This series follows the trials, tribulations, successes, and failures of a fairly inexperienced GM who has recently picked up the hobby after a long time away. It aims to assist new GM’s by examining what worked, didn’t work, and what failed miserably as he spins up new campaigns, modules, encounters, and adventures for his friends and family in Fantasy Flight Games’ Edge of the Empire/Age of Rebellion/Force and Destiny system.
Everyone who knows me knows I’m a fan of everything Star Wars. That includes the soundtracks, books, comics, and animated TV series. And nothing has been finer than Star Wars Rebels as it winds down in this final season. Executed with great precision, the series embodies everything that makes Star Wars wonderful. Dave Filoni and his staff have crafted a masterpiece. Seeing it wind down is bittersweet, as what will replace it is still up in the air as far as the public knows.
Whenever I watch Rebels I always think about things I’d love to have in my games. The show is alive with many inspirational ideas to play in any campaign. Never was that truer than when I saw the assassin, Rukh. Voiced by the great Warwick Davis, Grand Admiral Thrawn’s right-hand killer made its way into the series and into the Star Wars mainstream. So, if you’d like to use Rukh in one of your games, here’s the tools you need to do so:
Background
Rukh is a Noghri. The Noghri are a short, primitive humanoid species. Grey in appearance, the Noghri can walk both upright or on all fours. When running on all fours, their speed can increase significantly. The Noghri have an incredible sense of smell, including the ability to use smell to identify someone’s bloodline. The Noghri are also quite adept at killing, with claws and fangs able to tear into opponents even when holding no weapon. The Noghri are natives of the world, Honoghr, a place that was devastated during the Clone Wars. Soon after the Clone Wars, Darth Vader discovered the planet and was impressed with the killing skill of the Noghri. While stealthily continuing to hamper the planet’s atmosphere, the Sith Lord offered environmental aid to the Noghri, causing them to be honor-bound to serve Vader. As a result, many young men became assassins for Emperor Palpatine.
Rukh is fiercely loyal to the Empire and in particular, Grand Admiral Thrawn, who often employs him to go after his more lofty targets. Rukh was essential in tracking the Rebels on Lothal in about 1 BBY, eventually leading the the capture of Hera Syndulla.
Stat Block
Rukh (Nemesis)
Species Ability: Rukh adds 2 boost dice to all Perception and Vigilance checks
Brawn: 4, Agility: 4, Intellect: 2, Cunning: 4, Willpower: 2, Presence: 2
Soak: 5 Defense: Ranged 1, Melee 1
Wound Threshold: 21, Strain Threshold: 18
Skills
Athletics 2, Brawl 2, Coercion 2, Cool 1, Deception 2, Discipline 1, Melee 3, Perception 2, Piloting – Planetary 1, Piloting – Space 1, Ranged (Heavy) 1, Ranged (Light) 1, Skulduggery 1, Stealth 2, Survival 2, Vigilance 2, Xenology 1
Talents
Adversary 1 – Upgrade the difficulty of any combat check targeting this character once per rank.
Dodge 2 – When targeted by combat check, may perform a Dodge incidental to suffer a number of strain no greater than ranks in Dodge, then upgrade the difficulty of the check by that number.
Frenzied Attack 1 – When making a Melee or Brawl check, suffer a number of strain to upgrade the attack an equal number of times. Strain may not exceed ranks in Frenzied Attack.
Jump Up – Once per round, may stand from seated or prone as an incidental.
Lethal Blows 2 – Character adds +10 per rank of Lethal Blows to any Critical Injury rolls inflicted on opponents.
Natural Brawler – Once per session, may reroll any 1 Brawl or Melee check.
Precise Aim 2 – Once per round, may perform Precise Aim maneuver. Suffer a number of strain no greater than ranks in Precise Aim, then reduce target’s melee and ranged defense by that number.
Quick Strike 1 – Add a boost die per rank to combat checks against targets that have not acted yet this encounter.
Stalker 1 – Character adds a boost die per rank to Coordination and Stealth checks.
Targeted Blow – After making a successful attack, may spend 1 Destiny Point to add damage equal to Agility to one hit.
Weapons & Armor
Collapsible Electrostaff: Skill: Melee, Range: Engaged, Damage: 8 (Brawn +4), Critical: 5, Qualities: Cortosis, Linked 1, Cumbersome 3, Unwieldy 3, Stun Setting
Armored Clothing: Soak: +1, Ranged Def: 1, Melee Def: 1
Scott Alden
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