RPG Character A Week's blog

Vulpi Gladius/Zorro (Don Diego De La Vega)

Who is Zorro (Don Diego De La Vega)?

Vulpi Gladius is the wealthy son of a wealthy man, who has to hide his identity behind a mask, to protect his family name. As an elf, he has quite a family, hundreds of years of learning behind him. Vulpi took up the sword to defeat evil and collect treasure, which he in turn gives to the needy in every village he visits along the way. He's discovered that he's a natural-born leader, though he's more likely to give a comforting word than a battlefield command.

 

Primary Source Material: Various “Zorro” films and comic books

 

Vulpi Gladius – Fourth Edition (half-elf insightful warlord)

 

Vulpi Gladius – OSR (elf fighting-man)

 

Zorro (Don Diego De La Vega) – Microlite 20 Costumes

Level 3 – 45 Power Points

STR: 12 (+1), DEX: 17 (+3), MIND: 13 (+1)

Physical: 3, Subterfuge: 5, Knowledge: 3, Communication: 4

HP: 49, AC: 15

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +4, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +6, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +4

Financial Status: Rich, Powers: Weapon (fencing sword) 3

 

Zorro (Don Diego De La Vega) – Risus

Master Swordsman (4), Wealthy Landowner (3), Beloved By The People Of California (2), Masked Vigilante (1)

 

Notes

“Z” is for Zorro and the end of the alphabet – and the end of the blog. I thought people would enjoy seeing their favorite heroes as RPG characters, but no comments indicates no one really cares. My site stats show that people have found the Raistlin page – but only because I had a picture from DeviantArt there (before I was told to stop because Deviant Artists don't actually want their art to be seen...). Oh well, the blog is still out there, so maybe it will come in handy for someone somewhere at some time. So I'll end the way I always end these posts:

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Krang

Who is Krang?

Unlike most people, the mystic named Krang is more a brain protected by his physique than a complete fusion of mind and body. He's small and bright, which makes him especially sensitive to warriors and sneaks who are quicker or stronger than he is. Krang knows he's different, and while sometimes that makes him disappointed or angry, usually, it reinforces his own feeling that he's unique and superior. He fights evil with the power of his mind not to protect the innocent or to do what's right, but to make it easier when he one day conquers all the world.

 

Primary Source Material: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” 1987 animated series

 

Krang – Fourth Edition (warforged impetuous ardent)

 

Krang – OSR (halfling magic-user)

 

Krang – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – late modern era

Intellect focus – Research, Technical special abilities

STR: 13 (+1), DEX: 11 (+0), MIND: 18 (+4)

Physical: 2, Subterfuge: 1, Knowledge: 3, Communication: 2, Technology: 5

HP: 17, AC: 18

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +2, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +1, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +5

Financial Status: Multimillionaire, Equipment: Robot body (equivalent to riot gear armor)

 

Krang – Risus

Alien Warlord From Dimension X (4), Giant Robot Body (3), Hideous Brain Creature (2), Relies On Shredder More Than He Ever Wants To (1)

 

Notes

I know about the Utroms, but Krang is something else entirely – he has a personality, albeit an annoying one. His robot body from the first few episodes of the '87 series is included here, but mainly he's just a genius with major limitations.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

The Dagger/Machete Cortez

Who is Machete?

He lives to serve the god of battle, the only one who was there even in the dark days when the forces of evil took everyone in his family from him. The Dagger – the only name he goes by now – is a brooding, stoic beast who can win hearts as swiftly as he can slice off heads. He doesn't rely much on magic or artifice, preferring a simple fight to a gadget or a spell, but he's not foolish enough to ignore any ally that comes his way. The Dagger prefers to save his killing for direct threats. He won't slaughter a foe just doing its job, but will push on through any threat that could take him back to that grim place his soul once called home.

 

Primary Source Material: “Machete” 2010 film

 

The Dagger – Fourth Edition (minotaur isolating avenger of the god of battle)

 

The Dagger – OSR (human fighting-man)

 

Machete Cortez – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – late modern era

Might focus – Combat Style (Melee), Quick Draw special abilities

STR: 18 (+4), DEX: 11 (+0), MIND: 13 (+1)

Physical: 6, Subterfuge: 2, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 2, Technology: 1

HP: 22, AC: 13, Initiative: +2

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +5, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +1, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +2

Financial Status: Struggling, Equipment: Machete +1, Submachine Gun, Cool Car, Leather Jacket

 

Machete Cortez – Risus

Guns And Blades (4), You Can't Stop Him (3), Gets All The Girls (2), Machete Don't Text (1)

 

Notes

The movie was stupid fun, just like it was expected to be. He's a pretty straightforward character, so I tried to change it up with some unexpected tough guy archetypes.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Ellen Ripley

Who is Ellen Ripley?

Ellen wanted to be a merchant, and was working as a guard on a sailing ship to learn the master's skills before taking command of her own craft. She protected the ship from pirates and water monsters – but no one on board was ready for the creatures from the space beyond thought. They sliced open a gap in the stars and rushed inside like a wave of insects, slaughtering everyone on the ship. Ellen fought them off in a battle that reduced the ship to splinters.

She survived to find herself on a beach, and made her peace with the goddess who was supposed to protect space. Ellen built up her magical powers from the stars to take out those threats from the stars. Now she wanders the world, searching for any invasion from the other realm.

 

Primary Source Material: “Aliens” 1986 film

 

Ellen Ripley – Fourth Edition (human cosmic sorcerer)

 

Ellen Ripley – OSR (human cleric of goddess of moon and the stars)

 

Ellen Ripley – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – late future era

Might focus – Combat Style (missile/ranged), Tough special abilities

STR: 13 (+1), DEX: 13 (+1), MIND: 16 (+3)

Physical: 5, Subterfuge: 2, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 2, Technology: 2

HP: 21, AC: 13

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +3, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +2, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +4

Financial Status: Sponsored, Equipment: Assault Rifle (+1 damage), Portable Communicator

 

Ellen Ripley – Risus

Get Away From Her, You Bitch! (4), Nuke The Site From Orbit (3), Soldier By Fate (2), Few Close Friends (1)

 

Notes

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Porz Birdstomper/Porky Pig

Who is Porky Pig?

Though he looks gruff, Porz is a considerate, mild-mannered warrior. He doesn't pick fights he doesn't think he can win. He stutters when he talks, so Porz is quiet most of the time. Not speaking means you listen very well, and Porz has learned to let others destroy themselves most of the time, turning their words back on themselves. His clan has a long-standing rivalry with another clan that uses a great black bird as its symbol, and Porz doesn't like being in the air, in the clutches of a bird, on board a ship, or any other way.

Porz is quiet but strong, and uses his talents as something of a law officer, keeping the most violent and dangerous of his fellows in check.

 

Primary Source Material: “Looney Tunes” cartoons

 

Porz Birdstomper – Fourth Edition (half-orc virtuous paladin)

 

Porz Birdstomper – OSR (human fighting-man)

 

Porky Pig – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – early modern era

Might focus – Tough, Charming special abilities

STR: 15 (+2), DEX: 11 (+0), MIND: 16 (+3)

Physical: 5, Subterfuge: 2, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 2, Technology: 2

HP: 23, AC: 14

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +3, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +1, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +4

Financial Status: Comfortable, Equipment: Pigskin (equvalent to leather armor)

 

Porky Pig – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Pig (2), Cop (4), Reliable Friend (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: Toon

 

Porky Pig – Risus

Toon Star (4), Smart Sidekick (3), Mild-Mannered (2), Stutterer (1)

 

Notes

Old school roleplayers may remember orcs being portrayed as pig-men (think of the beginning of “Return Of The Jedi”) more than green-colored jocks, like they are now. Thus, Porky is an orc. I also gave him a police officer background because of his tiny role in the film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” And he's a few years out of date since they don't make “Looney Toons” anymore, really.

I chose Porky today because... “that's all, folks!” I've been taking a fair number of breaks from the blog recently, and I'm not getting many more readers or comments than I did when I started last year. So I'm going to live up to the blog name and only post once a week at least for the time being (probably Fridays). If you want to see more, leave comments! I'd love to have conversations about what I'm putting up here. I hope it helps inspire you during your own role playing adventures.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

John Little/Little John

Who is Little John?

John Little has always called the woods his home. He feels that he's more a creature of the trees than one of the stones, and is without a doubt more comfortable in the wilderness than in city streets. He just wants to spend all his days among the creatures and landscapes he calls home. But he knows every quiet day has to be purchased with the blood, sweat and tears of a day in battle against the forces of evil that would destroy his home. John usually turns the thinking over to his fellow adventurers, preferring to let his magical staff and mystic link to nature do the talking for him.

 

Primary Source Material: various “Robin Hood” stories

 

John Little – Fourth Edition (goliath earth warden)

 

John Little – OSR (human fighting-man)

 

Little John – Microlite 20 Purest Essence/Fantasy Character Creation Options

(Uses these alternate options: Race Points)

STR: 18 (+4), DEX: 13 (+1), MIND: 11 (+0)

Physical: 5, Subterfuge: 2, Knowledge: 1, Communication: 1, Survival: 3

HP: 22, AC: 13, Spell DC: na

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +6, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +2, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +1

Equipment: +2 Quarterstaff, Leather Armor

 

Little John – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Human (2), Fighter (4), Leader Of The Woodsman (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2e

 

Little John – Risus

Best Man Of The Woods (4), Unbeaten With The Quarterstaff (3), Loyal To Robin Hood (2), Tough Yet Simple (1)

 

Notes

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Tym Spektroka/Buzz Lightyear

Who is Buzz Lightyear?

Tym Spektroka, encased in heavy, magically enhanced armor, faces down foes one on one. He knows the law of his king and his deity (the god of battle), and follows those laws to the letter. He's comfortable working with adventurers who don't have his dedication to the rules or the force of arms, though he's quick to shake his head at their strange customs.

Tym doesn't like thinking about his feelings too often, but he's pretty sure that he's okay with rough-hewn outdoorsmen and neurotic monster-wranglers because they have the kind of personality traits he doesn't . He's not sure if that means he's only part of a whole person, but he hopes to be too busy fighting to fiture it out.

 

Primary Source Material: “Toy Story” 1995 film, “Toy Story 2” 1999 film

 

Tym Spektroka – Fourth Edition (half-orc defiant rune priest)

 

Tym Spektroka – OSR (dwarf fighting-man)

 

Buzz Lightyear – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – future era

Might focus – Armor Training, Encourage special abilities

STR: 15 (+2), DEX: 16 (+3), MIND: 11 (+0)

Physical: 5, Subterfuge: 2, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 1, Technology: 3

HP: 19, AC: 24

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +3, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +4, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +1

Financial Status: Sponsored, Equipment: Power Armor, Laser Pistol

 

Buzz Lightyear – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Human (2), Soldier (4), Space Ranger Suit (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: Star Wars d20

 

Buzz Lightyear – Risus

Space Ranger (4), “To Infinity And Beyond!” (3), Never Gives Up (2), Lawful Stupid (1)

 

Notes

His class abilities are mostly based on the very beginning of “Toy Story 2,” where Buzz is actually in his space opera “native habitat.” His fantasy name comes from his voice actor.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Dylan, Master Of Lightning/Electro (Max Dillon)

Who is Electro?

Dylan is the self-proclaimed master of lightning, an avatar of the storm god in the world who harnesses the thunder and electrical shocks to slay his foes. He has used his abilities in the past to try life as a magical rogue, frying locks and sizzling traps before they were sprung. While he has a degree of skill at it, he's better when in the middle of a fray, blasting orcs and trolls with bolts of lightning. Dylan is a simple creature, who loves nothing better than using his powers.

 

Primary Source Material: “Spider-Man” comic books

 

Dylan, Master Of Lightning – Fourth Edition (stormsoul genasi storm sorcerer)

 

Dylan, Master Of Lightning – OSR (human magic-user)

 

Electro (Max Dillon) – Microlite 20 Costumes

Level 9 – 135 Power Points35

STR: 13 (+1), DEX: 16 (+3), MIND: 12 (+1)

Physical: 12, Subterfuge: 12, Knowledge: 12, Communication: 11

HP: 61, AC: 22

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +10, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +14, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +10

Financial Status: Comfortable, Powers: Daze (9), Electricity (9), Technical Manipulation (9), Teleport (9) – Limited: Only Through Electrical Conduits

 

Electro (Max Dillon) – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Being Of Electricity (2), Burglar (4), Egotistical (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: none

 

Electro (Max Dillon) – Risus

Master Of Electricity (4), Simple-Minded Thief (3), Likes To Team Up (2), Nothing But Crime In His Life (1)

 

Notes

I've been gone for a few days thanks to a power outage at home, and that naturally made me think of an electricity-based character. The power grid is very vulnerable, as anyone who thinks about it for a minute realizes. But this blog isn't for solving the world's problems; it's just for fun.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Tomas, son of the woodcutter/Tom Sawyer

Who is Tom Sawyer?

Tomas, son of a woodcutter, has left his boyhood days of pulling pranks and running around town barefoot. He's traded them in for a life of dedication to the goddess of freedom, working to make sure no one suffers under the crushing grip of a warlord or the evil of a necromancer. He wants everyone to feel the liberty he still feels. While Tomas has strong magical and fighting skills, he relies most on his charm to sweet-talk pretty girls and not-so-clever guards into letting him do what he wants.

Tomas feels he's a reflection of his goddess' greatest desires: what you say about him is what you say about her. His mind is his own, but his soul is bound up in a hope for freedom for all.

 

Primary Source Material: “The Adventures Of Tom Sawyer” novel, “The League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen” 2003 film

 

Tomas, son of the woodcutter – Fourth Edition (human essentials warpriest cleric of the goddess of freedom)

 

Tomas, son of the woodcutter – OSR (human cleric)

 

Tom Sawyer – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – early historical era

Charisma focus – Charming, Encourage special abilities

STR: 11 (+0), DEX: 16 (+3), MIND: 14 (+2)

Physical: 2, Subterfuge: 3, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 4, Technology: 1

HP: 15, AC: 16

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +1, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +4, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +3

Financial Status: Comfortable, Equipment: Leather Duster, Carbine, Detective's License

 

Tom Sawyer – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Investigative Occupation (2), Dedicated Hero (Empathy Talent) (4), Country Boy (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: d20 Modern Past

 

Tom Sawyer – Risus

Boy Detective (4), His Mind Is Not For Rent (3), True-Blue Friend (2), Still A Troublemaker (1)

 

Notes

Yes, the movie was pretty bad, but the use of Tom Sawyer as a detective is a sound one (because of the “Tom Sawyer, Detective” novel). I wrote up Bart Simpson just two days ago, so Tom is a little older and a little less of a prankster than portrayed in the novel (just use Bart if you want the initial Tom). Plus, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to mix Rush in there too.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.

Barth Springfield/Bart Simpson

Who is Bart Simpson?

Barth, like many of the Springfield clan, is what most common folk think of when they think of halflings at all: witty, crafty, quick and a little suspect. He has been training as a bandit and urban huntsman for several years, and is finally ready to travel into the larger world, bringing his weapons and skills to bear on greater threats.

The old saying is that there's no honor among thieves, but Barth seems to have a way to get others to stick by him. He's got the charisma of an evangelist and the good sense to know when he's in over his head, and just when all seems lost, Barth will be there to do the right thing and keep his friends alive for another day.

 

Primary Source Material: “The Simpsons” TV series

 

Barth Springfield – Fourth Edition (halfling trickster rogue)

 

Barth Springfield – OSR (halfling thief)

 

Bart Simpson – Microlite 20 Modern-Day – late modern era

Stealth focus – Quick Draw, Encourage special abilities

STR: 11 (+0), DEX: 15 (+2), MIND: 16 (+3)

Physical: 2, Subterfuge: 5, Knowledge: 2, Communication: 3, Technology: 1

HP: 15, AC: 13, Initiative: +4

Melee/Hand-to-Hand Attack Bonus: +1, Missile/Ranged Attack Bonus: +3, Magic/Supernatural Attack Bonus: +4

Financial Status: Comfortable, Equipment: Slingshot, Skateboard

 

Bart Simpson – Dungeon Crawl: Risus

Student Occupation (2), Charismatic Hero (Coordinate Talent) (4), Good-Natured Prankster (3), 3 Rerolls, RPG book used as reference: d20 Modern

 

Bart Simpson – Risus

10-Year-Old Prankster (4), People Help Him Because They Feel Sorry For Him (Lisa, Milhouse) (3), His Enemies Are Also His Friends (Skinner, Nelson) (2), Loves His Family (1)

 

Notes

These days, Bart is mostly Homer Jr., as he's lazy and usually just a pawn in stories about Homer or Marge. But in the “golden age” of “The Simpsons,” he was the slippery vandal El Barto, and even a con-man from time to time, always out-thinking Milhouse (admittedly, not difficult) and rallying the students against Skinner.

Disagree with my stats? Have another character suggestion? Leave a comment! Thanks.

You’ll find rules for my Microlite 20 and Risus expansions, games of my own creation, and much more at my website.