Serenity Characters #1 of 7: The Captain

This is the first of seven blog entries detailing the crew from the Serenity one-shot I ran at the weekend. Given that I intend to make use of the same characters for future one-shots, it seems wise to give some more thought to how the characters should be constructed, and perhaps make some adjustments. Additionally, of course, if the characters are useful to others, that is a plus.

The first character is the captain of Betty, Frank Elgyn. I was reasonably happy with the way this character functioned in the game, and in how he was constructed. As such, the only change I think I would make is to reduce his Leadership specialities in favour of some Melee Weapons training.

One of the things I was keen to emphasise with this character is that he isn't Mal Reynolds. That is, while they necessarily have some things in common (both being captains of mid-bulk transports, both lead rag-tag crews of miscreants, and both are somewhat lovable rogues), Elgyn is much more direct in his dealings, and has rather fewer scruples. Ifelt that came out quite well, both in the build, and also in the game itself.

Frank Elgyn: Mercenary Captain

Attributes

Agility d8
Strength d4
Vitality d8
Alertness d6
Intelligence d6
Willpower d6

Life Points 14
Initiative d8+d6

Skills

Athletics d6
- Running d8
Covert d6
Discipline d6
- Leadership d8
- Morale d8
Guns d6
- Pistols d10
Influence d6
- Bureaucracy d8
- Streetwise d8
Knowledge d4
Melee Weapons d4
Perception d6
- Search d8
Pilot d4
Planetary Vehicles d4

Weapons and Equipment

Pistol: Elgyn is a veteran of the Unification War, and learned long ago that it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need one and not have it.

Ballistic Mesh: Likewise, Elgyn is no fool. At the first hint of trouble, he'll be sure to don his trusty mesh armour. This absorbs 1 Wound point from any attack that hits the torso, arms or legs. Additionally, if hit with normal bullets, it converts all Wound (and Shock) damage into Stun damage instead.

In addition, Elgyn usually carries a combat knife just in case, a billfold containing several small notes, a comlink set to Betty's standard frequency, and an identity card that may or may not be forged.

Traits

Fightin' Type (major asset): As a veteran of the Unification War, Elgyn saw a reasonable amount of action. He can handle himself in a fight.

Friends in High Places (minor asset): Elgyn retains few friends from the service, but the one man he can reliably turn to is General Perez, an old customer who retains his rank, but little of his authority.

Good Name (minor asset): Elgyn has worked for some years to build a certain reputation - he's known as a competent smuggler, mercenary, and agent, who will get the job done and, more importantly, will keep his mouth shut.

Leadership (minor asset): Elgyn is good at setting priorities, and ensuring his people know what they each need to do.

Military Rank (minor asset): Elgyn was once a lieutenant in the Alliance military (Quartermaster's Division). As such, he is used to giving orders and having them obeyed.

Credo (minor complication): He only has two rules - he won't be taken as a fool, and he won't directly harm a child.

Roleplaying Notes

Elgyn was born and raised on Shadow, and would have made for a natural Browncoat were it not for a deep survivalist streak in his nature. He saw the forces arrayed, and calculated that the Purple Bellies had the manpower, the ships, and the technology. Knowing that a neutral could never benefit from the war, he signed up quickly, and made sure to seek a nice, safe, administrative role.

Make no mistake: Elgyn's no coward. He's tough, and more than willing to get his hands dirty. But he's also smart, and he knows good and proper that the only sure way to live through a fight is to be elsewhere.

Having found himself an undistinguished role as lieutenant in the Alliance Quartermaster's Corps, Elgyn quickly learned the value of contraband. In every war, there are always those who will profit, and there are always luxuries that cannot be easily had. So, with the tacit (and well-paid) approval of Captain Perez, he got his start. And after the war, he made the smallest of career changes, and carried right on making money.

Elgyn has been doing this for a good number of years now. He has a ship, and he's found a crew. The jobs come - they come with some difficulty, especially since the Alliance got that bloody nose a few years back - but they come.

He prides himself on his good name. He doesn't claim to have much honour, but he knows that he's good at what he does, and he knows that other people know it also. He would hate to see that tarnished. And on those rare occasions when his conscience does trouble him, he reminds himself of his two golden rules. Either that, or he drinks his troubles away.