Once again, the week brings us round to Creative Characters, providing GMs and players with fresh and interesting characters ready to be dropped straight into your game. Over the last weeks, we’ve introduced an elite group of detectives and law enforcement officers to the Starfinder universe, the Particular Crimes Unit. Founded and led by the peerless Captain Wun, the PCU use intellect, not brawn, to solve their cases. Of course, this does mean they get all the really tricky cases.
Thus far, our core team has all faced similar design constraints; 7th level, mechanic levels, and the steward officer archetype. While these four officers are ideal pregen characters for a Starfinder police procedural, the remaining three (or is it three and a half) members of the PCU can provide GMs with readymade NPCs for such a game. As such, none of the remaining PCU members are 7th level and they won’t always follow the same design constraints, allowing GMs using the PCU as NPCs to aid or challenge their players over a wider range of levels.
The first of our final few in the PCU is Mu Ticker. Mu is the civilian contractor on the other end of the comms, providing the team intel and support, as well as doing the bulk of the research and forensic lab work.
Mu Ticker
Ysoki mechanic 5 (roboticist)
CG Small humanoid (ysoki)
Init +4; Perception +9, darkvision 60 ft.
DEFENSE SP 30 HP 32 RP 7
EAC 18; KAC 18
Fort +4; Ref +8; Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Ranged needler pistol +7 (1d4+2 P plus 1d4 nonlethal, analog, injection, injection DC +2)
Spells (CL 5th)
1st (1/day)— detect tech
0th (At will)— mending, transfer charge
STATISTICS
Str 8; Dex 18; Con 10; Int 21; Wis 13; Cha 12
Feats Skill Focus (Physical Science), Skill Synergy (Life Science and Mysticism), Technomantic Dabbler
Skills Computers +17, Engineering +17, Life Science +13, Medicine +13, Mysticism +9, Physical Science +16, Piloting +12, Profession (lab technician) +13
Languages Common, Drow, Goblin, Lashunta, Shirren, Vesk, Ysoki
Gear basic lashunta tempweave, computer idol Mk I, high density datajack augmentation, needler pistol (loaded with 2 doses of Mk I sedative), personal upgrade Mk I (Intelligence), radiation sweeper (the parts for one, Mu uses this as a base for his tech tinkerer mechanic trick, allowing him to turn it into any technological item of level 2 and below and 1 bulk or less), tactical semi-auto pistol and 5 credits
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Artificial Intelligence (Ex)
Mu has constructed a state of the art hover drone to help him out in the lab and provide the PCU an eye in the sky. See below for the drone’s statistics.
Cheek Pouches (Ex)
Mu can store objects up to 1 cubic foot of no more than 1 bulk in his cheek pouches and can transfer one object between pouch and mouth as a swift action. Mu can disgorge the entire contents of his pouch onto the ground as a move action.
Custom Rig
Mu has a custom rig installed in his brain along with a high-density datajack. This rig counts as an Mk I comm unit and Mu is always treated as having the appropriate tool for Computers and Engineering checks while using this.
Mechanic Tricks (Ex)
Hack Directory, Tech Tinkerer
Moxie (Ex)
Mu can stand from prone as a swift action and does not take penalties to attacks or gain the flat-footed condition when off-kilter. When tumbling through the space of a larger opponent, Mu gains a +5 bonus on his Acrobatics check.
Overload (Ex)
As a standard action, Mu can cause a short in an electronic device, rendering it non-functional for 1 round. If the device is in someone’s possession, they may attempt a DC 17 Reflex saving throw to negate the effect.
Remote Hack (Ex)
Mu can attempt Computers and Engineering skill checks at a range of 20 feet using his custom rig.
Hover Drone (iSpy-3.14)
N Tiny construct (technological)
Init —; Perception +4 (when directly controlled)
DEFENSE 50 HP
EAC 15; KAC 15
Fort +1; Ref +7; Will +0
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (average)
Ranged tactical semi-auto pistol +7 (1d6+2 P, analog)
STATISTICS
Str 6; Dex 17; Con —; Int 8; Wis 9; Cha 6
Feats Jet Dash, Skill Synergy (Computers and Engineering)
Skills Acrobatics +11, Computers +9, Engineering +9
Other Abilities camera, limited AI, manipulator arms, master control, weapon mount
ABOUT
Although Mu Ticker is not himself a Steward, he is very much a member of the PCU. It is Mu who runs the forensic labs, builds and maintains the team’s equipment and it is most often Mu on the other end of the comms, coordinating operations and providing intel. He is also responsible for providing many of the snacks which stock the PCU’s break room, including his signature quantum chili-spiced buns.
Prior to joining the PCU, Mu hopped from space station to space station, selling his skills as a hacker and troubleshooter. While Mu made sure most of his work was white hat; testing, patching and upgrading physical and digital security systems, he was less circumspect in choosing the clients he worked for. After one of the syndicates he did a job for decided they wanted to ensure his ‘complete confidentiality,’ it was only by turning rat to the Stewards that Mu was able to escape with his life. It was at this time that Mu met Captain Wun, who rescued him from a nasty incident involving an airlock. Mu then saved Wun’s life in turn when the ensuing firefight to escape the syndicate left the Captain in literal pieces. From this, a lifelong bond was formed between the two and in their ensuing discussions, the seeds for the PCU were sown.
Though Mu no longer conducts any less-than-legal work, he still keeps in touch with many of his contacts and friends amongst the black hat hacker community. This can cause some consternation to the team as Mu is often willing to follow the spirit rather than the letter of the law, particularly when lives are on the line, though none have ever doubted his loyalty to Wun or the team.
When asked about his work, Mu jumps quickly into comprehensive and exhausting detail. Even the other members of the PCU, who can generally follow what he is talking about, find their eyes glazing as he delves into technical minutiae. However, he distinctly dislikes violence and would much prefer to flee than fight.
That’s all we have this week, join us again next week for more from Creative Characters and the Personal Crimes Unit.
