cutting through needless diplomacy, or circumventing lengthy
wars by delivering a swift shot to the back of the opposition’s
head. Assassins tend to develop routines, as most people do
with their work. These can appear as preferred weapons or
styles of murder, or even calling cards to signal their presence.
While such flamboyant assassins are rare, enough exist within
the underworld to create a thriving market of hired killers,
each attempting to outperform the other.
Brainwashed Killer
AKA: Fanatic, Mental Slave, Zombie
Cults and governments alike produce brainwashed killers,
determined to kill as many people as possible before
meeting their deaths in hails of gunfire or climactic explo-
sions. Unlike assassins, organizations do not create brain-
washed killers for repeat use. Their masters want the
short-term benefit of a homicidal maniac focused purely
on destruction. If the killer dies, then another will be lined
up for a future job. Brainwashed killers rarely have knowl-
edge of their masters’ schemes, or a willingness to divulge
Brainwashed Killer
Abilities (Focuses)
1 Accuracy
–1 Communication
2 Constitution (Stamina)
1 Dexterity (Stealth)
4 Fighting (Brawling, Grappling, Short Hafted)
–1 Intelligence
2 Perception
2 Strength (Intimidation)
0 Willpower (Morale)
Speed Health Defense AR + Toughness
11 17 21 26 11 11 11 4I/0B+2 +2
Weapon Attack Roll Damage*
Hammer +6 1d6+2
Dagger +4 1d6+3
* Add +2 to damage in Pulpy and Cinematic modes.
Special Qualities
Favored Stunts: Whatever’s Handy
Rise Again: If dropped to 0 Health, unless fatally injured
by an additional blow, a surge of adrenalin and the kill-
er’s twisted focus allows them to recover 1d6 Health after
appearing dead for 1d6 rounds. (Examination by a char-
acter with the Medicine focus reveals faint signs of life.) The
killer gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls as well. If dropped to
0 Health again or unable to find medical help within a few
minutes, the killer drops again, dispatched for good.
Talents: Observation (Novice)
Equipment: Dagger, Hammer, Heavy Leathers
Threat: Minor
Chapter 9: Adversaries
as much as their own name before they detonate the bomb
strapped to their chest.
The brainwashed killer’s game statistics can also be used
as the basis for a slasher-style horror villain, but those
adversaries are usually significantly stronger. Use the rules
for Beefing Up Adversaries to reflect this.
Cat Burglar
AKA: Raiders, Robbers, Safe-Crackers, Second-Story Men
Accustomed to stealth over violence, the cat burglar’s reputa-
tion grows based on skill, goods stolen, and time spent free
from imprisonment. It does not serve a cat burglar to get
into fights, so when confronted the burglar will either flee, or
use a disabling device such as a stun gun or smoke grenade
to cover their activities. Cat burglars may compete, sharing
tales of daring heists while attempting to steal more valuable,
better-protected things than their peers. A cat burglar’s weak-
ness is their ego. They treat theft as an art and can’t help but
add their own signature flourishes to the crime scene. Some
of them are also strongly focused on one kind of score, such
as paintings in a certain style. These habits can help dogged
Cat Burglar
Abilities (Focuses)
1 Accuracy
1 Communication (Deception)
2 Constitution (Propelling, Running)
4 Dexterity (Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand, Stealth)
1 Fighting
0 Intelligence
2 Perception (Hearing)
1 Strength
0 Willpower
+2
Speed Health Defense AR + Toughness
14 12 16 21 14 14 14 0I/0B+2 +2 +2
Weapon Attack Roll Damage*
Stun Gun +1 1d6
* Add +2 to damage in Pulpy and Cinematic modes.
Special Qualities
Favored Stunts: Disarm, It Wasn’t Me, Take Cover
Calling Card: By sticking to a specific routine, the cat
burglar benefits from a +2 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) and
Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) tests, but leaves signature clues
behind (including, sometimes, an actual calling card to mock
security), granting investigators a +2 bonus to one or more
focuses (selected by the GM) used to track them down.
Talents: Burglary (Master), Misdirection (Expert), Scouting
(Novice)
Equipment: Burglar’s Kit, Disguise Kit, Stun Gun
Threat: Minor
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