Peter Leland is Marty Tabard’s “home” boss—and one of a handful of ensouled individuals in Battling Business World. He came up from Atlanta to make his fortune in New York City. Leland assimilated well, even to the point of learning to mimic the local accent, and is now a respected player in corporate raiding.
Leland is honest about his background except for one detail: his Atlanta was in Core Earth. The Leland family had been wealthy for the past century, but was best known for breeding opossums when they were trendy pets. The breedery became a tradition after the trend subsided. Because of it, a young Peter Leland caught on to certain things about Core society. The opossums ate, played, and mated without computers hanging over their every move. Sometimes they even fought with each other and got hurt. They seemed to be no worse for it. Why, then, did the computers always put up a forcefield and suggest therapy when Leland tried to hit people who teased him about the family hobby? It was ridiculous and boring!
Soon after Leland turned 40 (physically 20), he saw an advertisement on his smartclothes communicator. An Opener was looking for a companion who could handle animals. Leland knew what he needed to do. Gathering up Sadie, the pride of the Leland breedery, and some sensible supplies, he signed up for the expedition. Thankfully, the lovely female Opener accepted the handsome young man’s application. He was getting away from the computers and their safety concerns.
Traveling the Manifold took some adaptation. Leland found the freedom exhilarating, though, and he soon abandoned any desire to go home. He and his Opener even fell in love. They delved deeper and deeper into the Manifold, traveling to stranger realms all the time. Eventually they arrived in an off-kilter version of twenty-first century New York City. Laptops and vending machines walked the streets and violence was a regular occurrence.
Leland just wanted to get a drink at the Empire State Building. The guy next to him wouldn’t stop droning about accounts receivable, though, and the boredom was too much to stand. Using the strange martial arts he’d learned in one of the anime realms, Leland tossed him out the window. The accountant fell countless stories. Worried about what he’d done, Leland rushed to the now-broken window. He saw his “victim” peeling himself out of a crater in the sidewalk! And what was the response of his coworker, who’d let Leland do it?
“Oh, I’ve wanted to throw Mitch out the window all week! Here, have a drink on me!”
That settled it. Here, Leland had absolute freedom to correct those who annoyed him, including the pugnacious laptops. He had found his new home. His Opener friend didn’t want to stick around; she thought Battling Business World was silly. (Granted, she was correct.) After several heated arguments, she broke up with him and left the realm, telling him he could find his own way out. Leland took it in stride. He simply bought some gray hair dye to resemble the local “distinguished CEO” stereotype. Then he began planning what would become Amarant Solutions.
+1 ECL “Race”: Cartoonified (Toon) “Pureblood” Human (58 CP)
Fast Learner/Specialized in Skills: +2 SP/Level (6 CP).
+4 Intelligence (Normally 24 CP, reduced to 12 CP by world laws).
+2 to any one attribute (normally 12 CP, reduced to 6 CP by world laws).
Immunity/Aging (can expect to live almost indefinitely, uncommon / minor / major, 3 CP).
Grant of Aid: May heal 1d8+5 damage OR 1d3 points of attribute damage OR one negative level once per three levels per day or part thereof, 6 CP), with both Regenerative options (6 CP) and +8 Bonus Uses (12 CP). In core, this requires several hours per use unless the user spends a magic point.
Extraordinary Returning (Specialized, Requires being “animated” with standard cel-based or 3D animation tools) (3 CP). Most toons are unaware that they have this ability. (Leland is not most toons.) They have trouble thinking of themselves as creations. It would take a “mundane” friend thinking, “Hmm, that guy was a lot like a cartoon character. I wonder what happens if we base a cartoon on him?” for anyone to discover it.
Innate Enchantment: All spells Personal Only: Rubber Fall (resembles Feather Fall, but you have to peel yourself off the ground, 1400 GP), Regenerate Light Wounds (1/Round, up to 20 points/level/day maximum, 1400 GP), Cure Light Wounds (1d8+1 1/level/day as needed, 1400 GP), Immortal Vigor I (+12 + 2x Con Mod HP, 1400 GP), and Void Sheathe (may store a single weapon in “nowhere” and pull it out as needed, half cost due to single weapon restriction, 350 GP). 5950 GP total, 7 CP.
Template Disadvantages: Insane (most toons are blasé, even bored, in even the most dangerous and deadly situations, -3 CP).
Leland has this template instead of the Pureblooded Human one because he took a strong liking to Battling Business World. Adopting the local template is not unheard of in the Manifold.
Identifying Characteristics: 6’2”, 160 lbs, 120 years old (Core equivalent 36, physical appearance 54 years), cropped silver hair and beard (actually brown), blue eyes, fair skin; sharp, pinched appearance.
Basic Appearance: Leland is wiry and lean, with the hyperalert, slightly paranoid, demeanor of an experienced Battling Business World CEO.
Personality: Leland is calm, seasoned, and collected—even somewhat jaded. He’s lived in Battling Business World long enough that he couldn’t even imagine returning to Core, and he enjoys seeing just how much eccentricity he can push past the locals’ radar (a lot). His most obvious eccentricity is an obsession with possums. Other than that, his defining characteristic is his his love for the (phantasm) family every CEO seems to have.
Available Character Points:
Compulsive (promotion of possums), Hunted (vengeful raidee CEOs and ambitious raid champions), Obligations (devoted family man), Duties (corporate CEO, +2 CP/Level), and +30 CP for L1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 feats. Total 312 CP L12 Base + 64 CP (feats, Duties, and Disadvantages) = 376.
Basics (98 CP)`
Attributes: Strength 15/+2 (DR 2/-), Dexterity 16/+3, Constitution 13/+1 (1 magic point), Intelligence 18/+4, Wisdom 13/+1, Charisma 18/+4 (+3 from level-based attribute bonuses, two free contacts). Rolled Attributes: 15, 16, 14, 15, 11, 13.
Saves: Fortitude +4 (12 CP) + 1 (Con) = +5, Reflex +6 (18 CP) + 3 (Dex) = +9, Will +8 (24 CP) + 1 (Wis) = +9.
Hit Dice: L1-10: d8x10 (40 CP), L11-12: d6x2 (4 CP). HP 52 + 12 (Con Mod) + 14 (Magic) = 78 HP, 64 in Core and nearby realms.
Free Languages: English (Native), French, Japanese, Latin, and Spanish.
Combat Information (71 CP):
Proficiencies: All Simple Weapons, Economics, and Pistols (11 CP, -6 from Dex = 5 CP).
Move: 30 ft.
Initiative: +7
BAB: +11 (66 CP)
Armor Class: 10 (Base) + 2 (Dex) + 4 (Cha) + 1 (Wis, per world laws) + 2 (dodge bonus) + 4 (Wind Dance Defenses) = 23.
Usual Weapons:
Unarmed strike (+17 melee or +17/+12/+7 melee, 1d10+6 bludgeoning, 20/x2)
Usual Gadgets: As a raider who eschews weapons, Leland usually carries nothing but his cell phone, Bluetooth earpiece, and pager when on the job. He adds a laptop computer for peaceful business situations and a slugthrower pistol (identical to Marty’s) when going somewhere dangerous. If Sadie is with him, Leland also carries possum food and a harness. Most of his remaining Gadgets ranks are in toys that appeal to the wealthy. His smartclothes are stowed in a secure safe. Using them wouldn’t be fair. Besides, he kind of enjoys the feel of a solid punch.
Purchased Abilities (179 CP):
Acrobatics (Light Foot) (9 CP): Corrupted, Requires an Acrobatics roll.
Augmented Bonus (6 CP): May add Cha Mod to Str Mod for purposes of melee combat.
Augmented Bonus (6 CP): May add Cha Mod to Dex Mod for purposes of determining AC.
Block (Melee) (6 CP): Capable of negating up to 60 damage with a DC 20 Reflex save by sacrificing an attack of opportunity.
Contacts (6 CP): Several prominent business figures in Battling Business World.
Defender (6 CP): +2 dodge bonus to AC.
Fortune (Evasion) (6 CP): May avoid all damage on a successful Reflex save.
Executive (CEO, Tactician) (18 CP): Capable of providing bonuses for up to 20 people, granting a +6 bonus for noncombat tasks and a +3 to attack rolls and damage in combat.
Immunity (Attacks of Opportunity from movement, Common/Minor Effect/Major Resistance) (6 CP)
Improved Initiative (6 CP): +4 to initiative.
Leadership (Strength in Numbers, Horde, Born Leader) (9 CP): Specialized, Must actually recruit followers. Leland’s followers consist of a command raiding team of four subordinate executives (one 7th-level , one 5th-level, and two 4th-level), six 2nd-level elite (i.e. no Untrained per-level point cost modifier) raiders, and numerous green corporate raiders and noncombatant office workers.
Martial Arts (12 CP): Inflicts 1d10 when unarmed, counts as an armed attacker.
Master of Blocking (6 CP): +4 Reflex, Specialized, applies only to Block rolls.
Reflex Training/Combat Reflexes Variant (6 CP): Gains an additional three attacks of opportunity.
Split Movement (6 CP): May move before and after making melee attacks.
Skill Points: 68 CP + 24 (Racial) + 60 (Int) = 152
Bonus Abilities (30 CP)
Awareness (Flankless; Specialized, Does not function against opponents 4 or more levels higher than the character) (9 CP)
Companion (6 CP): Sadie, Virginia opossum Animal Companion
Enhanced Strike (Crushing) (6 CP)
Reflex Training/Executive (6 CP): May take an immediate action at the beginning of his round to use Executive, allowing him to do other things.
+3 Skill Points (3 CP)
Broad Skills (All +4 Int, 104 SP):
Physical Skills (42 SP): Acrobatics (Dex) +18 (12 SP), Gadgets (Dex) +11 (5 SP), Stealth (Dex) +16 (10 SP), Wind Dance (Dex) +21 (15 SP)
Knowledge Skills (16 SP): Business (Int) +23 (14 SP), Computer Operation (Int) +9 (1 SP), Electronics Operation (Int) +9 (1 SP)
Perception Skills (all +1 Wis, 34 SP): Listen +14 (10 SP), Sense Motive +20 (15 SP), Spot +14 (9 SP)
Other Skills (12 SP): Identities (Cha) +12 (4 SP), Wealth/Core Earth (Cha) +14 (6 SP).
Leland may have up to 40 CP in an individual identity. His Battling Business World ID as a master CEO includes the following:
- Favors (10 CP) with other battling business figures.
- Privileges (9 CP): Battling business license and major wealth (enough to live outside New York City and commute by helicopter).
- Reputation (6 CP): Peter Leland is respected across Battling Business World as a corporate raider, a skilled unarmed combatant, and a possum fancier.
- “Work Smarter, Not Harder”/Action Hero (Influence Option) (6 CP): Allows the user to chop through the mayhem of Battling Business World to accomplish actual work-as long as action points are available!
- Narrow Skills (9 CP): Battling Business Regulations (Int) +14 (1 SP), Battling Business World Economics (Int) +18 (5 SP), Battling Business World New York City (Int) +14 (1 SP), Mimicry/Atlanta Accent (Cha) +14 (1 SP), Mimicry/ New York City Accent (Cha) +14 (1 SP)
Narrow Skills (All +4 Int, +5 Training, 47 SP):
Physical Skills (14 SP): Climb (Str) +12 (1 SP), Drive/Automobile (Dex) +13 (1 SP), Golf (Dex) +12 (1 SP), Jump (Str) +12 (1 SP), Tumble (Dex+synergy) +23 (10 SP)
Knowledge Skills (18 SP):Business Administration (Int) +23 (10 SP), Close Combat Tactics (Int) +18 (1 SP), Core Earth Atlanta (Int) +14 (1 SP), Corporate Raiding Strategy (Int) +18 (5 SP), Opossum Breeder (Int) +14 (1 SP)
Interaction Skills (15 SP): Bluff (Cha) +14 (1 SP), Diplomacy (Cha) +18 (5 SP), Disguise (Cha) +14 (1 SP), Etiquette/High Society (Cha) +14 (1 SP), Handle Animal/Opossums (Cha) +14 (1 SP), Intimidation (Cha) +15 (2 SP), Negotiation (Cha) +16 (3 SP), Public Speaking (Cha) +14 (1 SP)
Specialties (1 SP): Disguise/Looking Older +3 (1 SP)
Wind Dance (Dex)
Requires: Improved Unarmed Strike or equivalent point buy
Basic Techniques: Defenses 4, Power 1, Strike, Synergy (Tumble)
Advanced Techniques: Mind Like Moon, Instant Stand, Master Technique: Deflect Arrows, Master Technique: Whirlwind Strike
Occult Techniques: Healing Hand, Inner Strength, Light Foot, and Vanishing
Wind Dance Techniques Known: Defenses 4 (“Gale Force Redirection”), Power 1 (“Tornado Fist”), Synergy (Tumble), Instant Stand (“Breeze Catches the Leaf”), Mind Like Moon (“Calm in the Storm”), Whirlwind Strike (“Typhoon Fist”), Healing Hand, Inner Strength
Sadie, Opossum Animal Companion
Sadie is an ordinary Virginia opossum—well, as ordinary as an opossum can be in even Battling Business World’s Lower Manhattan. Leland has owned her since she was born. She regularly sits on his shoulder during raids. Well-trained enough to fight alongside her master, Sadie has served as a “flank buddy” for many of Amarant’s sneakier corporate raiders. Some raidees have challenged her presence. Leland usually replies, “The regulations don’t say anything about possums!” and sics Sadie on the challengers.
Attributes: Str 7 (-2), Dex 19 (+4), Con 13 (+1), Int 2 (-4), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 6 (-2).
Hit Dice: 8d8 + 8 (Con) = 39 HP.
BAB: +8
Armor Class: 10 + 4 (Dex) + 1 (Wis, per world laws) + 2 (size) + 8 (natural armor) = 25. Touch Armor Class 17, flat-footed Armor Class 20.
Initiative: +8
Saves: Fort +11 + 1 (Con) = +12, Ref +11 + 4 (Dex) = +15, Will +4 + 1 (Wis) = +5
Skills (18 CP)
Broad Skills (all +1 Wis): Listen +10 (6 SP), Spot +10 (6 SP)
Narrow Skills: Balance (Dex+racial) (0 SP), Bluff (Cha) ( SP), Climb (Dex+racial) +10 ( SP), Hide (Dex+size) +10 ( SP), Move Silently (Dex+size) ( SP)
Abilities (18 CP)
Fortune (Improved Evasion) (12 CP)
Improved Initiative (6 CP): +4 to Initiative.
Tricks
Sadie knows the attack, come, stay, and down tricks.
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