Steady Hands Slay the Beast

October 28, 2015
The Dirt
0 Note

Last time, I outlined the two types of monster hunters in Ravaged Earth, the Creep Squad and Alptraum Jäger (Nightmare Hunters).

To play one of these stalwart heroes, you’ll have to meet a few prerequisites, since hunting supernatural threats takes skill and specific training.

THE CREEP SQUAD

Creep Squad agents investigate paranormal phenomena and supernatural activity and occasionally battle real monsters. These are active FBI agents identified by their Division X black badges. While government and law enforcement circles refer to the agents as Back Badgers, the civilian populace refers to them as the Creep Squad.

Creep Squad Agents

Making your own Creep Squad agent requires a few necessary skills and Edges.

Edges & Hindrances
Black Badgers must have the G-Man (FBI Agent), Authority, and the Connections (Law Enforcement) Edges. Because of their rigorous work schedules and dedication to the FBI, they suffer from the Obligations (Major: Division X) Hindrance.

Skills
Essentials for a well-rounded agent.

Intimidation: Sometimes forcefulness and a powerful scowl are all you need to get your suspects to talk. Useful in interrogations.
Investigation: Combing libraries, researching files and records are all in a days work for FBI agents.
Knowledge (Law): Understanding the statutes you enforce only aids your investigations. Ignorance of the law is no option.
Shooting: Firearms training is a key component in FBI training and all agents should have weapons proficiency.
Streetwise: Shaking down leads, questioning informants and gleaning what’s really going on are part of your job.

Advanced Training
After surviving the FBI Academy, Creep Squad agents receive special training into the supernatural. This involves classes on the occult, cryptids and other strange phenomena. To simulate this, your agent character may take Knowledge (Occult). Hunting monsters involves fighting as well as investigation. Heroes who are the “muscle” and rely on combat may take the Alertness Edge to gain the upper hand in battle.

Gear
Male agents wear dark suits and fedoras, while female agents wear conservative-style dresses or skirts. Each Black Badger carries their Black Badge, a notebook and pencil, and a handgun and holster, though a few have been known to posses laser guns and other Weird Science gizmos.

Power of the Badge
The Black Badge is well respected and known among criminal supernatural elements, and an agent who brandishes it receives a +2 to Intimidation attempts against any who are aware of – and care about – Division X.

Specials
Non-FBI members of the Creep Squad are drawn from academia, law enforcement or practice of the magical arts. We’re talking antiquarians, librarians, professors, police detectives, and magicians or mentalists. It’s not uncommon for Division X to retain the services of Specials with Arcane Backgrounds. Specials can be psychics, spiritualists or even big game hunters used to tracking down gigantic creatures. The FBI isn’t shy about hiring the Ravaged if they possess a useful superpower or two. However chummy Specials think they are with the other agents, they don’t carry the same law enforcement capabilities as the FBI. In most circumstances, Specials don’t carry firearms, and are instead relied upon for their arcane or mental abilities.

Specials may have an Arcane Background Edge (Mystic or Psionic work best), or the Scholar Edge. Specials handy with machines should take the Repair skill and the Arcane Background (Inventor) Edge.

NIGHTMARE HUNTERS

To be an Alptraum Jäger, one must undergo rigorous physical training and study protection rituals. Though less polished and more visceral than Black Badgers, Nightmare Hunters operate in secret, preferring the shadows and clandestine missions.

Edges & Hindrances
Nightmare Hunters must have the Assassin and Marksman Edges. Hunters who’ve encountered their fair share of supernatural entities have the Courageous Edge.

They suffer the Wanted (Major) Hindrance, since the Nazi regime outlawed their organization. Nightmare Hunters are also saddled with the Vow (Alptraum Jäger) Hindrance, and pledge their undying support to slaying evil. Those ambitious Nazi hunters also take the Enemy (Nazis) Hindrance.

Skills
Essentials for a well-rounded hunter.

Climbing: Sometimes it pays to get a better vantage point. Climbing allows the Hunter to nimbly scale vertical surfaces.
Fighting: Nightmare Hunters must learn hand-to-hand combat as part of their training.
Knowledge (Occult): Understanding how supernatural creatures and black magic works goes a long way to defeating your foes.
Shooting: Whether it’s firearms or crossbows, slaying monsters requires a steady hand and careful aim.
Stealth: Sticking to the shadows gives Hunters added protection. If you can’t be seen, you have the advantage.
Survival: Increases your chances of staying alive in the wilderness.
Tracking: A Hunter’s best skill is tracking down his quarry.

Advanced Training
Adroit Hunters hone their talents outdoors, and learn how wild creatures behave. These rugged individuals may take the Woodsman Edge and carry a silver axe (Damage: Str+d6). Against werewolves and vampires, the silver ax inflicts an additional 1d8 damage.

Gear
Nightmare Hunters often wear black trenchcoats, bundhosen with suspenders, boots, slouch hats or traditional Tyrolean hats. Hunters are armed with an array of weapons, such as guns with silver bullets, crossbows with silver-tipped arrows, daggers with protective runes, and swordcanes. Their special gear includes “vampire hunter kits”: boxes containing a Bible, wooden stakes, a mallet, a clove of garlic, a vial of holy water, a crucifix and a derringer. Hunters also use special grenades filled with silver or holy water that inflict 2d10 damage to supernatural creatures within a Large Burst Template.