Several weeks ago, I was suckered into taking part in a Scion: Hero campaign with some friends. For those who aren’t aware, its a tabletop role-playing game by White Wolf (same guys who produce the much more popular, World of Darkness. Mechanically the game is severely broken - mostly due to the rulebook woefully lacking clarifications and working examples of the playing system. However the sheer role-playing appeal is undeniable: it essentially chronicles your first steps on the road to godhood. Newly designed characters with zero experience can perform stunts like juggling automobiles, dodge bullets, instantaneously regenerate grievous wounds, command powerful mythical creatures like dragons, and manipulate the fabric of reality. Not once or twice per gaming session mind you; were talking every action turn. Ever want to be a character like Dante in Devil May Cry or Kratos in God of War? Well there you go: that’s what Scion is all about.

The character I’ve created for myself is conceptually based on the various “gun priests” who do the gun-fu thing. See the action flick Equilibrium if you’re lost on that. I’m 100% dual wielding Desert Eagle badass madness; son of the goddess Persephone and commanding the powers of Death itself. Below are my actual stats. For all you min-max maniacs: we were only allowed to use material found in the Hero rulebook while generating our characters. The stuff in Demigod and God were off limits: at least until we achieve those divine status. In any case, I’ve never been much of a min-max player anyways.

Rozen Becchino, Scion of Persephone

Calling: Special Forces Chaplain

Nature: Penitent

Pantheon: Dodekatheon

Patron: Persephone

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 5, Stamina 2, Charisma 3, Manipulation 2, Appearance 2, Perception 5, Intelligence 2, Wits 4

Virtues: Expression 1, Intellect 2, Valor 2, Vengeance 4

Abilities: Academics 2, Athletics 3, Awareness 3, Command 2, Empathy 2, Fortitude 2, Integrity 2, Marksmanship 5, Medicine 1, Occult 5, Presence 2, Science (Ballistics) 1, Survival 2, Stealth 2

Birthrights: Relic (Necronomicon - Death) 1, Relic (Curse of Life) 3, Relic (Gift of Death) 3

Supernatural Powers:
Epic Attributes: Epic Dexterity 2 (Trick Shooter, Untouchable Opponent), Epic Stamina 1 (Damage Conversion), Epic Charisma 1 (Blessing of Importance), Epic Perception 2 (Predatory Focus, Subliminal Warning), Epic Wits 2 (Opening Gambit, Rabbit Reflexes)
Boons: Arete (Marksmanship) 1, Death Senses

Join Battle: 7

Attacks:
Clinch: Accuracy 5, Damage 3B, Parry DV -, Speed 6, P
Unarmed, Heavy: Accuracy 4, Damage 6B, Parry DV 4, Speed 5
Unarmed, Light: Accuracy 6, Damage 3B, Parry DV 5, Speed 4
Curse of Life/Gift of Death: Accuracy 10, Damage 11L, Range 50, Clip 7, Speed 4, P

Soak: 1A/2L/4B (Heavy Cassock, +0L/1B)

Health Levels: -0×3/-2/-2/-4/Incap

Dodge DV: 8

Willpower: 10

Legend: 3

Legend Points: 9

Other Notes: The Necronomicon allows Rozen to channel the Death Purview. Curse of Life and Gift of Death add Speed -1 to the Desert Eagle template. They also hold a unique power that allows Rozen to factor his Perception and Epic Perception attributes for calculating damage in the same manner as Strength and Epic Strength attributes are ordinarily factored for melee weapons, when utilizing the twin firearms.