[Campaign Seed/NPC] What If.. the Master took an Apprentice?
Aug 17, 2015 13:50:20 GMT
Catsmate likes this
Post by Catsmate on Aug 17, 2015 13:50:20 GMT
OK, you can blame this one partially on an overdose of Doctor Who Unbound and travelling, and partially on a discussion after our last AITAS game. It was suggested that the Master (Delgado era) could really have done with a more reasoned sidekick, and continuing via an analysis of Kim Possible’s Shego and her interactions with her (nominal) boss Dr. Drakken and Kim (with a slight divergence into Ho/Foe Yay 
).
It's quite similar to my earlier post about George. Comments welcome.
What if… the Master had found an Apprentice?
Origin.
A traveller from the future of a parallel Earth who arrives in the UNIT era. This wasn’t entirely voluntary, in fact someone was trying to trap him and steal his time machine. The interaction of his capsule and the trap squeezed him out of his own universe. He (and I'm going to call him Adam, my usual placeholder) arrives in London in early spring of 1971 (which I'm assuming is around the time of Terror of the Autons). He rapidly realises that it’s not his 1971, there was a successful series of Mars missions, the last of them in 1970 for a start. People and fashions are different.
After a little culture shock Adam adapts quickly, he's used to the idea of time travel and while his databases aren't accurate about this world he still has useful resources. He uses those resources to tap into computer systems and acquire books and expert assistance. He soon finds out about UNIT. He's in a quandary here; what to do? Avoid them or assist them?
You see, unfortunately for them, and the Doctor, he's a psychopath with an agenda of his own and some personal habits that neither the Brigadier or Doctor are likely to approve of.
Initially UNIT will be cautious, though they're not entirely opposed to the idea of using his as a consultant but they're not sure. The Doctor is in favour.
Then he meets someone who could be just as useful to him; the Master. I envisage them meeting during one of the Master's incursions into UNIT headquarters to taunt/kill the Doctor. Adam knows, from talking to the Doctor, that the Master is a megalomaniac; but he's also a potential mentor and source of knowledge. So he captures the Master and talk to him, proposing a covert alliance of convenience. The Master is intrigued and accepts (given the alternative is Adam killing him); he knows he can deal with the arrogant human if needs be. Adam lets him escape, after wounding him for effect.
I haven't considered the consequences, certainly Adam could be a very useful mole (until he's inevitably unmasked). Certainly the events of Terror of the Autons, The Mind of Evil, The Claws of Axos, Colony in Space and The Dæmons could go differently. Assuming the Autons are defeated, given Adam's intervention was at the last minute, how would the following encounters go? Would one of the Master's plans have actually worked? Would he have been captured?
Background.
A university post-graduate student from ~2015 who's curious about a strange temporary researcher in his college. He discovers the person is from the future and has a time machine. Unfortunately for the researcher he's rather naive and trusting; Adam is not.
Things end with the researcher dead and Adam in possession of a time machine.
Personality.
Superficially charming, highly intelligent with poor empathy and borderline paranoia. The classic stereotype of a psychopath.
Sometime prone to impulsive action, especially when angered or frustrated. He enjoys inflicting pain but is well aware of the risks of this hobby.
He intensely dislikes telepaths (too many secrets).
Skills.
Adam has a good background in science and technology and an interest in history (which led to him detecting the researcher whose time machine he 'acquired'). He's also used the capsule's computer to educate himself further. However a lot of his knowledge, and that of the capsule computer, has been rendered inaccurate by their arrival in a different universe. Further he has only a basic grasp of post TL5 technologies, though he's quite able to use such equipment.
Stats (ongoing draft)
Traits:
Charming, Eccentric, Friends (UNIT), Dark Secret [Major], Indomitable, Impulsive, Lucky, Quick Reflexes, Phobia (Telepaths and mind reading), Selfish, Vortex.
Equipment.
Psionic shield pendant. Blocks telepathy.
Several weapons, some concealed or disguised.
Assorted small tools
Hypno-ray
Transmat remote
Scroll (flexible slate computer)
Compact scanner
Money and identification, including a UNIT pass
Resources.
In addition to what he has on his person Adam has access to:
(1) A Time Machine
Specifically a small, Kartz-Reimer type, capsule that was refitted with a pocket universe by its previous owner (now unfortunately deceased). It’s quite small (single person with a jump-seat, although four could crowd in). The capsule a defensive force screen, a camouflage system and can fly (though slowly). It’s not armed but Adam has fitted it with a system to vent gas (sleep or lethal) to the outside (it’s environmentally sealed). It's equipped with a voice responsive AI computer and advanced self-repair systems.
It's prior owner (who may have stolen the machine himself) upgraded the capsule with a 'dimensional vault' extension via a piece of acquired advanced technology.
One device is has it an advanced transmat system, capable of remote activation, or moving large objects into/out of the vault. This also acts as a 'back door' connecting to at least one hideout Adam has established.
Currently the time machine is inoperative due to the effects of jumping universes. It needs to reestablish a navigational baseline.
(2) Quite a lot of money.
(3) A selection of transport.
Including, at least:
(4) Various odds and ends.
Goals and Plans.
Infiltrate UNIT to maintain his security and provide opportunities for access to advanced technology.
Engage with the Master (without trusting him) and avoid his grandiose plans.
Indulge his hobbies in a world with (relatively) poor law enforcement.
In the longer term, who knows?
). It's quite similar to my earlier post about George. Comments welcome.
What if… the Master had found an Apprentice?
The person who called himself the Master down at the automatic pistol pointed at his head from a distance of about two metres. Too far for a quick attack to overwhelm it’s holder, especially given the desk between them, and a sudden rush for the door would give the human an opportunity to shoot him several times. Gallifreyan’s were tough but multiple gunshots at this range might be sufficient to kill him before he could regenerate.
He raised his gloved hands in surrender, idly noting that the pistol was polymer framed, anachronistic for 1971, as he scanned the man holding it and waited for an opportunity.
The human gestured at a chair, using the hand not holding the pistol, and the Master sat down.
He raised his gloved hands in surrender, idly noting that the pistol was polymer framed, anachronistic for 1971, as he scanned the man holding it and waited for an opportunity.
The human gestured at a chair, using the hand not holding the pistol, and the Master sat down.
Origin.
A traveller from the future of a parallel Earth who arrives in the UNIT era. This wasn’t entirely voluntary, in fact someone was trying to trap him and steal his time machine. The interaction of his capsule and the trap squeezed him out of his own universe. He (and I'm going to call him Adam, my usual placeholder) arrives in London in early spring of 1971 (which I'm assuming is around the time of Terror of the Autons). He rapidly realises that it’s not his 1971, there was a successful series of Mars missions, the last of them in 1970 for a start. People and fashions are different.
- Though the fashions will be equally as odd. It's still the seventies...
After a little culture shock Adam adapts quickly, he's used to the idea of time travel and while his databases aren't accurate about this world he still has useful resources. He uses those resources to tap into computer systems and acquire books and expert assistance. He soon finds out about UNIT. He's in a quandary here; what to do? Avoid them or assist them?
You see, unfortunately for them, and the Doctor, he's a psychopath with an agenda of his own and some personal habits that neither the Brigadier or Doctor are likely to approve of.
- Think recreational torture and murder; he's a fairly classic sadistic psychopath.
Initially UNIT will be cautious, though they're not entirely opposed to the idea of using his as a consultant but they're not sure. The Doctor is in favour.
- Not entirely for altruistic reasons; he's interested in Adam's time capsule as a way off Earth, or source of parts to repair his TARDIS.
Then he meets someone who could be just as useful to him; the Master. I envisage them meeting during one of the Master's incursions into UNIT headquarters to taunt/kill the Doctor. Adam knows, from talking to the Doctor, that the Master is a megalomaniac; but he's also a potential mentor and source of knowledge. So he captures the Master and talk to him, proposing a covert alliance of convenience. The Master is intrigued and accepts (given the alternative is Adam killing him); he knows he can deal with the arrogant human if needs be. Adam lets him escape, after wounding him for effect.
I haven't considered the consequences, certainly Adam could be a very useful mole (until he's inevitably unmasked). Certainly the events of Terror of the Autons, The Mind of Evil, The Claws of Axos, Colony in Space and The Dæmons could go differently. Assuming the Autons are defeated, given Adam's intervention was at the last minute, how would the following encounters go? Would one of the Master's plans have actually worked? Would he have been captured?
Background.
A university post-graduate student from ~2015 who's curious about a strange temporary researcher in his college. He discovers the person is from the future and has a time machine. Unfortunately for the researcher he's rather naive and trusting; Adam is not.
Things end with the researcher dead and Adam in possession of a time machine.
Personality.
Superficially charming, highly intelligent with poor empathy and borderline paranoia. The classic stereotype of a psychopath.
Sometime prone to impulsive action, especially when angered or frustrated. He enjoys inflicting pain but is well aware of the risks of this hobby.
He intensely dislikes telepaths (too many secrets).
Skills.
Adam has a good background in science and technology and an interest in history (which led to him detecting the researcher whose time machine he 'acquired'). He's also used the capsule's computer to educate himself further. However a lot of his knowledge, and that of the capsule computer, has been rendered inaccurate by their arrival in a different universe. Further he has only a basic grasp of post TL5 technologies, though he's quite able to use such equipment.
Stats (ongoing draft)
| Awareness 4 | Coordination 4 | Ingenuity 5 | Presence 3 | Resolve 5 | Strength 3 |
| Athletics 2 | Convince 3 [Fast talk] | Craft 2 | Fighting 2 | Knowledge 4 | Marksman 3 [Pistol] |
| Medicine 2 | Science 4 | Subterfuge 3 [Sneaking] | Survival 2 | Technology 4 | Transport 3 |
Traits:
Charming, Eccentric, Friends (UNIT), Dark Secret [Major], Indomitable, Impulsive, Lucky, Quick Reflexes, Phobia (Telepaths and mind reading), Selfish, Vortex.
Equipment.
Psionic shield pendant. Blocks telepathy.
Several weapons, some concealed or disguised.
Assorted small tools
Hypno-ray
Transmat remote
Scroll (flexible slate computer)
Compact scanner
Money and identification, including a UNIT pass
Resources.
In addition to what he has on his person Adam has access to:
(1) A Time Machine
Specifically a small, Kartz-Reimer type, capsule that was refitted with a pocket universe by its previous owner (now unfortunately deceased). It’s quite small (single person with a jump-seat, although four could crowd in). The capsule a defensive force screen, a camouflage system and can fly (though slowly). It’s not armed but Adam has fitted it with a system to vent gas (sleep or lethal) to the outside (it’s environmentally sealed). It's equipped with a voice responsive AI computer and advanced self-repair systems.
- It does not make a "wheezing, groaning" sound when dematerialising, just a slight ‘pop’.
It's prior owner (who may have stolen the machine himself) upgraded the capsule with a 'dimensional vault' extension via a piece of acquired advanced technology.
- Similar to the Evacuation Module from City at World’s End
One device is has it an advanced transmat system, capable of remote activation, or moving large objects into/out of the vault. This also acts as a 'back door' connecting to at least one hideout Adam has established.
Currently the time machine is inoperative due to the effects of jumping universes. It needs to reestablish a navigational baseline.
(2) Quite a lot of money.
- De Beers "voluntarily" gave him a couple of million pounds (synthesising gem diamonds is pretty easy)
- He’s also contemplating some underwater salvage operations.
- Printing flawless copies of ‘70s currency is child’s play. So is bypassing security systems…
(3) A selection of transport.
Including, at least:
- a small two-seat orbit capable flyer
- a slightly anachronistic helicopter: a small coaxial rotor craft, a little more advanced than 1970s but passable
- a tankette
- a damaged Hind-F helicopter gunship, disassembled and awaiting repair and upgrade
- a contra-gravity flycycle with advanced camouflage
- a Porsche 911: technically an anachronism as this model is a Carrera with a water-cooled engine. Currently disassembled as Adam is planning some upgrades
- a sixth millennium warp shuttle; small but capable of inter-galactic range
(4) Various odds and ends.
- several combat robots
- a towed 40mm Bofors L70 anti-aircraft gun on a four-wheeled mount, with APU for mobility
- a couple of portable medical units
- a shipping container load of twenty-first century small arms and infantry weapons
- a number of sentry guns: portable tripod mounted automatic blasters with sensors, force shields and generators
Goals and Plans.
Infiltrate UNIT to maintain his security and provide opportunities for access to advanced technology.
Engage with the Master (without trusting him) and avoid his grandiose plans.
Indulge his hobbies in a world with (relatively) poor law enforcement.
In the longer term, who knows?
