Joshua Niles: Northern Gun Poster Boy, and professional hunter.
11-5-97
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I originaly created this character for a '97 Gen Con game, but the GM
made us all use pre-gens (and lame ones at that). Enjoy.
Character Story:
Joshua Niles was born near a small semi-industrial town between
Iron Heart and Free-Quebec. Thus, he grew up knowing both of the Coalition
and the city-states to the west. As a child, Niles showed an affinity for
hunting, and as he matured, word spread to the out-lying communities of his
wilderness and hunting skills. Joshua was taught everything he knew by
his father and brothers, a group of isolationists living in a small
underground bunker/cabin near town. He and his family
frequently went on hunting trips for pelts to sell.
On the eve of his 16th birth day, a demonic monster of some sort came
rampaging into the nearby town. The monster was seemingly invulnerable to
the town militia's pitiful energy weapons, but Joshua was able to make an
expert shot to it's eye, so wounding it that it was driven off.
The town cheered Joshua for his heroism, and offered him a place in
their regular guard. But Joshua's curiosity had been awaked by the
monster. The d-bee's he and his family usually hunted were mostly harmless
ones allowed to stay so near to the Coalition because of their non-combative
nature. Aggressive d-bee attacks in his area were rare, it's close proximity
to both the Coalition and Iron Heart ensured that any marauders would be
quickly hunted down and killed. Joshua wanted to see what the rest of the
world was like. He quickly grew tired of his simple living hunting the
harmless d-bees. Feeling something he had never before felt when in actual
combat with the monstrosity, Joshua decided it was time to try to put his
abilities to more use than hunting the local Gronk herds.
A few days after his 16th birth day, Joshua trekked to the nearest
Coalition out-post, and requested to work as a scout. Suspicious and
doubtful at first, the leading officer just laughed at him. But, Joshua
kept pestering the man, and after at least a week of this, the Captain
let Joshua show his abilities by acting as a guide through the wilderness.
He was to help a special seek-and-destroy platoon that was hunting a
Tyrannosaurus Rex the Coalition thought was living a little too close to it's
territory.
Joshua proved extremely useful in tracking the beast and observing
it at a distance until the platoon was ready to strike. Given an old
Coalition suit of Dog-Pack armor in payment, he was thrilled to be in
with the soldiers. Watching the ensuing battle between the troops and the
T-Rex, Joshua quickly became convinced that he wanted to join the Coalition.
The captain, was impressed with the young man as he too took pock-shots
at the beast with his old laser rifle, even though the main damage was being
done by the 4 partial-borgs with the heavy weapons.
When the beast managed to rush one of the borgs, catch him in it's mouth, and
basically rend him to pieces, the Platoon was forced to pull-back, the
monster was proving too strong.
Later that evening in base-camp, Joshua put forward the idea of
waiting until the monster was sluggish after a big kill, and then attacking
it. Liking the idea, the Captain ordered his troops to stay on alert in
camp and went out with Joshua to observe the animal. They soon saw it make
a kill of a Tri-Tops, even in its wounded state. Seeing their time to
strike, the next day the troops once again assembled, and after finding the
beast again, managed to slay it in its slower (and wounded) state.
The Captain was quite impressed by Joshua's skills, and when he asked
Joshua if he would like to be part of the Coalition army, Joshua
enthusiastically said yes. After training where Joshua distinguished
himself, he was sent on a number of seek-and destroy missions against inhuman
enemies of the state. He became very good at his job, but would often
attempt to take on bigger foes than he could handle, with out calling in
backup. (he was often allowed to hunt alone, things just worked better that
way). Thus, to him the juicer process came as the logical next step. The
announcement asking for volunteers from his unit to join the new juicer
anti-demon squad caught his attention, and he went down to the clinic the
next day.
After his augmentation, Joshua worked 3 years in Quebec's special
monster containment and extermination squad, earning many honors.
Because of his exceptional work and extra year of service, his family was
given official citizenship and a home in Free-Quebec with a nice government
pension to support them until his father could get a real job. His family's
welfare secured, Joshua thought about a few things.
One, he knew that his Juicer Life-span was running out, but he didn't
want to de-tox right away, he still wanted to see the world.
Two, Coalition life was getting too routine
And three, killing demons and monsters was fun, but he needed
something new.
So, he decided to officially retire from the military (honorable, he
had served more than the required time). Leaving, he first visited the
free city-state of Iron Heart (he had never actually been their before, most
of his life had been out in the wilderness).
His reputation as an experienced monster hunter quickly netted him
much work. But, he was already bored of simple hunting missions, so he
decided he'd try to spice them up a little. He thought he'd take
home-videos of his hunts! After seeing a few by others that were extremely
bad, and of monster-hunts that he could have done blindfolded, Joshua
decided that he could make much better videos. So, after hours of
(agonizing for a juicer) studying and practicing with the equipment he
bought, Joshua found he could make some pretty quality flicks.
Starting with some simple shots, Joshua experimented different
cameras, views, etc. Finally he thought he had a good set-up, and did a tape
of him hunting and slaying a lone Xiticix. Feeling more secure about working
with his camera, he tried some tougher foes, and began showing his local merc
buddies his home-videos. Sort of like nature videos, except gorier, his
friends all loved them, and urged him to show others and make more.
With this support, Joshua set out to make a truly superb film, and
after nearly 2 weeks of work, he has what he thought was a finished copy.
This first film was entitled "Into the Hive". It detailed him actually
prowling into a small hive (while covered in scent glands), slaying the
queen, 10 workers, and around 20 warriors as he fought his way back out.
All of this was captured on his new head-camcorder, with him doing a
remarkably calm narrative of the events. The film ends with him escaping
(barely) with a swarm of about 400 Xiticix in pursuit. He flees to his
hover-bike , and finishes the film back at his lodge with some interesting
facts about the bugs.
This first video was quickly picked up by a movie company "Forgotten
Entertainment". Usually just re-furbishing and selling pre-rifts films, the
company thought his new films might be popular, and agreed to try to
distribute them. Promoted to many theaters in the area, at first "Into the
Hive" didn't catch on. It's fast and brutal style did not appeal to the
finer class who paid the high rates to watch the company's usual ancient
films. But it became popular after time, once the company and theaters
started advertising to the less-educated, and began showing it at cheaper
prices so the common man could view it.
After his first success, Joshua created many other "action"
films. all of which have been big hits. Some of the best include
"Beast Dragons Sure Are Stupid", "Faerie Hunt I", where he stalks a group of
faeries into their circle, but is affected by their magic while they escaped
his infuriated plasma-blasts. (great shots where he lies unconscious and
they tie pink ribbons all over him and put flowers in all of his gun barrels,
"Faerie Hunt II - Vengeance" Here he stalks a female sprite, and managed to
corner her. She begs for her life, and says that she'll be his slave if he
lets her live. He does, grudgingly, and she convinces him she can cook one
night in camp (while he was traveling home). Of course, he ingests some of
her magical food, and while it affects him greatly in numerous ways, (again,
all on tape) she escapes. Giving up on his hunt, he ends the film with a
description of what effects he noticed from what foods.
Other films include "A Thorn In My Foot", "Balrog-Shmalrog", and
"Bugs Don't Bug Me", along with many others. In his films he uses mostly
Northern Gun equipment, and after his 3rth movie he was approached by an NG
sales-rep to do a line of advertisements and official sponsorship in his
subsequent films.
Flattered by their interest, he agreed. Before he knew it, other
companies wanted to cash in on this up-coming star, and he has done ads for
the following products and companies:
o Zoom and Juicer-Zoom brand beer
o The Human Supremacy Organization (he appeared on their talk-show)
o Zaz-Co (makers of fine Coalition stun weapon knock offs)
"See how this new stun baton stops that demon in it's tracks?! Now you
can shoot it's convulsing body with ease!"
o McGrundson's taste freeze-dried rations
"when I'm in the field, I'll only eat McGrundson's, it's taaaastee!"
o Radio Barn "Now with better range than ever!"
o Demon Busters, Inc.
"When a friend asks me where to go for professional
demon extermination, there's only one choice on my mind."
o He even did a 30 minute infomercial for the original release of the NG-S2 Survival
Pack (something's he now regrets, it was really stupid).
Plus he's done advertisements for many of the more popular mercenary
bars in Iron Heart, and countless community service announcements and
pamphlets. These warn about and accurately describe the dangers and
characteristics of at least 20 common d-bee's and monsters. For example,
one reads: (or plays, many people are illiterate)
"Never go out at night with out a cross."
Another gives the handy advice:
"Never leave your scent gland's at home during the prime Xiticix food
gathering periods."
Because of Joshua's extensive media appearances and advertisements,
he has attained a celebrity status among 70% of the local populace, and is
widely known (and cheered) in places where his movies or ads have aired
(which is a remarkably large area, NG is quite widespread, and his movies
have been shipped all over North America, plus there are 1000's of boot-legs).
So most people out of his home area have at least heard of him.
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Joshua's Niles, Human Juicer Scout
IQ:11 ME:11 MA:17 PS:28 PP:22 PE:20 PB:15 SPD:72
SDC:334
Hit Points:76
Age: 25 (currently a 4 1/2 year old Juicer)
Sex: Male Height: 5'11" Weight: 198lbs Origin: Iron Heart Area
Birth Order: 1 of 5 brothers (3rd)--all are currently living in Free-Quebec
Level of Experience: 7th (about 5 years in regular military, +3 as a juicer)
Disposition:
calm and composed, enjoys hunting, hates all non-humanoids, very distrustful
of magic and d-bees, respects the Coalition, a nice guy if he respects you,
a real hard-ass if not. In combat he's a whirlwind, everywhere at once. Merciless towards
his inhuman enemies, he doesn't see them as anything but monsters
(a sad case of Coalition brainwashing)
Joshua is well like by humans everywhere (high MA).
Description:
A young man who's face shows his experience (he's lived hard and fast).
Dark brown hair and nearly black eyes. Ruggedly handsome (no I'm not gay,
it's a description damnit). Fairly tall and heavily built, but very light on
his feet. Always walks silently, it's become second nature to him.
Hand to Hand: Expert
# of attacks: 6 Kick 2d4/1d8/1d6SDC
+13 to damage
+6 to strike
+11 to parry
+11 to dodge
+12 to roll
+4 on initiative
+4 Vs psionics (11 or better)
+6 Vs mind control
+3 Vs magic
+11 Vs toxins, drugs, gases
+30% Vs Coma/Death
Critical on 18,19,20
Paired Weapons
Heals twice as fast
Skills
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Radio Basic 85%
Language: American 98%
Detect Ambush 70%
Detect Concealment 65%
Land Navigation 70%
Wilderness Survival 98% -- this boy was born and bred in the wilderness
Prowl 75%
Track Humanoids 65%
Track Animals 65%
Pilot Hovercycle 93%
Lore -- Demons and Monsters 65%
Lore -- D-Bees 65%
Camouflage 55%
Intelligence 56%
Acrobatics (Sense of balance 90% Back Flip 90% climb 83%)
TV/Video 46% -- He was interested in this stuff before going independent
Gymnastics
Boxing
W.P. Energy Rifle - He has +5/+3 on aimed/burst
W.P. Heavy Energy - Also +5/+3
W.P. Knife - +2 to throw, +2 to strike, +2 to parry
Secondary Skills and ones he already knew before training
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Hunting
Skin and Prepare Animal Hides 65%
W.P. Bolt Action Rifle +5/+3
Cook 70%
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W.P.: Energy Pistol --+5/+3
Sniper (+2 to strike on aimed rifle shots)
First Aide 75%
Athletics
Math: Basic 75%
Literacy: American 60%
Equipment
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MP-10 caseless Pistol w/ 2 clips normal and 2 clips silver
Collapsible Zaz-Co 2000 (copy of the ES-20 stun spear that collapses)
NG-E12A Heavy Plasma Ejector (w/ power pack)
1d6x10MD, 2000ft, 6 short/12 long/42 powerpack
Vibro Knives (3) Silver Plated Swords (2) 1d8 SDC
2 Hooked Vibro Blade Fore Arm Vambrances (2d6MD, +1 to parry, +5% to climb)
NG-Super Plus Ion (3d6MD, 10/20 shots, 500ft, grenades 2d6MD 6ftrad 500ft (14)
4 Frag Grenades(2d6 20ft radius)
4 Heavy explosive Grenades(4d6 12ft radius)
Also keeps a NG-202 on his vehicle (for impervious to energy)
6 long e-clips
MDC Hide pouch (5MDC) with 28 NG-super grenades
Hunting, traveling, and stylish clothing
MO Helmet and Infrared binoculars
Portable Language Translator
Mini PDD-Video/Trideo Recorder, Nightvision attachment, 10 4hr PDD disks
Various cameras and film
10 Smoke grenades
Camouflage Paint and make-up
Vehicles: Owns a number of hunting-outfitted land-rovers.
Also has a NG-480 Turbo (his pride and joy)
Armor:
Either Dragon Super Hide (130MDC, 50lbs, -21% to prowl) or
Heavy Dog Pack (50MDC, no penalties) and an armored coat (16MDC)
Money: Around 5 million credits in Iron Heart, usually carries around 150,000
He can also get most NG equipment for a fraction of the cost, or free if it's
for a movie (he'll be reimbursed after it airs and makes NG look good).
Note: Joshua knows that he is going to die in a few years, and is still not
sure what to do about it. He now curses himself for not de-toxing after 2
years, but now it's to late (the doctors told him of his mediocre survival
rate). He thinks that right now his only way to live is by getting rebuilt
with bionics, something he's not keen on. He would get all bio-systems, but
even then he knows they'd be mediocre in comparison to his current body in
powers and senses. He's heard rumors about the high technology to the east
(Atlatis, all he knows is that it is out east), and may go adventuring to
find it to get his body cloned back healthy and drugless (an interesting
idea for a dying juicer...). But he also might just try the bionics, and
make sure that his new body kicked ass.
Anyway, he's making sure to have a lot of money saved when that time does
come.
