quickly impressed with his marksmanship, and soon he made an NCO in the Army’s grown sniper corps. By 1948, Sergeant Washington collected 113 bloodstained Klan hoods, including those belonging to three Grand Wizards.

The Klan is currently offering a $1000 dollar bounty to the man who brings Washington in dead or alive… preferably dead. Meanwhile, he has achieved Robin-Hood-like status among Southern blacks who hopes he and his M1903 Springfield rifle, “Harriet” (after Harriet Tubman), will help end the Klan’s tyranny once and for all.

Mars Character: Kala Salar

Here is another character for Mars. My review of this new game setting is forthcoming:

Kala Salar - Priestess Of Salanna

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Knowledge (Theology) d8, Knowledge (Politics) d6, Persuasion d8+4, Riding d4, Streetwise d6+4, Survival d6, Fighting d6, Guts d8, Notice d6, Healing d6
Charisma 4, Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 4, CV 54
Hindrances: Pacifist (Minor), Stubborn, Vow: Temple of Salanna.
Edges: Priest ,Very Attractive.
Gear: Dagger, Medical Bag, Staff of Office.

Dedicated to the care and protection of the sick of injured, Kala Salar serves the Salanna, Red Martian Goddess of Healing.

(Yes, she's supposed to be topless in true ERB fashion. Sadly , HeroMachine has Barbie (TM) doll sensibilities regarding female human anatomy.)

Character: Talos Rayn of Mars!

With the release of Adamant Entertainment's Mars - Savage Worlds Edition, I'm posting my first character from that setting:
Talos Rayn-Swordsman of Callor

Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit d6, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Skills: Climbing d4, Fighting d8+1, Guts d6, Intimidation d6, Notice d6, Persuasion d6+2, Riding d4, Shooting d6, Stealth d6, Survival d6
Charisma +2, Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 5 (6 vs. ranged weapons)
Hindrances: Cocky, Heroic, Stubborn.
Edges: Attractive, Florentine, Fencer, First Strike.
Gear: Jewel Armor, 2x Rapiers, Dagger.

A student of the Karn Gorraina school of fencing, Talos is an aspiring young warrior seeking to make a name for himself. While a serious, focused swordsman, Talos has a nasty tendency to let his boastful nature get the better of him. However, none can doubt his courage. He has taking a particular liking to beautiful Kala Salar, Priestess of Salanna, Goddess of Healing. Counting on his charisma and dashing good looks, Talso hopes that he can show her the true quality of his metal... in more ways than one.

Character Rough Draft: Achán hiNidrán

One setting I'd love to see thoroughly Savaged is Tékumel: Empire of the Petal Throne, Prof. M.A.R Barker's epic science fantasy setting. I've been working on my own conversion rules that I hope to inflict on some friends, but in the meantime I'd thought I'd create a few EPT characters to help set the mood:

Achán hiNidrán (Wild Card)

Rank: Seasoned
Description: Male, Age: 24, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black, Skin: Dark Tan, Build: Muscular, Height: 5'8", Weight: 180
Clan: Golden Sapphire
Religion: Lord Karakán
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d8, Spirit d6, Strength d8, Vigor d6
Skills: Persuasion d6, Notice d8, Shooting d6-1, Fighting d8-1, Guts d6, Intimidation d6, Knowledge (Battle) d6, Knowledge (History) d6
Charisma 0, Pace 6, Parry 6, Toughness 8, CV 68
Hindrances: Nightmares (-1 Benny), Quirk: Hates Lord Sárku and his worshipers., Death Wish.
Edges: High Linage, Military Rank (Officer).
Gear: Chlén Longsword: 2d8, Medium Shield: Parry +1, Crossbow: 2d6, Full Medium Chlén Armor: +3, Quarrel (×15).

Achán hiNidrán was born in in the city of Khirgár in northlands of the mighty Tsolyánu Empire. Expressing a childhood interest in soldiering and being a scion of one the highest linages of the Golden Sapphire clan, Achán was destined for to become an officer in the God Emperor's legions. As a youth, he enlisted in the regiment of his city's legion, the Legion of Gúsha the Khirgári (7th Medium Infantry) where he spent a hard boyhood learning the ways of the legionary: relaying messages, polishing armor, learning military history and tactics from the scholar priests of Lord Karakán. To this day, Achán shows a great interest and knowledge in the both topics.

When he came of age, Achán was commissioned a Heréksa (Lieutenant) and given command of a Karéng of 100 warriors. Achan served with distinction during the war with Yán Kór and the recent Tsolyáni Civil War where he achieved the rank of Kási (Captain) and placed into reserve. However, the years of battle seem to have taken their toll on the man. The Civil War has left him embittered, meloncholy, and deeply hateful toward even the most moderate worshipers of Lord Sárku , god of the undead. He has often been seen brooding alone, holding a blood-stained, scrap of blue fabric in a clenched fist. More disturbing are the nightmares that leave him sitting bolt upright on his sleeping mat calling out a woman's name: Tayaláh. For whatever reason, Achán refuses to speak about it.

Character: Bonestroo Chisum

Here's a new Deadlands Reloaded PC I cranked out while listening to one of my favorite podcasts:

"Reverned" Bonestroo Chisum (Wild Card)

Description: Male, Age: 32, Eyes: Brown, Hair: Black, Skin: Caucasian , Build: Muscular,

Appearance: Wears dirty, patched clothes and his unkempt black hair and several days of stubble. "Wild eyed." Often paces and mumbles to himself as if in a conversation with someone that isn't there.

Story: Always considered "touched in the head" Bonestroo wanders the Weird West spreading what he claims to be the "word" of God and fighting "Satan's kin." Bonstroo believes that God talks directly to him, and he will often talk right back to his Lord, openly, loudly, and usually in the most socially unacceptable situation. While he claims to be a "Reverend," he has no actually theological training at all except what he gleaned from half-remembered childhood church services. In fact, he can't even read at all--which makes his "expert" knowledge of the Bible highly suspect. (He's not actually lying since the voices in his head tell him that they are true.) When God's word fails, he quickly turns to his trusty shotgun, an 1860 Colt revolver, or his favorite weapon, a large wooden cross that he wields as a club.

Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d4, Spirit d8, Strength d8, Vigor d6

Skills: Faith d8, Fighting d6, Shooting d6, Persuasion d4, Guts d8+1, Intimidation d6, Notice d4, Riding d4

Charisma 0, Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 6, Grit 1, CV 90

Hindrances: Illiterate, Delusional: Claims "God" talks directly to him., Quirk: Quotes what he says are Biblical passages. (Always wrong.).

Edges: Arcane Background (Miracles), Brawny.

Gear: Double Barrel Shotgun: 1-3d6, Colt Army: 2d6+1, Bowie Knife: d8+d4+1, Holster, Shotgun thong, Powder & Shot (×60), Shotgun Shells (×50), Boots, Winter Coat, Trousers, Shirt/blouse, work, Duster, Stetson, Club (Large Wooden Cross): d8+d4.

Character: Spirit-Of-The-Air

Here's a player character I've been working on for Deadlands: Reloaded.


Spirit-Of-The-Air (WC)



Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d6, Spirit d8, Strength d4, Vigor d6

Skills: Guts d8+1, Streetwise d4+2, Persuasion d4+2, Fighting d6, Tribal Medicine d6, Survival d4, Tracking d4, Healing d6, Shooting d6, Stealth d6

Charisma 2, Pace 6, Parry 5, Toughness 5, Grit 1, Power Points 15

Hindrances: Old Ways Oath, Poverty, Vow: Fight the Ravenites..
Edges: Attractive, Arcane Background (Shamanism).

Powers: Armor, Healing.

Gear: Tomahawk: d4+d4*, Bow: 2d6, Arrow (×20).

Background: Since a young girl, Spirt-Of-The-Air has shown that the nature spirits where with her. Going against tribal tradition, Spirit was taught the great medicine to help heal and protect her people. Although she was betrothed to Running Eagle, another shaman, her heart belonged to Sharpened Stone, a brave who she had grown up with. When she discovered that her husband-to-be was a Ravenite, she exposed him to her tribe's elders. Before he could be executed, Running Eagle escaped and returned with other traitors armed with fire sticks and iron weapons. After overwhelming her tribe's camp and killing the rest of her people, Running Eagle tied her to a pole to left her to die of hunger and exposure. She escaped her bounds and on the grave of her lover she swore would use her powers to help oppose Raven and followers.

Character: Yaralaklaa Hruth, Naval Gunner

Here's my latest character for an upcoming campaign:

Yaralaklaa Hruth:

7B8AAA (Charisma replaces Social Status)
Race: Vargr, Sex: Female, Age: 30, Homeworld: Junidy, Rank: 3 (Petty Officer, 2nd Class)

Skills: Comms 0, Computers 0, Engineering (Electronics) 1, Gunner (Turrets) 2, Gun Combat (Beam Pistol) 0, Mechanic 2, Natural Weapons 0, Pilot (Small Craft) 1, Streetwise 0, VaccSuit 1, Zero-G 0.

Term 1: Enlisted, Survied, Promoted (Able Spacehand), Military Engagement.

Term 2: Survived, Promoted (Petty Officer, 3rd Class), Life Event (Improved Relationship).

Term 3: Survived, Promoted (Petty Officer, 2nd Class, Military Engagement

Muster Out Benefits: +1 Edu, TAS Membership, Weapon (Laser Pistol), 55,000 Crds.

Yaralaklaa Hruth was born to a prosperous merchant family on the bustling Imperial Way Station of Junidy (Spinward Marches, Aramis, B434ABD 9 S). After she lost her father to corsairs, Yaralaklaa swore that she would do what she could to help clear the spaceways of piracy. When she was of age, she joined the Navy where her dexterity and quick mind made her a prime candidate for gunnery. She distinguished herself in battle many times, becoming a crack starship turret gunner in the process. Along the way, she met, fell in love with, and took a respectable merchant pilot, A Raggathresh Brarak, as her mate. After finishing her final term in the navy, she rejoined her husband where to the two look to their future.... whatever that maybe.