OFFICIAL NPC Lancers

"Trait" is a new feature. They will help determine behavior of NPCs in and out of missions. See below for details.

NPC Traits:

1. Aggressive - never takes defense missions.
2. Cowardly - always flees when status reaches "Heavily Damaged".
3. Enigma - never takes missions in highly populated areas.
4. Gregarious - Negotiation rolls get a +1 bonus when attempting to form an alliance with them.
5. Hard To Kill - on their sixth pilot hit, roll 1d6. On a 3 or higher, damage is reduced to 5 at the end of the mission.
6. Highlander - has a reputation for killing fellow Lancers.
7. Honorable - avoids collateral damage if able, avoids killing non-Headhunted targets if able, never takes Riot Duty contracts.
   
8. Jury Rigging - gets an additional two "free" tons on their unit (makes unit an "illegal" design).
9. Lone Wolf - never agrees to an alliance.
10. Master Hunter - may Headhunt anyone of higher rank than them at any time.
11. Nemesis (target) - during any mission, always attacks (target) if chance to hit is >50%.
12. Protector - never takes attack missions.
13. Rematch - will always Headhunt person that defeats them; ends Headhunt after rematch.
14. Technophile (year) - uses only tech made after (year).
15. Technophobe (year) - uses only tech made before (year).
16. Trigger-happy - always uses rapid fire mode on weapons if able.
    
17. Undying Will - death is not always permanent.
18. Unnatural Selection - gains a random bonus Ability at the end of the mission if they were brought to Death's Door.
19. Unpopular - awards bonus Reputation (10% of total reward) to victor when defeated.
20. Vindictive - if (target) is killed, this character will always Headhunt (target's) killer if able.
21. ??? - This is a hidden Trait and will only be revealed when certain conditions are met.

NOTES:

• Death's Door - when an NPC takes six hits, but survives for some reason.
• Headhunt - NPC will actively hunt and attack a Lancer for duration of this effect.

 

Codename: CYBER
Nest Rank: 3
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (early 30s)
Birthplace: Draconis Kingdom
Ethnicity: Asian-Caucasian
Unit: modern era Katana Class Battlemech (75 tons) - "Hikigane"
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Preferred Contracts: headhunting, sabotage, espionage
Skill Level: Elite (2/2)

Traits

• Nemesis (GREEN KNIGHT) - during any mission, always attacks GREEN KNIGHT if chance to hit is >50%.
  
• Rematch - will always Headhunt last player to defeat him; ends Headhunt after second fight.
• Technophile (3060) - uses only tech made after 3060.

Bonus Abilities

• Sniper

Allegiances

• Luthien Exports - will not take contracts against LE.

Cyber is a lethal and efficient Lancer with a strong affinity for cutting edge technology. Ranked third among the Nest, his dangerous reputation is well deserved although many cite his reliance on the latest technology to be his greatest weakness. Indeed, casual observers would label him a technophile. Considering his above average use of cybernetic enhancements, they would not be entire wrong. However, it is our opinion that he sees technology as simply a means to an end; optimal efficiency through technology is Cyber's true "modus operandi". To his credit, Cyber is a strictly by-the-books professional and he is as reliable as you are willing to pay him. Outside of reasons of self-preservation, he has no history of defaulting on a contract. There was one reported case of him killing a AAA director, but later evidence showed that this was a retaliatory action after he had been betrayed and left for dead under that director's orders. All charges against Cyber were dropped and reparations to Cyber and the Nest were settled out of court.

Cyber has no confirmed loyalties, but he is adept at staying well connected with information and current events. There is evidence showing he has a support network assisting him outside of the Nest. We suspect it is some personal or professional ties with local yakuza, but it cannot be determined at this time which one. His enemies, however, are plentiful. In fact it is a testament to his skill considering how many organizations want him dead. The list is too long here, but chiefly among them is Independence Weaponry. The anti-Kurita sentiments of this company still runs high after its messy separation with the Draconis Combine and relocation to FedSun space. Cyber's suspected connections with Luthien Exports along with his various "private" contracts against Independence have put him in their sights. They will not openly defy the Nest to get to him, but it is safe to say they will not mourn his passing if it ever happens.

It is also worth noting his extremely hostile relationship with the #2 Lancer known as "Green Knight". Amusingly, the rivalry appears to somewhat one-sided. While Cyber sees Green Knight as a bitter enemy, Green Knight appears mostly aloof to Cyber's threats. In fact the apparent apathy GK has for Cyber has only intensified the latter's desire to defeat his "rival" in combat. Furthermore, the fact that Cyber cannot challenge the #1 position among the Nest ranks until defeating GK has turned his vendetta into nearly an obsession. Although usually calm and professional, one must be very careful in handling Cyber when GK is present. It is strongly advised to remind him of his contractual duties to keep him in check. More of this rivalry will be covered in the Green Knight file.

All that said, despite his idiosyncrasies, Cyber is probably the most professional and reliable mercenary to be found in the region. He appears to not be burdened by ethics, morality, or even loyalties. As long as an employer follows through on their end, Cyber can be reasonably expected to come through on his.

 

Codename: GREEN KNIGHT (aka GK)
Nest Rank: 2
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (male)
Birthplace: unknown
Ethnicity: unknown
Unit: mixed era Black Knight (75 tons) - "Green Knight"
Cohorts: varied (drones), Morpheus
Preferred Contracts: headhunting, espionage
Skill Level: Heroic (1/2)

Bonus Abilities

• Melee Specialist + Melee Master

Traits

• Aggressive - only takes offensive engagements.
• Honorable - avoids collateral damage if able, ignores infantry if able, never takes Riot Duty contracts, always offers honorable withdrawal at the beginning of combat.
• Master Hunter - may Headhunt anyone of higher rank than him at any time.
• ??? - This is a hidden Trait and will only be revealed when certain conditions are met.

Allegiances

• Lancer (MORPHEUS) : will not take contracts against MORPHEUS.

WARNING: APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION!

GREEN KNIGHT (GK for short) first made an appearance nine years ago. He dominated the Lancer ranks and rose to #1 position in less than a year; a record that still holds to this day. Enigmatic from the start, even today little is known about who he is or where he came from. Outside the cockpit, he is recognizable only by his signature green light Power Armor. At first glance, he could easily be confused for the infamous Bounty Hunter, but it has now been confirmed they are in fact two different individuals. The similarities don't end with appearances, either; GK is just as deadly as his counterpart and this all appears to be more than just coincidence. Based on evidence uncovered, there are at least two known occasions where the two have fought. Their first encounter nearly destroyed an entire city and their second only ended with an orbital bombardment that glassed a wide area of desert. The details of their rivalry remains unknown, but there appears to be some personal grudge between the two of them.

Nearly impossible to track, GREEN KNIGHT does not usually stay in one place for very long, preferring the sanctuary of his powerful orbiting dropship, the Requiem's Herald (an ancient design itself). This mobility is greatly facilitated by GK's extensive use of orbital deployment; far more than most Lancers. Although expensive, this guarantees that no one can ever be certain who or where GK will strike next. This also means that GK almost always takes offensive engagements where he can maximize his destructive skills. While predominantly a master headhunter, GK also excels in high-risk corporate espionage where overt combat is likely.

Although it is now undisputed that GREEN KNIGHT is an exceedingly dangerous foe, he does seem to hold some degree of ethical standards. For all his destructive potential, he does appear to be mindful of collateral damage and generally avoids civilian areas. He has been known to even ignore heavy infantry that fire on him (likely considered not a threat). GK also seems to favor giving quarter to his enemies when it is practical. A mutual respect seems to exist between GK and his predecessor, BJORN (the former #1 Lancer). However, a much more puzzling relationship exists between GK and MORPHEUS (the current top Lancer).

Although GK may challenge MORPHEUS at any time to reclaim the title of #1 Lancer of Antallos, he appears uninterested in doing so. Multiple offers have been made to arrange an exhibition match, but all have been turned down. Although they won't acknowledge it, there appears to be some sort of alliance between the two Lancers. Some believe GK is actually the superior Lancer, but won't move against MORPHEUS for some unknown reason. Others claim that GK is actually protecting MORPHEUS, but there is only circumstantial evidence to support this. Rumors abound as to the nature of this alliance, but the truth has yet to be revealed.

=====

LancerMech: mixed era Black Knight (75 tons) - "Green Knight"

GREEN KNIGHT is known only to pilot a heavily modified Black Knight. Originally created by the Star League nearly a millennium ago, variations of the successful design were still being built up until about 300 years ago. It is impossible to know exactly how old his mech could be. GK might not even know himself. Either way, he's not sharing. It is very likely the GREEN KNIGHT inherited the mech from its previous owner.

Interestingly, both he and his mech share the same name; it is implied his mech is more an extension of his own body than that of the average Lancer. Like most of the elite Lancers out there, his mech features a torso mounted cockpit with improved VDNI (Vehicle Direct Neural Interface) technology that can directly interface with his PA(L) suit. It should be noted that the current Bounty Hunter uses a very similar setup.

 

Codename: MORPHEUS (aka MORPH)
Nest Rank: 1
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown
Birthplace: unknown
Ethnicity: unknown
Cohorts: varied (drones), Green Knight
Preferred Contracts: headhunting, espionage
Skill Level: Legendary (0/1)

Traits

• Aggressive - only takes offensive engagements.
• Enigma - never takes missions in highly populated areas.
• Master Hunter - may Headhunt anyone of higher rank than them at any time.
• ??? - This is a hidden Trait and will only be revealed when certain conditions are met.
  
• ??? - This is a hidden Trait and will only be revealed when certain conditions are met.
• ??? - This is a hidden Trait and will only be revealed when certain conditions are met.

Allegiances

• Lancer (GREEN KNIGHT) : will not take contracts against GREEN KNIGHT.

WARNING: APPROACH WITH EXTREME CAUTION!

More enigmatic than even the GREEN KNIGHT, MORPHEUS has never been seen outside their cockpit in public. No data exists on where they came from or who they might be. To many, MORPHEUS is not simply a Lancer, they are a force of nature; they are synonymous with ghosts, waking nightmares, and boogeymen. As news of MORPHEUS' spreads, so does their legend. Madmen claim that MORPHEUS is actually a fusion of cursed souls from the Reclamation War doomed to wander the mortal realm seeking vengeance on the descendants of their enemies.

A haunted BattleMech powered by souls of the damned does not seem like such a stretch to those unlucky enough to face MORPHEUS in battle. Survivors claim that not only does MORPHEUS have the ability to appear out of thin air, they seem to control their very environment around them: electronic devices malfunction, heat spikes in surrounding air, suppression of all sound, etc. Some even claim that MORPHEUS controls the primordial elements of nature. While some of these claims can be explained by powerful ECM and other countermeasures, most sound like outrageous fantasies. However, they all support the fact that MORPHEUS is an extremely dangerous foe and not to be underestimated.

MORPHEUS currently stands unchallenged as top Lancer on Antallos. Only GREEN KNIGHT can challenge them and he seems uninterested in doing so. MORPHEUS rarely operates in easy viewing of civilians and prefers to operate on the fringe in areas with few bystanders. On the rare occasions backup is required, MORPHEUS is usually seen accompanied by GK.

=====

LancerMech: unidentified medium/heavy LancerMech

Little is known about MORPHEUS' LancerMech. Attempts to record data on the mech have been largely impaired by electromagnetic interference no doubt emanating from it. The few grainy videos and photos that exist reveal a design that resembles the Celestial series of mechs used by the Word of Blake during the Jihad. While it is possible this mech could be a survivor of that war, it seems more likely the mech is simply a high-tech original design.

 

Codename: BROMISTA
Nest Rank: 6
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (late-20s)
Birthplace: Taurian Consulate
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Preferred Contracts: sabotage, siege, war-zone

Traits

• Aggressive - only takes offensive engagements.
• Hard To Kill - 2/3 chance of cheating death.
• Jury Rigged Magazines - gets an additional two "free" tons of ammo (makes unit an "illegal" design).
• Rematch - will always Headhunt last player to defeat her; ends Headhunt after second fight.
• Trigger-happy - if her chance to hit is >50%, she will always fire the maximum safe number of weapons if able.

Allegiances

• Hive Technologies - will not take contracts against HiveTech.

At a casual glance, certain words immediately come to mind when describing BROMISTA: wildcard, loose cannon, powder keg, time bomb. However. those smart enough to look beyond her erratic behavior will see something else entirely more dangerous: resilient, unrelenting, courageous, and crazy like a fox. BROMISTA may be the current highest ranking female Lancer on Antallos, but it is fair to argue she has the biggest "balls" on the planet.

A proficient batter, ball kicker, and maker of things that go "boom", she recently made news by taking down a rival LancerMech with literally nothing but two fists of C5, a grappling hook, and a bath towel (she took offense to them interrupting her shower time). Her unpredictability works well with her aggressive combat approach that often leaves her opponents reeling. Although a major threat to her enemies, her general demeanor could be described as affable, gregarious, and carefree among friends and allies. While sometimes almost annoyingly upbeat, few complain after seeing her skills in combat.

Her raw talent in the cockpit and fearlessness in battle is held back by her lack of discipline and impulsive nature. As a result, she is just as likely to purposefully wander into danger as she is to avoid it. Yet despite all that, she is decidedly hard to kill. If she took her career more seriously, she could stand a real chance of rising to the top of the Lancer rankings. As it stands right now, she remains a flawed, but still very dangerous opponent.

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LancerMech - modern era Crusader Battlemech (65 tons) "Punchy"

BROMISTA likes her fireworks and Punchy heavily reflects that in both paintjob and weaponry. When she's not using her mech's arm mounted launchers as massive battering rams, she's raining a literal metric ton of explosives from the sky. A self-described "size queen"; more is always better. It is rumored she even has a button installed in her cockpit that says "Fire ALL the Missiles".

 

Codename: OGRE
Real name: Bill Cassidy
Age: unknown (early 30s)
Birthplace: Circinus Federation
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Unit: modern era Quasimodo Battlemech (55 tons) - "Stumpy"
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Preferred Contracts: any
Skill Level: Veteran (3/4)

Traits

• Aggressive
  
• Hard To Kill
• Technophobe (3062)

Bonus Abilities

• Pain Resistance

Allegiances

• AAA - will not take contracts against AAA

OGRE is a man of short words and brutal methods. Standing at over seven feet tall and hulking in muscle, many have thought him to be a dishonored Elemental, but a brief look at his combat profile quickly dispells this notion. Simply put, he is an exceptionally aggressive and ill-tempered person. If you block his path, he will remove you as quickly and efficiently as possible. His tactics tend to be as simple as they are violent, but he is smart enough to know when he is outmatched. He is also not above accepting the assistance of others when it is to his advantage. Hororable and merciful he is not.

 

Codename: HOUND
Real name:
Age: unknown (late 20s)
Birthplace: United Suns Federation
Ethnicity: African
Unit: modern era Hammerhands
Battlemech (75 tons) - "Ali"
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Preferred Contracts: any
Skill Level: Veteran (3/4)

Traits

• TBA

Bonus Abilities

• TBA

Allegiances

• IW

HOUND is a media darling whose raw talents have been overshadowed somewhat by his sense of showmanship. Although he has gained the admiration of billions, his detractors have come up with their own name for him: "Glory Hound".
While he does seem to embrace the shallow media-friendly image of what most people believe Lancers to be, his skills are not without some merit. Indeed, he is more than a match for a regular Battlemech pilot. However, until he can curb his passion for showboating, he will continue to be only a mediocre Lancer.

 

Codname: PERCIVAL
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (late-20s)
Birthplace: Lyran Union
Ethnicity: Germanic
Unit: modern Thor II Omnimech (70 tons)
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Specialty: Corporate Espionage, Dueling

WIP

 

Codname: PENTHESILEA
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (mid-30s)
Birthplace: Raven Alliance
Ethnicity: Greek
Unit: modern Goshawk III OmniMech (55 tons)
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Specialty: Corporate Espionage, Sabotage

Traits

• Aggressive

Bonus Abilities

• Hot Dog

Allegiances

• Alliance Industries

Former member of the Trojans, a rapid-response unit of the Raven Alliance's Special Operations Executive, Penthesilea mustered out after a brief, meteoric career that came to an end following a disastrous raid on an insurgent camp that saw most of her unit killed. She now works for Nest, contracting out her considerable skills. Penthesilea is often accompanied by several drones, whom she habitually names after the codenames of her fallen comrades. These drones are also equipped with a plethora of close-quarters weaponry. Penthesilea and her cohort of drones strike in a whirlwind of close-ranged and powerful lasers, missiles, and ballistic shots, wreaking murderous havoc and remaining in the fight long after other, more cautious pilots would have disengaged.

Penthesilea is typically brusque and businesslike in person, and coolly professional in the field. Her fighting style is hyper-aggressive and lightning quick. She has a tendency towards recklessness, and several Lancers who have worked with her have commented that she may have a death-wish. Her most recent psych evaluation speculates she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and survivor's guilt over the death of her comrades.

 

Codename: BJORN
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (mid-50s)
Birthplace: Jarnfolk Collective
Ethnicity: Scandinavian
Unit: modern era Grizzly Class Battlemech (70 tons)
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Specialty: assassination, bodyguarding, guerrilla warfare

Bjorn is an experienced Lancer past his prime. A decade ago, he was the finest Lancer the Nest had ever seen; holding the #1 spot longer than anyone had before. Unfortunately, time is finally starting to catch up with him. Now ranked #5, it is likely he will continue to shift lower in the ranking until he either retires or is killed in action. Judging by his strong Jarnfolk background, the latter is more likely. For him, death in battle is preferred to the slow stagnation of old age.

A natural warrior in the purest sense, Bjorn's longstanding and fearsome reputation alone is enough to give some enemies pause. Give him a target and he will crush... or defend it with his life... simple as that. However, despite his imposing physical appearance, he is far from being a muscle-headed thug. His Jarnfolk training and keen tactical sense have made him both a master assassin and bodyguard. Indeed, his extensive knowledge has protected as many lives as it has taken. However, in recent years it appears his taste for intrigue has been waning. It is possible his age isn't even the true reason for his drop in performance.

Age has changed Bjorn in other ways as well. The more impetuous off-duty habits of his youth have been replaced by a more calm and welcoming demeanor. Today, he spends much of his free time sharing his valuable experience and guidance to those that ask for it. Of all the current Lancers, he probably resembles the closest thing to the "ideal Mechwarrior" of days long ago. Strong, talented, intelligent, honorable... he is a natural-born leader and still highly respected among his fellow Lancers.

 

Codename: JAG
Real name: unknown
Age: unknown (late-30s)
Birthplace: Terran Republic
Ethnicity: African
Unit: modern era Kheper Class Battlemech (55 tons)
Cohorts: varied (drones)
Specialty: assassination, corporate espionage, reconnaissance

Descendant of Clan Smoke Jaguar... bit of a hero complex (work in progress).

 

Codename: CHAINS
Real name: unknown

 

Codename: COLDFIRE
Real name: unknown