Paige Franklin:

Name: Paige.

True Name: Paige Franklin.

Alignment: Unprincipled (Good / Selfish).

Hit Points: 28. S.D.C.: 75.

Attributes: I.Q.: 17 (+3%/+1), M.E.: 13, M.A.: 11, P.S.: 19 (+3), P.P.: 24 (+5), P.E.: 22 (+14%/+4), P.B.: 18 (40%), SPD: 26.

Weight: 108 lbs (50 kg). Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.7 meters).

Age: 19 years. Race: Human. Sex: Female. P.P.E.: 10.

Disposition:

While young, there is a sense of seriousness about her. Takes her job as a soldier seriously unlike some mercenaries and is willing to do above and beyond what her actual duties are. She is watchful and protective of her other teammates although cannot quite be considered a mother hen type. With a bit more seasoning, may make an excellent leader.

While trained as a special forces trooper, she thinks as much like an engineer as a soldier. Looks to design and tinker, often trying to come up with interesting solutions to problems. Loves to also stretch what is possible to do with design. Still, she likes to work smarter not harder whenever she possibly can.

Paige loves to learn in general. She is unusual in that she is also something of a student of military history. She might be more of one except the fact that pre-rifts materials on military history are somewhat rare. Still, she has attempted to get whatever she can lay her hands on and read them.

After her issues with the Coalition and the destruction of her home, of course Paige would have issues with the Coalition. Sees them as a dangerous menace who threaten those around. Even individuals who are former Coalition are looked at harshly by her. Given enough time, she might be able to warm to them and can work with them, especially important since a significant percentage of mercenaries are former Coalition soldiers.

There were a number of non humans in the area where she grew up so she has had plenty of experience with them. Nothing in her experience has let her to have any real distrust for them. She seems them as people, some good and some bad. Of course she knows that certain creatures can be extremely dangerous and some have the evil reputations that they deserve.

O.C.C.: Special Forces. Level: First (1).

Combat Skill: Hand to Hand; Expert and Boxing.

Attacks per Melee: Five (5).

Bonuses, Combat: Critical Strike: Natural 20, Knock Out: Natural 20. Bonuses: Damage: +3, Strike: +5, Parry: +8, Dodge: +9, Roll (With Punch / Fall / Impact): +4, Pull Punch: +2, Initiative: +8.

Power Armor Combat, Elite - T-21 Terrain Hopper: Attacks per Melee: Seven (7). Bonuses: Strike: +2 (+7), Parry: +2 (+10), Dodge: +2 / +5 (+11 / +14 flying), Roll (with punch, fall, or impact): +3 (+7), Pull Punch: +0 (+2), Initiative: +8.

Does not include additional bonuses from power armor.

Power Armor Combat, Basic: Attacks per Melee: Six (6). Bonuses: Strike: +1 (+6), Parry: +1 (+9), Dodge: +1 / +3 (+10 / +12), Roll (with punch, fall, or impact): +2 (+6), Pull Punch: +0 (+2), Initiative: +8.

Saving Throws: Lethal Poison [14] +4, Non-Lethal Poison [16] +4, Harmful Drugs [15] +4, Insanity [12] +0, Psionics [12] +0, Magic [12/16] +4, and Horror Factor [Varies] +0.

Special Abilities / Bonuses:

Defined Talent: She has +20% to Mechanical Engineer and Robot Mechanics.

Excellent Memory: +5% to Electrical Engineer, Robot Electronics, Weapon Engineer, Pilot Robots / Power Armor, and Navigation.

O.C.C. Special Abilities / Bonuses:

+2 to Initiative.

+2 to Roll (with Punch, Fall, & Impact.)

+2 to Pull Punch.

Psionics (Minor): 21 I.S.P. +1D6 I.S.P. per level of experience.

Sensitive: Sixth Sense (2), Total Recall (2).

Paige’s Cybernetics:

Universal Headjack & Ear Implant: Has a special connector / jack built into the skull at the base of the head.

Special Features:

Special Augmentation: Built in long range wide band radio transmitter / receiver - can transmit a whisper and voices of other people up to 6 feet (1.8m) away. Has a range of 20 miles (32 km) and with an additional antenna range is increased to 100 miles (160 km).

Amplified Hearing: Sound amplifiers give ability to hear almost inaudible sounds and recognize specific sounds and voices at 35%+5% per lvl. Also gives +1 to parry, +2 to dodge, and +6 to initiative.

Ultra-Ear: Can hear into the ultrasonic ranges. Can hear sound that cannot normally be heard. Ability can be turned on or off at will.

Sound Filtration System: Protects ears from potentially damaging sounds by filtering or blocking the sound.

Optic Nerve Implant: Connects head jack to optic nerve implant. Gives ability to see video transmissions.

Cybernetic Gun-Link: Link between gun and user’s vision. Specially modified weapons required for system. Sensors in weapon determine exactly where aimed. Data transmitted via hookup in the palm and displayed in field of vision as dot or small crosshair. Also displays how many rounds / blasts remain in weapon magazine and able to mentally issue commands to eject magazine from weapon. Bonuses: +3 to strike on aimed shots and +2 to strike on bursts.

Lung Toxic Filter: Lung implant designed to filter out most toxic gases before they get to the lungs. It has an 80% chance to work against nerve gases and toxic gases.

Molecular Analyzer: Sensor used for testing and analyzing impurities in the air. Transmits to an ear implant.

Biocomp Self-monitoring system: Gives medical information on the person implanted in - pulse, blood pressure, body temperature, blood sugar, respiratory rate, trouble breathing, and presence of foreign elements in blood (including poisons and drugs).

O. C. C. Skills: Communication: Radio; Basic (+10%) 58%, Espionage: Intelligence (+15%) 50%, Physical: Hand to Hand; Expert, Running, Pilot: Pilot Robots and Power Armors 64%, Robot Combat (Elite - Terrain Hopper), Robot Combat (Basic), Pilot Tanks and APCs (+10%) 49%, Pilot Related: Read Sensory Instruments (+10%) 43%, Weapon Systems (+15%) 58%, Technical: Computer Operation (+5%) 48%, Languages: American [Native] 98%, Literacy: American (+10%) 43%, W.P.; Modern: W.P. Energy Pistol (+3 aimed/+1 burst), W.P. Energy Rifle (+3 aimed/+1 burst).

O. C. C. Related Skills: Espionage: Tracking (+10%) 38%, Wilderness Survival (+10%) 43%, Mechanical: Mechanical Engineer (+10%) 58%, Robot Mechanics (+10%) 53%, Weapon Engineer (+10%) 43%, Physical: Acrobatics, Pilot Related: Navigation (+5%) 53%, Rogue: Streetwise (+8%) 31%, Science: Mathematics - Basic (+10%) 58%, Technical: Computer Programming (+5%) 38%, Languages: Techno-Can (+5%) 58%, Literacy: Techno-Can (+5%) 38%

Secondary Skills: Electrical: Electrical Engineer 38%, Robot Electronics 38%, Physical: Boxing, Gymnastics, W.P.; Modern: W.P. Automatic Rifle (+3 aimed/+1 burst) W.P. Paired: Energy Pistols.

Skills From Acrobatics & Gymnastics: Sense of Balance 63%, Work Parallel Bars and Rings 63%, Climb Rope 83%, Climbing 50%, Back Flip 73%, Prowl 38%.

Appearance:

Paige is only slightly taller than average compared to most women but is extremely slender and lithe. She is around five feet seven inches in height and she weigh just under 110 pounds. Even though she is extremely slender, she is still quite feminine in her appearance and is definitely not flat chested. Her skin tone is fairly pale and she looks like she might be of Irish descent mixed with several other ethnic groups. She has brown hair which is almost red in color which she usually wears straight. She keeps her hair of a more or less moderate length and he hair is usually cut to hang just a bit below her shoulders. She has big brown eyes which show an element of curiosity and she darkens her eyes just a bit. Her eyebrows are more or less natural in style and she wears little actual makeup preferring a peach color over red on her lips. Her nose is slender and she has a slightly pointed slim. All in all, she is very attractive yet has character about her.

While she can dress feminine when she wishes, she most often dresses up more like a tomboy than anything else. She often dresses in jeans with high boots over her jeans. She also usually wears a leather jacket although she will often wear a soft and feminine chemise under her jacket.

Weapons, Normal:

Melee:

Survival Knife: Damage: 1D6 S.D.C. + Strength Bonus. Weight: 1 lbs (.5 kg).

Part of NG-S2 Survival

Hand Axe: Damage: 1D8 S.D.C. + Strength Bonus. Weight: 2 lbs (.9 kg).

Part of NG-S2 Survival Kit.

Pistols:

Two (2) NG-45LP “Long Pistols”: Weight: 5 lbs (2.25 kg) each.

Particle beam pistol. Mega-Damage: 5D6. Rate of Fire: Single blast. Effective Range: 1,200 feet (365 m). Payload: 8 blasts.

Wilk’s-Remi 104 Derringer: Weight: 10 ounces (.27 kg) each.

Derringer is designed to be able to be plugged into a standard E-Clip recharger. Concealed in her boot. Mega-Damage: 2D4. Rate of Fire: Two simultaneous blasts. Effective Range: 300 feet (91.5 m). Payload: 4 blasts.

Rifles:

MI-PP-S-M-15 Pump Pistol Cartridge Rifle: Weight: 15.5 lbs (7.03 kg).

Large automatic rifle that uses same cartridges as the TX-5 Pump Pistol but instead uses similar action to the pre-Rifts American AR-15 / M-16 rifle. Magazine fits in front of trigger and can use same magazine as pump pistol cartridge automatic pistol although larger magazines are also available. Uses composites / lightweight alloys to reduce weapon’s weight compared to Triax pump cartridge rifle. Rail in front of frame fits a variety of accessories including laser targeting systems and lights. Sights can be fitted on a top rail and weapon is available with a collapsible stock. Recoil suppressor on barrel keeps it controllable. Mega-Damage: 4D6 and 1D6x10 for three round burst. Rate of Fire: Single shot, three round burst, and extended bursts. Maximum Effective Range: 2,000 ft (610 m). Payload: Uses 5, 10, 12, 16, and 20 round magazines. She normally carries 6 20 round magazines.

Heavy & Other:

Three (3) Plasma Hand Grenades:

Mega Damage: 5D6 effects a 12 ft (3.6 m) area. Range: 120 ft (40 m).

Three (3) Triax Stun/Flash Grenades:

Damage: Loud Boom and Sparks, -8 to strike, parry, and dodge, -1 to initiative, loose one attack for 1D4 melees for people not in body armor or tinted goggles. Those in armor are distracted for 1D4 seconds and loose initiative. Range: 100 ft (30.5 m).

Ammunition (Used by Multiple weapons): 12 Short E-Clips.

*All Ranged weapons are modified to use cybernetic gun link.

Armor of Note:

Light Body Suit: M.D.C. (Main Body): 30. Weight: 4 lbs (2 kg). Penalties: No Prowl Penalty.

It can be concealed under clothing. Full body suit copy of Altarain Warrior Woman armor.

T-42 Commando Armor: M.D.C. (Main Body): 70. Weight: 12 lbs (5.4 kg). Penalties: No Prowl Penalty.

Equipment, Normal:

Vehicles:

“Iron Maiden” modified T-C20 Terrain Hopper Light Power Armor:

See writeup for full details on the armor.

Clothing: Jeans, leather gloves, leather jackets, chemises, coveralls, mercenary company uniforms, camouflage fatigues (forest / grey camouflage), camouflage t-shirts (forest / grey camouflage), high leather boots, combat boots.

Other Equipment: Makeup and feminine items, comb and brush, Triax LHP-1000 computer, hand cuffs, air filter and gas mask, RMK robot medical kit, IRMSS Internal robot medical surgeon system, NG-S2 Basic Survival Pack (Two person tent, sleeping bag, flashlight with pocket knife, compass, short range radio, mini first aid kit, hunting & fishing kit, saw-wires (3), fire starter, wooden cross, 4 signal flares, 30 ft climbing cord, climbing gloves, 4 ceramic spikes, small mallet, soap, canteen, 5 weeks food rations), 50 of climbing and grappling hook.

Valuables: 4,000 Credits and 6,000 credits of black market items (mostly recordings and books on military history).

Character Background:

War is hell, there is no other way to put it. The problem is that sometimes your only choice is between being a victim and being a fighter. Since the beginning of hostilities between the Coalition and the city of Tolkeen, many areas which were once considered safe became war zones.

Paige was raised on a farming community which was to the south east of Tolkeen. Multiple families made up the farm community including Paige’s parents, Her father was a retired mercenary that had gotten a bit older and decided it was time to get off the battlefield before it killed him. Even so, he was the leader of the militia for the community.

The population of the farming community included both humans and other races living in relative harmony. Of considerable size, the farming community was almost a small town by itself. Due to forward thinking of the leadership, the community was well defended against bandits and even minor attacks by lesser supernatural creatures.

Unfortunately, the Coalition decided that the relatively heavy fortifications around the farming community meant that it was more than just a farm but instead a base of operation for the forces of the city of Tolkeen. Actually completely independent, the farming community was also just outside of the distance normally protected by the city of Tolkeen.

A large assault force comprising of several Enforcers and a couple of dozen SAMAS power armors were sent against the farming community and the defenses simply were never built to not withstand such a massive an assault. Of course the defenders did the best they could but in the end the farming community was razed to the ground. In addition, virtually the entire population was killed.

Paige was fourteen at the time and she was among a handful of survivors, mostly children who had hidden in deep shelters. Both of her parents were killed in the assault, her father during the initial battle and her mother during the aftermath of the initial assault.

After hearing about the attack, a group of cyber knights responded to the location in an attempt to stop the assault. However, they were far too late and the Coalition forces had been long gone by the time they reached the location. They found a handful of survivors wandering around what was little more than ruins.

While attempts were made to find any extended families that the surviving children might have, there were few that the knights could find. Paige was one of the exceptions. Her father had a cousin who had started a manufacturer of weapons, vehicles, and power armors known as Metalworks Incorporated in the southern part of what had once been South Dakota.

She was brought to her cousin, who went by the name of Ratchet, by one of the cyber knights. When Ratchet found out what happened, he was furious. There was little he could do by this stage and took the young girl in and raised her. Never quite treated her as a daughter but more as a younger sister. His wife, who goes by the name of Vixen and is the commanding officer of the mercenary company “Vixen’s Pride”, also always treated the young girl like family.

Paige was extremely bright and Ratchet and Vixen always encouraged her to learn. They could see even then that she had the potential to be more gifted than either one of them. She proved to be a natural with being a mechanic. Under Ratchet’s expert tutelage, he was able to hone her skills even more, not just how to repair equipment but to modify designs.

Neither Ratchet or Vixen wanted their ward to be ignorant of combat and decide to train her in the use of weapons and combat vehicles. They worked diligently to give her more structured military training than either one had ever received. In part it was structured like the military officer training given by the Coalition. A similar program is offered by Northern Gun for special forces personnel.

As with her mechanical skills, Paige should herself to be a quick learner in military matters and quite adept at piloting power armors. She was especially fond of the Triax T-21 Terrain Hooper. This includes the various designs which are derived from the armor as well. She loved the combination of the power armor’s lightweight design and its extreme mobility.

In addition to the nuts and bolt of her interests, she enjoys reading military history for the sake of learning. Has tried to get all of the books and other sources she can on the subject. Of course, sources from before the coming of the Rifts are limited but still she continues looking for more old resources. Still, this has allowed her to understand strategy and tactics far better than most.

Often Metalworks Incorporated gets interesting items for trade. One of these was a badly damaged T-C20 Terrain Hopper. This was prior to the company starting to produce their own LPA-20 “Ferret” light power armor based on the Terrain Hopper. While mostly identical to the original Terrain Hopper, the T-C20 is heavier armored and armed than the standard model and generally is a military only model and not usually available in North America. It is unknown how the mercenary got possession of the power armor but he sold it for the scrap value of the armor.

A second item of interest was also sold by another adventurer, also damaged. This was a very powerful anti-tank laser known as the ATL-7 although it uses an entire energy magazine every time it is fired. It only had relatively minor damage although was not operational which allowed Metalworks to acquire the weapon cheaply. Evidence indicates that the powerful weapon came from somewhere in South America. Ratchet carefully studied the laser after repairing it although is not sure if he will mass produce it yet.

Paige asked her guardians, especially Ratchet, if she could have the power armor to attempt to rebuild it and at the same time asked about the heavy anti-tank laser. Made it a project to restore the power armor to full operational status. At the same time, she looked at how she might mount the anti-tank laser on the power armor. Ratchet would periodically help her with the design although the vast majority of the work was hers.

Eventually she modified the shoulder so that the anti-tank laser could be mounted in a similar fashion to the heavy rail gun on the Triax version of the Glitter Boy. There was a power armor in some pre-Rifts comic books. She decided to style the helmet of her refitted armor along with some other minor stylistic changes to make it look more like the armor from the comic. Still, the origins as a Terrain Hopper are clear.

One looks at the design and it appears as if the later Ferret power armor was based on her rebuilt armor although without some of the most major upgrades and her stylistic changes. Of these, the most important is that the pulse laser carried on the Ferret is far less powerful than the anti-tank laser mounted on her armor. There is evidence that Paige helped to develop the Ferret and she was also later one of the test pilots for it.

The mercenary company Vixen’s Pride does operate a large number of Terrain Hoppers. In time, it is likely that they will be replaced by the Ferret light power armor. Still, Paige wanted to gain experience independently and also did not want the issue of favoritism to come up as it might if she joined Vixen’s Pride permanently. Instead she decided it would be best if she went independent. In addition, after hearing the stories told by Vixen and Ratchet, it sounded interesting going off as an independent.

Since starting adventuring, she has had some encounters with one being with a larger group of Gargoyles. While the others she was traveling with were at a loss for what to do, she was able to engage them almost singlehandedly and deal with most of them. Her power armor’s superior agility and powerful long range weaponry gave her a decided advantage.

[ Altarain TM, Bandito Arms TM, Brodkil TM, Chipwell Armaments TM, Coalition States TM, Cyber-Knight TM, Federation of Magic TM, Free Quebec TM, Golden Age Weaponsmiths TM, Horune TM, Iron Heart Armaments TM, Kankoran TM, Kittani TM, Kydian TM, Larsen’s Brigade TM, M.D.C. TM, Mechanoids TM, Mega-Damage TM, Megaversal Legion TM, Millennium Tree TM, Mutants in Orbit TM, Naruni Enterprises TM, Naut’Yll, New Navy TM, New Sovietskiy TM, NGR TM, Nog Heng TM, Northern Gun TM, Phase World TM, Psyscape TM, Rifter TM, SAMAS TM, S.D.C. TM, Shemarrian TM, Splugorth TM, Stormspire TM, Sunaj TM, Tolkeen TM, Triax TM, Wellington Industries TM, Wilk’s Laser Technologies TM, Xiticix TM, and Zaayr TM are trademarks owned by Kevin Siembieda and Palladium Books Inc. ]

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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