Disillusioned Hero

By Mike "Katsuo" Hall.

"I used to think like you, kid...but then I grew up. One man can't change the entire world...'course, one man can always go down shooting in the attempt..."

Your reputation is one of skill and guts; at one time, you were nearly legendary in stature, your deeds and words regarded as inspiration to those around you. But you were younger then, and the world's increasing ugliness outgrew you, making you feel as if you could no longer make enough of a difference to matter (something else tragic could have happened in your life that drove you to surrender...perhaps your dramatic hook).

Maybe you're an ex-cop, or a famous martial artist. In any case, for some reason or another, younger characters always seem to seek you out; some seeking knowledge, some seeking guidance, and some desperately in need of help and lacking anywhere else to turn. You always seem to get dragged into their adventures, no matter how much you protest and state that is isn't your problem.

The truth of the matter is, you're still good at heart, and no matter how much you claim to the contrary, you haven't given up the good fight completely. Maybe, just maybe, you see in these young heroes a chance to redeem yourself and become again the man you once were...

Juncture:
any
Attributes:
Bod 5, Chi 0, Mnd 5, Ref 5

Add 3 points to one primary attribute. Add 2 points to another primary attribute. Add 2 points to one secondary attribute.

Skills:
Guns +9 (=14)
Info/your choice +3 (8)
Leadership +5 (10)
Martial Arts +3 (8) (Max 11)

Add 4 Skill Bonuses. Swap the bonuses, action values, and limitations of Guns and Martial Arts if desired.

Schticks:
3 Gun schticks or 3 Fu schticks
Unique Schtick: Memory Lane
Once per game, you may tell an inspirational anecdote from your glory days to the other characters (usually before the big final battle of an adventure). You as a player must actually tell the story in dramatic, made-up-as-you-went detail. In the next combat after the storytelling, each character who heard the story receives a bonus of +2 to their Initiative rolls for the entire combat.
Weapons:
2 weapons of the appropriate juncture.
Quick Schtick Pick:
weapons:
(69) dagger, bow
(1850) dagger, sword, black powder pistol, black powder rifle (some combination thereof)
(contemporary) Franchi SPAS-12, Desert Eagle .357
(2056) Buro Blade of Truth, Buro Avenger
Gun Schticks:
Carnival of Carnage, Fast Draw, Hair-Trigger Neck Hairs
Fu Schticks:
Hands Without Shadow, Dim Mak, Lightning Fist
Wealth Level:
Poor

Last modified: February 26, 1998; please send comments to durrell@innocence.com.