Murder of Crows [Nightbane N.P.C.]:

Name: Murder of Crows

True Name: Karla Cruz

Alignment: Unprincipled.[Good / Selfish]

Hit Points: 22 [65 Nightbane Form] S.D.C.(Physical): 86 [217 Nightbane Form]

Horror Factor (Nightbane Form): 16

Attributes: I.Q.: 14, M.E.: 10, M.A.: 13, P.S.: 17 (+2) [27 (+12)], P.P.: 21 (+3) [27 (+6)], P.E.: 17 (+5% / +1) [27 (+24% / +6)], P.B.: 17 (35%) [18 (40%)], SPD: 15 [25 / Flight 40]

Attributes in brackets [] are when in Nightbane form [Physical Strength and Endurance are Supernatural in Nightbane form]

Weight: 116 lbs (52.6 kg) [138 lbs (62.6 kg) in Nightbane Form] Height: 5 ft 3 in (1.60 meters) [5 ft 3 in (1.60 meters) in Nightbane Form]

Age: 21 years Race: Nightbane (Human) Sex: Female

Disposition:

Ultimately, at her heart, she is a survivor. Protects herself emotionally both against those who try to use her for their own gains and against the various losses she has had in her life. She is also a fighter who will fight to survive. Does not mean that she will not run when needed. Does not believe in fighting a lost cause.

She is also willing to be quite flexible to survive. While she probably will not prostitute herself, she is perfectly willing to work as an exotic dancer or stripper in order to make money. With her being unable to work as a paramedic anymore, this is one way she can make enough money to survive and the money is hard to trace. Also willing to work most menial jobs if needed

For somebody who had as many problems as she has, she came out surprisingly well. One might expect somebody of her background to be vindictive. Never really enjoyed harming those she considered weaker then herself.. Granted, she is a bit angry at everything that happened. That anger might be taken out on those who piss her off such as the minions of the Nightlords. Does not have a great deal of love for vampires either.

She does not have many friends and never has had that much luck with them. However, she is loyal to those who she considers friends. Beyond that, she still has a good heart. She will do what she can to help those in need. While not adverse from taking what she needs to survive, she will generally only take from those she thinks can afford to lose a bit.

She does have a sexy side to her. While not really model level beauty, she knows she is pretty attractive. Not afraid to show off a little bit and wear clothes that reveal her figure. This includes such things as wearing low cut scoop neck t-shirts that are cut to show her belly as well.

R.C.C.: Nightbane [Basic Training] Experience Level: One (1)

Combat Skill: Hand to Hand; Basic [Hand to Hand: Martial Arts in Nightbane Form]

Attacks per Melee: Five (5) [Six (6) in Nightbane Form]

Bonuses, Combat: Facade Form: +3 to Strike,+6 to Parry, +6 to Dodge, +2 to Damage, +6 to roll with punch, fall, or impact, +2 to pull punch, +0 to initiative, Knock Out on Natural 20, and Critical Strike on Natural 20.

Nightbane Form: +8 to Strike,+11 to Parry, +11 to Dodge, +12 to Damage, +10 to roll with punch, fall, or impact, +6 to pull punch, +1 to initiative, Knock Out on Natural 20, and Critical Strike on Natural 20.

Supernatural Punch Damage (Nightbane Form): Inflicts 2D6+12 S.D.C. on a restrained punch, 4D6+12 on a full strength punch, or 1D4xl0+12 on a power punch (counts as two melee attacks). Add +1D6 to damage for broken glass from fists.

Bonus; Save: Facade Form: Lethal Poison +1 [14] , Non-Lethal Poison [16] +1, Harmful Drugs [15] +1, Insanity [12] +0, Psionics [15] +0, Magic [12] +3, Horror Factor +1.

Nightbane Form: Lethal Poison [14] +6, Non-Lethal Poison [16] +6, Harmful Drugs [15] +6, Insanity [12] +0, Psionics [15] +3, Magic [12] +10, Horror Factor +3.

Nightbane Abilities:

Change to Nightbane Form: Takes one full melee round (Save vs M.E. [12+] to transform in one attack)

Supernatural Senses: Night vision (Facade, 200 feet / 61 meters; Nightbane, 500 feet / 152 meters) / Sense Other Nightbane (300 feet / 91.4 meters with an additional 30 feet / 9.1 meters per level)

Regeneration: 10 S.D.C./ Hit Points each melee round.

Mirror Walk: Cross into Nightlands. Costs 2 P.P.E., takes one round.

Immunities: Immune to all forms of mind control and transformation

Nightbane Characteristics: Monstrous Lycanthrope:

Avian: Black Crow Wings: Slightly ragged black wings (+2D6 S.D.C. / +1 PB / Fly: 1D4x10)

Avian: Feathered Hair (Head only): Head appears to be covered with hair made from feathers. (+2D6 S.D.C./+1 HF)

Stigmata: Broken Glass: Where her joints are, she has ragged broken glass pointing out. This includes the knuckles of her fists (+3D6 S.D.C. /+1D4 HF / +1D6 to punch and 2D6 body slam damage)

Alien: Living Tattoos: On her left breast is a tattoo of a raven / crew. In Nightbane form, the tattoo seems to be alive. (1D6 HF)

Nightbane Talents: P.P.E.: 171 (Gains 3D6 per level)

First Level Talent: Swam Self (Free) [10 P.P.E. per 2 minutes]

Purchased Talents: Darksong (7) [Stun attack / 5 P.P.E. + 3 for -1 Penalty], Shadow Blast (5) [500 feet / 1D4/1 P.P.E. - 4 P.P.E. per level], Shadow Shield (7) [30 min/level 20 S.D.C./2 PPE.- 4 P.P.E. level]

R.C.C. Skills: Domestic: Dance (+10%) 40%, Science: Mathematics - Basic (+10%) 55%, Technical: Computer Operations (+10%) 50%, Language: English (+20%) 70%, Literacy: English (+20%) 50%, Lore: Demon & Monster (+10%) 45%,

R.C.C. Related Skills: Domestic: Singing (+10%) 45%, Mechanical: Automotive Mechanics (+5%) 30%, Medical: Paramedic 40%, Physical: Gymnastics (See Below), Rogue: Concealment 20%, Palming 20%, Pick Pockets 30%, Streetwise 20%, Technical: Lore: Nightbane 30%, Lore: Nightlands 25%.

Secondary Skills: Physical: Hand to Hand: Basic, Athletics - General, Boxing, Pilot: Pilot Automobile 60%, Technical: Lore: Vampire 30%, W.P.; Modern: Automatic Pistol (+3 Aimed/+1 burst)

Skills From Gymnastics: Sense of Balance 50%, Work parallel bars & rings 60%, Climb Rope 70%, Climbing 25%, Back Flip 70%, Prowl 30%

Appearance:

One might say that in her Facade form that Karla is relatively typical. Attractive but far from being a super model. Relatively muscular although does not have the built of a body builder. She has a nice figure otherwise with good sized breasts and hips. While a little on the short side, she is not incredibly short at around five foot three inches. She has moderately dark skin for a Hispanic. She has brown eyes. As far as maybe, she does usually wear more or less earthy or natural tones. Above her left breast is a tattoo of a raven. Normally dresses in jeans with a short cropped scoop neck t-shirt which reveals a lot of cleavage. While a little embarrassed about getting the raven tattoo, she often dresses so that it can be seen.

In Nightbane Form, the most visible and obvious feature is a pair of huge black wings. The wings are slightly ragged and missing a few feathers. Mimicking this, her hair also transforms from normal hair to being covered by feathers. Completing this image, the tatoo of the black crow on her left breast becomes animated. When she is angered, the tattoo will hiss and squawk outwards. On her body, there are shards of broken glass sticking out. In most cases, these pieces of broken glass are sticking from her joints. This includes out of her knuckles. When she punches, these shards act much like spiked gloves might. Otherwise, her facial features remain essentially the same. It is however covered with what appears to be painted as a pantomime mask, white faced with black surrounding the eyes and black tear streaks going down to her chin. Her lips are a bright red gloss. She is a bit heavier in Nightbane form due to her wings but is around the same height, making her relatively short for a Nightbane.

Weapons, Magical:

Glock 29 10 mm Automatic Pistol: Weight: 1.5 lbs (0.70 kg) empty

Weapon is enchanted with the spell of “Enchant Weapon” permanently enchanted and inflict double damage to supernatural creatures. It is a striker fire semi automatic sidearm made by Glock. Weapon from a downed / dead police officer killed by Night Hounds. Usually kept in the butt area of her jeans. The pistol uses 10 mm Rounds. It has a 12 shot magazine. She has 4 magazines of Hollow Points which she normally carries for the pistol. Has one magazine of silver hollow points for pistol. Caliber: 10 mm (5D6 / 5D6+10 for Hollow Points) - inflicts double damage against supernatural. Range: 165 ft (50 m) Payload: 12+1 shots.

Other Equipment:

Properties: None (Usually rents a cheap hotel room)

Vehicles: 1998 Silver Toyota Corolla

Clothing: Blue Jeans, cut-off shorts, T-Shirts (mostly scoop neck), sneakers, and some skirts.

Other Items: Makeup and feminine items, comb and brush, medical kit, backpack, purse, old laptop computer (about 5 years old), mp3 player, cell phone.

Valuables & Properties: 1,200 dollars, minor pieces of jewelry (bracelet, necklace, rings, and earrings)

Murder of Crow’s History:

As with all Nightbane, I have no idea who my father or mother are. Don’t know if I actually have a father and mother. Have spoken to other Nightbanes and even though who had much better childhoods that I had were all adopted.

When I was old enough to understand, I was told that I was found on the doorsteps of an orphanage in San Antonio as a baby. I appeared to be only a few days old. Officially, I think that it is considered most likely that my parents were illegal aliens. Fortunately or unfortunately, the authorities cannot simply ship babies back across the border because they look Mexican. The orphanage gave me the name of Karla Cruz.

My earliest memories or of being bounced around between orphanages and foster homes. Nobody ever seemed interested in adopting me. If I had been a pretty Caucasian baby, I think I would have been adopted easily. Mexican babies are just considered too common and don’t always get adopted. I have often joked that if I had been a stray dog, I would have been put to sleep.

The orphanages ranged anywhere from alright to horrible. Some of the workers genuinely cared although even they had little time to care for their charges. In Texas, such places are chronically understaffed. Foster care was similar. Some of the foster parents tried their best while others just considered the children to be extra money for them.

The children were not much better. Being in such a system makes one hard. A few genuinely tried to be my friends. Others ignored in an effort to just survive themselves. Too many though saw me as a potential victim, maybe to take out their own problems. Got beaten up many times and got robbed from just as many times.

One had to fight to survive and did learn to hold my own at a young age. Fighting though caused me to get kicked out of some of the better foster homes. When I got older, in my early teens, it even got me sent to juvenile hall. My records as a juvenile are marked with dozens if not hundreds of marks. I suspect that most of the councilor expected me to be in jail soon after turning eighteen.

As one might expect, getting into so many fights did not do much good with respect to my schooling. I was often put in class with the trouble makers, the ones the teachers did not expect to learn anything and only discipline. I always loved reading, maybe it was an escape. Learned how to work on cars a little bit, something few of the other girls showed any interest in. Somehow, I was always able to keep my grades above water and pass most of my classes.

Still, I think it came as some surprise to my teachers that I was able to graduate. Almost none of the other kids in similar straights were able to make it that far. Many of the girls ended up pregnant and dropping out. As one might expect, Texas is horrid in their sex education. Nightbane though, to the best of my knowledge, cannot have children. Wishfully, I have often wondered if I had been adopted by a good family, if I would have been able to go to collage.

Out of school was both harder and easier. One problem was that even though I know few words of Spanish, I was treated often as an illegal immigrant. Thought about joining the military but never did. Otherwise, did most anything I could do to survive. Worked fast food, waitressing, janitorial, and even temporary jobs. Never whored myself out but did work for a time as an exotic dancer and stripper. Not being unattractive, it did pay better than many other jobs although ended up having to dissuade many men from extra liberties.

Not to say that I never did anything stupid. One dumb day while drunk, I got a tattoo of a raven on my left breast. Always avoided drugs beyond a little bit of pot otherwise. Was smart enough to never join a gang either although was offered a number of times.

Decided that I wanted to do something at least a little better and took paramedic classes. Was able to get a job with the city. With recent events, there were plenty of openings. Murder and violence had skyrocketed. Cannot say it was safe but still a much better job than any I had in the past although working as a stripper did pay better generally. Seemed to do alright as well with several coworkers suggesting that I work towards becoming a full fledged nurse.

Working as a paramedic made it feel like I was doing something useful. It was working as a paramedic that I learned what I was. It was suppose to be a routine call after dark. Partner and I jump from the ambulance to the scene. There were several cop cars with flashing lights blinding us. As a result, did not notice that there were no cops around. Only after jumping from the ambulance did we note that they were down on the ground.

Almost immediately, we were surrounded by black creatures from the shadows, six of them. Now, I know that they are creatures known as Night Hounds. Immensely strong compared to a normal human, one almost immediately decapitated my partner with a long spear like weapon. My partner had been one of my few friends and had been cut down almost instantly.

Next it was my turn. Tried to run but could not run fast enough. One and then several of them stabbed me with those black spear weapons they were armed with. One of the blows threw me into the window of an abandoned store, the window shattering as I hit it. Felt the pain of glass deeply imbedding itself in my skin.

Lying inside the abandoned store, something happened. Found myself transforming with crow wings growing from my back. As well, the broken glass remained stuck to my flesh, becoming part of me. While I did not know it at the time, my hair turned into feathers as well. There were some other changes that I did not know about at the time and I only learned about later.

That was when I first became a Nightbane. I think it might have been my fastest transformation as well I was still badly hurt but able to move, not just bleed out the last of my life blood. Could feel myself healing quickly. Still, there were several of these creatures stepping through the shattered window to finish me off. No way I could fight them all.

There was various abilities I felt I had instinctively. One was that I could shatter myself into multiple crows, several dozen. As the first spear came down, I became almost a cloud of crows. Flew off in all directions in order to escape. Some tried to slash at the swarm but were only able to get a couple of birds. The rest were able to escape.

Reforming on a close rooftop, I watched the creatures. Noticing my reflection in a pane of glass, looked towards it. The taboo was moving as if it was alive. In addition, my face was covered in what looked like a pantomime makeup with black tears running down to my chin and bright red lips. If my appearance was inspired by a recent movie, I don’t know.

Suddenly, I heard movement behind me. Turning quickly in surprise, I prepared to fight. There was a figure behind me. First thing I noticed was that his head was red skull with glowing white eyes. After a few moments, I noticed he had what appeared to be thorns growing around himself as well. Even so, his appearance did not really frighten me. There was something, a feeling of kinship. Never felt it with anything before. It was like we were the same.

He cleared his non existent throat. As if forestalling an accusation, he quickly explained that there were simply too many of the hounds for him to fight on his own. The best he could do is watch them. The human cops and then the ambulance crew had each in turn been caught. He said that even when he sensed another Nightbane there was little he could do. Was extremely relieved when he saw that I escaped and used what he called a dark doorway to travel to where he saw me reform. Mentioned that I was pretty lucky that there were no Hunters sent after me.

He could see I was pretty confused. After a few questions, he found out that I did not know anything about what I was and what was going in. Seemed quite surprised at first because the ability to splint into a swarm is quite rare among those who first come into the powers. Told be about the Nightbane, the Nightlords, and the other evil creatures we fight.

Found out a bit later that he himself was a Nightbane Sorcerer and that he was also something of a scholar. Not really an ‘Old’ Nightbane, told me of those who are hundreds, maybe even thousands, of years old. He himself had only become a Nightbane about a dozen years prior. His tone struck me as a scholar, like one of the ivory tower intellectuals. Still, he was cool enough.

Life had changed quite a bit. Could not go home. I was luckier in that respect than many. Unlike many, I had lived on the streets before. The police were heavily controlled by the minions of the Nightlords so they were not an option. Those not yet under the sway of the minions of the Dark were often sent into these traps. In many cases, they were replaced by minions of the Nightlords.

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Image drawn and copyrighted by Dee Razzy.

More Dee Razzy artwork at DeviantArt.

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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