First Warband - new character

[Colin747]

As you may have read in my previous post I'm trying to create my first warband, there where a few problems with my initial character which you guys helped me out with (thanks btw!) but I've been busy plus I've hit a bit of writers block with that character so I decided to take a break of work on one of his accomplices so here goes (I've used the twenty questions thing again, sorry for all the text!).

Harlen Brachle - was previously head of security on the Lunar Class Cruiser "Fidus" having served in this role for around forty years with distinction. He was recruited as temporary muscle and for his knowledge of Naval workings and ended up becoming a permanent member of staff after impressing the Inq with his devotion to duty and the Imperium in general, being able to put aside opportunities for his own self gain. (He has currently served with the Inq for twenty years and is around 80 chronologically).

Where is your character from?
He was born and raised on a transport ship of which his father was the Logistics Officer.

Does your character have a family?
He never knew his mother (she died when he was young during an attempted bording action by renegades), his father a Logistics Officer on the transport which Harlen was raised on.

What does your character look like?/How does your character dress?
He dresses in his own Naval security uniform with armour on his chest and front of his legs, as well as a large heavy overcoat, he has a shaved head and a rather stern look and is quite a large built man.

Does your character have physical quirks, ticks or habits?
He has a very slight in both of his hands.

Where did your character learn their skills? Where did they first shoot a gun, wield a sword et cetera?
He learnt how to shoot a gun from his Naval security training which was built on through his forty years of experience in Naval security as well as the twenty years of experience with the Inq. Through this he has learnt to shoulder his weapon and fire quickly and accurately if surprised - relying on natural instinct/experience to hit the target. He isn't so much a skilled melee fighter but rather a brawler having been caught up in bar fights etc in his younger years, through his service in Naval security he has learned how to make the best use of his gun as a melee weapon (not through formal training but rather desperate situations during riot control/boarding actions).

What else does your character know, stuff that doesn't come into the combats like a passion for Terran Wines for example. Where did he learn it? How did it develop?
He has picked up some knowledge and skill from his father when it comes to logistics as well as an interest in Horology initially sparked due to the importance of time keeping when delivering shipments.

Where did he get his goodies?
His main weapon is an over-engineered shotgun (to withstand melee duties) from his past in Naval security along with his armour as well as a basic laspistol sidearm as standard for officers, he has a high quality chronograph that was given to him by his father for successfully entering the Imperial Navy.

Where does your character live?
He lives permanently at the Inq's residence.

Who does your character know?
Obviously from knowing the other members of the warband he also has contacts from his old job in the Imperial Navy as well various transport Captains/Rouge Traders while carrying out his duties. He also has information on rumors/off the record news and dealings through his fathers position as the Logistics Officer on a transport ship.

What are your character's likes and dislikes?
Despises those who are not punctual or do not show basic manners/respect to people either through ignorance of thinking people are beneath them of course this works the other way i.e liking people who are punctual etc. He also likes people who are straight up even if he does not agree with them.

What is your character's Moral Code?
He would put aside his own gain to help the greater good.

Does your character have goals?/Does your character have personal beliefs?
He sees his duty serving the Inq and the Imperium as the greatest honour.

Does your character have any personality quirks?
Known to be very hard to make to laugh - said to be humorless by some. Is very meticulous about his uniform and equipment.


Stats (used this as a guide http://www.the-conclave.co.uk/characters.html)
WS: 66
BS: 64
S: 58
T: 57
I: 55
WP: 60
Sg: 44
N: 56
Ld: 72

Right Handed
Carapace armour on chest and front of legs

(taken from revised armoury)
laspistol sidearm(no spare ammo)
- military magazine
- Triplex-Phall discharge generator
Over engineered Shotgun as main weapon (something like Arbites Vox Legi-pattern)
- Large Caliber
- Solid Slug ammo
- Gas Shall ammo

I've probably missed a few things but should hopefully be enough to get some initial feedback.

[Colin747]

So is no replies considered good or bad Any comments would be welcome

[krenshar]

No replies is a vote of confidence here.

You've already used the distilled wisdom of the conclave when statting Brachle so there's not much to say there.  WS 66 did seem a little high to me though, after you say that he's more of a brawler; if it doesn't feel like an over-complication, perhaps drop that by ten points and give him an ability called Brawler that gives him +10 to weapon skill when used bare fists or improvised weapons.
On the same subject, his shotgun stock is his only close melee option at the moment.  A knife has so many uses outside of combat too but ultimately it all depends on your vision of the character.

Carapace armour on chest and front of legs

Do you have a model or prospective one for him?  The front of legs bit can be a bit too specific, so I'd suggest either leaving it as 'carapace on legs' or drop the armour value by 1-2 points depending on how unarmoured the rest of the leg is.

But all the above are just a few tweaks on a solid all-rounder and a sound character design.  I particularly like the strong self-discipline of his high Ld, in line with the Navy's reputation, with the more average Nv showing he has the good sense to find cover!

[Koval]

With regard to the Twenty Questions format you've presented -- I consider it a better idea to think of Heidfeld's Twenty Questions as a list of questions (well yes) to ask yourself when putting a character's background together, rather than a questionnaire to fill out.

The armour seems a bit weird, if only because I can't imagine it without the end result looking really goofy. A model or at least a reference image might be useful to have here.

The only other thing I have to point out is that he could do with some more points being put into his Nv, as 56 is lower than what I've given two of my own characters who are largely noncombatants (and the only character of mine that I can find that has a lower Nv is a Medicae Adept that's more used to the four walls of an operating theatre). Knowing when to dive for cover is one thing, but we also have to consider that a character that does so from failing a Nerve test is likely to be thinking "OH CRAP I'M GETTING SHOT AT" (which is sort of the point behind Pinning). If he's a former head of security, he should have less trouble keeping a cool head under fire.