Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Rooster Seven-Hills

Alignment: Unprincipled/Scrupulous (varies)
Attributes: IQ 9, ME 11,MA 6,PS 28,PE 19,PP 12,PB 7,Spd. 29
Age: (unknown) Gender: Male
Species: Horse
Size Level: 10
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 230lbs.
Hit Points: 37 SDC: 65
Disposition: Mysterious and obsessive
Human Features
Hands -- Full
Legs -- Full
Speech -- Full
Looks -- None
Powers: Beastly Strength, Adv. Hearing
Psionics: None
Level of Experience: 5th
Background: Free Cattle Tribe (~Guerrilla Training)
Apprenticeship: Warrior
Occupation: Ronin
Primary Skills: Wilderness Survival (55%), Prowl (50%), Camouflage (45%), Demolitions (75%), Demo. Disposal (75%), Recognize Weapon Quality (50%), Sniper*, Climbing (65/55%), Truck (80%), Motorcycle (80%), Athletics, Wrestling, Hand to Hand: Expert
Languages & Literacy: English 88/78%
Weapon Proficiencies: Sword, Bolt-Action Rifle, Automatic & Semi-Auto Rifle
Secondary Skills: Land Navigation (56%), First Aid (70%), Concealment (40%), Carpentry (55%), Tribal Dance (55%)
Attacks per Melee: 5
Bonuses: +4 to parry/dodge, +2 to strike, +13 Damage, +4 to roll with punch/fall/impact, +2 to pull punch, Base kick damage 1D6, Pin hit on a natural 18, 19 or 20 (Wrestling), Squeeze 1D4 dmg (Wrestling), Tackle/Take Down 1D4 dmg and must dodge or parry to avoid being knocked down (Wrestling).
Sword Bonuses: +2 to strike, +2 to parry, +1 to strike when thrown
Special Weapons: Rooster always keeps a long sword and a Cardanian Assault Rifle while travelling.
Personal Profile: Rooster was born into the Seven-Hills tribe in what was northern Ohio. He was trained as a warrior to protect the tribe and Free Cattle Plains against all enemies. Unfortunately, Rooster was overshadowed by his older brother Selis and eventually left his tribe and the Free Cattle Plains to find his own way in the world. Rooster usually has a strong sense of justice and loyalty.

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

A "Mutants in Orbit" Moment

Space sucks!

I don't care who you are, as long as you're in space you're always gonna be trapped in an over sized tin can, suckin stale recyc' air, and always lookin down on momma Earth.

I was born here on King Angel, and I was content with life here. The wing kept me busy while growing up, working in the assembly plant or in the docks. I always had food and a place to lay my head, and the occasional relationship. Things seemed good or at least palatable

But then reality sinks in. Around the time I turned 14 I started paying attention to the news and listening past the propaganda and fluff. I started realizing that life in this tin can wasn't as great as I was deluded to believe.

The average life expectancy for a fur who lives on King Angel is 21. That never really meant anything to me before, but then I learned why.

Most fur call it the squeeze. Though nobody really wants to talk about it, I've learned that it's caused because most people's brains can't take living in this tin can for too long. The fortunate ones are able to get work on a freebooter, or buy their own ship and get out. The not-so-fortunate take the "other" ways out--pills, alcohol, or suicide.

I don't know if it's like this on Outcast or Freedom stations, or if it's any better on the Moon, but I just know that before I turn 21, I've gotta get myself outta this place before I become just another statistic.

- Ian Denmark IV (19)

NOTES:
- "Mutants in Orbit™" is a sourcebook for both After the Bomb (first edition) and Rifts
- King Angel is Yuro Station