[HOE] New Mundane Background: Action Hero

[Matt and Teresa Steflik <grifflik@stny.rr.com>]

Theo McGuckin wrote:

> Well I gave him full skill level in manuevers because, after thinking
> about it the MB needed a little more boost. Especially for non-martial
> artists. Don't get me wrong, I realize the "no movement penalties" is
> really good, but in order to utilize it the character has to be charging
> out there and basically throwing himself into the line of fire. Meanwhile
> all his friends have (wisely) gone for cover and are much better
> protected. Besides with the pinnacle rounding-down system a non-martial
> artist Action Hero would get TWO manuevers to start tops. That seems kind
> of chinsy. Definitely include the thing about only brawling damage. That's
> a pure Fightin: Martial Arts thing.
>
Okay - fair enough.  I can agree with that.

> I don't have JMC so I don't know what Insane Bravado does.
>
Oh, man...you're gonna dig this!  It TOTALLY fits:

Insane Bravado (3) (from TJC, Deadlands Dispatch)

War brings out all sorts of odd qualities in fighting men and women.
The history books are full of soldiers and officers who's courage was
matched only by their incredible luck - and few combats produced as many
such leaders as the desperate and futile struggle that was the Last War.

A hero with this edge is a real leader, the sort who jumps out in front
of his men to spearhead the charge - someone remaining unscathed as
others fall about him.  Exlposions, schrapnel, and the random death of
the battlefield seem to pass this hero by, as lesser men succumb.

So long as the hero excercises up-front leadership and fearless bravado
in the face of danger, this hero will not die a "random" death in
combat, and is seldom affected by incidental damage.  Undirected or
random attacks - like damage from nearby explosions (not actually aimed
at him) or stray bullets - can be ignored completely.  Damage more
directly to the hero - such as that taken from wrecking a vehicle that
he happens to be in - can be resisited.  The hero makes a Foolproof (TN
3) Spirit roll; each success negates one wound.  Damage or attacks aimed
directly ay the hero are not affected by this edge, and can kill or
wound him just like any other.

This edge only takes effect in the heat of battle; a hero with this edge
could just as easily be killed by a random or non-directed attack as any
other character if it comes out of the blue (note to Theo - this is why
I was thinking Quick Thinker).  Furthermore, this is the true hero's
edge - it only works when the hero is gloriously leading those around
him through the thick of danger.  When not in the lead - when not out
ahead, facing the danger as an example to those around him - the hero
gains no benefit from the edge.

Now is that cool or what? :-)
If you like it and want to chop down the list, I'd say just go with
Insane Bravado and Heroic and leave it at that.

> Sure. We should bang out the details and hopefully get some more
> input/opinions for the list... hello?
>

Cool - one could only hope, right?  Thanks for the grenade info by the
way - I can work with that.

Matt Steflik
Gimme Shelter - http://www.geocities.com/grifflik