#character highlight

Character highlight: Jack Frost

It makes sense to me, I don’t know about you. Since Rook Kast becomes one of Maul's top lieutenants, I strongly believe it's because she was one of the first Mandalorians to embrace Maul as leader of both Mandalore and Death Watch, which is ultimately torn asunder when Bo-Katan and her followers rejected Maul as their leader. Rook Kast, however, does and continues to be a strong believer and follower of Maul, despite his countless defeats throughout the Clone Wars and beyond.

And another headcanon I have is the reason why we don't see any of Maul's female Super Commandos in episode 16. The Lawless, is because they're all reforging their armor and making it the way we see the female Super Commandos during the Siege of Mandalore. Perhaps this reformation of their armor was done in the same facility on Concordia where there was a Death Watch facility on Mandalore's moon that mass produced armor and other resources.

And with Maul: Shadow Lord on the horizon, I really hope they flesh out Rook Kast's character. We already know that she's fanatically loyal to Maul as we've seen in the Son of Dathomir comic and Siege of Mandalore, but it looks like this upcoming animated series will emphasize on that even more. Which is fine with me, because I like that Maul has that kind of loyalty, especially after losing both Savage and Mother Talzin, those he can truly trust are dead and gone.

Again, despite being his ride or die, I want more character development from Rook as well as having some questions answered, hopefully. Why is her loyalty to Maul so cemented and almost borderline fanatical? Why does she continue to follow him despite leaving Gar Saxon and many more of faithful Mandalorians for dead during the Siege of Mandalore? And does she become a character we see later on in Star Wars, yet whose identity has been concealed to protect herself?

⬆️ 2021 redesign ⬆️ vs ⬇️ 2009 original ⬇️

I created Talon at 13 years old— a time when my primary source of comfort was reading xenofiction. As I got older I was made to feel ashamed for it (cringe culture, among other things) and largely suppressed my interest in it. Still, it never really went away. In my late 20s I started actively giving myself permission to enjoy the things that made me a weird kid again. Stuff that never hurt anyone in the first place.

So, anyway, here’s my oldest warrior cat oc and her refurbishment, ~12 years apart. I can’t quite remember how I envisioned the original Talon, but it looks like I only ever drew her with a devious little grin. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a loner or rogue that loved mocking the clan cats. She probably beat a few of them up, too.

When I reimagined Talon I only kept a pinch of that mischief. Now she’s more blunt and gruff, albeit maintaining some humor. She’s also huuuge, not just in fluff, but in stature and muscle as well. Her size alone tends to dissuade would-be attackers. Very helpful for a loner— especially one that doesn’t care for the company of toms. Conversely, she is something of a romantic when it comes to other mollies.

Her redesign is inspired by Norwegian Forest cats and Great Horned Owls. A nice glow-up, I think.

Character: Grace Ryder

Kinomoto Touya - Bisexual

Kequl

Played by Dace

(Art by Cammie Reis/ @cammiereis )

Brutal, distant and awkward, Kequl is a Tengu with a dark and sheltered past. One of five adventurers on the party’s quest into Iora, he’s the black sheep (black bird?) of the group. This blood-hungry slayer relies heavily on his natural weapons- his razor sharp claws and jagged edged beak- to rip mercilessly into his foes. Despite all appearances and behaviors he puts on, does this life-hardened bird have a softer side? Or is he just as dark and aggressive as he seems?

Players and Characters | Peru Prologue

Leslie Visser

Player: Kory Banning Occupation: Deep-sea Diver Age: 33 Sex: Male Birthplace: Johannesburg, South Africa Residence: The Black Star, currently docked in Lima, Peru

Notable Investigator Skills: Swim, Psychology, Diving, Spot Hidden

Recent History: Leslie lives and works on the Black Star, a mid-range trawler, as an amateur treasure-hunter and deep-sea diver, with his best friend, Arno Trembley (Captain of the Black Star, and self-proclaimed smuggler), and his pet tortoise, Boris. Leslie is a child of the world, always quick to drink and laugh. He’s highly intelligent, but poorly educated, resulting in strong instincts and a keen understanding of what makes people tick. After a dismal attempt at locating a promising shipwreck, Leslie and Arno get themselves stuck in Peru, in need of cash, a job, or with some luck, a little of both.

Agenda: Leslie’s reasons for joining Larkin’s expedition are no secret. Journeying into the Andean highlands in search of ancient pyramids and mountains of lost gold could sway any man. The money has its uses. But fame and adventure also await. How could he say no to a dive upwards? This could be the thing he was born for.

Camilla May

Player: Justin Hamot Occupation: Dilettante Age: 20 Sex: Female Birthplace: Manhattan, New York Residence: Ossining, New York

Strongest Investigator Skills: Credit Rating, Firearms (Rifle), Intimidate, Animal Handling

History: Camilla has lived a rather privileged life, but having wealthy parents does not a rich life make. Feeling sequestered, either in her family’s estate outside Ossining or in their duplex in Manhattan, she throws herself into various hobbies and esoterica. Including horseback riding, rifling, skiing, and collecting exotic and wild animals as pets (such as Bernard, her “domesticated” mink).

Agenda: Camilla fled from home under the dark of night, leaving her family to find her bed neatly made, with a pithy farewell letter resting on her nightstand. They didn’t see her when she was right under their noses. Maybe they’ll see her now. And, who could resist such a call to adventure?

Roger Lynch

Player: Lucas Lampke Occupation: Laborer Age: 33 Sex: Male Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland Residence: Lima, Peru

Strongest Investigator Skills: Electrical Repair, Mechanical Repair, Operate Heavy Machinery, Fighting (Harpoon/Spear)

History: Roger has lived in Lima for over four years, and most of that time he’s been looking over his shoulder. Resigned to live a life in exile, he uses his advanced engineering skills to earn a meager living helping out the harbormaster in Lima. As far as he’s concerned, his only other reason for being on this earth is to look after a local girl named Ana, whose tragic history is far too recent, just like his.

Agenda: Something has happened that Roger thought impossible. And life outside Lima might be attainable once more. That is...if he can manage to raise the funds he needs to leave, and if his paranoia turns out to be unfounded.

Jon Michael Stevens

Player: Cameron Mascari Occupation: Explorer Age: 26 Sex: Male Birthplace: Green Bay, Wisconsin Residence: (until recently) Valdez, Alaska

Strongest Investigator Skills: Natural World, Navigate, Firearms (Handgun), Writing

History: Jon found some fame (and notoriety) by participating in an expedition into the wilds of Alaska and the Yukon Territory. He was accused of stealing artifacts from a proposed archaeological site in the region, though this has never been confirmed. Jon believes it all to be a big misunderstanding.

Agenda: The prospect of an expedition in South America is intriguing to Jon, and he is hoping success here may help repair his reputation among his fellow explorers.

Benjamin Brock

Player: Ouray Nealon Occupation: Student of Archaeology Age: 17 Sex: Male Birthplace: Arkham, Massachusetts Residence: Arkham, Massachusetts

Strongest Investigator Skills: Archaeology, Appraise, Occult, History

History: Benjamin’s sheltered childhood seems to be carrying into adulthood. Born with no legs, he feels his disability has blinded his parents to his potential. This has yet to hold him back. The only thing standing in the way of his Doctorate in Archaeology is first-hand field experience. After promising to visit antiquity sites within the country, Benjamin left in an act of defiance for South America, with his long-time friend and manservant, Eugene Eckler, at his side. The only question that remains is the doubt he’s been burdened with for years...can he really do this?

Agenda: Though Benjamin’s reasons for joining the expedition seem readily apparent, he harbors a secret reason for answering Larkin’s summons...one he hasn’t told anybody.

Keeper of Arcane Lore

Name: It’s me, guys

Notable NPCs in Peru: Augustus Larkin, Jesse Hughes, Luis de Mendoza, Eugene Eckler, Ana Sofía Escribano, Arno Trembley, Marquis Carstairs, Nayra

Style and House Rules:

Luck points can be spent to improve skill checks (except combat and sanity)

If it’s said in character it’s canon (jokes included, though I’m lenient)

Story/Character > Mechanics

Occasional pulp content w/o pulp rules (Pulp Cthulhu is a little more action-oriented, and I’ll trickle some in without changing the mechanics from standard 7E)

I allow off-screen actions that sometimes will not be revealed to all my players until much later (if at all), and it’s up to them to dig a little deeper

My pacing slower but deliberate. Our current pace will see this campaign finished in two years or more. (I intentionally did this because, at the time of episode one, most of my players were just acquaintances, a sort of mashed two groups together. I figured slower pacing might give them time to warm to each other.)

Zero tolerance on murder-hoboing (if my players want to do this, they’ll find the repercutions of their actions have realistic consequences)

I try to give everyone the spotlight now and then. Players/characters will shift in and out of focus. I can only prod them to do so much.