Dice Rifts Adventure Characters

[Sherwood]

Character Stuff will go here.

 

[Sherwood]

When rolling up stats, use the following rules:
If your base Attribute is a 3d6 (normal for humans), roll 4d6, rerolling 1's. With a 16, 17, or 18, add another 1d6 to your roll. IF that last die is another '6', roll another d6. This can give you a potential of a 30 on an attribute.

For non-humans (such as an Anti-Monster or Atlantian) that has a number like '19 + 1d6', roll the dice indicated, but reroll 1's and 2's.

Here is the Master Skill List for those without books. Some of these skills are not applicable, and all choices are to be approved by me.
http://home.wtal.de/marcorubert/SkilList.pdf

Finally, everyone can get one rolled number at max. That can be an Attribute, ISP, PPE, MDC or whatever your character has that is determined by roll of the die. Let me know what your choice is.

If you select one of the advanced Martial Art styles, make the following change to them:

There are the following additions/changes to the systems.
1. At character creation, should a system provide the bonus "Add x to CHI," the character instead adds 1 point of M.A. per 5 points of Chi.
2. When leveling, instead of receiving "One Additional Martial Art Power" or "Zenjoriki Power," etc., the character adds +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike, and +1 to damage each time they receive that bonus.
3. When leveling, instead of receiving "Double Existing Chi," the character adds +1 to Parry, +1 to Dodge, and +1 to Roll with Impact.

Taking a page from Pathfinder, I am going to allow you to raise one attribute point every THREE levels you go up. This increase can be on any of your attributes.

Ok everyone! After thinking about it for a bit, I'm going to institute the Bonus Point system that has been discussed in earlier posts. As you level up, you get Bonus Points equal to 5 + 1/2 you current level, rounded up. These points do not roll over from level to level, so make sure you use them wisely. This Bonus Point can be used for any attack, defense or skill roll you want. What does a Bonus Point give you, you ask?

In the case of a d20 roll, you add an additional D6 to the result. In the event of a natural 1-4, it still is an automatic miss, so in that case, the BP is wasted.

For a percentile (d100) roll, you add a d6 to your roll, but each point you get is 5%, giving you a potential +30% to your roll.

When you use an BP, you must declare it before the base roll that it is being added to is rolled.

 

[Sherwood]

ATTRIBUTE BONUS CHART
Attribute Number: 16 - 17 - 18 - 19 - 20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27 - 28 - 29 - 30
I.Q. add to all skills . This is a one time bonus +2% / +3% /+4% + 5% / +6% / +7% / +8% / +9% / +10% / +11% / +12% / +13% / +14% / +15% / +16%
I.Q. bonus to Perception +1 / +1 / +2 / +2 / +3 / +3 / +4 / +4 /+5 / +5 / +6 / +6 /+7 / +7 / +8
M.E. save v s . psionic attack +1 / +1 / +2 / +2 / +3 / +3 / +4 / +4 /+5 / +5 / +6 / +6 /+7 / +7 / +8
M.E. save v s . insanity +1 / +1 / + 2 / +2 / +3 / +4 / +5 / +6 / +7 / +8 /+9 / +10 / +11 / +12 / +13
M.A. trust/intimidate 40% / 45% / 50% / 55% / 60% / 65% / 70% / 75% / 80% / 84% / 88% / 92% / 94% / 96% /97%
P.S. Hand to Hand combat damage +1 / +2 / +3 / +4 / +5 / +6 / +7 / +8 / +9 / +10 / +11 / +12 / +13 / +14 / +15
P.P. Strike, Parry and Dodge bonus +1 / +1 / +2 / +2 / +3 / +3 /+4 / +4 / +5 / +5 / +6 / +6 / +7 / +7 / +8
P.E. save v s . coma/death +4% / +5% / +6% / +8% / +10% / +12% / +14% / +16% / +18% / +20% / +22% / +24% / +26% / +28% / +30%
P.E. save vs. magic/poison +1 / +1 / +2 / +2 / +3 / +3 / +4 / +4 / +5 / +5 / +6 / +6 / +7 / +7 / +8
P.B. charm/impress 30% / 35% / 40% / 45% / 50% / 55% / 60% / 65% / 70% / 75% / 80% / 83% / 86% / 90% / 92%
Spd . No special bonuses other than the raw , natural ability to run

 

[Psychie]

• Attributes and Bonuses
• Skills
• OCC Bonuses
• Spell Knowledge
• Magic Tattoos
• HtH Shao-Lin and Xp Chart
• Equipment
• Background

• 
  Name: Terra Alvana
  Race: True Atlantian
  Age: 138
  Clan: Draco Amicus
  
  Iq: 24 - +10% to all Skills
  Me: 28 - +7 vs psionics
  Ma: 18 - 50% inspire trust/intimidation
  Ps: 36 - +21 SDC to HtH damage (42 Ps with Tattoo Enhancement)
  Pp: 36 - +8 to Strike, Parry and Dodge, +2 to Initiative
  Pe: 31 - +8 to Save vs. Magic/Poison
  Pb: 21
  Spd: 52 - Top sprinting speed of 35mph (approx)
  
  Standard: 6d6 SDC Restrained Punch, 5d6 MD Full Strength Punch, 1d6x10 MD for a Power Punch (Takes Two Attacks)
  Tattoo Enhanced: 1d6x10 SDC Restrained Punch, 6d6 MD Full Strength Punch, 2d4x10 MD for a Power Punch (Takes Two Attacks)
  
  Level: 9
  Xp: 90,000
  
  Base MDC: 390 - +10 per level, +13 per tattoo
  Invulnerability MDC: 675
  PPE: 264 - +10 per level, +6 per tattoo
  Power Matrix: 90 PPE
  PPE Battery: 50
  PPE Battery: 50
  PPE Battery: 100
  
  Bonus Points: 10
  
  Number of Attacks: 7 (8 Attacks vs Vampires/Undead or Demons/Supernatural Evil)
  Strike: +13 (+19 with rune blade)
  Parry: +11 (Only +9 vs ranged attacks with the rune shield)
  Dodge: +10
  Roll: +11
  Save vs. Magic: +1
  Initiative: +7
  Perception: +6, +9 vs Vampires and the Undead
  Horror Factor: +9 to Save, +11 vs dragons
  Critical Strike on a natural 19-20
  Critical Strike from behind
  Damage: +3
  Death Blow on a natural 19-20
  
  
• 
  Demon and Monster Lore: 95% +5%
  Language - American: 98%
  Literacy - American: 98%
  Language - Dragonese/Elf: 98%
  Basic Math: 98%
  Boxing
  Wrestling
  Intelligence: 84% +4%
  Detect Ambush: 90% +5%
  Escape Artist: 90% +5%
  Tracking: 90% +5%
  Hunting
  Wilderness Survival: 90% +5%
  Wp Sword - +1 Strike at levels 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15. +1 Parry at levels 2, 4, 7, 10 and 13.
  Wp Archery - +1 Strike at levels 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
  Wp Staff - +1 Strike at levels 1, 3, 7, 10 and 13. +1 Parry at levels 2, 5, 8, 11, and 14.
  Wp Energy Rifle - +1 Strike at levels 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14.
  Hand to Hand: Shao-Lin Kung Fu
  
  Gymnastics
  --Sense of Balance: 86% +3%
  --Work Parallel Bars and Rings: 94% +3%
  --Back Flip: 96% +2%
  --Basic Prowl: 85% +5%
  --Basic Climb: 80% +5%
  --Climb Rope/Rappel: 86% +2%
  Acrobatics
  
  Wp Energy Pistol - +1 Strike at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15.
  Wp Shotguns - +1 Strike at levels 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14.
  Wp Heavy Weapons - +1 Strike at 1, 3, 6, 10 and 14.
  Wp Heavy Energy Weapons - +1 Strike at levels 2, 4, 7, 10, and 13
  Running
  
  Language - Greek: 98%
  Literacy - Dragonese/Elf: 94% +3%
  Meditation: 98%
  Lore - Dimensions: 80% +5%
  Operate Dimensional Pyramids: 81% +5%
  
  Level 2: Lore: Faries and Creatures of Magic: 95% +5%
  Level 3: Demolitions: 95% +5%
  Level 4: Recognize Weapon Quality: 65% +5%
  Level 5: Mythology: 70% +5%
  Level 6: Lore: Magic: 70% +5%
  Level 7: Wp Rune Weapons - +2 to Strike, +3 to Parry
  Level 8: Track and Field
  Level 9: Wp Shield - +1 to parry at levels 1, 3, 7, 10 and 13
  
  Purchased Skills
  Computer Operations: 55% +5%
  Computer Programming: 45% +5%
  
  
• 
  Atlantean Undead Slayer O.C.C. Abilities:
  These are abilities and areas of expertise in addition to those common to all True Atlanteans. See the True Atlantean R.C.C. earlier in this book, page 45.
  1. Magic Tattoos Denote Heritage: Staked heart and flaming sword as discussed under the Atlantean R.C.C., both are fully functioning magic tattoos.
  2. Increased P.P.E. from Magic Tattoos: Base P.P.E. is 1D4x10+50 for all Undead Slayers. Add 10 P.P.E. points for each additional level of experience and six P.P.E. for each tattoo. Note: The character can also draw energy from ley lines and nexus points, up to 20 P.P.E. per each activation of a tattoo or 15 P.P.E. per melee round to power or use a magic device.
  3. Increased P.P.E. Recovery: The Undead Slayer’s P.P.E. replenishes itself at the rate of 20 points for every hour of meditation, rest or sleep; 25 P.P.E. when meditation is performed on a ley line.
  4. M.D.C.: Undead Slayers have a base M.D.C. of 2D4x10 plus 10 P.P.E. per each level of experience (starting at level one), plus each additional tattoo beyond the first six of them, instills the male Undead Slayer with 11 M.D.C. and the females with 13 M.D.C. points. Due to the number of magic tattoos, they are considered to be minor supernatural beings with Supernatural P.S. and P.E., so their physical attacks inflict M.D. and damage the undead, supernatural beings and Mega-Damage creatures.
  5. Advanced Knowledge of Atlantean Pyramids: Undead Slayers are seasoned dimensional travelers and have a full understanding of Dimensional Pyramids. Add +10% to their Operate Dimensional Pyramid skill.
  6. Vampire Hunting Abilities (special):
  Bonuses Applicable Only when Fighting Vampires: +3 on Perception Rolls involving all aspects of the undead, +2 on initiative, +1 to strike, parry, and dodge, +2 to strike when going to impale/stake the heart, +2 to save vs insanity, +3 to save vs the Horror Factor of vampires, their protectors and summoned animals, and +1 to save vs possession (any).
  Gut Feelings. Hunches and Realizations Involving Vampires: By third level, the Undead Slayer develops a sort of sixth sense about vampires and the dangers they represent. These “feelings” only apply to vampires and their minions.
  • Bad feeling that something is not right. The Undead Slayer gets a bad feeling when he’s walking into a vampire’s trap. It helps to recognize a potential ambush site up ahead, decide to take a different route back to camp, and similar. Success Ratio: 35% +5% [80%] per level of experience and +1 to Perception Rolls and +1 to initiative when a hero has a “bad feeling.”
  • Feeling that vampires are around or exerting control and influence over a community even though he is told otherwise. “I don’t care what the Sheriff said. There are vampires here. I can feel them.” Success Ratio: 60% +3% [87%] per level of experience.
  • Finding and recognizing evidence of the undead’s presence or involvement, attacks on people, evidence of the Slow Kill bite, and/or of vampire influence and visitations. Success Ratio: 60% +3% [87%] per level of experience.
  • Hunch that someone is a vampire servant, henchman or assassin. Success Ratio: 40% +5% [85%] per level of experience.
  • Recognize a Vampire Mind Slave when he sees one: 60% +3% [87%] per level of experience.
  • Recognize a Wild Vampire when he sees one: 84% +3% [98%] per level of experience.
  • Recognize a Secondary Vampire when he sees one: 60% +3% [87%] per level of experience.
  • Recognize a Master Vampire when he sees one: 50% +3% [77%] per level of experience.
  • Guess where the vampire’s lair is located based on his knowledge of the undead and reports of the vampire’s activities and other evidence and survey of the area. Success Ratio: 20% +3% [47%] per level of experience; +25% to find the lair or coffin, locate a secret panel that leads to it, etc., when he is at the actual suspected location. “Nope, this isn’t it. Wait. What about over there? Yeah, this is more like it.”
  Lore: Vampires: This is a comprehensive study of vampires, specifically, and all other types of undead, in general. The focus on vampires includes separating truth from fantasy, their true powers, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, ways to destroy them, proper disposal of vampire bodies, and their use of henchmen and servants. It also includes methods and strategies for fighting and slaying vampires as well as stories about their origins, the Vampire Kingdoms, vampire society, their behavior, hideouts and lairs. Base Skill: 70% +3% [97%] per level of experience.
  Vampire Combat: Knows all vampire weaknesses and vulnerabilities, common tactics, methods of attack, defenses against such attacks and tactics, training in the types of weapons and materials that can damage and slay vampires, and so on.
  Resistance Against Vampire Seduction: +1 to save vs Vampire pheromone-based trance at levels 1, 3, 5, 7, 11 and 15.
  Resistance Against Vampire Mind Control: +1 to save vs Mind Control and +2 to save vs Hypnotic Suggestion.
  Sense Vampires: Undead Slayers have a more refined sense for vampires. They can sense the presence of vampires and Vampire Intelligences within a 600 foot radius (183 m), but cannot pinpoint the exact source/person responsible for the sensation.
  7. Command Trust and Leadership: Undead Slayers are trained to be team players and work with others, be they fellow warriors, slayers, or civilians. As a result, most Undead Slayers carry themselves with such an air of confidence and certainty that people are quick to trust and follow them. The reputation of Undead Slayers is so powerful that just announcing you are an Atlantean Undead Slayer captures people’s attention. Training and that fabled commanding confidence enables a single Undead Slayer to calm down, quiet and lead, or direct large groups of civilians (50 people per level of experience). He can also settle the nerves of a small squad fighting force (10 +1D6 per level of experience), and keep them, calm, working as a team, and focused on the objective at hand; 55% chance +2% [73%] per level of experience they will follow his lead or accept him as their field leader in a crisis situation against vampires. On a successful roll, all non- Undead Slayers receive a morale bonus of +1 to initiative and +1 to save vs Horror Factor, but only when the Undead Slayer is within 250 feet (76.2 m).
  8. O.C.C. Bonuses: +1 on all Perception Rolls, +3 on Perception Rolls involving vampires and other undead (this is in addition to the Vampire Perception bonus, above, for a Gut Feeling), +1 one attack per melee round when fighting vampires or any undead and demons/supernatural evil, +1 to strike and parry, +1 to save vs magic of all kinds (in addition to P.E. bonuses), +4 to save vs Horror Factor, half for other Horror Factor rolls. Attribute bonuses: +2 to M.E., +1D6 to P.S. (Supernatural), +1D6 to P.P., and +2 to P.E. and Spd. Undead Slayers are considered minor supernatural beings and have Supernatural Strength and Endurance. Make sure you include the True Atlantean R.C.C. bonuses too.
  9. Advanced Tattoo Training: Undead Slayers rely heavily on their tattoos. In fact, for many, they are the only weapons and means of protection that they employ. This gives them the edge as undisputed masters of Tattoo Magic. At level four, the Undead Slayers are so in tune with their tattoos that they no longer have to touch a tattoo to activate it. With a mere thought (it still counts as one melee action), the warrior can activate any one of his tattoos. Moreover, in the course of a lifetime, Undead Slayers can receive as many as 36 magic tattoos, but no more than two per level of experience. All magic tattoos are available, except Dimension Tattoos. Keep in mind that the Undead Slayer must have the necessary P.P.E. to activate the tattoos in question.
  10. Magic Tattoos: The Undead Slayer starts with the following magic tattoos:
  The two Marks of Heritage (standard)
  One Flaming Weapon (an M.D. weapon that will hurt vampires)
  Bow and arrow or crossbow. The four arrows are in flames (M.D.) and have wings (triple range and magically return).
  Power: Protection from Vampires (heart impaled by stake).
  Power: Turn Dead (the cross).
  Power: Invulnerability (heart in chains).
  Power: Control the Forces of Air (cloud in chains).
  Power: Healing Basic (rose).
  Power: Healing Super (Phoenix).
  Power: Knowledge & Reading (eye).
  And make the following selections:
  Two additional Power tattoos of choice.
  Two Simple Weapons of choice.
  Two Magic Weapons of choice.
  Two Animals of choice.
  One Monster of choice.
  Each new level of experience, the character’s clan elder or a clan Alchemist can add two simple tattoos (animal or simple weapons) or one major tattoo (power, monster, or magic weapons), but are not required to do so, player’s choice. Undead Slayers avoid Dimension Tattoos.
  Getting one or two new tattoos may require traveling to a different dimension, so the character may have to disappear for a few days from time to time. It is possible that circumstances will not allow the character to get the tattoos immediately after attaining the next level of experience.
  
  
• 
  Level One Spells
  
  Spoiler: Globe of Daylight

  Range: Near self or up to 30 feet (9.1 m) away.
  Duration: 12 melees (3 minutes) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Two
  A small globe or sphere of true daylight is magically created. The light is bright enough to light up a 12 foot (3 . 6 m) area per each level of its creator's experience. Because it is daylight, it can ward off vampires and most other types of undead and demons who fear or are hurt by sunlight, keeping them at bay just beyond the edge of the light. The creator of the globe can mentally move it along with himself, or send it up to thirty feet (9. 1 m) ahead. The maximum speed at which the globe can travel is equal to a speed attribute of 12 .
  Spoiler: Lantern Light

  Range: 10 feet (3 m); can light up a room.
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: One
  The Lantern Light spell creates a small sphere of light that is less brilliant but longer lasting than the Globe of Daylight. It floats within 10 feet (3 m) of the spell caster and can be mentally moved to hover at different angles and positions as the mage desires. This magic light may be thought of as a magical floating lantern or light bulb with a dimmer switch. The intensity of the light can be mentally adjusted to the equivalent of a 50 to 300 watt light bulb, whatever suits its creator.
  Note: This is not sunlight, so it will not damage vampires nor keep them at bay.
  Spoiler: See Aura

  Range: 100 feet (30.5 m).
  Duration: One melee.
  Saving Throw: None. Only the psychic powers of Mind Block or Alter Aura will mask the presence of psychic abilities, the level of P.P.E., or possession.
  P.P.E.: Six
  All things, organic and inorganic, have an aura. The aura has many features and distinctions, and can be used to see or sense things invisible to the eye. Seeing an aura will indicate the following:
  • Estimate the general level of experience. Low (I -3), medium (4-7), high (8th and up).
  • The presence of magic (no indication of what, or power level).
  • The presence of psychic abilities. Low (Minor) or high (Major or Master).
  • High or low base P.P.E.
  • The presence of a possessing entity (does not indicate Psychic Possession or mind control).
  • Health : Sick, injured or completely well .
  • The presence of an unusual human aberration which indicates a serious illness or that the character is not human and may be a mutant, D-Bee, or demon, but does not reveal which.
  Note: One can not use this spell to determine another character's alignment.
  Spoiler: See the Invisible

  Range: 200 feet (6 1 m).
  Duration : One minute (4 melee rounds) per each level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Four
  The character can see Astral beings, entities, Elementals, ghosts, objects, forces and creatures that can turn invisible or are naturally invisible. Even if the creature has no form per se, the mystic will be able to discern the vaporous image or energy sphere that is the being.
  
  Level Two Spells
  
  Spoiler: Chameleon

  Range: Self or Others by touch .
  Duration : Four and a half minutes (18 melees) per level of spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Six
  This spell enables the enchanted character(s) to seemingly alter the color and pattern of his clothes and physical body, enabling him to blend into the surrounding environment and disappear from sight. Movement destroys the effectiveness of this magic. The character is 90% undetectable if unmoving. 70% undetectable if moving 2 feet (0.6 m) per melee round or slower. 20% undetectable if moving 6 feet (1.8 m) per melee round. Totally ineffective if moving any faster. This spell is effective against normal vision, see the invisible and most optic systems. A thermal-imager is likely to reveal the character, especially if he is hiding in a cold environment. However, if the air temperature or a machine he is hiding against is around the same temperature as his body temperature (within five degrees), the character is concealed even from it. Attacking someone automatically negates the effects of a Chameleon spell.
  Spoiler: Cleanse

  Range: Self, one person and the clothes he's wearing up to 10 feet away, or two people by touch.
  Duration: Instant
  Saving Throw: None
  P.P.E.: 6
  This is a simple but useful spell designed to remove dirt and grime from the body of a living being and the clothes he wears. Magic energy flows over the person and magically removes dirt, grime, stains, and just about anything that the spellcaster considers 'unclean'. The recipient of this magic instantly becomes spotless, from head to toe. The hair and body look as if right of of the shower (only dry) and the clothes as if freshly washed and dried. The spell cannot be used on body armor, buildings, vehicles, streets, or anything else, only living creatures and clothes/fabric.
  Spoiler: Climb

  Range: Self, or others up to 40 feet away ( 1 2.2 m).
  Duration : Five minutes (20 melees) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Three
  A spell that enables the enchanted individual to climb with exceptional, almost inhuman, skill, speed and agility. Skill level is 98% to climb normal, rough, climbable surfaces; speed is equal to Speed attribute. Smooth, presumably unclimbable or extremely difficult surfaces to climb normally can be scaled with a skill level of 60%. Rappelling is possible at 90%.
  Spoiler: Cloak of Darkness

  Range: Self plus a 5 foot (1.5 m) radius around the character.
  Duration: Four minutes per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Six
  This magic cloaks the spell caster in a field of darkness that follows him or her everywhere. The mage can see perfectly from within the darkness, but those outside the radius of magic cannot see in. At night, it renders the cloaked individual virtually invisible, although he can still be detected by infrared and/or heat sensors, thermo-imaging optics, motion detectors and similar sensor systems. Furthermore, the aura of darkness may noticeably obscure a particular part of the background/area around him, making it obvious to visual detection, especially in daylight or when bathed in light - the magic darkness cannot be dispelled by ordinary light. Consequently, this cloaking spell is ideal in darkness for hiding, escape and setting up an ambush. In combat, opponents who attack a character cloaked in darkness from any distance (beyond the 5 foot/1.5 m area of magic) are -3 to strike, unless guided by thermal-optics or similar heat based optic systems, and even then are - I to strike. Those who step into the darkness for hand to hand combat will see their quarry without difficulty; no penalty unless they step outside the 5 foot (1.5 m) radius of effect.
  
  Level Three Spells
  
  Spoiler: Armor of Ithan

  Range: Self or other by touch.
  Duration : One minute (4 melee rounds) per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Ten
  This powerful spell instantly creates an invisible, weightless, noiseless, full suit of mystic armor upon the spell caster. Or the magic armor can be instantly created upon anyone, as long as the spell caster invokes the spell while touching the intended recipient. Named after the magic armor of the Dwarven King Ithan, this mystic armor has an M.D.C. of 10 per level of the spell caster's experience. Magic fire, lightning, and cold do half damage to it.
  Spoiler: Breathe Without Air

  Range: Self or others by touch.
  Duration : 12 melees (3 minutes) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Five
  This invocation enables the character to function normally without air, whether it be underwater or in a vacuum, or in an area with little or no oxygen. Unfortunately, the magic does not protect the character from magic toxins or other types of magic, but does protect against natural and man-made gases. Two characters can be given this enchantment simultaneously provided the mage is touching each at the time the spell is invoked.
  Spoiler: Energy Bolt

  Range: 150 feet 45 . 7 m).
  Duration: Instantl.
  Damage: 4D6 S.D.C.
  Saving Throw: Dodge of an 18 or higher.
  P.P.E.: Five
  The incantation creates an energy bolt that the mage can mentally direct by simply looking at his intended target. The bolt may appear to fire from a hand or finger or the eyes, but needs no physical gesture, such as pointing. S.D.C. damage is normally four six-sided dice (4D6), but is increased to 6D6 under the influence of a ley line and 8D6 at a ley line nexus; P.P.E. cost is still only five despite the increased damage capability. One energy bolt can be fired at one target per each spell invocation.
  Spoiler: Fuel Flame

  Range: 120 feet (36.6 m).
  Duration: Instant.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Five
  The magic feeds any existing fire, doubling it in size. It can affect a 100 foot area (30.5 m) up to 100 feet (30.5 m) away.
  Spoiler: Impervious to Fire

  Range: Self or others up to 60 feet ( 1 8. 3 m) away .
  Duration : Five minutes (20 melees) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Five
  A magic invocation that makes the individual temporarily impervious to fire. Normal, magical and Mega-Damage fires do no damage to the enchanted individual or to anything he is wearing or is on his person.
  Spoiler: Invisibility: Simple

  Range: Self only (includes clothes and articles on one's person)
  Duration: three minutes (12 melees) per level of experience
  Saving Throw: None
  P.P.E.: Six
  The spellcaster and anything he is wearing or carrying at the time of the invocation are turned completely invisible. Any object picked up after the character has become invisible remains visible. Likewise, any item on his person that is dropped becomes visible. Neither normal nor nightvision can detect invisibility; only beings who can naturally, psionically or magically "see the invisible" are able to see an invisible person. Infrared and heat detectors can also pinpoint an invisible character.
  Although the invisible character is imperceptible to the eye, he still retains physical mass. This means that he cannot go through walls nor can weapons pass harmlessly through him. The character still makes noise, leaves footprints, and physical and magical contact/attacks still affect him as usual.
  While invisible, the mage can talk, weave spells, walk, climb, run, open doors, carry objects, and perform other acts of physical exertion, including combat, and remain invisible. The invisibility is terminated when the magic's duration time elapses or the mage cancels the spell. NOTE: If cut, only the blood is visible, and so is anything sprayed on the character.
  Spoiler: Magic Shield

  Range: Self or other.
  Duration: Two minutes per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Six
  This spell creates a pale white field of energy in the shape of a large, round shield with 60 M.D.C. The shield can be used by the spell caster or be given to someone else. It functions as a normal shield to parry melee attacks (sword blades, clubs, etc.), with a bonus of +1 to parry. The shield wielder can also attempt to parry energy blasts and projectiles, but the user has no bonuses and suffers a -8 penalty to parry. The shield takes one quarter damage from all attacks it parries and disappears when all M.D.C. are used up, the spell duration elapses, or if the user loses contact with the shield.
  
  Level Four Spells
  
  Spoiler: Electric Arc

  Range: 30 feet (9 m) per level of experience.
  Duration : One melee round.
  Damage: 2D6 M.D.
  Saving Throw: Dodge.
  P.P.E.: Eight
  A simple offensive spell, the Electric Arc causes a crackling bolt of blue energy to leap from the spell caster' s hand(s) to the intended target; point and shoot; +2 to strike. Each electrical blast counts as one melee attack/action and is limited by the character' s total number of attacks. This means a character with four attacks per melee round uses up one attack to cast the spell, leaving him with three electrical attacks possible that melee round. While the damage is not great, it is accurate, and is an easy, inexpensive spell to cast.
  Spoiler: Fire Bolt

  Range: 100 feet (3 0.5 m) plus 5 feet (1.5 m) per level of experience.
  Duration: Instant.
  Damage: 4d6 M.D.
  Saving Throw: Dodge.
  P.P.E.: Seven
  The spell caster creates and directs a bolt of M.D. fire that is +4 to strike. Damage is normally 4d6 M.D., or 1d6x10 S.D.C. (the mage can pick which).
  Spoiler: Magic Net

  Range: 60 feet (18.3 m).
  Duration: Two melees (30 seconds) per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: Dodge of 16 or higher.
  P.P.E.: Seven
  This spell creates a net composed of magic fibers and can snare up to 1-6 human-sized victims within a 10 foot (3 m) area. Normal weapons can not cut through the net; only Mega-Damage weapons, magic weapons, and magic can affect this net. Even then, it requires a full two melee rounds to cut or blast out (a Dispel Magic Barriers will dispel it instantly). Anyone caught in the Magic Net is helpless and unable to attack or defend. The spell caster can cancel the net at any time. Note: A Magic Net can trap beings larger than human-sized provided the spell does not exceed the normal area of effect. To hurt someone already caught in a Magic Net without harming the net itself requires a Called Shot or a roll of 16 or higher to strike. Characters caught in a Magic Net can Turn to Mist or Teleport out of the net. However, this will require a successful saving throw vs magic. A character who was intangible/mist before the Net was cast is NOT caught by it.
  Spoiler: Multiple Image

  Range: Self.
  Duration: One minute (4 melees) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: -4 to save. Viewers may be able to see through the illusion and identity the true person, but must roll to save vs magic at -4.
  P.P.E.: Seven
  An illusion that creates three identical images of the mage, each of which mimics his every movement exactly . Only piercing the false image with iron will dispel that particular image. This is a great way to confuse, scare and distract an opponent. Provides the mage with a bonus of +2 on initiative, +2 to dodge, and + I to strike.
  
  Level Five Spells
  
  Spoiler: Charm

  Range: 15 feet
  Duration: Four melees (One minute) per level of the caster
  Saving Throw: Standard
  PPE: Twelve
  The charm spell can influence any intelligent creature. The spell's victim falls under the immediate influence of the spell caster. He will believe everything the mage tells him, trusts the spell caster as if he were a trustworthy friend, does his best to please/help/assist or protect him, and will answer any questions asked by the spell caster truthfully and with as much detail as requested. Note that other than perceiving the spell caster as his best and favorite friend, whom he is anxious to please, the charmed individual will not do anything that is contrary to his alignment.
  Spoiler: Distant Voice

  Range: 2,000 feet (610 m) per level of experience; line of sight.
  Duration: Five minutes per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: Not applicable.
  P.P.E.: Ten
  Distant Voice is a spell that allows two-way communication over great distances. Magic is used to create a doorway for sound between two points within the given range. Voices can pass both ways and be heard as if the speaker were only a few feet (a meter) away. The only real limits to this spell are that the spell caster must know the person he wishes to speak with (at least in passing or by his appearance) and that individual must be partially visible, even if only a speck on the horizon. If they have never met, but the character is known to the mage by reputation and photograph, communication is still possible provided there is visual contact.
  Communication without visual contact can only be done between people who know each other extremely well, but has a very limited range of 500 feet (152 m) maximum, regardless of experience, and each needs some object that once belonged to the other. Although limited, this form of magical communication can not be easily monitored or traced (no radio waves, electronics or conventional power source or means of transmission); perfect for a group in hiding. However, a hidden microphone will be sensitive enough to pick up both conversations .
  Note: The Federation of Magic uses Distant Voice as its main form of communication.
  Spoiler: Escape

  Range: Self, touch or 5 feet
  Duration: Instant
  Saving Throw: None
  PPE: Eight
  The escape invocation enables the mage to magically escape any bonds, or open any locking mechanism that bars his way. This includes being tied with rope, handcuffs, prison cells, doors, trunks, locks, straightjackets, etc. One restraint or lock can be undone per each invocation (One per melee round is possible). Only gagging the mage will prevent use of this magic.
  Spoiler: Featherlight

  Range: Touch or up to 10 feet away
  Duration: 10 minutes per level of the spell caster
  Saving Throw: None
  PPE: Ten
  Featherlight allows a spell caster to reduce an object's (does not work on a living creature) weight to that of a feather. Due to loss of mass, that item is of no use as a weapon, because itis too light. Furthermore, even if the mage cancels the magic, the object does not return to normal until itis sheathed or put down, so there is no picking up boulders and throwing them, then canceling the magic. Yes, robots and vehicles can be made Featherlight, provided the spell caster can affect the weight of the entire object - half an object can NOT be made Featherlight, it must be the entire thing.
  Limitations: The spell is limited to 200 pounds per level of the spell caster an only one object is affected per use of the spell, even if the object weighs far less than the mage's weight limit.
  Spoiler: Heal Wounds

  Range: Touch or 3 feet (0.9 m) away.
  Duration : Instant.
  Saving Throw: Standard, if the person resists the magic.
  P.P.E.: Ten
  This powerful invocation will instantly heal minor physical wounds, such as bruises, cuts, gashes, bullet wounds, burned flesh and pulled muscles. It will not help against illness, internal damage to organs or nerves, broken bones or poisons/drugs. In the case of bullet wounds, the bullet should be removed first. If the bullet is left inside a person it will be a constant irritant causing chronic pain; reduce the character's P.E. attribute by one and P.P. attribute by one (and attribute bonuses accordingly) due to stiffness and discomfort.
  The heal wound magic restores 3d6 S.D.C. and 1d6 Hit Points.
  
  Level Six Spells
  
  Spoiler: Call Lightning

  Range: 300 feet (9 1 . 5 m); line of sight.
  Duration: Instant.
  Damage: 1d6 M.D.C. per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Fifteen
  This spell creates a lightning bolt which can be directed at any specific target up to 300 feet (9 1 .5 m) away. The lightning bolt shoots down from the sky, hitting the desired target. The target or area must be within the spell caster's line of vision. The lightning bolt does one six-sided die (1d6) of M.D. per level of the spell caster.
  Spoiler: Cure Sickness

  Range: Touch or 3 feet (0.9 m).
  Duration: Instant cure.
  Saving Throw: None; standard if the person resists treatment.
  P.P.E.: Fifteen
  A potent magic that can cure ordinary disease and illness, such as fever, flu, and other common diseases. The magic can not cure cancer, AIDS, lung disease, wounds, broken bones or internal damage to organs, only sickness caused by bacteria. Nor can it cure magically induced sicknesses or disorders
  Spoiler: Impervious to Energy

  Range: Self or others by ritual
  Duration: Two minutes per level (8 melees)
  Saving Throw: None
  P.P.E.: 20
  The spell caster can make himself impervious to all forms of energy, including fire, heat, electricity, lasers and so on. Energy attacks do no damage whatsoever. Physical attacks do normal damage.
  Spoiler: Magic Pigeon

  Range: Immediate Area
  Duration: Two months per level of spell caster
  Saving Throw: None
  PPE: Twenty
  Through the means of a special incantation the spell caster is able to create a mystic facsimile of a pigeon. The Magic Pigeon is able to deliver a spoken (30 words or less) or written message to anyone, anyplace in the world (in the same dimension). However, the spell caster must know at least the general location of the recipient of the message and a specific person (or two) to receive the message. Upon reaching its destination, the pigeon seeks out that person and immediately delivers the message. If the recipient of the message is not at the prescribed destination it will wait until he returns or until the spell duration elapses and the pigeon fades away.
  The Magic Pigeon looks exactly like a real pigeon, but needs no food or rest; thus it can fly 720 miles every 24 hours at a speed of 30 mph. Normal weapons can not harm or capture the pigeon, but magic spells of entrapment can capture it. Only a Dispel Magic spell can destroy it.
  Spoiler: Tongues

  Range: Self or others by touch.
  Duration: 3 minutes (12 melees) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Twelve
  The magic enables the character to perfectly understand and speak all spoken languages; 98% proficiency. An understanding of written languages is not provided by this magic. See the Eyes of Thoth.
  Spoiler: Reduce Self (6 inches)

  Range: Self.
  Duration : 10 melees per level of spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Twenty
  This spell instantly shrinks the spell caster, his clothes and possessions to six inches tall. Note that reduced weapons do virtually no damage. Weapons that normally inflict Mega-Damage do a mere ONE point of S.D.C. damage when shrunken. All others just sting for a moment.
  Spoiler: Time Slip

  Range: Self
  Duration: Half a melee round (7 seconds)
  Saving Throw: None
  PPE: Twenty
  The invocation momentarily suspends time, enabling the spell caster to slip seven seconds into the future. The mage canmove forward seven seconds while all around him are caught in the past. The magic is such that the character can not physically hurt any living creature, but can move about the physical environment, open doors, grab an item, run, etc. The effect will appear, to others, as if the character disappears for an instant and then suddenly reappears a few seconds later. All around him lose two attacks that melee round, but the mystic retains all of his. The time slip is ideal for a quick escape. Note: Whatever actions the sorcerer takes within the seven seconds are unseen and unknown to the other characters.
  
  Level Seven Spells
  
  Spoiler: Constrain Being

  Range: 30 feet (9. 1 m).
  Duration : Two minutes (8 melee rounds) per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: Standard.
  P.P.E.: Twenty
  This invocation is useful for controlling lesser supernatural creatures, such as most entities, sub-demons (Gargoyles and Brodkil included), lesser demons and Deevils, Minor Elementals, and similar. The enchantment forces the being to obey the spell caster to a very limited degree. Mainly, the mage can hold the thing at bay with an order like : "Back, stay back," "Go . . . begone," "Stay there . . . don't move." "No." "Stop." "Back away." No commands more elaborate than this will be obeyed. The Constrain Being incantation works in the same way as a cross holds a vampire at bay . As long as the mage and his allies stay out of the creature's reach, the magic will hold it at bay. If it can reach out and hurt somebody, it will. If it is attacked, the enchantment is broken and it is free to lash out at everybody. Note: Possessing Entities and greater supernatural beings are not affected by this magic, nor are non-supernatural beings such as dragons, Faerie Folk, or mortal humans, D-Bees, or aliens.
  Spoiler: Invisibility (Superior)

  Range: Self or one other by touch
  Duration: Three minutes (12 melees) per level of experience
  Saving Throw: None
  PPE: Twenty
  A powerful incantation that makes the spell caster invisible to all means of detection. Ordinary vision, infrared, ultraviolet and otehr optics, heat, motion detectors, and even an animal's sense of smell, can NOT locate the invisible person. No footprints are made, and little sound (prowls at 84%). The magic is broken only if the character makes a hostile move, or engages in combat/attacks. At that instant, he becomes completely visible. Note: The invisible character is not ethereal and can not walk through walls; he must still use a door. The act of forcing open a door or window, picking a lock, tapping somebody, accidentally bumping somebody, or accidentally getting hsot or hurt, is not considered an act of aggression or combat, so invisibility is maintained.
  Spoiler: Lightblade

  Range: Self; close combat/hand to hand.
  Duration: One minute (4 melee rounds) per level of experience.
  Damage: 1d4x10 +1 M.D. point per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: Parry or dodge.
  P.P.E.: Twenty
  This spell causes a sword of brilliant white light to form in the spell caster' s dominant hand. The size varies with the blade ' s power, which is represented by the character's level of experience. Thus, a first to third level mage creates a Lightblade the size of a short sword and rapier thin, a mid-level sorcerer makes a blade resembling a bastard sword, while at 10th level or higher it is a large Lightblade with the length of a two-handed sword (although it can be easily wielded one handed) and as thick as a two-by-four. The blade is weightless, serves as an extension of the sorcerer, is + 1 to strike, and can be used to attempt to parry energy attacks (no special bonus to parry, however).
  Against vampires, Shadow Beasts, and other demons vulnerable to light, the Lightblade inflicts double its normal damage (double Hit Point damage to vampires). However, the sword inflicts no damage against those immune to light or energy, and only the spell caster can use the Lightblade he creates.
  Spoiler: Purification

  Range: Touch or 3 feet (0.9 m).
  Duration : Instant.
  Saving Throw: None.
  P.P.E.: Twenty
  The mystic can purify food or water, cleansing it of disease, bacteria and poison/toxins. Up to 50 pounds (22 kg) of food or 10 gallons (38 Iiters) of water/fluids can be purified.
  
  Level Eight Spells
  
  Spoiler: Magical-Adrenal Rush

  Range: 100 feet (30.5 m); line of sight, self or one by touch.
  Duration : One melee round per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: Not applicable.
  P.P.E.: Forty-Five
  This powerful spell produces a magical rush that puts Juicers to shame. PS is raised to supernatural equivalent (punches and kicks do M.D.), the character gets two additional melee actions/attacks per round, speed is increased by 50%, fatigue has no effect, and the sorcerer is impervious to drugs, mind control, possession, illusions, pain and Horror Factor, as well as able to endure triple the normal damage to his body, and is +3 on initiative, + 1 to strike and dodge, and + 1 on all saving throws while the enchantment lasts.
  The spell does have consequences, however. Once the enhancement wear off, the once hyped-up character feels so tired and weak that he is barely able to move for 1d4 minutes. During this period reduce attacks per melee round, speed, skill performance and all combat bonuses by half. After this "down" time, the character returns to normal (minus the effects of normal fatigue or any damage sustained in combat).
  
  Level Nine Spells
  
  Spoiler: Speed of the Snail

  Range: 60 feet
  Duration: 2 melees per level of the spell caster
  Saving Throw: Standard
  PPE: 50
  This time distortion spell reduces the physical prowess, speed, and mobility of its victims to one-third their normal ability. Speed, attacks per melee, dodge and parry are all reduced to one-third. Thus a character with six attacks per melee round and a speed of 10 suddenly as only two attacks and moves at only a speed of 3 (round down). Talking and spell casting are not reduced.
  This spell can be cast upon 1d6 persons up to 60 feet away, but within the spell caster's line of vision. Also affects robots and vehicles as well as people.
  
  Level Ten Spells
  
  Spoiler: Meteor

  Range 200 feet per level of experience
  Radius of Damage: 40 feet
  Damage: 1d6x10 +2 MD per level
  Duration: Instant
  Saving Throw: Dodge if victims see it coming
  PPE: Seventy-Five
  This powerful spell cnjures a large, flaming meteor to come plunging from the sky above. Trailing flame, it thunders to earth and erupts on impact. The meteor is +4 to strike
  
  
• 
  Mystic Tattoos
  Animal Tattoos
  
  Spoiler

  P.P.E. Cost to Activate Animal Tattoos: Small animals (12 Hit Points or less): 10 P.P.E. Medium-sized animals (13 to 30 Hit Points): 15 P.P.E. Medium-sized animals (31 to 50 Hit Points): 20 P.P.E. Large animals (over 50 Hit Points): 30 P.P.E.
  Duration: One hour per each level of the Tattooed Man, or until the animal is destroyed/slain by depleting its S.D.C. and Hit Points, or until the magic is canceled. When canceled or destroyed, the creature glows, disappears, and reappears on the T- Man’s body as a tattoo.
  The tattoo is instantly reusable if the magic was canceled or the duration time has expired. However, if the animal was destroyed, meaning all of its S.D.C. was depleted, the T-Man must spend twice the number of P.P.E. points to re-create it or wait four hours.
  Destroying a Tattoo Animal as a living entity causes its owner to suffer 3D6 points of damage direct to Hit Points or 2D6 M.D.C. if he is a Mega-Damage being, which all Tattooed Men are. Damage is cumulative for the destruction of each living tattoo. No damage if the tattoo is canceled or the duration ends. Damage heals as normal or can be restored by magical or psionic means. T-Men heal from physical injury and recover P.P.E. quickly via meditation.
  S.D.C.: Magic animals are S.D.C. and Hit Point creations. No tattoo animal is a Mega-Damage creature. See animal descriptions.
  Animal Characteristics: The magic animals act like the creature illustrated in the tattoo in every way, and possesses all the abilities that the real animal would have. Birds fly, peck and claw; canines bite and run; felines stalk, climb, claw and bite; bulls and bovines charge and ram; snakes slither and bite; and so on. Damage: Animals are S.D.C. creations and inflict only S.D.C. damage. Animals created by Tattoo Magic are typically intended for use in combat (attack and defense) or as a pack animal or riding animal. They do not function like a wizard’s familiar, but as a trained pet. The T-Man is not mentally linked to the creature and does not see, hear or know what the creature is experiencing other than suffering Hit Point damage at the moment of its destruction.
  Animal Stats: A great resource for animal information is the Monsters & Animals sourcebook for the Palladium Fantasy RPG®. This book contains around 200 different animals and can be a terrific sourcebook for any Palladium RPG. Using this reference book enables you to play specific animals using their appropriate stats without any work on your part. There are also numerous monsters that can be dropped into most any game setting. Note: You do not need Monsters & Animals to play a Tattooed Man in Rifts®. You should be able to wing it using common sense and the basic, general data that follows under Animal Tattoo Descriptions, below. Since animal tattoos are used primarily as a fighting ally, all one typically needs to know is how much damage the creature can endure and what kind of damage it inflicts. Remember, all animals are S.D.C. creatures and inflict S.D.C. damage.
  Spoiler: Eagle - 15 PPE

  Bird: Eagle: The same size and behavior as the real animal. 24 Hit Points and 10 S.D.C. Bite 2D4 S.D.C. damage, slashing claws inflict 2D6+4 damage, and a diving claw attack 4D6+4 damage, but counts as two attacks. Four attacks per melee, +2 to strike and parry and +3 to dodge. Average speed flying is 50, about 35 mph (56 km), but can attain a speed of 75 mph (120 km) and maintain that speed for an hour. Nightvision 400 feet (122 m), exceptional vision and hearing, and track by smell 60%.
  Spoiler: Tiger - 30 PPE

  Feline: Tiger: The same size and behavior as the real animal. 68 Hit Points, 80 S.D.C. Bite does 2D6 S.D.C. damage, slashing claws 2D6+8 damage, four attacks per melee. +3 to strike and parry, +4 to dodge. Average Spd is 22, about 15 mph (24 km), but can run in bursts at a speed of 35 mph (56 km) for 1D4 minutes. Track by smell 50%, Swim 80%, Prowl 70%, Climb 50%, leap up to 20 feet high (6 m) and 25 feet long (7.6 m), keen vision and hearing, and nightvision 200 feet (61 m).
  
  Monster Tattoo
  
  Spoiler

  Monster magic tattoos function very similarly to animal tattoos. The main difference is that the monster is a Mega-Damage creature and inflicts Mega-Damage with its attacks. Only animallike predatory monsters such as the Fury Beetle, Rhino-Buffalo, Chimera, dinosaurs, Dragonsaurus, Grigleaper, Gryphon, Harpy, Leatherwing, Peryton, Teepowka, Yazhing Multipede, Worms of Taut and similar, can be created. Intelligent monsters like dragons, werebeasts, demons, Elementals, etc., are NOT possible.
  To Activate a Monster Tattoo, the T-Man merely touches the desired tattoo, focuses his concentration (counts as one melee attack), the tattoo glows, disappears from his arm, and reappears as a dull gray, life-size monster. Note: The monsters are not actually alive, but composed of magic and an ectoplasm-like substance.
  P.P.E. Cost to Activate Monster Tattoos: Minor monsters (50 M.D.C. or less): 50 P.P.E. Major monsters (51 to 150 M.D.C.): 80 P.P.E. Giant monsters (151 to 300 M.D.C.): 100 P.P.E. Super monsters (301 to 500 M.D.C.): 150 P.P.E. with 500 M.D.C. now the cap. Even if a creature has more M.D.C. in real life, it cannot exceed 500 M.D.C. as a monster tattoo brought to magical life.
  Duration: 30 minutes per each level of the Tattooed Man, or until the monster is destroyed by depleting its M.D.C., or until the magic is canceled. When canceled or destroyed, the creature glows, disappears, and reappears on the T-Man’s body as a tattoo.
  The monster tattoo is instantly reusable if the magic was canceled or the duration time has expired. However, if the monster was destroyed, meaning all of its M.D.C. was depleted, the T- Man must spend twice the number of P.P.E. points to re-create it or wait eight hours.
  Destroying the Tattoo Monster as a living entity causes its owner to suffer 5D6 points of damage direct to Hit Points or M.D.C. if Mega-Damage being, which all Tattooed Men are. Damage is cumulative for the destruction of each living tattoo. The damage will heal as normal or can be restored by magical or psionic means. T-Men heal from physical injury and recover P.P.E. quickly via meditation.
  M.D.C.: Magic tattoo monsters are M.D.C. creations. No monster tattoo is an S.D.C. creature. Tattoo monsters have the maximum amount of M.D.C. possible for that particular type of creature. Remember that super-monster M.D.C. cannot exceed 500 M.D.C.
  Monster Characteristics: The magic monster acts like the real monster would in every way and has all the abilities of that creature. Only its creator can command or ride it.
  Damage: Monsters are M.D.C. creations and inflict Mega-Damage. Monsters created by Tattoo Magic are designed for combat: attack and defense. They do not function like a familiar; the Tattooed Man is not mentally linked to the creature and does not see, hear or know what the creature is experiencing other than suffering M.D.C. loss at the moment of its destruction.
  Monster Stats: Just pick an animalistic monster from a World Book or sourcebook and assume the Monster Tattoo that is brought to life is basically that creature. Rifts® Conversion Book One, Vampire Kingdoms™, New West™, Dinosaur Swamp™, Rifts® Sourcebooks 3 and 4, among others, offer a variety of suitable monsters.
  Spoiler: Tyrannosaurus Rex - 150 PPE (creates a 500 MDC T-Rex)

  R.C.C. Combat: Attacks/Actions Per Melee: Four
  MDC Available: 500
  Damage: Head Butt 3d6 M.D., bite 2d4x10 M.D., claw attack with hind leg 1d6x10 M.D., kick 6d6 M.D. slashing tail 1d4X10M.D.
  R.C.C. Bonuses: +3 on initiative, +2 to strike, +2 to roll with impact or fall, +5 to save vs disease and poison, and +10 to save vs horror factor. These are all in addition to any possible attribute bonuses.
  
  Weapon Tattoos
  
  Spoiler

  P.P.E. to Activate: All Simple Weapons require only 2 P.P.E. to activate.
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: Creates the weapon illustrated in the tattoo out of thin air, right down to every detail, ornate or plain hilt, inscription, etc. The weapon is lightweight, perfectly balanced, and indestructible. Vanishes when the magic is canceled or the duration ends. Weapon Skill Bonuses: W.P. skills and bonuses are applicable, but such weapon skills must be selected separately.
  Size: The weapon is always proportional to the size of the T-Man and the type of weapon it is.
  Notes: The user of the Simple Weapon tattoo can cancel the magic at any time with a mere thought and the weapon disappears. The tattoo weapon continues to exist even when the user is rendered unconscious, possessed, or mind controlled. In the case of possession or mind control, the controlling outside force cannot activate any new tattoos nor cancel any already activated. Tattoos that were activated at the moment that control was initiated remain in place until the end of their duration. Anybody can pick up and use a tattoo weapon as long as the T-Man allows it. Remember, the T-Man can cancel the magic in the twinkle of an eye, leaving the person suddenly weaponless.
  As many as six tattoos can be activated at any one time. All effects and abilities are cumulative.
  Limitation: Modern weapons, revolvers, rifles, automatic and energy weapons are NOT possible.
  None of the weapon’s powers can be transferred or extended to living beings or to modern weapons.
  Simple Weapons
  
  Spoiler: Bo Staff - 7 PPE, 4d6 SDC

  Includes:
  Weapon Dripping Blood (S.D.C.)
  (Double S.D.C. Damage of Simple Weapons Only!)
  Additional P.P.E. to Activate: 5
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience.
  Power: The weapon, whether it be an arrow, dagger, sword, club, etc., inflicts double its usual amount of S.D.C./Hit Point damage for that particular weapon. Applicable to Simple Weapons only.
  Damage: 4d6 SDC
  Spoiler: Longsword - 7 PPE, 4d6 SDC

  Includes:
  Weapon Dripping Blood (S.D.C.)
  (Double S.D.C. Damage of Simple Weapons Only!)
  Additional P.P.E. to Activate: 5
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience.
  Power: The weapon, whether it be an arrow, dagger, sword, club, etc., inflicts double its usual amount of S.D.C./Hit Point damage for that particular weapon. Applicable to Simple Weapons only.
  Damage: 4d6 SDC
  P.P.E. to Activate: All Simple Weapons require only 2 P.P.E. to activate.
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: Creates the weapon illustrated in the tattoo out of thin air, right down to every detail, ornate or plain hilt, inscription, etc. The weapon is lightweight, perfectly balanced, and indestructible. Vanishes when the magic is canceled or the duration ends. Weapon Skill Bonuses: W.P. skills and bonuses are applicable, but such weapon skills must be selected separately.
  
  Ranged Weapons
  
  Spoiler: Longbow - 55 PPE, 4d6 MD

  Includes:
  Weapon Covered in Flames (Mega-Damage)
  This is the standard when it comes to Magic Weapon Tattoos, because of its low P.P.E. cost and M.D. capabilities.
  P.P.E. to Activate: 10
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: The weapon, whether it be a dagger, sword, club, arrow, etc., inflicts the Mega-Damage equivalent of the usual S.D.C.
  Magic Weapon Tattoos damage, point for point in M.D.C. settings. That is to say if the weapon, like a short sword, normally does 1D6 S.D.C. damage, the Magic Weapon inflicts 1D6 M.D., if the weapon normally does 2D6 S.D.C. it does 2D6 M.D., and so on. Notes: 1. The flames indicate it inflicts Mega-Damage (M.D.) in Mega-Damage environments. Since the magic tattoo creates a “magic” weapon, against an S.D.C. opponent (or in an S.D.C. environment) it does its normal S.D.C. damage +8 (its magical bonus), and the M.D. damage noted above against M.D.C. opponents.
  2. The tattoo is covered in flames, but the weapon that physically manifests is not. It looks like an ordinary weapon, perhaps with a very faint glow to indicate it is a “magic” weapon that inflicts M.D.
  Weapon with Wings
  Additional P.P.E. to activate the wing feature: 20 if Weapon Covered in Flames (an M.D. weapon), 30 if Serpent Slayer, Demon Slayer or Deevil Slayer, or Flaming and Dripping with Blood.
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: The weapon can be thrown, or arrows fired, three times farther than the usual effective range and it automatically returns to the Tattooed Man immediately afterwards! Typically four arrows in the tattoo; one of any other type of weapon.
  Flaming Weapon Dripping with Blood (M.D. Double Damage)
  P.P.E. to activate: 25
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience.
  Power: The weapon inflicts the Mega-Damage equivalent of the usual S.D.C. damage x2 in M.D.C. settings. That is to say if the weapon, like a short sword, normally does 1D6 S.D.C. damage, this Magic Weapon inflicts 2D6 M.D., if the weapon normally does 2D6 S.D.C. it does 4D6 M.D., and so on. Notes: Notes are the same as Weapon Covered in Flames, above. Note: Damage is S.D.C. against S.D.C. opponents, and M.D. against Mega-Damage opponents.
  Damage: 4d6 MDC
  Range: 2,400 feet
  
  MDC Weapons
  
  Spoiler

  Just like a Simple Weapon, activation of a Magic Weapon tattoo creates a real, physical weapon out of thin air. The difference is this weapon possesses magical properties and is indestructible. P.P.E. Cost to Activate: Varies depending on the magic imbued upon the weapon, plus the cost of any applicable Magic Weapon Enhancements. Each Enhancement adds to the cost to activate as the final magic weapon. Two enhancements per weapon, maximum. Each enhancement adds to the cost of activation, so if the T-Man got a Flaming morning star (meaning it inflicts M.D.C. and costs 10 P.P.E. to activate) and the Wings enhancement added (throwing range tripled plus the weapon returns to the thrower, costs 20 P.P.E. to add to a Flaming weapon), the total activation cost is 30. Add another 20 P.P.E. if also enhanced with Weapon Covered in Electrical Arcs, for a total of 50. This high cost is why many T-Men do not add more than one enhancement or even no additional enhancements to their Magic Weapon tattoos. Or have a range of tattoos or one or two favorites.
  Duration: All Magic Weapons (and Enhancements) last 15 minutes per level of the T-Man or until the Tattoo Magic is canceled and the weapon is dispelled.
  Weapon Type: Melee weapons just like Simple Weapons. As usual, Modern weapons, revolvers, rifles, automatic and energy weapons are not possible as a Magic Weapon tattoo.
  Weapon Skill Bonuses: The character’s usual W.P. skills and bonuses are applicable when using any weapon created via magic tattoo.
  Size: The weapon is always proportional to the size of the T-Man and the type of weapon.
  Power: Varies with each type of Magic Weapon Tattoo and 1-2 possible additional enhancements.
  Notes: As always, the tattoo user can cancel the magic at any time with a mere thought and the weapon disappears. The magic weapon tattoo continues to exist even when the user is rendered unconscious, possessed, or mind controlled. In the case of possession or mind control, the controlling outside force cannot activate any new tattoos nor cancel any already activated. Magic Weapon tattoos that were active at the moment that control was initiated remain in place until the end of their duration.
  Anybody can pick up and use weapons created by a magic tattoo as long as the T-Man allows it. Remember, the Tattooed Man can cancel the magic in the twinkle of an eye, leaving the person suddenly weaponless.
  As six tattoos can be active at any one time, all effects and abilities are cumulative. Each Magic Weapon Enhancement, like wings, added to the tattoo when it is initially created counts as part of that ONE tattoo even if there are two enhancements. Enhancements Over Time: If a Magic Weapon Enhancement is added to a Magic Weapon tattoo at a later date - days, months, even centuries after the main Magic Weapon tattoo was first created - EACH new enhancement counts as a separate and unique tattoo. That means that, although they are all activated together in one melee attack, a weapon with two enhancements added later would count as three tattoos toward the maximum of six tattoos that can be active at any one time. So it is best to figure out and get the Magic Weapon tattoo and any enhancement(s) done at the same time so they all count as ONE tattoo. And remember, two enhancements, maximum, regardless of when the enhancements are added.
  Spoiler: Longsword- 10 PPE, 2d6 MD

  Weapon Covered in Flames (Mega-Damage)
  This is the standard when it comes to Magic Weapon Tattoos, because of its low P.P.E. cost and M.D. capabilities.
  P.P.E. to Activate: 10
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: The weapon, whether it be a dagger, sword, club, arrow, etc., inflicts the Mega-Damage equivalent of the usual S.D.C.
  Magic Weapon Tattoos damage, point for point in M.D.C. settings. That is to say if the weapon, like a short sword, normally does 1D6 S.D.C. damage, the Magic Weapon inflicts 1D6 M.D., if the weapon normally does 2D6 S.D.C. it does 2D6 M.D., and so on. Notes: 1. The flames indicate it inflicts Mega-Damage (M.D.) in Mega-Damage environments. Since the magic tattoo creates a “magic” weapon, against an S.D.C. opponent (or in an S.D.C. environment) it does its normal S.D.C. damage +8 (its magical bonus), and the M.D. damage noted above against M.D.C. opponents.
  2. The tattoo is covered in flames, but the weapon that physically manifests is not. It looks like an ordinary weapon, perhaps with a very faint glow to indicate it is a “magic” weapon that inflicts M.D.
  Spoiler: Demon Slayer Claymore - 40 PPE, 3d6 MD, 6d6+12 MD vs Demons

  Weapon Covered in Flames (Mega-Damage)
  This is the standard when it comes to Magic Weapon Tattoos, because of its low P.P.E. cost and M.D. capabilities.
  P.P.E. to Activate: 10
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: The weapon, whether it be a dagger, sword, club, arrow, etc., inflicts the Mega-Damage equivalent of the usual S.D.C.
  Magic Weapon Tattoos damage, point for point in M.D.C. settings. That is to say if the weapon, like a short sword, normally does 1D6 S.D.C. damage, the Magic Weapon inflicts 1D6 M.D., if the weapon normally does 2D6 S.D.C. it does 2D6 M.D., and so on. Notes: 1. The flames indicate it inflicts Mega-Damage (M.D.) in Mega-Damage environments. Since the magic tattoo creates a “magic” weapon, against an S.D.C. opponent (or in an S.D.C. environment) it does its normal S.D.C. damage +8 (its magical bonus), and the M.D. damage noted above against M.D.C. opponents.
  2. The tattoo is covered in flames, but the weapon that physically manifests is not. It looks like an ordinary weapon, perhaps with a very faint glow to indicate it is a “magic” weapon that inflicts M.D.
  Includes:
  Weapon Impaling a Baal-Rog’s Head (Demon Slayer)
  P.P.E. to activate: 30
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Power: This tattoo of a melee weapon does its usual damage to most creatures. As a Demon Slayer it does the weapon’s usual damage +8 damage to all types of demons, including Deevils, etc., but inflicts double the weapon’s usual damage +12 to the Demons of Hades, specifically. Note: Damage is S.D.C. against S.D.C. opponents, and M.D. against Mega-Damage opponents.
  Spoiler: PPE Destroying Long Sword - 20 PPE, 2d6 Damage

  Weapon Impaling or Smashing a Heart (Anti-P.P.E.)
  P.P.E. to Activate: 20
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Powers: Instead of physical damage, this weapon inflicts damage to the target’s P.P.E. base! Only affects living creatures.
  Damage is equal to the normal S.D.C. damage for that weapon, except this amount is subtracted from the victim’s P.P.E. For example, a tattoo of a knife which would normally inflict 1D6 S.D.C. would instead take 1D6 P.P.E. from its victim. The attack can be parried or dodged as usual, and a successful saving throw vs magic of 15 or higher will resist the attack (no P.P.E. loss). Cannot be combined with the Dripping Blood or Covered in Flames tattoo effects.
  The magical tattoo weapon can also be used against magic force fields and magic barriers. The weapon does its normal S.D.C. damage in M.D. against the magical barrier. Only defenses composed entirely of magic energy (P.P.E.), such as Armor of Ithan, Energy Field, and magic walls/barriers, can be damaged in this way. Bio-Wizard or Techno-Wizard enchanted armor, magically hardened steel, Millennium Tree armor, and similar items will NOT be harmed by this magic weapon.
  
  Power Tattoos
  
  Spoiler: Heart Encircled by Chains (Invulnerability) - 40 PPE, 675 MDC

  P.P.E. to Activate: 40
  Duration: 10 minutes per level of experience or until the total number of M.D.C. is depleted. The user of the tattoo can cancel the magic at will. The effects of the magic continues even when the user is rendered unconscious or mind controlled.
  Power: Limited Invulnerability: A faint but visible, light blue magic aura encircles the character rather like a force field protecting him and everything on his body. Ordinary S.D.C./Hit Point damage does NO damage! The aura also provides 75 M.D.C. per level of the tattoo user. Subtract any M.D. caused by Mega- Damage attacks from the character’s magical M.D.C. aura. This includes damage from falls, collisions, explosions, energy blasts, Supernatural P.S. punches, and even poison, gas, and drugs. When the M.D.C. is used up and gone, the limited invulnerability magic continues to protect against S.D.C. attacks until the duration elapses or the magic is canceled.
  Vulnerabilities: It does not protect against magic clouds, psionic attacks or many types of magic, only those that do physical damage. The character is, of course vulnerable to magic that immobilizes, entangles, and influences the mind and senses, like Domination and Blind, for example. Physical attacks created by psionics such as Psi-Sword or spells that do damage like Call Lightning and Fire Ball, do damage to the magic aura until it is whittled down to zero. Likewise, spells such as Light Target, Befuddle and Charm are not stopped by invulnerability since they do not cause direct physical damage.
  Spoiler: Heart with Large Wings (Fly) - 20 PPE, 130 Mph

  P.P.E. to Activate: 20
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of experience or until canceled by the user of the tattoo.
  Power: The tattoo user can fly at a speed of 50 mph (80 km) plus 10 mph (16 km) per level of experience. Maximum height is limited to 4,000 feet (1,219 m) above the ground. The effects of the magic continues even when the user is rendered unconscious or mind controlled, which means he will float 2D6 feet (0.6 to 3.6 m) above the ground and float in the direction of the wind at a rate of about five miles (8 km) an hour.
  Bonuses when Flying: +1 to strike and dodge, +1 when the tattoo user reaches levels 4, 8 and 12, and +3 to damage from hand to hand attacks due to height and speed advantage. Note: Damage is S.D.C. against S.D.C. opponents, and M.D. against Mega-Damage opponents.
  Heart
  Spoiler: Blazing Comet - 40 PPE, Mach 9 Flight, 180 MD

  (Space Flight as per spell in Fleets of the Three Galaxies) P.P.E. to Activate: 40
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of experience.
  Power: The tattoo user can hover and fly in space totally protected from the elements and can move as easily as a Cosmo Knight. Flight speed is Mach One (767 mph/1,227 km) per level of experience [Mach 9] and the individual has zero-G movement and a protective aura with 20 M.D.C. per level of experience [180 MD]. The T-Man appears to be wearing a blue, glowing force field. The protection from vacuum remains in place even if all the M.D.C. protection is depleted. This tattoo is most common for Atlanteans who travel in the Three Galaxies and engage in space exploration.
  Spoiler: Power Matrix (Energize Tattoo) - 5 PPE, 90 PPE Battery

  P.P.E. to Activate: Five to activate Power Matrix, plus the P.P.E. cost of the magic tattoo the user wants to extend via the Power Matrix. Or 5 P.P.E. to activate and make available the P.P.E. stored in the Power Matrix for casting spells or the activation of other tattoos or magic devices.
  Duration: Doubles or continues for another full duration the powers/abilities and duration of another tattoo, or immediately makes available energy stored in the Power Matrix to activate one or more magic tattoos within the usual limitation of no more than six magic tattoos active at any one time.
  Power: There are situations where the tattoo user may not want an active magic tattoo’s duration and abilities to end. The P.P.E. stored in the Power Matrix tattoo can be used to extend the duration of that tattoo with but a thought. Applicable to any type of magic tattoo.
  It is used only to extend the duration of an active tattoo and as an energy reserve with which to activate other magic tattoos when he has used up his own P.P.E. or extra P.P.E. is required. P.P.E. Reserve: The Power Matrix can hold 10 P.P.E. per level [90 PPE] of the tattoo user. It can be recharged with P.P.E. two ways. One, by the T-Man channeling his own P.P.E. into the Matrix via meditation at the rate of 10 P.P.E points an hour, or by channeling the ambient P.P.E. of a ley line or nexus point at a rate of 20 P.P.E. per hour. The energy is available until spent. When used up, the tattoo user must consciously channel new P.P.E. into it or the Power Matrix remains empty or with whatever is left.
  Spoiler: Heart Pierced by a Wooden Stake (Protection), 15 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 15
  Duration: One hour per level of experience or until canceled. Power: The T-Man gains the following power:
  • Immune to the Pheromone Induced Seduction.
  • The character is impervious to the slow kill bite, and cannot be turned into a vampire or enslaved.
  • Impervious to all the mind control powers of vampires and related species of undead.
  • When the magic tattoo is first activated, a wooden stake and a cross appears, one in each hand. Both disappear when the duration ends or the tattoo magic is cancelled.
  Note: Though greatly protected by this magic tattoo, the vampire can hurt and even kill a Tattooed O.C.C. like the Undead Slayer by using killing bite attacks, the brute force of punches, claws, etc., and via weapons or magic.
  Spoiler: Cross (Turn Dead), 15 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 15
  Duration: One minute per level of experience or until canceled.
  Power: Turn Dead, equal to the invocation of the same name.
  Spoiler: Chain Wrapped Around a Cloud (Air Powers), 50 PPE, 9d6 MD

  P.P.E. to Activate: 50
  Duration: One minute per level of experience or until canceled.
  Power: Influence the elemental force of air.
  • See the Invisible, the same as the spell (see Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 199).
  • Float in the Air, same as the spell (see Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 202).
  • Wind Rush, same as the spell (see Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 214).
  • Call Lightning twice per melee round/every 15 seconds; same as the spell (see Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 209). [9d6 MD, 800 ft]
  • Calm Storms, same as the spell (see Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 223).
  • See Air Elementals.
  • Communicate with Air Elementals.
  Spoiler: Rose and Thorny Stem Dripping Blood (Healing), 30 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 30
  Duration: One minute per level of experience or until canceled. As many as three healing touches can be performed every minute. Each healing counts as two of the character’s melee attacks. Range: Touch.
  Power: With the touch of his hand the tattoo user is able to heal wounds and injuries; restoring 1D6 Hit Point damage and 3D6
  S.D.C. (or 1D6+3 M.D. to Mega-Damage beings) per each touch. Three healings per melee round are possible.
  Spoiler: Phoenix Rising from the Flames (Super Healing/Resurrection), 124 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 124 and see note.
  Duration: Instant, with permanent results.
  Range: Touch or within 12 feet (3.7 m).
  Power: Super-healing and resurrection of others! Using the power to super-heal will restore up to 50 Hit Points and 50 S.D.C. points, or 100 M.D.C. if the character being healed is a Mega-Damage creature. Furthermore, the super-healing cures all types of common diseases, Magic Minor Disorders, Magic Sickness, Minor Curse, and turns a victim of Petrification back to flesh. Forms of insanity, magic insanity and addiction are not cured via this magic.
  Resurrection is possible only if performed within six hours after the moment of death. The magical resurrection costs 124 P.P.E. and brings the dead person up to three Hit Points and restores/regenerates missing limbs and organs and completely heals all wounds without scarring.
  Resurrection Costs: 124 P.P.E., plus the cost of performing a resurrection has a lasting effect on the tattoo user. The character permanently loses 1D6 Hit Points or M.D.C., 2D6 P.P.E. points, and one P.E. attribute point of his own each time a resurrection is performed. However, he permanently gains one M.A. point. There are no penalties for performing a super-healing.
  Spoiler: Eye of Knowledge (Language), 15 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 15
  Duration: 15 minutes per level of experience or until canceled.
  Power: Understands and speaks all languages equal to a skill of 96%.
  Includes Literacy equal to a skill of 82% and can read and understand most written languages, but that does not include magic symbols, runes, wards or circles.
  Spoiler: Chain with a Broken Link (Supernatural P.S.), 30 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 30
  Duration: Five minutes per level of experience or until canceled.
  Power: Instills or boosts Supernatural Strength (+6 to P.S. for duration of the magic). Mega-Damage is inflicted from all physical attacks, punches, kicks, head butt, power punch, etc., and lifting and carrying abilities are also boosted. Remember, +6 to P.S. is likely to bump a T-Man’s Supernatural P.S. up to the next level which inflicts greater damage. Note: Damage is S.D.C. against S.D.C. opponents, and M.D. against Mega- Damage opponents. See Supernatural Strength list in the core rule book.
  Spoiler: Flaming Eye (Fire Projection & Thermo-Imaging) - 20 PPE, 9d4 MD

  P.P.E. to Activate: 20
  Duration: Five minutes per level of experience.
  Range: 100 feet (30.5 m), plus 50 feet (15.2 m) [550 feet] per level of experience for the flame attack.
  Number of Attacks: Each fiery blast counts as one melee attack. Damage: 1D4 M.D. per level of experience [9d4 MD].
  Bonuses: +2 to strike with flame from the eye, but no other bonuses apply to the fire bolt shot from the eye. Each fire blast counts as one melee attack.
  Powers: Provides the tattoo user with the ability to see infrared radiation (heat waves) equal to a thermo-imager with a range of 600 feet (183 m), as well as the power to fire an M.D. bolt of fire from his eyes. Range: 60 feet (18.3 m). 1D4 M.D. per level of the T-Man’s experience. Damage is S.D.C. against S.D.C. opponents, and M.D. against Mega-Damage opponents.
  Spoiler: Shark or Dolphin (Swim), 20 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 20
  Duration: 30 minutes per level of experience or until canceled. Range: Self.
  Power: The tattoo user can swim like a fish at a speed of 20 mph (32 km), breathe without air, swim at a proficiency of 98%, at a maximum depth of two miles (3.2 km). Underwater combat bonuses: +2 to parry and dodge in water.
  Spoiler: Eye of Mystic Knowledge on a Broken Shield (Dispel Magic Barriers), 45 PPE

  P.P.E. to Activate: 45 Duration: Instant.
  Power: The T-Man can attempt to dispel a magic barrier that bars his path by touching it and activating this tattoo. The effects are the same as the spell Dispel Magic Barriers.
  
  Dimensional Tattoos
  
  Spoiler: Silhouettes of People Inside an Opened Rift (Dimensional Teleport)

  P.P.E. to activate: 200 +1D4+4 P.E. points (or 125 P.P.E. and 12 P.E. points).
  Duration: Instant.
  Power: This powerful tattoo allows the Tattooed Man to do a Dimensional Teleport for himself and an additional 200 pounds (90 kg) per level of experience, whether that additional weight be material goods or people. This tattoo is so powerful that it temporarily drains 1D4+4 points of the character’s P.E. attribute. Adjust P.E. bonuses appropriately. The spent P.E. points return at the rate of one point per each hour of rest. If the character is fighting or on the move, the points will not return until he is able to rest or meditate.
  The tattoo user must have some knowledge of the world or dimension he wishes to teleport to.
  Base Level of Success: 20% +5% per level of experience (+15% to Atlantean Nomads, +30% to Tattooed Voyagers, +50% to Chiang-Ku dragons). [44%]
  On a successful roll the tattoo user and anyone touching him is instantly Dimensionally Teleported to the dimension known to the user.
  On a failed roll, roll percentile dice to determine what happened and where the character(s) appears.
  01-20% The tattoo user did not go anywhere and is still in the exact same location and dimension when he activated the tattoo! P.P.E. and P.E. are spent with no result.
  21-40% The tattoo user did not achieve the desired result but did move 1d4x10 yards/meters away from where he had started. This is probably of little help, though he (and those touching him) may have teleported out of the line of sight of an enemy.
  41-80% Arrived at the intended dimension, but not at the intending location. Game Master’s choice as to how far the character(s) is off course.
  81-100% Ends up in a random dimension or at a different location in the same dimension or a different part of the world from which this journey began. This could be the start of a new adventure!
  
  
• 
  Shao-Lin Kung Fu
  Level 1: Starts with 3 actions, +3 to roll with punch, +2 to Strike, Critical Strike a natural 19-20, Critical Strike from behind
  Level 2: +1 to back flip/leap, +1 to Parry/Dodge
  Level 3: +1 attack per melee
  Level 4: +1 to initiative, strike, and damage
  Level 5: +1 to Roll With Punch, +1 damage
  Level 6: +1 to Strike, Knockout/Stun on a natural 18 or better
  Level 7: +1 attack per melee, Death Blow on a natural 19-20
  Level 8: +1 to back flip/leap, +1 to initiative, strike and damage
  Level 9: +1 to Roll With Punch
  Level 10: +1 attack per melee
  Level 11: +1 to initiative, strike and damage
  Level 12: Critical Strike on a natural 18-20
  Level 13: +1 to back flip/leap, +1 to damage
  Level 14: +1 to Roll With Punch, +1 to damage
  Level 15: +1 attack per melee, +1 to initiative, strike and damage
  
  Experience Chart
  Undead Slayer
  1 0,000 - 2,500
  2 2,501 - 5,500
  3 5,501 - 10,500
  4 10,501 - 21,500
  5 21,501 - 32,000
  6 32,001 - 47,000
  7 47,001 - 65,000
  8 65,001 - 87,000
  9 87,001 - 115,000 <===90,000
  10 115,001 - 170,000
  11 170,001 - 220,000
  12 220,001 - 300,000
  13 300,001 - 400,000
  14 400,001 - 500,000
  15 500,001 - 600,000
  
  
• 
  Controller Body Armor: 35 MDC
  
  
  Spoiler: TW Nova Rifle

  The Nova Rifle is a large, bulk weapon with a sinister profile. the rifle fires globes of red swirling energy that explode on impact, inflicting damage to a small area. Although it is not an automatic weapon, it inflicts good damage with each shot and has the capacity to damage multiple targets.
  Weight: 10 lbs
  Mega Damage: 1d4x10 MD to all targets in a six foot radius
  Rate of Fire: Single shots only
  Effective Range: 1,200 feet
  Payload: 8 shots per PPE clip
  4 extra PPE clips
  Spoiler: TW Starfire Pistol

  The Starfire pistol is a sleek, elegant weapon designed to appeal to the wealthy more than your typical mercenary. Despite this, the weapon has become popular amongst warriors due to its good range and accuracy, excellent damage, and ergonomic design.
  Weight: 2 lbs
  Mega Damage: 3d6 MD per energy bolt
  Rate of Fire: Single shots only
  Effective Range: 1,000 feet
  Payload: 12 shots per PPE clip
  Bonus: +1 to Strike
  2 extra PPE clips
  Spoiler: TW Force Cannon

  The Force Cannon is the largest man-portable weapon Stormspire produces. Pulling the trigger unleashes three force bolts, inflicting serious damage on anything it hits. Characters without a PS of 22 or greater are -2 to strike.
  Weight: 42 lbs
  Mega Damage: 1d6x10+10 MD per shot
  Rate of Fire: Single shots only
  Effective Range: 2,000 feet
  Payload: 6 shots per PPE Clip
  2 extra PPE clips
  Spoiler: Battle Fury Blade

  These weapons are usually Claymore swords. It is deadly in battle, inflicting serious damage with every hit. However, its special ability, the Battle Fury, makes it fearsome beyond belief.
  Weight: 7 lbs
  Mega Damage: 6d6 MD +1d4x10+10 from energy crystal
  MDC: 200, regenerates 20 MDC per day
  Powers: By channeling 40 PPE into the weapon, the wielder can invoke the Battle Fury. While this fearsome ability is active, the weapon inflicts a whopping 1d6x10 MD with every hit. In addition, every time the wielder makes an attack with the sword, they get two attacks instead of one; the weapon striking with blistering speed (opponents are -5 to parry the unexpected, super-quick, second attack). Finally, for the duration of the enchantment, they are encased in a suit of magical force with 100 MDC.
  The Battle Fury lasts for 12 melee rounds/3 minutes.
  Spoiler: BigBore ''Lawman" Automatic Shotgun

  This new weapon in Bandito's BigBore shotgun series is popular among bartenders, shopkeepers, the Tundra Rangers, CyberKnights and lawmen of all types, earning the weapon the nickname of the "Lawman," an odd moniker for a weapon produced by the Black Market, but a fitting one. The Lawman Auto-Shotgun is a sturdy weapon that can be handled by most ordinary people with reasonable effectiveness. The gun uses a pair of alternating side-by-side barrels to maintain a high rate of fire and give it that intimidating double-barrel shotgun look. Its low recoil is achieved with "floating" barrels that partially retract into the gun when fired to absorb some of the impact. Of course the big advantage is a significant payload, making it unnecessary to stop and reload, every one or two blasts.
  Note: A normal P.S. of 18 or an Augmented P.S. of 14 (or better) is required to shoot the Lawman Automatic Shotgun. Those with lower P.S. shoot with a -3 penalty to strike, double when shooting wild. An Augmented P.S. of 22 or greater is required to fire it one-handed.
  Weight: 12lbs (5.4 kg).
  Range: 300 feet (91.5 m).
  Mega-Damage: 2D4 M.D. per single shell/bullet, 4D4 per double barreled blast, plus knockdown effect. If loaded with silver or wooden rounds the Lawman will do double its listed M.D. shotgun damage straight to the Hit Points of vampires and other beings vulnerable to such rounds.
  Rate of Fire: Each single shot or double-barreled blast counts as one melee attack.
  Payload: 18 round drum magazine. Note: The Lawman can also fire conventional S.D.C. shells and wooden or silver shells designed for fighting vampires, werebeasts, and certain demons, making it a popular weapon among Vampire Hunters and people throughout Mexico and the American Southwest.
  S.D.C. shotgun shells - the damage is 4D6 S.D.C. for buckshot or 5D6 S.D.C. for solid slugs per single round
  1 drum of SDC slug shells, 2 drums of MDC shells
  1 ammo box of 144 bullets; 100 MDC, 44 SDC
  Spoiler: Rune Sword - "Zelator the Demon Slayer"

  A traditional longsword. Well balanced, it is designed to be wielded with one or two hands.
  Despite its rather simple appearance, the sword has a few nice goodies to it. It will inflict 5d6 MD in melee, but does 10d6 to demons, provides the same +1 to all Saving Throws, and it possess psionic abilities of all Sensitive and Physical abilities, plus these three Super Psi powers: Hydrokinesis, Electrokinesis, and Mind Block Auto Defense. It has a battery of 100 ISP to fuel its powers and is highly intelligent.
  Spoiler: Hephaestus-Forged Rune Shield - Iren's Shield

  Indestructible - Able to parry ranged attacks at a -8.
  A rune shield created by Hephaestus, Greek god of blacksmiths. Indestructible, has four spell powers (cast at level 6), adds +1 to all Saving Throws.
  
  Choose four invocation spells, can cast 4 total spells per day, levels 1-6, at 6th level ability, in any combination.
  

  Spoiler: Armor of Ithan

  Range: Self or other by touch
  Duration: One minute per level of the spell caster.
  Saving Throw: None.
  This powerful spell instantly creates an invisible, weightless, noiseless, full suit of mystic armor upon the caster. Or the magic armor can be instantly created upon anyone, as long as the spell caster invokes the spell while touching the intended recipient. This mystic armor has a total MDC of 60. Magic fire, lightning and cold do half damage to it.

  Spoiler: Blinding Flash

  Range: 10 ft radius, up to 60 feet away
  Duration: Instant
  Saving Throw: Standard; -1 if 3 PPE points are pumped into this spell.
  This invocation creates a sudden urst of intense, white light, temporarily blinding everyone in its ten foot radius. Victims are blinded for one to four melee rounds, and are -10 to strike, parry and dodge. The chance of falling is 1-50% every 10 feet. The magic can be cast up to 60 feet away. Saving throw is standard; those who successfully save vs magic are not blinded. Note: Does not affect robotic, bionic or cybernetic eyes.

  Spoiler: Impervious to Energy

  Range: Self
  Duration: Two minutes per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: None
  The spell caster can make himself impervious to all forms of energy including fire, heat, electricity, lasers and so on. Energy attacks do no damage whatsoever. Physical attacks, guns, knives, clubs, explosives, and even punches do normal damage.

  Spoiler: Targeted Deflection

  Range: Effective targeting deflection is 500 feet +50 feet per level of experience. Trying to hit a target beyond this range is -1 to strike per every additional 100 feet. This spell can only be cast on the sorcerer himself.
  Duration: One melee round per level of experience.
  Saving Throw: Dodge
  Limitation: Energy attacks only.
  Targeted Deflection is a more advanced form of the Deflect spell. After invoking this magic, the spell caster can magically parry energy attacks/blasts with his arms and hands. Best of all, he can deflect them in such a way that the attack is directed back at its source. Unless the attacker dodges, he takes full damage from his own attack and the mage takes none. To successfully return the attack to its source, the mage roll to parry with a bonus of +3 (in addition to any PP and/or Targeting skill bonuses). A successful parry will block and deflect the attack harmlessly away. Any roll above 13 will bounce the blast back at the attacker. The attacker can try to dodge the bounce-back energy blast, but does so without bonuses and must match or beat the mage's parry roll. A roll by the mage between 5-13 simply deflects the attack out of harms way, and a roll of 1-4 means a fumbled defection and the blast hits the mage without it being deflected.
  The spell caster can also try to deflect the blast at a different target, but does so without any bonuses and needs a 16 or higher to strike. Note: Only energy blasts, including magical energy, can be deflected back at the attacker or at others. However, the mage can parry and deflect projectiles harmlessly away the same as the Deflect spell.
  
  
  Spoiler: Multi-Optics Helmet

  The multi-optics helmet is a special optical enhancement system built into a protective helmet. It includes the following features:
  1 . Targeting Sight: 1,600 feet (488 m).
  2. Infrared Optics System : 1,600 feet (488 m).
  3. Telescopic Monocular Lens: Range : 2 miles (3.2 km).
  4. Thermal-Imager: Range : 1,600 feet (488 m). Special Bonus: + 1 to strike when the optics and targeting sight are engaged. Note that the thermal-imager is a special, optical, heat sensory unit that allows the infrared radiation of warm objects to be converted into a visible image. Enables the pilot to see in darkness, shadows and through smoke.
  5. Short Range Radio: Effective Range of 10 miles.
  Spoiler: IRMSS Internal Robot Medical Surgeon System x2

  An amazing medical device that injects a dozen microscopic robot units, about the size of a pinpoint, into the bloodstream to repair internal injury. The containment unit is placed over or near the suspected area of damage and the depression of a button releases the micro-surgeons into the body. The tiny robots search for the damage and repair it. Types of internal injury which they can repair include the removal of blood clots, repairing torn/ruptured veins, internal bleeding, and minor damage to internal organs. Equal to a medical doctor's surgical skill of 75%. When the units are done, they simply turn off and are naturally flushed from the body (average life is one hour). They are not reusable. Each IRMSS holds 48 surgical robots for four uses.
  Spoiler: Crystal Healing Wand

  The Healing Wand is made of emerald or other green crystal. The Crystal Healing Wand is seldom longer than six inches to one foot (0.15 to 0.3 m) and can be a life saver. Thus, it is highly sought after, not just by Atlantean healers, but by all healers, Nomads, Tattooed Voyagers, and adventurers. The crystal wand is as thick as the narrow end of a pool stick and is crafted from a single piece of emerald or green crystalline stone. At the one end is a sculpted rose, the symbol for healing among Atlanteans.
  15 P.P.E. to heal wounds. When 15 P.P.E. is pumped into the wand and it is waved over a wound it magically closes and heals the wound and restores 5D6 Hit Points (or 3D6 M.D.C. if a Mega-Damage being). This can be repeated a often as needed at the cost of 15 P.P.E. each time, for as long as P.P.E. is available to power the magic. When Hit Points are fully restored (or two-thirds of M.D.C.), the Healing Wand can be used to restore S.D.C./bruising, stiffness and discomfort at a rate of 2D6 S.D.C. (or 1D6 M.D.C.) per every additional 15 P.P.E. spent. The cost is higher even thought the healing is less, because the individual is no longer seriously injured and should be able to heal nicely without magical intervention. That’s how this magic device works.
  30 P.P.E. to heal broken bones, burns or other serious internal injury, or to snap an individual out of a coma (90% success), the wand is placed over the injury or the patient’s heart and the injury is repaired at the amount listed above.
  10 P.P.E. to Cure Minor Disorders, same as the spell of the same name.
  20 P.P.E. to Cure Illness, same as the spell. This includes curing fever, the flu, sore throat, the common cold, rashes, and similar. It cannot cure chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, blood disease, diabetes, mental illness, etc., only illnesses caused by bacteria or viral infection.
  20 P.P.E. can also be spent to purify up to 10 gallons (38 liters) of water to make it safe to drink or 50 pounds (22.5 kg) of food, cleansing it of harmful bacteria, disease, poison or toxin by placing the wand in the container with the water or tapping the wand on the food.
  Cost: 275,000 credits.
  Spoiler: Crystal Rod of Light

  The Crystal Rod of Light (and Hope) is half as thick as a staff, and more resembles a cane. In fact, it is as long as a cane and many use it as such. Many are covered in beautiful etchings of vines and flowers or the sun and other designs that represent life, hope and goodness, while others are quite plain. The rod may have a metal or wood handle like that of a cane, attached or not.
  When 20 P.P.E. is pumped into the Crystal Rod of Light, it pulses and releases a bolt of magic energy that reproduces the powerful invocation Lifeblast. This can be used on a person to restore hope and optimism (and instill him with bonuses) or as a weapon to be used against animated dead, zombies, Banshees and Grave Ghouls, vampires/undead and Necromancers. Same as the spell described in the Rifts® Book of Magic, page 108.
  Cost: 375,000 credits.
  Spoiler: Communications Crystal

  These crystals are small, handheld smoky quartz crystals the size of a golf ball but in the shape of a cube. Atlantean symbols are carved into each face of the cube, but the top and bottom have a pyramid etched into them with a tiny crystal in the center. These crystals allow two-way communications like a cell phone, but with a 3D holographic display. Range is limited to 20 miles (32 km). When on a ley line, the range is doubled, triple at a nexus point or stone pyramid. One P.P.E. provides up to 10 minutes of use. The Communication Crystal has 5 M.D.C. (500 S.D.C.) and can be damaged by non-M.D.C. weapons.
  Cost: 40,000 credits.
  Spoiler: Crystal Eye

  This crystal tool looks like a short rod or gun scope made of blue or clear crystal. It is 6 inches (0.15 m) long and two inches in diameter. An eye of Mystic Knowledge is carved along the side of the crystal and glows when 5 P.P.E. is pumped into it. Atlanteans use it like a telescope with a few options.
  1. Can be used anytime and it acts like a normal spyglass and magnifies up to 20 times. No P.P.E. necessary.
  2. Five P.P.E. enables the Crystal Eye to see the invisible with it. Duration: Five minutes.
  3. Spending one P.P.E. per minute, the Crystal Eye can record whatever the person is seeing through the crystal and is able to zoom in using the telescopic feature via mental or spoken command. By spending the same amount of P.P.E., it will play back the image (no sound) on the eyepiece of the scope. An additional 5 P.P.E. projects the recording onto a wall or screen. The images can also be relayed with the same range and limitations as the Communications Crystal, but cost 5 P.P.E. per minute to transmit. A maximum of six hours can be recorded.
  The Crystal Eye has 5 M.D.C. (500 S.D.C.) and can be damaged by non-M.D.C. weapons.
  Cost: 90,000 credits.
  Two Dimensional Pocket bags, each able to carry 30 lbs of equipment.
  
  Money: 3,758,466 credits
  
  Wooden Cross from Gradicus
  Set of Clothes
  Utility Belt
  Two Canteens
  Backpack
  Knapsack
  Three Weeks of Food Rations
  Handcuffs
  50ft of Strong Rope
  4 Road Flares
  TW Flashlight
  Pocket Knife
  
  
• 
  Terra was born to a wandering Atlantian nomad in the part of North America that was once known as Iowa. Over the next several years, she spent her time wandering about with her mother, and when she came of age, she was gifted with her very own Marks of Heritage tattoos, and was properly educated by her clan elders on what it means to be an Atlantian, despite never having laid eyes upon the ancestral home of her people.
  
  Now old enough to travel on her own, Terra returns to Rifts Earth and looks for her own way to wage the good fight against the evils that prey upon the innocent. Finding herself in the North American heartlands once more, she was drawn to the Federation of Magic and the centers of learning in Lazlo. Entering into the rigorous training program as an apprentice Battle Mage, Terra found herself drawn to the giant Automations, and soon began to make her name known in the Controller program.
  
  Terra is a true believer in the thought that everyone has some good in them, and works mightily to make the world around her a better place.
  
  Characters who are from the Draco Amicus clan gain a +20% bonus to Lore: Faeries and Creatures of Magic and are +2 to Save vs Horror Factor when dealing with dragons. There is a 60% chance that any dragon (80% if dealing with an ancient dragon) will recognize the clan crest or the family name, and give members of the Draco Amicus more latitude when dealing with them.
  

 

[Sherwood]

Corporal Eric Foss is a Coalition Grunt that is on the run from his former employers. He was exposed to some strange energy from a Rift opening up next to him, and now his body has been transformed into a super strong, Mega Damage being, stronger than a souped-up Borg and better protected. When his change was discovered, the Coalition scientists wanted to perform some very invasive exams of his new body, up to and including dissection!

Fleeing the examination (or worse!) table, Eric finds his salvation with the rogue-ish Trent. The smuggler quickly realized just how handy it would be to have a super strong and nearly indestructible sidekick, and was able to sneak Eric out of Coalition territory. Ever since that day, the former Grunt has worked to repay the rescue that saved his life.

 

[Purr]

• Attributes and Bonuses
• Skills
• Tattoo Magic
• Zanji Shinjinken Ryu
• Weapons
• Gear
• Background
• Theme Song

• 
  Battle Name: Gradicus "The Red Edge" (Gradicus comes from the Latin Gradus. "He who marches into battle.")
  Birth Name: Valerius Pacifica of Clan Marciniszyn ("Mar-ci-ni-zin" as best as I can make out. Valerius is Latin for "Valiant". Pacifica is Latin "Peaceful, peace-loving, tranquility, kindness")
  O.C.C.: Tattooed Undead Slayer
  Level: 5
  XP: 22,600 xp (32,001 xp for Level 6, table on Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 123)
  Bonus (Action) Points: 6/7.
  
  
  Spoiler: Picture of Gradicus

  
  (Image credit: Chuck Walton from Secrets of the Atlanteans)
  
  Race: True Atlantean
  Alignment: Scrupulous
  Disposition: Valiant, strong-willed, stubborn when he thinks he's in the right, honorable to a fault, reliable, prefers teams to going solo, trustworthy, compassionate (much moreso than the average Undead Slayer), thinks before acting most of the time, cunning, creative, brutal in gladiatorial ways, completely unfazed by acts of violence, naive sometimes, grew up fast, loves life, loves saving lives, loves taking evil lives (especially before a crowd).
  Age: 40 years old (23 when he left Tamaerus, 33 upon visiting Japan, just turned 38 when he left Japan, almost 41 at start of game).
  Gender: Male
  Height: 6 feet, 4 inches (198 cm).
  Weight: 220 pounds (113 kg)
  Hair: Completely black, usually in a ponytail that reaches the middle of his back.
  Eyes: Volcanic blue (just a little tribute to Robert E. Howard's Conan the Barbarian).
  Other features: Muscular, extremely fit, has numerous scars, most of them from weapons and claws. His tattoos are true works of art. They blend together across his entire body, colorful, meaningful, and rich with trademark Marcinizyn skill. Every tattoo is gorgeously drawn as though a story unto itself - each a vision of imagination.
  
  I.Q. 16 (+2% to all Skills/+1 to Perception - boosted for reaching 3rd level per Sherwood's character advancement guidelines)
  M.E. 31 (+8 to Saving Throws vs. psychic attack and insanity)
  M.A. 22 (70% chance to trust or intimidate)
  P.S. 34 (+17 to damage. Supernatural - Inflicts 5d6 S.D.C. on a restrained punch, 4D6 M.D. on a full strength punch, or 1D4x10 on a power punch (counts as two melee attacks - can carry 1,700 lbs/771 kg and lift 3,400 lbs/1,542 kg. Can hurl maximum carry weight 34 feet)
  P.P. 33 (+8 to Strike, Parry, and Dodge. +1 to Initiative)
  P.E. 27 (Supernatural - +24% to Saving Throws vs. coma/death, +6 to Saving Throws vs. Poison and Magic)
  P.B. 23 (65% to charm or impress)
  Spd 24 (approximately 16 miles/26 kilometers per hour)
  
  M.D.C.: 327 (gains 21 M.D. per level from his O.C.C.)
  P.P.E.: 278 (gains 16 P.P.E. per level from his O.C.C.)
  
  
  Spoiler: The Math behind the Attributes

  I.Q. 16 (11 from Dice) (+4 from Atlantean) (+1 for reaching 3rd level in Sherwood's game - See Character Creation)
  M.E. 31 (21 from Dice) (+2 from Zanji) (+2 from Undead Slayer) (+6 from Atlantean)
  M.A. 22 (16 from Dice) (+2 from Zanji) (+4 from Atlantean)
  P.S. 34 (17 from Dice) (+6 from Undead Slayer) (+2 Gymnastics) (+3 Boxing) (+4 from Atlantean) (+2 Tumbling)
  P.P. 33 (24 from Sherwood) (+2 from Zanji) (+3 from Undead Slayer) (+4 from Gymnastics)
  P.E. 27 (16 from Dice) (+1 from Zanji) (+2 from Undead Slayer) (+1 Gymnastics) (+6 from Atlantean) (+1 Tumbling)
  P.B. 23 (16 from Dice) (+1 from Heritage) (+6 from Atlantean)
  Spd 24 (16 from Dice) (+2 from Undead Slayer) (+6 from Atlantean)
  
  M.D.C.: 327 (+70 Dice and Undead Slayer) (+10 Undead Slayer) (+10 Boxing) (+9 Gymnastics) (132 from Tattoos, 11 [male] x 13 tattoos [beyond the first 6]) (+21 for every level after 1st) (+ Tumbling)
  P.P.E.: 278 (+90 Dice and Undead Slayer) (114 from Tattoos, 6 x 19 tattoos) (+16 per level above 1st)
  
  Combat Attributes
  Perception +2 (+1 from Undead Slayer) (+1 for I.Q. of 16)
  Initiative +1 or +5 (+1 from above 33 P.P.) (+4 when using sword via Weapon Mastery)
  Attacks per Round: 6, 7, or 8. (+5 Zanji) (+1 Boxing) (Undead Slayer: +1 attack per melee round when fighting supernatural evil) (When using sword: +1 Weapon Mastery - Sword)
  Critically hits on a Natural 18 or Higher
  Strike +13/+16 or +17 with swords (+8 from P.P.) (+1 from Undead Slayer) (+4 Zanji) (+3 when using sword via Weapon Mastery)
  Parry +13/+16 with swords (+8 from P.P.) (+1 from Undead Slayer) (+2 Boxing) (+2 Zanji) (+3 when using sword via Weapon Mastery)
  Dodge +11 (+8 from P.P.) (+2 Boxing) ) (+1 Zanji)
  Roll +6 (+3 Gymnastics) (+2 Boxing) ) (+1 Zanji) (+2 Tumbling)
  Maintain Balance (+8 from P.P.) (+1 Zanji)
  Save vs. Magic +7 (+6 from P.E.) (+1 from Undead Slayer)
  Horror Factor Saving Throws (+4 to save from Undead Slayer)
  Awe Factor 13 (12 from Atlantean, +1 from Maricinizsyn Heritage Tattoos)
  
  Combat Attributes
  Perception +2 (more when fighting Vampires)
  Initiative +2 (+6 with sword)
  Attacks per Round: 6, 7, or 8.
  Strike +13 (+16 or +17 with swords)
  Parry +13 (+16 with swords)
  Dodge +11
  Roll +8 (Automatic Roll and Breakfall from Zanji)
  Maintain Balance +8
  Save vs. Magic +7
  Horror Factor Saving Throws (+4 to save from Undead Slayer)
  Horror Factor 13 (Awe. 12 from Atlantean, +1 from Heritage)
  
  Atlantean Natural Abilities
  
  Spoiler: Atlantean Natural Abilities

  Healing Abilities (special)
  Atlanteans heal at a rate of 2D6+10 (M.D.C.) per 24 hours of normal rest and recovery.
  They recover 1D6 (M.D.C.) per hour of meditation at a ley-line or nexus point; more at a Healing Pyramid.
  
  Ley-line Phasing (special)
  All Atlanteans are taught how to Ley Line Phase. This is exactly like the Ley Line Walker's ability. It takes a full melee round (15 seconds) to Ley Line Phase and cannot be used during battle.
  
  Impervious to Shape-Changing/Metamorphosis (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 48).
  
  Operate Dimensional Pyramids at 25% (+5%) (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 48).
  
  P.P.E. Recovery
  Undead Slayers recover P.P.E. at a rate of 20 P.P.E./hour for every hour of meditation, rest, or sleep. 25 P.P.E. when next to a ley line.
  
  Recognize Vampires by Appearance/Sense Presence of Vampires and Vampire Intelligences (see Tattooed Undead Slayer, Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 66).
  
  Sense Rifts and Ley Lines (special). Ley Lines can be sensed up to 5 miles away, nexuses up to 10 miles away, open/active Rift up to 20 miles away.
• 
  Ancestral Skill from Atlantean culture
  Lore: Dimensions: 40% (+5%)
  Meditation: 84% (+2%)
  
  Heritage Skills from Clan Marciniszyn
  Art: Professional Quality: 72% (+5%)
  Whittling & Sculpting: Professional Quality: 67% (+5%)
  Photography: Professional Quality: 72% (+5%)
  
  Undead Slayer O.C.C. skills (followed by additional percentage per level)
  Basic Mathematics: 87% (+5%)
  Boxing
  Gymnastics (+5%, Prowl Skill: 52%. Remember if Blazing Comet is active, just hover instead of trying to move along the ground quietly.)
  Intelligence: 60% (+4%)
  Language and Literacy: Dragonese/Elf, American, and Greek at 98%
  Language: Other (Three of Choice) 87% (+5%). Japanese, Euro, and Splugorth.
  Lore: Demons and Monsters: 72% (+5%)
  Lore: Magic: 57% (+5%)
  Tracking: 62% (+5%)
  Radio Basic: 67% (+5%)
  Swimming: 77% (+5%)
  Wilderness Survival: 67% (+5%)
  W.P. Archery +2
  W.P. Knife +1 (sacrificed for W.P. Weapon Mastery - Sword)
  W.P. Sword +1 (sacrificed for W.P. Weapon Mastery - Sword)
  Weapon Mastery - Sword (see page 92 of The Complete Palladium Skill Book 6.0)
  
  Spoiler: Weapon Master - Sword

  +4 damage with swords
  Riposte (improved Simultaneous Strike)
  Lightning Speed: +4 to Initiative. +1 attack per round.
  The Expanded Proficiency +3 to Strike, Parry, Disarm, and Entangle.
  
  W.P. Energy Pistol +2
  W.P. Energy Rifle +2
  Hand to Hand: Zanji Shinjinken Ryu (upgraded with 2 Secondary Skills from Martial Arts)
  
  Weapon Proficiencies from Zanji Shinjinken Ryu
  W.P. Daisho (at 3rd Level) +3
  W.P. Wakizashi +2
  W.P. Daisho (Paired weapons - swords)
  W.P. Bokken (wooden practice swords) +2
  W.P. Bo Staff +2
  W.P. Spear +2
  W.P. Naginata (pole arm) +2
  
  Other Skills (2)
  1. Detect Ambush: 62% (+5%)
  2. Research: 67% (+5%)
  
  Secondary Skills (4)
  1. (Zanji Shinjinken Ryu)
  2. (Zanji Shinjinken Ryu)
  3. W.P. Shield (+2 to Parry)
  4. W.P. Heavy Mega-Damage Weapons +2
  
  Skills to consider in the future
  W.P. Blunt (for Crystal Stun Mace)?
  Pressure Point Control Tactics?
  
  2nd level - Tumbling (Skill Compendium 6.0, page 49. Sense Balance [use Gymnastics], Judo Throw, Backflip/Somersault: 57%/+5% +4 to dodge, Stilt Walk: 67%, Pole Vault: 67%, Leap.)
  3rd level - W.P. Heavy Energy Weapons +1
  4th level - W.P. Sharpshooting: Heavy Mega-Damage Weapons, add +3 to Aimed Shots and +5 to Called Shots, +1 attack per round when using Heavy Weapons, +4 to Initiative, uses Heavies in 1 hand)??
  5th level - W.P. Sharpshooting: Heavy Mega-Damage Weapons (it costs two skills).
  
  
• 
  
  Spoiler: Leveling Note from Sherwood

  House Rule from Sherwood: Since you are supposed to be able to add more Tattoos as you level up, I don't want to handcuff your character if you are stuck somewhere and are unable to get away for long enough to find someone capable of applying a new set to you. So, what we'll do is say you already have many more tats than on your sheet that are dormant, and as you gain in strength, they activate and become useable. That way you can level up normally.
  
  Tattoo Magic
  
  Spoiler: Samurai Tattoo

  I'm providing this as a human example of some truly excellent tattoo-work; Atlantean, of course, outdoes this in beauty and in realism; Clan Mariciniszyn are the foremost artists of the Atlanteans and all of Gradicus's tattoos are from his clan.]
  
  (Image credit Aliens Tattoo (Sunny Bhanushali)
  
  Clan Mariciniscyn Heritage Tattoos (Format = Effect(s). P.P.E. cost with range for duration. "design". "Energized" means mixed with Power Matrix Tattoo for double duration)
  1. Magic Flaming Weapon -- summons magical sword doing 2D6 M.D. + P.S.. 10 P.P.E. for 15 min./level. "Heavy rapier sword covered in orange flames on left wrist"
  2. Protection from Vampires -- see Secrets of the Atlanteans, pg. 162, 15 P.P.E. for 1 hr./level. "Heart Pierced by Wooden by Stake"
  
  Tattooed Undead Slayer Tattoos
  3. Energized Magic Flaming Weapon: Spear -- summons spear that performs 2D6 M.D. + P.S. or performs 5D6 M.D. flamethrower-style blasts. (10 + 20 + 5) 35 P.P.E. with 100 foot range for 30 min./level. "Weapon (Spear) with Flaming Gout Shooting Out"
  4. Energized Simple Weapon: Crossbow -- summons crossbow that performs 2D6 M.D. with triple range and bolts magically return. (2 + 10 + 20) 32 P.P.E. 2,100 foot range (Ninjas & Superpies range x 3) for 60 min./level. "Crossbow with four bolts in flames with wings"
  5. Turn Dead -- repels 1d6 animated dead/level per RUE page 201. 15 P.P.E. for 24 hours. "The Cross"
  6. Invulnerability -- Provides 75 M.D./level with limitations (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 162). 40 P.P.E. for 10 min./level. "Heart Encircled by Chains"
  7. Control the Forces of Air -- Provides Air Powers: See the Invisible, Float in the Air, Wind Rush, Call Lightning, Calm Storms, See and Communicate with Air Elementals. (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 162). 50 P.P.E. for 1 min./level. "Chain Wrapped Around a Cloud"
  8. Healing Basic -- Perform 3 healings/minute, each touch counts as two actions and heals 1d6 hit points and 3d6 S.D.C. or 1D6+3 M.D.. 30 P.P.E. with touch range for 1 min./level. "Rose and Thorny Stem Dripping Blood"
  9. Healing Super -- Restores 50 hit points and 50 S.D.C. or 100 M.D. plus all types of common diseases, Magic Minor Disorders, Magic Sickness, Minor Curse, and cures petrification. Able to perform Resurrection (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 165). 124 P.P.E. base cost with 12 ft. range. "Phoenix Rising from the Flames"
  10. Language -- Understand and speak all languages at 96%. Includes Literacy at 82%. Does not include magical writing. 15 P.P.E. for 15 min./level. "Eye of Knowledge"
  
  Select from the following:
  11. Energized Blazing Comet -- Space Flight at Mach 1/level, zero-g, protection from vacuum, blue glowing forcefield for 20 M.D./level. (40 + 5) 45 P.P.E. for 60 min./level. "Blazing Comet"
  12. Energize -- Doubles tattoo durations, store 10 P.P.E./level. 5+ P.P.E. for indefinite (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 170). "Power Matrix"
  13: Energized Simple Weapon: M.D.C. Flaming Shield -- summons indestructible shield (golden, lion-headed, round, large enough for him to hide his entire body if he crouches behind it), +2 to parry in addition to W.P. Shield. (15 + 5) 20 P.P.E. for 60 minutes/level. "Flaming Shield"
  14: Energized Simple Weapon: Katana -- summons katana doing 2d6 S.D.C.. (2 + 5) 7 P.P.E. for 60 min./level. "Flaming Katana"
  15: Energized Magic Weapon: Katana -- summons katana doing 4D6 M.D. + P.S.. (10 + 25 + 5) 40 P.P.E. for 30 min./level. "Flaming Weapon Dripping in Blood"
  16: Energized Magic Weapon: Wakizashi -- summons wakizashi doing 4D6 M.D. + P.S.. (10 + 25 + 5) 40 P.P.E. for 30 min./level. "Flaming Weapon Dripping in Blood"
  17. Energized Animal: Hawk -- summons Glitch the Glinthawk (Hawk) with 16 hit points. (10 + 5) 15 P.P.E. for 1 hr./level (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 146). "Glinthawk"
  
  Spoiler: Glitch the Glinthawk

  Glitch looks like a vulture, but actually has the mind of an oversized parrot (hence its name). The damn thing sometimes repeats what it hears (usually very short phrases; this is often embarrassing). Likes to whistle popular songs which are easily identifiable by any music-lovers. Likes to be scratched under the chin; emits a pleasing chirping sound when this occurs.
  
  (Image credit: Horizon Zero Dawn Wiki Fandom)
  18. Energized Animal: Leopard-- summons Sparky the Sawtooth with 48 hit points. (15 +5) 20 P.P.E. for 1 hr./level (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 147). "Sawtooth")
  
  Spoiler: Sparky the Sawtooth

  Very much a cat, Sparky will do as it damn well pleases until ordered into action. Likes to track, prowl, and chase things. Likes belly-rubs and ear-scratchies (at least by Gradicus) then mechanical and very audible purring ensues. Sometimes, when resting, curls up into a large c-shape, making for a nice "couch."
  
  (Image credit: Horizon Zero Dawn Wiki Fandom)
  19. Energized Monster: Anti-Monster-- summons Smoochie the Anti-Monster with 301-500 M.D.C. (100 +5) 105 P.P.E. for 1 hr./level (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 147). "Smoochie!")
  
  Spoiler: Smoochie the Anti-Monster

  Smoochie is a very pink and very female Anti-Monster who lost her mind a long time ago. Her voice is deep and guttural, but unmistakably girlish. She enjoys pulverizing enemies into bloody messes, but like a K-9 dog, she expects praise after having done so. Unless she is destroyed mid-combat, she will approach Gradicus, kneel down, and turn her face to him. What she wants is a kiss on the cheek and some words of praise. When she gets it, she reacts happily. If she doesn't, she sulks. She will probably go head-over-heels for Sherro and perhaps, after combat, demand "Smoochies" from him instead? =)
  
  (Image credit: projects.inklesspen.com)
  Tattoos gained after 1st level.
  20. Negate Magic -- as Negate Magic the spell. 40 P.P.E. with touch, self or others. (see Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 168 and the spell, Negate Magic in Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 216. "Eye of Mystic Knowledge in a Red Circle with a Slash Through It"
  21. Energized Sense Evil - As the Sense Evil Psionic ability. Range is 25 feet/level. 10 P.P.E. for 10 minutes/level. "White Skull on a Black Shield"
  22. Energized Darkness Powers - Night-vision 600 feet (182.9 m), see in magic darkness, and the ability to recognize Shadow Beasts and other creatures from the Shadow Dimension even when they are melded into the shadows (does NOT include Shadow Vision). Shadow Meld (Book of Magic, page 103), Cloak of Darkness (Book of Magic, page 93). Range is self or 5 foot radius per level of experience. 45 P.P.E. for 10 minutes per level of experience. Each use of a Darkness power counts as one of the tattoo user's melee attacks. "Black Sun"
  23. Energized Empathy & Transmission - as Empathy (Sensitive Psionic ability from Rifts Main Book, page 172), Empathic Transmission (Super-Psionic ability from Rifts Main Book, page 178). Range is 100 foot area (Empathy) or 60 feet (Empathic Transmission). 20 P.P.E. for 2 minutes/level. Effects from Empathic Transmission last 2D6 minutes. "Eye With Tears"
  
  Future magic tattoos to consider
  Impervious to Fire (Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 169)
  Knight in Full Body Armor (35 M.D./level, 30 min./level, Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 164)
  Poison Touch (Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 163)
  Speed (Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 162)
  Bonus to Save vs. Psionics/Impervious to Mind Control (Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 159)
  
  
• 
  Zanji Shinjinken Ryu (page 113 in Ninjas and Superspies)
  
  Combat Skills
  Attacks per Melee: 4
  Escape Moves: Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Maintain Balance.
  Basic Defense Moves: Dodge, Parry, Automatic Parry.
  Advanced Defenses: Multiple Dodge, Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Power Block/Parry (does damage!), Automatic Roll, Breakfall.
  Hand Attacks: Strike (Punch).
  Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Backward Sweep (only usable against targets behind the martial artist, cannot be parried but can be dodged).
  Jumping Foot Attacks: Jump Kick.
  Special Attacks: Death Blow, Leap Attacks, Combination Strike/Parry, Combination Grab/Slash (SPECIAL!), Forearm.
  Weapon Katas: (see Weapon Proficiencies in the Skills Tab)
  Modifiers to Attacks: Pull Punch, Knock-Out/Stun, Critical Strike, Critical Strike From Rear.
  
  1st - +2 to Strike, +1 to Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike from Behind.
  2nd - +2 to Parry, +1 to Maintain Balance.
  3rd - +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike, and +1 to damage.
  4th - +1 to Strike, +1 Attack per Melee.
  5th - Critical Strike on Natural 18, 19, or 20.
  6th - +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Death Blow on roll of Natural 20.
  7th - +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike, and +1 to damage.
  8th - +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance.
  9th - Double Existing Chi.
  10th - +1 Attack per Melee. +2 to Parry.
  11th - +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike, and +1 to damage.
  12th - +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, +1 to Maintain Balance.
  13th - +1 Attack per Melee
  14th - +2 to Dodge, Knock-out/Stun on Natural 19 or 20.
  15th - +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Initiative, +1 to Strike, and +1 to damage.
  
• 
  Melee Weapons and related items
  
  "Summertime, Wintertime." - Gradicus's Daisho (lesser quasi-rune weapons)
  
  Spoiler: Picture and notes for Summertime, Wintertime

  (Per Sherwood) Since I am letting people start with TW weapons, if you want to have a set of lesser quasi-rune weapons, I'll let you do so, but you won't be able to start with any other TW or magic weapons. The swords will not be as powerful as some of the other rune weapons out there with the extra powers built into them and a personality of their own, but the katana will do 1d4x10 damage MDC, and the wakizashi will do 3d6 MD. They work well enough on Vampires, and do double damage against demons, devils and other monsters of supernatural evil.
  
  Added socketable items. Crystal Lightning upgrades for Summertime and Wintertime (adds 6d6 M.D.) - 3,000,000 cr.
  Added, not socketed. Crystal Acid upgrades for Summertime and Wintertime (adds 6d6 M.D.) - 3,000,000 cr.
  Sherwood has given me the go-ahead to be a little creative with the elemental powers (sword could drip acid onto something, charge a car battery perhaps). Nothing crazy, but fun!
  
  (Image credit: flickr.com)
  
  Atlantean Crystal Stun Mace (from Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 139)
  
  Spoiler: Atlantean Crystal Stun Mace

  (This, without the skull on the pommel)
  
  (Image credit: Harish Rajan)
  Description
  Weight: 5 lbs.
  Save vs. Stun: 16 or higher. Mega-Damage beings save at +2 and duration is half. Does not work on demons, gods and supernatural monsters, but the sting of it will make them angry. Stun is ineffective against environmental M.D.C. body armor, power armor, robots, and Guardian armor, but is effective against body armor without a helmet and armor not fully environmental.
  Duration: 2D4+1 melee rounds, and extend by an additional 2D4 melee rounds for every hit by the Stun Mace for which the character does not save.
  Damage & Stun Effect: 2D6 S.D.C. + Stun when energized. Victims who do not save are -8 to strike, parry, and dodge plus reduce the character's speed and number of attacks per melee round by half.
  The accumulative effect on the nervous system of the body being repeatedly struck and stunned by knock the victim unconscious, even if he has previously saved. After being struck more than four times, the unprotected character may be stunned into unconsciousness for 2D4 melee rounds. When he recovers, he will suffer the stun penalties for 1D4 minutes. Roll to save, a failed roll means there is a 01-42% chance of being rendered unconscious.
  P.P.E. to Energize: 10 P.P.E. per two minutes of use.
  Cost: 45,000 credits.
  
  Crystal Deflector Gauntlet (from Secrets of the Atlanteans, page 141)
  The gauntlet has a large crystal surrounded by six smaller crystals embedded in a leather gauntlet. Three smoky quartz crystals each have a carving. It can fire a Deflector blast (same as the pistol much a much shorter range), or create an opaque energy field withat is used as a shield.
  Weight: One pound (0.45 kg)
  Range: 30 feet (9.1 m) for the force blast or touch with shield.
  Duration: One melee round whether all the shots are fired or not.
  Damage: Blast damage and knockdown effect is the same as the Deflector Pistol, above.
  Special Deflector Shield Defense: The Deflector shield functions as a protective energy shield that stops incoming attacks, and can even parry bullets and energy blasts, but with a -2 penalty.
  A push-back effect occurs when an attacker strikes the shield with his own body or a melee weapon, requiring he make a saving throw roll of 14 or higher. A failed save means striking the shield pushes him back 1D6 feet (0.3 to 1.8 m) and he loses one melee attack!
  Bonus: + 2 to parry with the shield.
  Rate of Fire: Each deflector blast counts as one attack. Using the Deflector Shield to parry does not use up an attack.
  P.P.E. to Energize: 15 P.P.E.
  Payload: 220 P.P.E. or 15 melee rounds of combat before needing recharging.
  Cost: 145,000 credits. Always sold as a single gauntlet, not a pair. Combatants seldom wear more than one gauntlet of any kind.
  
  "Fire Fangs" (TW Flaming Daggers from Book of Magic, page 319)
  Damage: 2D6 M.D.
  Cost to Activate: 5 P.P.E. or 10 I.S.P.
  Duration: Two minutes per level of experience of the individual who activates it.
  Note: Trophies! Made out of the dragon fangs from the dragon that attacked the River Walker in the Great Lakes!
  
  Guns
  TW Force Cannon (Federation of Magic, page 115)
  
  Spoiler: TW Force Cannon

  
  (Image credit: Index of)
  Description: The Force Cannon is the largest man-portable weapon Stormspire produces. The design is not consistent with most Stormspire weapons, having a curved, shell-like organic look with three holes in the thick barrel. Rumors abound that this weapon was stolen from the Xiticix and modified for humanoid use but it is larger and more powerful than the Xiticix force rifles. If it is a Xiticix based weapon, it is of a type no one has seen before.
  Pulling the trigger unleashed three force bolts, inflicting serious damage on anything it hits. This is possibly one of the most powerful rifles on Rifts Earth, except it is so large and bulky it could be a rail gun (well, almost). Dragon Juicers and 'Borgs especially, love this weapon because they can carry it without problem and it deals ot lots of damage. Characters with a P.S. of 22 or greater or -2 to strike.
  Weight: 42 lbs (18.5 kg)
  Range: 2,000 feet (610 m)
  Damage: 1D6x10+10 M.D. per shot
  Rate of Fire: Single shots only.
  Payload: 5 shots per standard clip.
  Black Market Cost: 300,000 credits for the rifle. 40,000 credits per P.P.E. clip.
  Purchased Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range)
  Sherwood Notes: "Lol Yes, you can recharge it slowly over time, and if the weapon runs out of charges, you can use your own PPE to fuel it at the cost of 20 points per shot."
  
  "Dragonfire" Flamethrower (Federation of Magic, page 117)
  
  Spoiler: Dragonfire Flamethrower

  
  
  Description: This is an ornately decorated flamethrower with a dragon's head at the nozzle designed specifically to appeal to the Cult of the Dragonwright. It is an effective and dangerous weapon, being able to fire streams of magical flame to incinerate the enemy, often catching multiple targets at once. Unlike a modern flamethrower, the Dragonfire needs no fuel tank -- magic provides the flames.
  Weight: 8 lbs (3.6 kg)
  Range: 100 feet (30.5 m)
  Mega-Damage: 1d6x10 M.D. to everything in its 100 foot (30.5 m) length of fire. Roughly equivalent to a third level Fire Gout spell. (As such in Sherwood's game, targets are -3 to dodge as per that spell).
  Rate of Fire: Single shots only. However, the flame can be whipped back and forth, striking multiple targets in both directions. Moving it back and forth will hit everything in a corridor 10 feet (3 m) wide and 100 feet (30.5) long, but uses three melee attacks/actions.
  Payload: 5 blasts per P.P.E. clip
  Black Market Cost: 150,000 credits for the thrower, 40,000 credits per clip)
  Purchased Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range)
  (Image credit: Index of)
  
  K-4 Laser Pulse Rifle
  
  Spoiler: K-4 Laser Pulse Rifle

  (No image available)
  A knock-off of the latest design from Wilk's Laser Industries. Inc. The K-4 is a rapid-fire pulse rifle that has the trademark features of all of Wilk's high quality weapons; sleek, light-weight, black plastic and ceramic construction, long distance firing range, and reliability in the field.
  Weight: 4 Ibs (1.8 kg)
  Mega-Damage: 3D6+6 M.D. per single shot, or 1D6x10+6 M.D. per multiple pulse burst (three simultaneous shots).
  Rate of Fire: Standard, see Modern Weapon Proficiency Section.
  Effective Range: 3000 feet (910 m)
  Payload: 30 shots long E-Clip.
  Bonus to Strike: + 1 to strike on an aimed shot.
  Market Price: 75,000 credits.
  Purchased Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range)
  
  M-160 Assault Rifle (Rifts Game Master Guide, page 156)
  
  Spoiler: M-160 Assault Rifle

  
  (Image credit: Index of )
  
  Description: The M-160 is an ion pulse rifle that was the standard issue of the US Marines prior to the Great Cataclysm. The rifle fires energy "packets" that explode on contact with a solid object. The M-160 can be fired underwater without losing rnage or performance, and can inflict a great deal of damage with a short burst. Both the standard and long E-clips can be used with this weapon.
  Weight: (Not provided.)
  Range: 2,000 feet (610 m)
  Mega-Damage: 3D6 M.D. per single shot or 1D6x10 M.D. multiple ion burst (three simultaneous shots).
  Rate of Fire: Each shot or burst counts as one melee attack.
  Payload: 30 shots per standard E-Clip. 55 shots from a long E-clip. (Current magazine has 27/30 "rounds").
  Purchased Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range)
  
  NG-SE9 Sharpshooter Laser Pistol (from Rifts World Book 33: Northern Gun One, page 195)
  
  Spoiler: Laser Pistol

  
  (Image credit: IMCN)
  
  Note to self - remember, lasers are completely silent (per Rifts Game Master Guide, page 111)
  Description: The NG-SE9 looks very much like the SE5, but with a larger barrel and telescopic, passive nightvision scope that comes standard with the pistol. The Sharpshooter Laser Pistol is perfect for fending off sea monsters, ship-to-ship battles at medium range and precision shooting. In fact, it is a favorite among marksmen, hunters, and target shooters. It is also extremely popular with pirates, sailors, and aquatides D-Bees who enjoy a weapon with good range and power for a precision weapon, but do not wish to be encumbered by a rifle.
  Weight: 2.5 lbs (1.1 kg)
  Range: 1,000 feet (305 m)
  Mega-Damage: 3D4+3 M.D.
  Rate of Fire: Each shot counts as one melee attack.
  Payload: 20 shots, 36 with a long E-Clip.
  Comes with a telescopic targeting scope (+1 to Strike) with passive night-vision and laser distancing features (1,500 foot/ 457 m range for the distancer and 3,000 feet/947 m for the telescopic scope).
  
  Stun Gun (blaster - Rifts Main Book, page 245)
  
  Spoiler: Stun Gun

  Description: This pistol fires an energy charge that short circuits the nervous system. Victims are dazed, -10 to strike, parry, and dodge for 2D4 melees. A successful saving throw means that the person has successfully fought off the effect and is unimpaired. Roll to save against each blast that strikes
  Weight: None listed.
  Range: 100 feet (39.6 m)
  Bonus to Strike: Must have a W.P. with Energy Pistol.
  Damage: Special.
  Rate of Fire: 5 per melee.
  Saving Throw: Save versus toxins.
  Payload: 10 shots per standard clip. Bought two clips for it (Sherwood says it runs on E-Clips)
  Purchased Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range)
  
  5 full TK P.P.E. magazines.
  13 E-clips
  a silver-plated sword (a gladius, 2d6 S.D.C. damage like a Wakizashi from Game Master Guide, page 136.)
  1 silver-plated knife (a good hunting knife, 1d6 S.D.C. damage)
  
  Guns to keep an eye out for...
  H-11A Howitzer (Game Master Guide, page 148, bottom right). (Note to self: These are like Githyanki silver swords so find or make something similar?).
  Something like the Penta Grenade Launcher or the Zarr cannonball launcher from Warframe. Think single-shot non-missile heavy weapons.
  
  
• 
  Magical Gear:
  Bag of Holding (cost 1,000,000 cr.).
  
  Blind Warrior Woman Talisman (x 2. A 3rd is on loan to Vaneheart's Cyber-Knight, Sir Dru, for as long as he remains in our party) - (Per Sherwood) The best personal force field armor out there is the Blind Warrior Woman talisman. It provides 100 MDC for 10 minutes at a time, and can be invoked up to three times in a 24 hour period. Problem is, it is very expensive. I can offer those that want one of these a discount on these for Lord Brazamal, at the cost of five million credits each. Before you choke on your kibble, that is at half price.
  
  Atlantean Crystal Items (from Secrets of the Atlanteans, pages 137-142). Item/Quantity (power/P.P.E. cost). Credit cost.
  1. Water Crystal x 2 (points to water for 2 hours - 1 P.P.E., creates 1 gallon of drinking water - 8 P.P.E., points to body of salt water/sea or ocean - 2 P.P.E.). 20,000 cr.
  2. Campfire Crystals x 2 (provides dimmable light and heating for 20 foot area for 2 hours every 4 P.P.E.). 16,000 cr.
  3. Sheltering Crystal (casts Sheltering Force per Book of Magic, page 114. - 20 P.P.E.,). 45,000 cr.
  4. Crystal Climber x 2 (rod creates climbing vines - 10 P.P.E.). 30,000 cr.
  5. Crystal of Civility (creates a civil, cool-headed, and fair atmosphere in 12-foot radius - 20 P.P.E.). 30,000 cr.
  6. Crystal Healing Wand (cures 5d6 hit points or 2d6 S.D.C. damage once hit points are full- 15 P.P.E., heals broken bones - 30 P.P.E., Cure Minor Disorders as spell [Book of Magic, page 100] - 10 P.P.E., Cure Illness as spell [Book of Magic, page 111] - 10 P.P.E., purifies water [10 gallons] or food [50 lbs.] - 20 P.P.E.) 275,000 cr.
  7. Crystal Rod of Light and Hope (casts Lifeblast for minor morale bonuses or powerful ill effects against undead [Book of Magic, page 108] - 20 P.P.E.). 375,000 cr.
  8. Communications Crystal (magical communication, 20 mile range for 10 minutes, double range on ley line, triple on nexus point - 1 P.P.E.) 40,000 cr.
  9. Crystal Eye (rod which glows - 5 P.P.E., spyglass with x20 magnification using mental or spoken command - 0 P.P.E., See the Invisible for 5 minutes - 5 P.P.E., record what it sees (max. 6 hours) - 5 P.P.E., play back - 5 P.P.E., play back on wall or screen - 5 (more) P.P.E., relay images as Communications Crystal for 1 minute - 5 P.P.E.). 90,000 cr.
  10. Crystal Headband (See the Invisible - 5 P.P.E., Breathe Without Air - 5 P.P.E., and Sense Evil - 5 P.P.E. for 8 minutes each per activation. Holds 64 P.P.E. for 4 activations that engage all three abilities before needing recharging or activation from personal P.P.E.. The spell can be activated one at a time or all three at once for 15 P.P.E.) - 170,000 cr.
  11. Large (100) P.P.E. battery - 2,000,000 cr.
  
  TW Magical Boots of Flight System (will be ready in one gaming week. Trophies! Made from the dragon hide of the dragon we defeated on the River Walker in the Great Lakes. Uses TW Flight System in Book of Magic (page 335) upon three pairs of boots and one set of anklets).
  The Flight System's duration is 30 minutes per 15 P.P.E. or 30 I.S.P. invested with a maximum of 50 mph with a 10,000-foot ceiling. Also provides a +1 to parry and +2 to to dodge.
  Grad bought the anklets for Sir Dru, one set of boots for Bobo, he'll wear one set (they have sheaths to hold his "fire fangs"), and he'll keep one pair handy because you never know! =)
  
  Gear
  The "Identifier". Laser Holographic Portable Computer, Triax LHP-1000 (from Game Master Guide, page 184. Can ID general vehicles, robots, animals, D-Bees, insects, plants, and fruits [72% to 94% accuracy). - 20,000 cr.
  "All-in-One" Utility Belt (from Rifts World Book 34: Northern Gun Two, page 251)
  Basic Survival Pack (from Rifts World Book 34: Northern Gun Two, page 251)
  
  Spoiler: Basic Survival Pack

  Canteens x2 (32 oz.), water filter, 6 water purification pellets, carrying pouch that hooks onto belt or backpack.
  Climbing Kit (50 foot cord, 500 lb./225 kg limit), pair of climbing bloes, four ceramic spikes, small mallet
  Compass/Inertial Mapper (Lets user know how far he has traveled and which direction: +5% to Land Navigation. Compass has mirror finish.
  Fire Starter Kit (sparker creates sparks when knife or metal is scratched. 24 wooden matches, refillable pocket lighter, wad of cotton as tinder)
  First Aid Kit (standard kit, roll of gauze, 48 bandaids, roll of medical tape, small scissors, pocket knife, "tube of protein healing salve, etc.") - Given to the refugees aboard the stolen Slaver ship.
  Flashlight (medium-sized flashlight and 4 batteries (each good for 48 hours of continuous use)
  Food Rations (10 MREs, each with wet-nap, coffee creamer, salt, hot sauce, plastic utensils, and 4 wooden stick matches) - Given to the refugees aboard the stolen Slaver ship.
  Hunting and Fishing Kit (Wires, fishing line, hooks, pulleys, useful both for fishing and setting snares for small game)
  Radio (a short-range radio; 5 mile/8km range)
  Saw-Wires (3. Serrated, ultra-hard wire with two ring handles, able to cut through wood, stone, and S.D.C. metals. Like an axe but less time/effort)
  Sleeping Bag (simple, holds one person)
  Signal Flares (4 flares that fire 400 feet/122 m into the air and burn for 7 seconds)
  Soap (one bar of soap and a washcloth)
  Survival Knife (small hatchet and a wooden cross)
  Laser Targeting Scope (+3 to Strike, 4,000 foot/1,219 m range from Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 265) (this is a spare scope)
  
  Multi-Optics Helm (Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 264)
  
  Spoiler: Multi-Optics Helm

  1. Targeting Sight (+1 to Strike within 1,600 feet)
  2. Infrared (1,600 feet)
  3. Telescopic Monocular Lens (2 mile range)
  4. Thermal Imager (1,600 feet - see through darkness, shadows, and smoke)
  
  Portable Motion Detector, 60 foot range, 15 lbs. (like from Aliens? Can he hook it to his utility belt? Rifts Ultimate Edition, page 265)
  Pocket Scrambler (distorts outgoing radio signals, preventing interception by the enemy)
  Portable Hot Plate (from Rifts World Book 34: Northern Gun Two, page 256)
  a wood cross (worn around his neck as jewelry) - Given to Terra as a gift at Elder Brazamal's manor.
  a silver cross (worn as jewelry)
  wooden stakes x12 and a mallet
  pocket mirror
  large satchel
  backpack
  portable computer the size of a cell phone
  Language Translator (Rifts Game Master Guide, page 184)
  a sketch book
  6 pencils, 5 pens
  Goggles, tinted
  Gas mask (to filter out smoke, fumes, particles, and a variety of military gases)
  Two-person tent (folded, it's the size of a paperback book - from Rifts World Book 34: Northern Gun Two, page 254)
  Whittling knife and 6 good pieces of carving wood.
  One pound of crushed garlic in a resealable container (to make circles vs. vampires with or to cook with)
  Sealed quiver of wooden arrows x24 (no heads) kept on his hip to be used with his Tattoo Magic bow.
  6 Smoke grenades (bright green).
  
  Trophies!
  Expertly-preserved Splugorth Slaver head! Our group killed this thing on Atlantis. Gradicus got the killing blow and used his Survival skill to preserve the head and rolled great! =)
  
  Credits: 18,133,646 credits on his credstick/data card.
  Artifacts and their worth: 3,525 credits-worth in precious gems.
  Gradicus owes Brazamal (an advance): 5,350,000 credits for the Medallion, The "Dragonfire" Flamethrower, and 5 P.P.E. clips for it. Paid! =)
  
• 
  (Influences: James Cameron's Avatar. Spartacus series (from STARZ). Kazuo Koike's Lone Wolf and Cub. Akira Kurosawa's The Seven Samurai. Music: Roxette's Rox Box and various songs from Tangerine Dream's very dreamy most recent albums)
  
  
  * * *​
  
  
  Spoiler: The Short Version with spoilers

  Valerius Pacifica became an Undead Slayer at a young age. He was captured by the Splugorth and served as a gladiator under the battle name "Gradicus the Red Edge" under the Dread Brotherhood. He fought often in the Arena of Champions in the city of Splynn in Atlantis and committed bloody acts to cheering throngs of thousands. He was transported to Japan where he learned the martial arts of the true samurai under the tutelage of Lord Yamaguchi, an aged lord still full of life. He returned to the Arena of Champions and helped win the freedom for himself and his ludus (school).
  
  Upon returning to that island school on the outskirts of Atlantis, his clan rescued him. Returning home, Gradicus's bloody history consumed him, especially when he was vampirically-dominated and forced to kill his clan-mates. Feeling unworthy to call himself Valerius Pacifica again or count himself among his fellow clansmen, Gradicus left his beloved family and home-city of Tamaerus on Goroth and returned to Earth.
  
  Gradicus turns now to a life of adventure and after some exciting travels, eventually finds himself in the Federation of Magic and joins this party. His only goal is to go out and put good into the world, be it with word, deed, or red edge - it's the only thing that makes him feel like a man anymore.
  
  
  Spoiler: The Long Version - The Trials of Gradicus

  Valerius's Earliest Years.
  
  

  Spoiler: The Forest City of Tamaerus

  
  (Image credit: mfk.wikia.com)

  
  Long before he was Gradicus, he was Valerius.
  
  Valerius Pacifica was born into a loving family in the small city of Tamaerus in the forested dimension of Goroth where the massive trees grow as tall as skyscrapers. His compassionate mother was a tattoo artist and teacher, his bold father a lifelong carpenter. He was one of twelve children, the youngest of all. His siblings would take their love of art, music, and adventure everywhere with them.
  
  Here, outside the four major cities of the Atlantean Clan Mariciniszyn, the Pacifica family continued their prominence as master painters, weavers, leather-workers, cobblers, carpenters, house-makers, and tattoo magic artists. Well-known inside Tamaerus, but not much beyond that blessed, beautiful tree-city, Valerius's family were loving, good-hearted, and caring. Valerius knew well what love was and it made him glad to be Atlantean.
  
  Living in the natural world in a forest as great as any child's fantasy, Valerius spent his budding years satisfying his endless curiosities and trying to do good with what he had learned. Helping others was a blessing. He was always good with his hands, whittling animal shapes out of the wood, creating things his people would use from kitchenware to tree-tending tools to melee practice weaponry. Valerius was naturally athletic, a thing his family noticed early. They invited famous role models of the differing Atlantean adventuring professions to visit and share their tales. While most of the Pacifica children and young adults enjoyed the tales, Valerius wanted to live them. Straightforward like his father, he made his heart's desires known.
  
  Of all the professions, Valerius was most-amazed with the Undead Slayers. Their bodies were Atlantean living works of art and none more fantastic and incredible than those born of his very own clan, Clan Mariciniszyn - the clan of incredible artisans whose kindness and hospitality were so natural and true as to impress even the Chiang-Ku dragons into deep and lasting friendships. Many were the trips he took to fantastic realms where his fellow Atlanteans were welcome and eager to share their discoveries with one another. The universe was one big opportunity to do good things, to help people and animals, to build, to discover and learn and act on this great goodness so that such things would forever exist in the memories of people and creatures everywhere, that they might pass it along.
  
  And so, from birth into young adulthood, Valerius knew deeply of his people's true-hearted traditions. Their love for the Goroth dimension was his love, for precious few places were so very alive with light and nature and purity as here. Valerius fiercely embraced the Pacifica ways of art, though he could never quite figure out what kind of artist he was destined to be.
  
  The answer to that question, he would learn, would not be found in all of wondrous Tamaerus, nor in all of Goroth.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  Valerius Becomes an Undead Slayer.
  
  It was on the final day of his training as a proud Undead Slayer that he was taken away from all he had ever known. In celebration of their becoming Undead Slayers, Valerius and his fellow newly-branded warriors were having their very first field trip on the plane known as Earth. Here, along with their company of battle-hardened Altantean elders, they made a special voyage to the center of a once-great land, one called the United States of America. In some ways, this kingdom had shared some similarities with the Atlanteans' own, but Atlantis was far too dangerous a realm now to show to youngsters. And so this choice to visit Washington D.C. was made instead. Here, in the broken, disheveled ruins of the District of Columbia, his company walked upon the same earth that the leaders and warriors of that inspiring human realm, to learn their lessons, and to remember, in their own way, their own fallen kingdom of faraway island kingdom of Atlantis.
  
  Never before had any of Valerius's youthful company seen such promise entwined with such destruction. They visited monument after monument. Curious Valerius, upon seeing the seated and solemn-faced statue of the legendary President Abraham Lincoln, had wondered aloud if indeed the towering oversized statue of the human were made to the historic leader's true dimensions, a thought that had amused his elders.
  
  Then danger struck! Human magic-users were seen crossing the grounds, fleeing some dangerous menace that was hot on their heels. That menace turned out to be one of the Atlantean's greatest, most wicked foes, the Splugorth and their blind warrior women. Later it would be learned that the humans had ventured into Atlantis itself and had come away with some alien artifacts dear to the malevolent Splugorth. Valerius's company was witnessing the Splugorths's attempts to reclaim their stolen magic and wreak horrible vengeance on the human thieves.
  
  Seeing the humans were in bad shape, the Atlanteans chose to intercede on their behalf. The Altantean Elders ordered Valerius's company to hide and they did. But what the Atlanteans elders did not know was the Splugorth had come in two groups. That second group came upon Valerius and his fellow newly-minted Undead Slayers like the stuff of ungodly nightmares.
  
  Valerius had no illusions. The chance to fight unto victory was utterly hopeless. The only practical option was to pull back and seek rescue from the elders. This they did, but not before several of Valerius's company were engaged by the warrior women. Quickly, the youngsters were taken captive. Valerius fought a holding tactic; he chose to sacrifice himself so the rest of his remaining company could make it back to the Elders. He hated the idea of becoming the plaything of these monsters, but the only alternative was everyone including him would share the same fate. And so, at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial, Valerius held as long as he could while the rest of his friends and company made it to safety.
  
  The Elders returned, racing back to the youngsters as fast as they could while shouting orders and blasting away with their potent magics. But for Valerius and a handful of others, it was too late. Valerius was dragged off, madly kicking and biting the Splugorth tentacle wrapped greedily about his waist. He fought like a wolverine, but watched helpless as his whole life and future was slowly ripped away from him.
  
  The Splugorth fled Washington D.C. with their fresh, new Atlantean captives. Among them, Valerius Pacifica of Tamaerus.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  Valerius Pacifica of Tamaera dies.
  
  

  Spoiler: Dominus Negalus

  
  (Image credit: Pinterest)

  
  Young Valerius's tenacity and skill had been noticed by the Splugorth raiding party. Torture was something too good for the likes of the youth who had dared scar one of the blind warrior women favorites with his flaming tattoo-magicked rapier. Valerius would have to die. Preferably as an example to all.
  
  In order for this to properly take place, he would be delivered to the city of Splynn, capital of Atlantis, where the Splugorth raiding party had come. Under the dominating presence of the Imperial Pyramid of Lord Splynncryth, an awe-inspiring golden brown pyramid that rose 4,000 feet into the sky, the Splugorth dragged their Atlantean captives. It was the cleanest city they had ever seen. Among the likes of Gargoyles and Gurgoyles, malevolent Kittani, domineering Powerlords, and shadowy Sunaj, Valerius and his small group were delivered far below into "The" Market.
  
  There, he and his fellows were stripped, their tattoo magic negated by bio-wizardry-made collars, and their every belonging stolen from them. Naked and trapped, for the first time, they felt a new, hollow feeling that twisted their guts - despair.
  
  The tree-loving Marciniszyn were deposited into clean but horrible holes with barbed gates. There, given bowls of moldy soup to eat and cups of brown water with things drifting in it to drink, they stayed in a prison unlike anything crafted in their youthful imaginations. The next morning, they were tossed into a gigantic sand pit surrounded by colossal walls. These walls formed one great circle around them. This was the Arena of Champions where Lord Splynncryth, leader of the Splugorth, had himself fought. An audience of thousands shouting loudly and carrying on like throngs of people, however alien, do.
  
  There, the young Undead Slayers met their new lord, Dominus Negalus, a cunning, manipulative, and young Vampire Lord. Their dominus explained that only the strong survived and the weak perished. As a minor play of entertainment to the watching crowds of paying onlookers, Dominus Negalus possessed the young Atlanteans, armed them with mega-damage weapons, and in a horrific display of horror, had the youths fight each other. To the death.
  
  Valerius had been the most athletic of them all. The most sure. And yet, on this, the day of his completion of Undead Slayer training, his very first kills were not vampires, not undead, but his own beloved kinsmen. Valerius died inside with each stroke as he watched the life flee the bodies of his fellows, but with Dominus Negalus pulling his strings, he put on such a show that made the crowds long for more.
  
  And so Dominus Negalus with his vampire lover beside him provided an Altaran blind warrior woman, a huntress, to fight. She was led by a trio of snarling dragonsauruses, their teeth snapping with eagerness. The crowd demanded more Atlantean blood on the sands and the vampire dominus was eager to provide. With blade in one hand and shield in the other, Valerius stood and faced the pack. The Altaran loosed them. As they came, a horrible anger, one Valerius had never before witnessed nor experienced, filled him. The desire to avenge his fallen clan-mates made him fly into a rage. Though they bit and slashed him, he took his vengeance out on the vile creatures, cutting them in creative ways. Finally, he stood in their blood and they stirred no longer.
  
  This earned the crowd's pleasure. They saw this creative new Atlantean did not lack for spirit or skill!
  
  Now the audience demanded the nameless creature face the only other remaining creature in the arena - the Altaran huntress! She approached sullenly, whip in one hand, spiked dagger in the other. For this, the dominus wanted a "real" show to please the crowd. Lauding his love for the fans of his ludus (school), Dominus Negalus removed the bio-wizardry collar and let Valerius fight as an Undead Slayer with his tattoo magic.
  
  "My pack..." the huntress groaned. "Atlantean, I will remove your digits one by one... starting with the one between your legs."
  
  Despite the tension in the air, Valerius found a single moment of humor in what might be his last moments; he gave these new feelings voice. "I sense a case of verbal diarrhea spewing from your mouth! You may lack sight, but do not be blind to reason - walk away! It will not end well if you stay!"
  
  Her steps toward him did not pause.
  
  "I see you are deaf, too. Come!"
  
  After a bloody and exciting series of exchanges, Valerius became nearly overwhelmed by the Altaran's martial prowess and athletic abilities. For every cut and stab he placed upon her, she gave two in addition to her damnable lash. She pressed him back again and again, and once he had to run to escape her, much to his personal shame.
  
  But Valerius understood quickly; this huntress was just too much for him. Plus, she was playing dirty and, though it went against his Atlantean ideals, he would have to do the same or die in the sands beside the bodies of his fellow Atlanteans.
  
  While skilled, the blind huntress seemed to be unused to fighting in an arena. Valerius noticed the sounds of the audience sometimes threw her off. Evidently, he reasoned, she was used to her dragonsauruses doing all of her bloody work. One of his fallen comrades had used medium-sized shield, golden and round. Half-embedded into the earth and close to her, it was partially filled with sand. In a display that raised the roar of the crowd, Valerius suddenly turned, snarled, and marched at her. He was done with fleeing. He marched in a manner of a man fully committed to his fate! The audience of thousands assumed this was his way of thumbing his nose at her greater skill and dead pack. Then the blind warrior heard the crowd's laughter. They were laughing - at her!
  
  It was only when Valerius leaped at her did the Dominus Negalus realize the young Atlantean's strategy. With a mighty roar, he soared through the air and slashed. While she easily blocked his downward stroke, his true target was the sand-filled shield. This he landed on with both feet, his weight shot the shield upward and showered the blind warrior in a huge cloud of sand. Valerius was hoping the sound of the sand would throw off her hearing, long enough to give him advantage. Little did the young man of Tamaerus know, such things greatly befuddled an Altaran's sense of hearing, smell, and especially the radar sense she was relying on to battle him.
  
  Valerius made the most of his opportunity and disarmed her. Then, using her own dagger, he put it through her center and finally, she went down.
  
  The crowd surged into an uproar over this upset. They chanted, "Kill her! Kill her!" Valerius watched them in wonder, his ears filled with their demands. Though she was dying, even now he did not want her to suffer. He would end her quickly.
  
  Meanwhile, Dominus Negalus was shocked and delighted. He had a new star! But what to call him?
  
  With her final words, the dying Altaran slowly saluted him. "Well fought, Atlantean. I name you... Gradicus." Valerius knew that Gradus in Latin meant "man who marches into battle." Dominus Negalus raised his hands and shouted out to the crowd, "People of Splynn! From the Dread Brotherhood, I bring you... Gradicus!"
  
  The crowd roared his name as Gradicus returned the gladiator's salute - and stabbed her one last time.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  Gradicus becomes "the Red Edge."
  
  

  Spoiler: The Splynn Arena of Champions

  
  (Image credit: Alienware Arena)

  
  Dominus Negalus's school for gladiators was located on a small island just offshore Atlantis. The island was aptly named the Isle of Dread. Inside the stone walls of those massive houses, many an agony was put to some poor slave or innocent creature for the pleasure of the dominus and his lover. It offered privacy, solitude, and no chance of escape. It was here that Gradicus met the proud and seasoned gladiators who preceded him. Slaves all, they came from many different dimensions and walks of life. Together, they were the Dread Brotherhood.
  
  After months of hard work, brutal tests, blood, and bruises, Gradicus eventually joined them in a bond of camaraderie. They were many creatures from many races and all of them slaves.
  
  Weeks turned to seasons and seasons into years. Time after time, Gradicus found himself in the Arena of Champions, fighting for his life and the lives of his brotherhood. At first, he received many a wound and harsh lesson. Victories came hard, but as he survived, he learned and adapted. He shared what he learned with his new sisters and brothers. By learning and researching their fighting styles, battle tactics, and the arts of the arena, he became stronger and surer, but even after his first trials, his heart was not in it.
  
  After a particularly grueling battle, his brotherhood took him aside and convinced him of a philosophy they had long embraced. To fight was to live. To fight in the arena was to love the fighting. The cheer of the crowds, the sensations of hearing them chant your name, the feelings of accomplishments - this was all the gladiators had. The Dread Brotherhood fought their best because it was an escape of sorts from the knowing that they otherwise had no lives and no purpose. It was their fate to die as worthless slaves. At least as gladiators, they could win fame, glory, and live in the memory of their vast audiences.
  
  As an artist from generations of artists, this struck a chord in Gradicus. He understood what it was for an artist's name to be cherished long after that artist's body had been placed reverently into the earth. Their works lived on, and through them, so did the artists. Gradicus could have a purpose.
  
  Dominus Negalus and his foul lover, Domina Viatrice, knew these things. They often used that knowledge to their own ends. While youthful Negalus knew the political theatre and the ways to bend others to one's will by force, Viatrice was a witch who specialized in seduction, bartering, and backstabbing. She was expert at all three. Should anything happen to the dominus, the domina would rule with a ruthless hand, for she brooked no cowardice amongst her thralls and made bloody examples of any who dared disobey her. It was either that or die forgotten.
  
  Gradicus did not fight for them or their house. He fought instead to live and for the lives of his fellow gladiators. He wanted to be remembered.
  
  And so Gradicus came to enjoy the life of the gladiator. It was not without rewards. Though he served vampires, the dominus understood all too well the motivations and desires of his lusting warriors. When Gradicus won, the dominus fed him with rich food and fine wine, delivered warm, willing women into his bed, and praised his successes before his sisters and brothers. The cheers of the crowd were reward too. The flowers thrown down to him, the young and old chanting his name as if he were a god slowly brought him to embrace the gladiator way of life. He did indeed find some of its elements intoxicating and he had the Dread Brotherhood to thank for it.
  
  In time, Gradicus became more than a simple gladiator - he gained a reputation for his fierceness, his creativity, and his making matches memorable For this, they called him "The Red Edge." That name traveled as such things do across the clean, haunted halls of Splynn and Atlantis.
  
  Gradicus never knew just how popular he really was. After 10 years of fighting, he knew he had survived many a time where others had fallen and not risen again. Though he never became primus ("first among equals"), his victories were indeed the stuff of arena legend. He had perfected the art of the bloody finish. He had mastered every weapon they gave to him in the arena, including his own body. His winnings and pleasures were many as were his punishments when he was disobedient, for the dominus and domina had long memories and the gladiators were not the only ones with vivid imaginations. Gradicus knew the price of failure to obey. Dark dungeons awaited, no food, no pleasures, and worst of all, the parasitic whips that seared both body and mind. Disobedience, even imagined, was seen as a grave insult among the vampires. Long were the nights where Gradicus heard men and women screaming for mercy under Domina Viatrice's talons and vices.
  
  The ultimate prize for any slave, of course, was freedom. The day finally came when Dominus Negalus was offered the chance to sell his entire gladiatorial island for a seat on a high throne in Splynn. It was the chance at greatness young Negalus had always dreamed of. The greedy villain had always hotly desired his own empire and this was as close to a chance as he would ever have. Freedom, the Splugorth said, would be the trophy for all gladiators that survived the coming battle, for the Splugorths were not without their own memories and special days. One was coming that required the sands be redder than the sun at dusk and the tentacled monsters were eager to see it done.
  
  And so, the Splugorth brought forth any creature and any warrior they desired to fight in the arena against the gladiators. No holds barred, no rules, no mercies. Only victory or death. All at the whims of their masters.
  
  Gradicus and his brotherhood fought as one against the hordes of undead thrown their way and then the waves of warriors from other schools eager to take their heads and glories for their own. Battle after battle ensued. Gradicus lived, but his brotherhood's numbers thinned. And then a thing took place that no dominus or gladiator could have predicted...
  
  The Splugorth set Dominus Negalus against Gradicus the Red Edge.
  
  Vampire Lord versus Gladiator-turned-Atlantean Undead Slayer. Master versus servant. Oh, how the Splugorth laughed at this theatre! And the crowd loved it all! Wagers were made. Fires were lit. Atop a grand bridge raised in the middle of the arena, Gradicus and Negalus exchanged vicious blows to the shrieks and cheers of the wild audience.
  
  But fate is a fickle thing. And the precarious energies that transformed the world of Earth into a ley-line-ridden apocalyptic wasteland seemed some days to have a sense of humor all their own.
  
  Unsummoned by anyone, a rift suddenly appeared in the center of the moon-lit arena. The audience thought it a sign of the Splugorth's pleasure and reacted accordingly. Stars glittered overhead. The great glowing thing was directly beneath the wide-eyed opponents. The bridge buckled, then collapsed from the stress. Both Atlantean and Vampire fell helplessly into its waiting gateway...
  
  ...and appeared in a land neither ever dreamed existed.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  The Kiss of Life
  
  The rift closed behind them. Dominus Negalus reached into his belt pouch, stared at the closing rift, and quickly operated something in there.
  
  Gradicus, blade in hand and heaving from the battle, rose quickly and Negalus with him. They looked about. There was soft grass at their feet, strange huts within their reach, and the blazing sun directly overhead. Daylight! Negalus cast a spell to shield himself from it, but then his jaw dropped in a grin most foul. Gradicus saw them too. Humans! Scores of them! They had black hair, brown skin, brown eyes the shape of almonds, and clothes like those of simple villagers and farmers.
  
  Gradicus knew what was brewing in Negalus's dark heart. He saw his new empire in the lives of these humans. If Negalus enslaved these people, he could create enough vampiric thralls to conquer other, more rich and fertile lands far, far away from the reach of the Splugorth and his demonic masters. Gradicus cried out from the depths of his Atlantean soul. He could not let this happen!
  
  And so, they fought again, Negalus with a long shadowy rapier, Gradicus with his family-given tattoo-made rapier. This time they battled with a spirit-filled lust and bloody resolve that consumed of both men. The villagers raised an alarm as the two foreign creatures slashed, sliced, and roared. Gradicus remembered the training taught to him by his family. He still knew well how to kill vampires. He aimed a blow at Negalus's clavicle, and the vampire dodged away, but Gradicus struck his true target - a wooden hoe leaning against a thatched hut. In one well-aimed slice, he had sheared off the hoe's handle and grabbed it up behind his back. That piece of wood was now a sharp stake. This he swiftly hid beneath the cloak in his off-hand.
  
  Negalus then threw his best card - he called upon his vampiric powers and, one by one, began to mentally dominate the villagers. He ordered them to slay Gradicus, but the Red Edge knew his dominus too well to be surprised by such cowardice. He threw himself solely at his dominus. Negalus fought for his empire, his ambition, and his freedom from the Splugorth. Gradicus fought not for himself but for the villagers. It was not for him to live another day if Negalus completed his dominion over these innocent people. Gladiator or not, Gradicus was still enough of a man of Pacifica and member of Clan Marcinisyzn to hold these things in his heart.
  
  And so with his supernatural strength, Gradicus knocked Negalus away from the villagers. Then he attacked without thought of defense. When Negalus stabbed, instead of parrying or dodging, Gradicus stabbed back. It became a bloody and gruesome battle of attrition filled with vicious cries, Atlantean howls, vampire bites, and wicked spells. Finally, using his cloak, Gradicus created an opening and used his hidden stake. He stabbed the stake above Negalus's heart and then with all of gladiatorial might and Atlantean-born resolve, he punched the stake, sending it deep into Negalus's chest. His chest too felt a terrible wound.
  
  Gradicus saw Negalus cursing him to the bitter end as the vampire became a lifeless skeleton. Without hesitation or last words, he swept Negalus's head from his shoulders and watched his former master's bones quickly bake away to nothingness in the hot sun. Seeing that the villagers were safe and free again, Gradicus tried to let out a roar of victory, but he stayed himself, for he was becoming weaker by the moment. Something was dreadfully wrong...
  
  Gradicus looked down and saw he was impaled upon Negalsus's shadow-sword. He knew a death-wound when he saw one.
  
  Gradicus collapsed upon the grass. He heard the cries of the villagers, though he felt they sounded so much different than the crowds he was used to hearing chanting his name. Looking up into the sky, he saw the blue sky and white clouds slowly drifting by. He thought this was a very good way to die. He searched his soul for regrets and found only one - he could not help free his brothers and sisters on the Isle of Dread.
  
  Then something blocked Gradicus's sight. It was a woman. She sat over him with a look of great concern. Impatiently, he tried to move but failed. He wished he had the strength to gently push her out of his sight. Did this native beauty with her lovely skin and beautiful almond eyes realize she was rudely blocking his final view in life? Could she not honor a dying man's wish and move just a little to his left so he could pass on seeing only the sun and clouds? She did not. He noticed she wore strange talismans around her neck. She seemed to have a spirit he could only describe as compassionate and holy. She was rapidly saying things in a tongue Gradicus could in no way decipher. He sighed with what he thought was his last sigh.
  
  But then she held his head and tenderly kissed him on the lips.
  
  Such were the sensations she put into him that Gradicus did not feel the villagers pull the shadow-sword out of his body. Nor did he see it dissolve into the sunlight now that it had no owner. He did not see his wounds healing ever so slightly. Nor in his savaged state, he could not detect the armored riders rapidly approaching, shouting their odd-sounding orders for the villagers to make way as they rode toward his fallen body.
  
  All Gradicus knew was the most beautiful woman alive had chosen to kiss him. He thought, "How wonderful! Even here in death, I have people to cheer me on..."
  
  Though she was dressed in simple clothes with simple ornaments, in Gradicus's delirious and addled mind, she appeared quite different.
  
  

  Spoiler: The Compassionate Priestess

  
  (Image credit: wallpapersafari.com)

  
  

  * * *​

  
  The Leaf That Changed Everything
  
  Wounded Gradicus passed through many hands. This he knew, but not much else. Consciousness came and went like stars shooting across the Megaverse. Always, she was there. Near him. Holding him. Saying gentle things to him. Gradicus tried to speak back, but how much can you really say when you have a deep hole running all the way through your chest and you know should already be resting in your grave?
  
  There was the feeling of wood against his back as he was laid into a cart. There was the endless thumpity-thump of rapidly-moving horses' hooves beneath him. Everywhere, there was excitement and urgency. Gradicus did not know what to make of it. He was absolutely certain Dominus Negalus had suffered Final Death, so that wasn't it. So what was it? Words were shouted. Lights flashed. Magic was here. But beyond this, is addled brain could make no sense of anything.
  
  Then there were women and men above him different than the others. Technologically advanced, Gradicus thought. They had metal armor and metal faces. Sensors and systems, cyberware and humanity mixed together. Then there was a rushing feeling and the horses, he imagined, were finally allowed to get a well-earned rest.
  
  Before Gradicus knew it, he was resting underneath a sky of the most beautiful greens. Every green color one could imagine was here. Lime, evergreen, emerald, jade, they were all here. The artist in him wanted to get up and run around, see and experience everything, deathbed be damned.
  
  As Gradicus lay there, breathing easily, thinking much of nothing except when he was going to die and what the name of the almond-eyed woman was, something touched his face. It was gentle, light, and heavenly soft. It wasn't her hair, he discovered much to his disappointment, but something never meant to be of human origin.
  
  A single emerald leaf was resting on his nose.
  
  As he inhaled, the fragrance from the leaf entered his nostrils and suddenly Gradicus felt his senses open as if he had just been born! There was vitality in this leaf. And vitality meant life! With each breath, the color of the emerald leaf faded a little until it was gone, blown into the wind. Gradicus lay there and hesitantly, curiously, reached to touch the entry wound where Negalus's sword had entered his body.
  
  He felt flesh there. His own strong muscle and skin, warm and wet and very much not-dead! This... single leaf had restored him to life!
  
  Gradicus resisted the urge to sit up and instead, he listened. Voices were all around him, soft and unobtrusive. In the distance, he heard strange chimes and a great bell being rung far away. He saw colorful flags on strings flapping in the breeze - kites, he would later learn. Where, his mind demanded, was he? Gradicus opened his eyes fully and took in the sight before him.
  
  He was under the most beautiful tree he had ever seen!
  
  

  Spoiler: The Tree

  
  (Image credit: alexander lindner concept art and illustration )

  
  Gradicus rose to his feet, alive, and full of wonder. This was a miracle! Unable to help himself, he made his way to the base of the tree, which proved to be even larger than he thought! Though the trees in his home of Tamaerus were large enough to make streets and entire highways on, they were still nothing like this! This, he decided, was the biggest tree in the Megaverse - and it had saved his life!
  
  Once there, Gradicus gently spread out his arms and hugged the tree. He even kissed it. Gradicus understood that this tree had restored his life. At the moment, the reason behind this action was not important. All Gradicus knew was that his road in life was not yet complete.
  
  A trio of gentle-looking people approached him. They seemed to be natives. Their faces were delighted, yet calm; serene, yet kind. Gradicus decided these two women and one man were priests of some kind. They used magic, which Gradicus found welcoming. And then they spoke Gradicus's language! Or did he speak theirs? Either way, it was a bridge he was happy and relieved to have.
  
  The priests introduced themselves as followers of something called "Shinto." Gradicus was here in the city of "Kyoto" on the continent of "Japan" and this was the fabled "Millenium Tree of Kyoto"! According to these warm people, elsewhere across the Earth, there were more Millenium Trees!
  
  The priests explained that Gradicus was a hero for having slain the awesome threat. The "samurai" and their lord wished to speak with him when he was ready. Gradicus complied. With one last longing look at the incredible and awesome Millenium Tree of Kyoto, Gradicus followed the priests.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  Bent Swords and Straight Minds
  
  The armored men who waited for Gradicus were respectful of the priests, but absolutely wordless and solemn-faced when regarding Gradicus. These warriors were dressed in layer after layer of protective, angled armor complete with battle flags on their backs and two swords on their hips; one long, one short. Gradicus did not know what to make of them. He bowed to the Shinto priests, for these people seemed to like to bow. The priests brought forth some strange-looking scrolls. These, they unrolled and read from. Gradicus felt strong magic emanating from the scrolls and people. Then he and the warriors took but a few steps and vanished while the priests bowed once more in farewell and returned to their everyday duties.
  
  When they reappeared, Gradicus found himself back at the village he had first appeared in. At least it looked like it. The silent warriors pantomimed their wishes to Gradicus since they apparently had no magic to cross the language barrier with. They brought him back to the scene of the battle. There, under Gradicus's cloak, were Dominus Negalus's headless bones along with his rich attire, though some of that had burned away.
  
  Another of these samurai, a strong-looking fellow whom the other warriors deferred to, addressed Gradicus. Gradicus came foward. This samurai seemed angry about something. He stared hard at Gradicus and finally, unable to hold his fury in any longer, he thrust a finger at the Atlantean and shouted some kind of order at him.
  
  Gradicus had no idea what to do or what the armed leader was saying. He did hear the word "samurai" more than once and believed it to be the title of the warriors. Two others approached beside him and they spoke with the first. Gradicus thought there was something of a family resemblance between these men, brothers perhaps, but given his newness to this "Japan," he knew he could very well be mistaken.
  
  Then they brought the young woman he saw earlier; the one who had kissed him. Gradicus's face brightened upon recognizing her. The lead samurai began shouting again and pointing at Gradicus in an accusing manner. Meanwhile, the young woman raced to Gradicus's side and seemed to plead with the samurai. She even dropped to her hands and knees, putting her face to the earth in a desperate apology.
  
  Gradicus was as baffled as ever. He dearly wished he could speak their language and know their customs as to clear up whatever mess this was. Still, one thing everyone there communicated with was body language - and when the lead samurai put his hand on the longer of the two bent-swords on his hip and eyed the young woman defending him, Gradicus the Red Edge knew the samurai meant her ill.
  
  Instantly, Gradicus stood in his path, placing with the kneeling woman behind him. He opened his hands to show they were empty. This caused a number of the warriors to stare at Gradicus in disbelief, especially the lead samurai among them. His shouting became louder as he pointed at Gradicus. The gladiator was only certain that this weaponless woman had helped save his fleeting, near-worthless life, and this warrior was about to come and do her harm, perhaps kill her. How, he felt, could any Atlantean step aside and do nothing?
  
  Worse still, the other men behind the lead samurai were also beginning to glare at him with narrowed, dangerous eyes. These odds were not only not good, they were hopeless. But, Gradicus figured, he had already died once today and many a time before coming to Japan. If he had to stop living to try and protect the woman that saved his life, then so be it! There were definitely worse ways to go.
  
  The lead samurai began to slowly walk toward Gradicus with purpose. Deadly purpose, thought the gladiator. Gradicus decided not to be the first to draw. But that was the last thought he had about it when he heard another great shout, this one from his right. That great bellow was like the shout of a gigantic thundercloud given voice. Instantly, all of the samurai froze in place like petrified men. Nearby, villagers gasped and swiftly dropped to their faces. Gradicus heard the woman behind give a little shriek and then turn, still in the position of apology to the sound of that shout.
  
  There before Gradicus approached another host of samurai. They looked similar to the first, except they all wore magnificent black armor of better make and quality than those men before him. There was also something more dutiful, more purposeful in their manner. A sense of righteousness and absolute authority. Whatever it was, Gradicus saw that it gave them strength.
  
  But the owner of the voice seemed to be the strongest of them all.
  
  

  Spoiler: The Owner of the Voice

  (This, but with no arrows in him and older, with a silvery-gray hair and beard.)
  
  (Image credit: Zazzle )

  
  This older samurai strode forward like he owned everyone and everything here. He stared about with such an awful grimace on his helmeted head as to rival the demons Gradicus had faced in the Arena of Champions. The samurai in charge touched his shorter bent sword and when he spoke, Gradicus could understand him as clearly as if he had spoken Greek. The old man was publicly admonishing his samurai as if they were children.
  
  "Look at you! Just look at you! This foreigner saved my entire village from some unholy terror from Hell and you accuse him of wanting to sleep with this lovely and loyal village priestess? Is this because, my son, you want her for yourself but grew jealous when you were told she kissed him - to save his life?! Outrageous! Did I raise a boy or a man?" The older samurai looked Gradicus in the face. "Meanwhile this man, this hero, placed his very life at risk for a village-girl-become-priestess? He knows more about duty to family than all of you!!"
  
  With those words, the faces of the samurai fell to a man. The villagers did not move. In their shame, it was as if there was nothing anyone could say.
  
  "You! Hero! Give me your name! I know you understand me - the soul of my swords tell me so!"
  
  "I am Gradicus, an Atlantean."
  
  "Gradicus, eh? Well, I would hear your tales! Now accept the gift of my matchless hospitality and be my guest at my castle!" It was not a request.
  
  "I accept!"
  
  "Priestess, you come too! Women think differently than men and I would hear your account of what happened here."
  
  And with those words, Lord Horisho Yamaguchi of Hanshu province, a True Samurai born of samurai of many generations, brought Gradicus into his life. In doing so, he changed forever both their lives.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  A Bonding of Spirits
  
  Lord Yamaguchi of Hanshu Province and Gradicus the Red Edge began with their great share of differences, but their mutual openness, curiosity, and respect for all things worthy of it eventually brought them together as friends. In time, their bond became deep enough that Lord Yamaguchi expressed interest in Gradicus's gladiatorial fighting methods. Gradicus, a warrior of the heart and lover of research, wished the same of Lord Yamaguchi who thought this was a fair trade of shared cultures. While they shared, Gradicus made certain never to forget his place as honored guest.
  
  As ever in the passing of time, months turned into years and Lord Yamaguchi sent Gradicus on adventurous journeys against the demons that haunted and terrorized Japan. These "oni" were a different kind of demon than Gradicus had been raised to know. Adventure after adventure passed and such was his willingness to do good, his love of duty, and his nigh-fearlessness in the face of death that eventually Lord Yamaguchi's three sons came to respect and even like Gradicus.
  
  In time, after numerous noble deeds, Lord Yamaguchi presented Gradicus his very own daisho. They were lesser quasi-rune blades and proof against supernatural undead including his age-old nemesis, the vampires. These blessed blades were truly beautiful to behold. They were swords that belonged to another hero, old when Lord Yamaguchi was but a boy. Now they were worthy of a foreign warrior who had done much good for many common people. The original name of the swords were lost to time and a fire so Gradicus named them "Summertime, Wintertime" after the passing of the seasons. This precious gift from a lord of samurai and terrific old soul became his most prized possessions from a people who hoarded little in the way of material things.
  
  Finally the day came when Lord Yamaguchi revealed a secret to Gradicus - the vampire lord Negalus had possessed something of importance - an item kept in his belt pouch that Lord Yamaguchi was now convinced would send Gradicus back to Atlantis should ever he have reason. Gradicus found that he did. The Dread Brotherhood, his brotherhood, still remained in Atlantis, captive in some form or another. The great challenge to win their freedom had not been decided as far as Gradicus knew. Perhaps if Gradicus returned with Negalus's clothes, proof of his victory, perhaps something could be decided.
  
  Either way, it was not in Gradicus's heart to live free all this time and never wish to return to his gladiatorial family and fight for their freedom. He wanted either everyone's freedom or to die honorable deaths in the chasing of that golden goal.
  
  As he thought, he was visited by the village priestess again. She gave him a simple jade ring with the words, "May the spirits bless you for your goodness." Then they embraced, their warmth for each other strong and sure.
  
  And so, Gradicus left his Japanese family behind. He had learned their language, their customs, their ways of life, and much about them as people. He had done much good but they had taught him a great deal too. He had grown greatly. Now he felt he would return to the Arena of Champions in Atlantis with techniques and advantages unknown to the competitors, the crowd, and perhaps even the Splugorth slave masters.
  
  Gradicus, with tears of gratitude in his eyes, bade farewell to Lord Yamaguchi and the rest of Japan. He did not know if he would ever get the chance to return. They had placed something in his soul that he would always remember with heartfelt fondness and gratitude.
  
  Such is the way of the Japanese society, to think of others first before oneself.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  When Dread Vengeance Comes Calling
  
  It was a crystal inside of a crystal, hung on a golden medallion. The crystals were the color of blood and reeked of black magic. At first, Gradicus wanted to have the thing properly destroyed, but Lord Yamaguchi had explained that a passing "Shoki", or demon queller, had recently taken a good look at it at the lord's request. The shoki believed the crystals inside also contained the power to return to some great island nation beyond the reach of Japan - once. It could not then be used to return to the Land of the Rising Sun. It was this conversation that convinced Gradicus to take the chance and use it, somewhere away from places it might harm someone.
  
  Lord Yamaguchi had provided a special place with wards to banish both evil magics and Gradicus's worry. The sun shone overhead with its bright and happy rays much as it had when Gradicus had first arrived. Thus, it would be nighttime in Atlantis. With Summertime, Wintertime in his grip, the bones of Negalus in a bag on his shoulder, and his heart filled of valiant resolve, the medallion was activated - and Gradicus was magically sent across the world!
  
  He did not arrive in the Arena of Champions, but instead on the Isle of Dread. He realized the medallion had transported him inside of Dominus Negalus's empty, private chambers. No, Gradicus thought. He was no longer dominus. Just Negalus with one hell of a suntan. Now, there would likely only be Domina Viatrice. Still waiting for her lover's return, no doubt.
  
  But what was this he heard outside? Steel clashed against steel, the howls of the wounded rose through the courtyards, and the screaming of slaves and house guards alike echoed through the house as if the whole place had been dropped into Hell itself. Fires burned atop buildings. An invisible cloud of fear and chaos grasped all creatures within.
  
  Gradicus raced outside to the fighting yard - to witness a full revolt in progress! His brothers and sisters had not waited for him but had risked the chance at freedom with their own hands! But, as one glance across the sea told him, Atlantis was ever so near and reinforcements from Splynn could arrive at any moment. Yet there, below him, surrounded by her house guards, was Domina Viatrice! She was using her magic to empower her guards and transform them into gruesome, merciless monsters in visage as well as intent. The gladiators fought bravely, but the domina's magic was too great a thing to be resisted by non-vampires...
  
  ...unless there was an Atlantean Undead Slayer there to even the odds!
  
  Placing his cloak about his left hand, Gradicus emptied the bag of Negalus's clothes atop the domina. As they scattered about her, she shrieked in recognition - these once belonged to Negalus! Her lover had been permanently slain! Gradicus drew and with a roar worthy of the Arena of Champions, he descended upon the house guards. The magic-twisted horrors were well-prepared for gladiatorial fighters with gladiatorial weapons, but quasi-rune weapons wielded by an expert of Zanji Shinjinken Ryu? This, they were not ready for.
  
  Using his cloak about his forearm to hide some of his movements, Gradicus put his evil-slaying blades to their first true test. Soon, the monstrous guards, supernaturally evil as they now were, howled in pain as Gradicus cut through them to get to Viatrice. They beat on him and soon Gradicus's wounds were many, but this sight rallied the Dread Brotherhood, both new and old, and they descended upon the house guards with renewed vigor.
  
  One cried out, "Ho! The Red Edge has returned to us!"
  
  But Viatrice recovered with a vengeance. "You!" she shouted hatefully at Gradicus. "You dared send your dominus into Final Death! How you shall pay!"
  
  His hands and swords now partially shrouded by his cloak, Gradicus replied. "Negalus received what he deserved - as shall you, witch! Die memorably!"
  
  Domina Viatrice had one spell she loved to cast when an underling's disobedience had been at its highest - and that spell meant a painful and soul-charring death. Many a thrall who had not lived up to standard had been made example of with that black magic. Gradicus knew not the name of the spell, but Domina Viatrice knew nothing of Japan or Eastern magic or the fine jade band around Gradicus's left hand.
  
  "You first, slave!" she cackled and cast.
  
  Though Gradicus braced against the impact, it was not necessary, for a blessing of a sort was upon him through the ring. And though the beautiful band disappeared at that instant, so did the spell cast by Domina Viatrice.
  
  "What? No! Nooo!!" she cried and tried to cast the expensive spell again, yet now the Dread Brotherhood was near her and Gradicus with them. Using his free hand, he pulled her into him by the wrist. Her forward momentum met his strike in his Zanji Shinjinken Ryu combination Grab/Slash technique - but he did not strike with his sword as Viatrice might have withstood - instead his stake, the same stake that had destroyed Negalus - flew up from under his cloak and thrust into the place where normal people keep their hearts. Viatrice screamed in outrage and sheer hatred - for all of a few heartbeats. Then Gradicus struck the stake with the pommel of his sword and she and her black magic were gone.
  
  The magic dispersed, the house guards dropped to their knees in the forms of their birth. Gradicus watched as Viatrice's once-beautiful body turned into a skeleton. It clattered and mingled with her lover's clothes one final time before Gradicus bathed them in flames. There would be no return for Negalus and Viatrice.
  
  The Red Edge looked toward Atlantis. Something was coming across the nighted water. Or rather somethings. Lots of somethings and they were not going to be friendly! "Dread brothers and sisters, tell me you had a plan here?!"
  
  "Oh, indeed we do!" answered one. Another Atlantean appeared before Gradicus, one with the ever-so-familiar markings of Clan Mariciniszyn on his wrists. "No time to fully explain, clan-mate! I was sent to come and get you! We could not escape with the domina alive, but now that is taken care of, let us be away!"
  
  The Atlantean called upon a strange horn-like tattoo upon his chest. Instantly, a conch shell appeared in his grasp. This he blew into the wind and it bellowed majestically - the first such Atlantean horn to sound thusly within sight of Atlantis in too long a time! In reply, a pyramid-shaped field of light appeared in the courtyard. Gradicus recognized his people's transportation-magic instantly. "Get in or get left behind!" he shouted though he had no intent of seeing the latter happen.
  
  The Dread Brotherhood poured into the mystical gate as the minions of the Splugorth began to arrive from Atlantis, blasting their weapons and shrieking their hate. Gradicus went through the gate last - and returned to a sight he thought he would never see again.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  The Lost Heart
  
  The spell had put them on the shores of America somewhere. Another spell brought them to another place and this process was repeated until they found themselves standing in front of an Atlantean Stone Pyramid. Using its incredible magics, Gradicus and his Dread Brotherhood shortly found themselves among the immense tree-city of Tamaerus and Gradicus for the first time in more than a decade! Now, the air all about him was more sweet and pure than he had imagined in his deepest dreams on the Isle of Dread. Though the sights he had seen had been marvelous and awe-inspiring, there was nothing like coming home. Something in his very soul was put at ease.
  
  All had come full circle. The spy explained. Clan Mariciniszyn had placed a spy into the ranks of the Dread Brotherhood - one who had volunteered all these years to find out what had become of the young men and women of the tragedy-stricken trip to Washington D.C.. That single soul had gambled eternal slavery against his skill and the means to transport the slaves - and after much trial and hardship, won. Gradicus's presence certainly made this happen. Although Gradicus was the only survivor of his lost group, it was considered a tremendous victory by the clan and much honor was brought to both the family of the spy and Gradicus's own Pacifica bloodline. In addition, he and the Dread Brotherhood were now truly free. The Splugorth had been thwarted and a vampirically-owned gladiatorial house destroyed!
  
  After much celebration and telling of tales from all sides of the story, Gradicus found himself alone in his family homestead. They had missed him terribly and he had missed them. All of the stolen years finally broke upon him like a wave crashing against a wall of rocks. Gradicus wept openly. Not only for his lost childhood, his lost Atlantean Undead Slayers in his group, and all of the slaves and gladiators that had not lived to taste the freedom he now enjoyed, but also for himself.
  
  Weeks passed. Gradicus spent his time doing what the Undead Slayers had done for him; he tried to be a good role model for the Atlantean children. He was always showing them some artistic skill or sharing something he had learned in Japan. They especially enjoyed his whittling and caligraphy. Yet, even the children knew that something inside Gradicus was not well. He had a hard time being called Valerius again. The name felt alien. The images of the lost and dead tortured his mind nearly every night. He yearned to do good. He longed to fight evil again and hear his name shouted by the appreciative. Worst of all, he felt none of this would happen in his beloved homeland of Tamaerus, nor in all the dimension of Goroth.
  
  He wondered. Had Valerius Pacifica indeed died the day he was taken to Splynn? He did not know quite who he was now. Gradicus the Red Edge was a popular and successful gladiator and student of the samurai. But who was he now, now that his life-debts were paid and he was completely free to be his own man?
  
  Gradicus chose to leave Tamaerus and his family and find himself somewhere in the Megaverse. He would walk the Megaverse and its many wonders as an Undead Slayer and fate would take him where it may. He told his mother, father, siblings, and friends of his feelings and they understood as best they could, for what loving family and people would not at least try? They gave him a farewell celebration and longed for his return. Gradicus felt loved again.
  
  

  * * *​

  
  Since this time, Gradicus the Red Edge has traveled to different dimensions and Earth-realms. In an alternate universe, one resembling Earth, he picked up his tattoos of Glitch the Glinthawk and Sparky the Sawtooth. In the Shemarrian Nation, he rescued an Anti-Monster against those tribes of warrior women, whose adventures he shared for a brief time. Now, he has a tattoo of Smoochie the female Anti-Monster upon his person as if to treasure those memories. For a time, he meandered through the realms held by Manistique, Ishpeming, and Northern Gun and fought briefly against the Coalition States and their mad humankind-only agenda.
  
  Now, Gradicus adventures in the Federation of Magic with a new party of interesting and talented individuals. For all the dimensions he and his people have visited, Gradicus has come to know something with certainty - the Megaverse is vast and in it, anything is possible!
• 
  "Tom Sawyer" by Rush
  
  
  Complete lyrics from Rush.com
  A modern-day warrior
  Mean mean stride
  Today’s Tom Sawyer
  Mean mean pride
  
  Though his mind is not for rent
  Don’t put him down as arrogant
  His reserve, a quiet defense
  Riding out the day’s events –
  The river
  
  What you say about his company
  Is what you say about society
  -Catch the mist – Catch the myth
  -Catch the mystery – Catch the drift
  
  The world is the world is
  Love and life are deep
  Maybe as his skies are wide
  
  Today’s Tom Sawyer
  He gets high on you
  And the space he invades
  He gets by on you
  
  No, his mind is not for rent
  To any god or government.
  Always hopeful, yet discontent
  He knows changes aren’t permanent –
  But change is
  
  What you say about his company
  Is what you say about society
  -Catch the witness – Catch the wit
  -Catch the spirit – Catch the spit
  
  The world is the world is
  Love and life are deep
  Maybe as his eyes are wide
  
  Exit the warrior
  Today’s Tom Sawyer
  He gets high on you
  And the energy you trade
  He gets right on to
  The friction of the day
  

 

[Silanon]

• Attributes&Bonuses
• Skills
• HtH Expert
• Spells&Psionics
• Equipment
• Background

• 
  Name: Shaona Elunier, Guard of the Phoenix and former pupil of Ren'Olar.
  Race: Human
  Alignment: Unprincipled - freedom is the foundation of progress
  
  Exp: 38600/51700
  Level 7
  BP: 9/9
  
  
  Requirement: IQ, ME 12+
  25 IQ +11 to all skills
  15 ME
  13 MA
  14 PS (on 30: +15 dmg)
  15 PP
  12 PE (on 24: +18% vs coma/death, +5 vs magic/poison)
  14 PB
  20 Spd
  
  24 SDC
  22 Hit points (+1D6 per level)
  135 PPE (+2D6 per level); recovery 4 per resting hour, 8 per meditation hour.
  46 ISP (+1D4+1 per level)
  
  Spoiler: ISP Regeneration

  In the description of the Meditation power, it says that you can recover 6 ISP per hour of meditation, unless it says different in the OCC description. Lets go with 3 ISP per hour of normal activity, and 6 with the meditation.

  12+ to save vs Psionics
  +2 vs Horror
  +2 vs possession&mind control
  +2 vs magic (+1 on level 10,13)
  +1 spell stregth (+1 on levels 8,12)
  +3 Perception for machines&magic
  
  5 Attacks,
  +2 strike
  +2 disarm
  +4 dodge/parry
  +3 Pull Punch
  +1 to Strike with heavy weapons/vehicle weapons
  +3 roll with impact
  Karate Punch, Kick
  crit on 18/19/20
  
  with knives:
  +2 strike (+1 on 7,10,13)
  +2 parry (+1 on 6,9,12)
  +2 strike when thrown (+1 on 6,8,10,13)
  
  with staves:
  +2 strike (+1 on 1,3,7,10,13)
  +2 parry (+1 on 2,5,8,11,14)
  +1 thrown (+1 on 5,10,15)
  
  enhanced reflexes (copied from Sherwood, see lore):
  Range: Self.
  Duration: Two minutes per level of experience.
  I.S.P.: 10
  When a psychic uses this ability, he greatly enhances his mind-body connection, hand-eye coordination, and reaction time. This power allows the psychic to be more agile and aware of his body. For the duration that this power is in use, the psychic gains the following bonuses: +1 attack per melee, +3 on initiative, +1 to strike, +2 to parry and dodge. +2 to P.P. (adding further bonuses to strike/parry/dodge if boosted to 16 or higher), and +15% to all Physical skills that rely on coordination or balance.
  
• 
  97% Technowizard Base Piloting Skills (+2 per level) on ley lines.
  91% Literacy English (+5)
  115% Mother tongue: English (+1)
  94% Elven, Russian (+3)
  96% Radio: Basic (+5)
  86% Computer Operation (+5)
  76% Computer Programming (+5)
  81% Computer Repair (+5)
  86% Basic Electronics (+5)
  86% Mechanical Engineer (+5)
  103% Techno-Wizardy Construction (+2 per level)
  81% Sensory Equipment (+5)
  106% Math Basics (+5)
  76% Land Navigation (+4)
  100% Motorcycles&Snowmobiles (+4)
  80% Waterskiing&Surfing (+4)
  WP Knife
  WP Energy Pistol
  WP Paired Weapons
  
  OCC Related Skills: 2Mechanical/Electrical, 5 others. two new ones at 9,12
  76% Weapons Engineer (+5)
  86% Electrical Engineer (+5)
  66% Computer Hacking (+5)
  86% Salvage (+5)
  81% Optic Systems (+5)
  HtH Expert (2 choices)
  66% Lore: Magic (+5)
  71% Basic Mechanics (+5)
  Enhanced reflexes (Skill for Psionics)
  Telemechanic Mental Operation (Skill for Psionics)
  
  5 Secondary Skills (no boni), +1 at 8,12
  86% Advanced Mathematics (+5)
  66% Automotive Mechanics (+5)
  86% First Aid (+5)
  Athletics (General)
  WP Energy Rifle
  WP Staff
  
  
  
• 
  Level 1: Starts with 4 attacks per melee, Kick Attack 1d8 damage, +2 to Pull Punch, +2 to Roll with Impact
  Level 2: +3 to parry and dodge, and + 1 to pull punch.
  Level 3: +2 to strike, +2 to disarm, and can perform a Karate Punch.
  Level 4: +1 additional attack/action per melee round.
  Level 5: Can perform a Karate Kick, does 2d6 damage.
  Level 6: Critical Strike on an unmodified roll of 18, 19 or 20.
  Level 7: W.P. Paired Weapons and backhand strike (average, does 1d4 damage).
  Level 8 : Body flip/throw; does 1d6 damage, and victim loses initiative and one attack.
  Level 9: + 1 additional attack/action per melee and +1 to disarm.
  Level 10: +3 to damage.
  Level 11: Knockout/stun on an unmodified roll of 18, 19 or 20.
  Level 12: +2 to parry and dodge.
  Level 13: Critical Strike or knockout from behind (triple damage).
  Level 14: +1 additional attack/action per melee round.
  Level 15: Death blow on a roll of Natural 20.
  
• 
  Psionics:
  Machine Ghost (12)
  Mind Block (4)
  Object Read (6)
  Spead Reading (2)
  Telemechanics (10)
  Total Recall (2)
  Enhanced reflexes (10)
  Telemechanic Mental Operation (12)
  
  Spells:
  Armor of Ithan (10)
  Blinding Flash (1)
  Breathe without Air (5)
  Call Lightning (15)
  Cloak of Darkness (6)
  Deflect (10)
  Electric Arc (8)
  Energy Bolt (5)
  Energy Field (10)
  Fire Ball (10)
  Fire Bolt (7)
  Fuel Flame (5)
  Fly (15)
  Forcebonds (25)
  Globe of Daylight (2)
  Ignite Fire (6)
  Impervious to Energy (20)
  Impervious to Fire (5)
  Magic Net (7)
  Magic Shield (6)
  See the Invisible (4)
  Sense Magic (4)
  Shadow Melt (10)
  Superhuman Strength (10)
  Telekinesis (8)
  Heal Wounds (10)
  Distant Voice (10)
  Invisibility: Simple (6)
  House of Glass
  Speed of the Snail
  Mystic Alarm
  Invincible Armor
  Negate Magic
  Teleport: Superior
  
  Needs a suitable piece of technology as focus, otherwise all importent things halved. Never learns summoning/circle magic.
  
• 
  general adventurer equipment (see book)
  
  light body armor: 35 MDC, plus Armor of Ilthan (+50 MDC), Superhuman Strength (PS30, PE 24), Superhuman Speed (Spd 44, +2 Parry, +6 Dodge), 50 PPE battery (reload battery with 10ppe/hour max)
  motorcycle with shadow and sound cloaking device.
  
  Spoiler

  Shadow Cloaking System. The vehicle is very difficult to see in
  the dark and at night, resembling nothing more than a shadow or fleet
  ing movement in the darkness itself Even the light emitted by its own
  headlights (sometimes necessary for the pilot or the passengers) seems
  diffused. Normal1y the magic enables the driver (and only the driver) to
  see in darkness up to 1000 feet (305 m) for good visibility even in the
  darkest of nights. Bonuses: Attackers are -6 to strike and -4 to dodge
  this cloaked vehicle at night or in darkness (Le. unlit or dimly lit tunnel,
  parking structure, etc.). When parked or idling still in darkness (includ
  ing shadows large enough to cover 90"10 or more of the vehicle), it is ef
  fectively invisible, concealed the same as the Chameleon Cloaking
  System described earlier. Penalties: The Shadow Cloaking applies only
  to the vehicle and conceals those inside as long as they are quiet. Open
  ing the car door, talking or playing the radio will break the concealing
  magic and tum the vehicle visible (can be attacked without penalty). !!!
  the light of day, the vehicle has no special properties other than being
  able to seemingly disappear when entering deep shadows and darkness.
  Duration of Magic: 30 minutes per 10 P.P.E. spent to activate it (240
  P.P.E. for 12 hours). P.P.E. Cost: 800 P.P.E. to instal1 and 10 P.P.E. (or
  20 LS.P.) to activate. Cost: 750,000 credits.
  
  Sound Cloaking System. Requires a special muftler system that
  completely masks al1 noise made by the vehicle. And we mean al1
  noise, including the opening and closing of doors (no sound even when
  slammed), tire squealing, as wel1 as engine noise and the use of any
  built-inion-board systems (Le. sound from electric windows, window
  washers, weapon turrets, etc.). Penalty: Can not have a radio of any
  kind built in to the vehicle. Likewise, the use of portable radios and
  talking between the passengers wilJ be heard and defeat the sound
  cloaking system. Duration of Magic: Five minutes per 10 P.P.E.
  pumped into the cloaking system. P.P.E. Cost: 390 P.P.E. to install and
  10 P.P.E. (or 20 LS.P.) to activate. Cost: 200,000 credits.
  survival knife
  Swiss pocket knife
  C18 laser pistol: 2D4 MD, range: 800ft
  C12 heavy assault rifle: 2D6 MD, 6D6 MD burst, 6D6 SDC, range: 2000ft, +1 on aimed shots
  NG-P7 Particle Beam Rifle 1D4x10MDC
  6 E-clips
  2 empty E-Clips
  
  K-4 Laser
  Pulse Rifle
  A knock-off of the latest design from Wilk's Laser Industries. Inc.
  The K-4 is a rapid-fire pulse rifle that has the trademark features of all
  of Wilk's high quality weapons; sleek, light-weight, black plastic and
  ceramic construction, long distance firing range, and reliability in the
  field.
  Weight: 4 Ibs (1.8 kg)
  Mega-Damage: 3D6 + 6 M.D. per single shot, or 1D6X10 + 6 per
  multiple pulse burst (three simultaneous shots).
  Rate of Fire: Standard, see Modern Weapon Proficiency Section.
  Effective Range: 3000 feet (910 m)
  Payload: 30 shots long E-Clip.
  Bonus to Strike: + 1 to strike on an aimed shot.
  Market Price: 75,000 credits.
  
  Staff of Power
  Weight: 25 Ibs (11 kg)
  Mega-Damage: As a blunt weapon, damage is 5D6 M.D. plus the character's P.S. damage. Also see magic powers.
  Magic Powers: All spells and blasts are equal to a fifth level spell.
  1. Heal Wounds (10 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  2. Words of Truth (15 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  3. Sleep (10 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  4. Shadow Meld (10 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  5. Call Lightning (15 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  6. Energy Disruption (12 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  7. Mystic Portal (60 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  8. Negate Magic (30 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  9. Anti-Magic Cloud (140 P.P.E.), same as the spell.
  Rate of Fire: Two different types of magic can be activated per melee,
  all effects are cumulative.
  Effective Range: Varies with the particular spell, generally 10 ft (3 m)
  to 300 feet (91m).
  Magic Saving Throw: Spell strength is equal to a 5th level wizard. To
  save, a character must roll a 13 or higher.
  Payload: 160 P.P.E. and regenerates 20 points per hour. The staff can
  be instantly and completely recharged at a ley line nexus or stone
  pyramid.
  
  Multi-Optics Helmet (M.O.H.): The multi-optics helmet is a special optical enhancement system built into a protective helmet. It includes the following features:
  1 . Targeting Sight: 1,600 feet (488 m).
  2. Infrared Optics System : 1,600 feet (488 m).
  3. Telescopic Monocular Lens: Range : 2 miles (3.2 km).
  4. Thermal-Imager: Range : 1,600 feet (488 m). Soecial Bonus: + 1 to strike when the optics and targeting sight are engaged. Note that the thermal-imager is a special, optical, heat sensory unit that allows the infrared radiation of warm objects to be converted into a visible image. Enables the pilot to see in darkness, shadows and through smoke.
  
  
  Blind Warrior Woman talisman: 100MDC for 10 min, three times within 24 hours.
  ownership of two more amulets
  100 ppe battery
  Bag of Holding
  
  a green candle from the Dweomerean markets, gift from Gradicus
  
  5 Mio Credits
  
• 
  Some people fear the future. They feel its looming presence in every moment of their life, fearing the change that it might bring. They'd rather crawl towards their superiors and ask for advice and blindly follow to their orders instead of doing the one, fatally dangerous thing that could set their worst nightmares into motion: To ask a question without knowing the answer. To break the illusion that allows them to disregard the pity they live in. To find the courage to throw away the facts that they know as "the truth".
  
  Shaona is certainly not one of those little minds. Instead, she embraces the future with a passion that might be terrifying for most people - and inspiring for those whose companionship she usually tends to seek. Those who aren't afraid to ask questions, and those who aren't afraid to see the impossible on a daily basis. She lives by the teachings of Ren'Olar whose last words were: "What could possibly go wrong?" She's both a tinkerer and an enchantress, melting technology and magic together as if there is no difference. She's a fierce fighter and a loyal friend to those who endure her unwavering confidence. And she always speaks her mind, despises ignorance and is more than aware that the things she does are way too far off to discuss any details.
  
  Appearance-wise, both the shoulder-length green-dyed hair and the dark headband stick out, and so does her self-built armor - with all the tiny little adjustments she made over the last few years on the road, it looks like a mess that clearly shouldn't allow her to do the things she does. The distinct sounds of heavy boots accompany her movements, more determined than graceful. And the mocking smile only emphasizes the confident fire in her eyes.
  
  Both her armor and her rarely-worn helmet show depictions of a phoenix - and she will happily tell you about the group of technowizards who welcomed her when it mattered. Without them, she might have been fearful and lost till the end - instead, she is now as free as the heraldic animal, doing her best to shine as bright as its fiery plumage.
  
  

 

[Sherwood]

First XP award of the game!

3,000 points!

Dano Epiphany Psychie Purr DraconianWarrior Silanon

 

[Dano]

I'm not sure how XP and levels work in Rifts - is 3000 enough for the next level? if so, what needs to be addressed from the character perspective?

 

[Sherwood]

First off, your xp chart is in your Skills tab down at the bottom. Next, when you level up, you add 1d6 to your hit points, and all of your Skills get increased by whatever percentile is next to the main number. Your combat skills go up for your 2nd level of HtH Expert, and your ISP goes up by 1d6+1

 

[Sherwood]

For a good scene with the refugees (thank you, Psychie) and a good bunch of IC posts, I'm going to give everyone 2,000 more points, putting you at 5,000 total. That should be enough to get everyone to level 3. If anyone has any questions about leveling up, let me know.

 

[Sherwood]

For the skillful capture of the Serpent Armor, you get another 2,000 xp.

Psychie Purr Silanon DraconianWarrior

Crocodile you just joined us, so you won't be getting any points quite yet. Soon enough you will, though.

 

[Sherwood]

Before everyone makes the attack on the base, I am going to let everyone level up. 3,600 xp. If I am not mistaken, that is enough for all of you to get that wonderful level boost. If anyone has any questions about leveling up, let me know.

Crocodile Purr Psychie Silanon DraconianWarrior

 

[Sherwood]

I forgot to add, for the spellcasters, you may cross train one more spell from each other's spell lists in addition to what you get for leveling up.

 

[Psychie]

Hey Sherwood, did you ever come up with an answer to my suggestion of letting me increase the range of my control of my Automations?

 

[Sherwood]

I will let you add 50 feet to the range for every skill slot you spend on it.

 

[Psychie]

Awesome! Thank you!

 

[Purr]

Sherwood, that's a neat solution that makes sense! Use skill slots! =)

Plus, we just hit level 4! Wasn't expecting that! 8D

 

[SexyStonerRoleplaygal]

I already have a char concept... but is there a online char builder? transferring this all to a CS then here seems complicated

 

[Psychie]

Not that I am aware of. There are just sooo many races and classes available that a character builder would have to be massive in size.

 

[Sherwood]

I've seen a character builder a long time ago, but it was very basic and didn't have all the available updates that have come out.

 

[SexyStonerRoleplaygal]

Ok so CS is ready for review!

 

[Psychie]

Just wondering, how did you get your six attacks per round? HtH Basic gives you four, and one more from Boxing.

Also, what spells do you know?

 

[SexyStonerRoleplaygal]

Lvl 4 Basic HTH gives another +1 attack per melee.

 

[SexyStonerRoleplaygal]

I had not wasted time picking spells until approved.. or whatever lol