Dragons of June 4/x:
Major Vlad Drakovich Kransov is the second of two characters based on the conversion ideas from Dragons of the Red Star, Goryn, the first, can be found here.
“What’s the meaning of this, Vlad Drakovich? 93 insurrectionists and 5 vehicles destroyed? 41 personal weapons, 4 mortars, 12000 rounds of ammunition and 18 rockets? We’ve never had any issues with the Nasr Kien here! The province is absolutely peaceful! Under full control by the people’s government!”
“Not any more.”
Major Vlad Drakovich Krasnov is the commanding officer of an independent special forces unit of the Red Fleet in Al’Istaan. Contrary to many other officers, he advocated a brutally uncompromising stance towards the insurrectionist Nasr Kien right from the start, and commenced on a literal strategy of scorched earth in his operational areas. His excellent connections within the command structure of the Fleet ensured him the necessary backing to protect him from attacks by other officials who were trying to deescalate the conflict.
Apart from a seemingly natural ruthlessness, which had led him from the orphanage to the prestigious Citadel military academy and on to success and respect, another factor in his rise was not actually known to himself: Early on, the third Hook had signalled its interest in Vlad Drakovich Krasnov and continues to keep the major under discrete surveillance.
Among the Nistaani – Nasr Kien, government forces and innocent civilians – Major Krasnov is also known and feared as the “Lord of Fire”. For common Nistaani this stems from the intense use of flamethrowers, white phosphorus and protocol lances by Major Krasnov and his units as well as the trail of burned villages and caravans they leave behind. For Nistaani shamans – and for the agents of the third Hook – the name has another deeper meaning, though. In the Spiritrealm, a burning red shadow has settled around Vlad Drakovich. A shadow with flapping wings and cinders in its eyes that continues the major’s work of flaming destruction in the mirror lands, burning even the souls of those whose bodies were already killed by his master and his soldiers.
On a mission, major Krasnov usually leads a team consisting of two sorceresses and ten hailers, mounted in a Nomad halftrack.
The easiest way for player characters to come into conflict with major Krasnov is of course if they are Nistaani on the hunt for the hated Lord of Fire – or being hunted by him. However, Red Fleet characters can also run afoul of the brutal major, either directly, in the political arena or even in the supertantural realm, e.g., if the third and fifth Hooks should disagree about what to do about the major’s “companion” or his own developing powers.
Male Red Fleet Officer 8, Dragon Lord 5; CR 13; Medium-size humanoid; HD 8d8+5d10+39; hp 67; Mas 16; Init +1; Spd 12 m; Defense 17, touch 17, flat-footed 10 (+1 Dex, +6 defense bonus); BAB +11; Grap +15; Atk +15 melee (1d8+3, Hailer longknife) or +13 ranged (2d8, Kuvalda); Full Atk +15/+10 melee (1d8+3, Hailer longknife) or +13/+8 ranged (2d8, Kuvalda); FS 2 m by 2 m; Reach 2 m; SA draconic aura +2, reckless devotion 2/day, tactical aid I, tactical superiority; SQ branch (infantry), divide and conquer, dragon leadership, education, rank (Major); AL the Red Fleet, fire; SV Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +7; AP 120 max; Rep +6; Wealth +11; Str 16, Dex 12, Con 16, Int 11, Wis 10, Cha 16.
Skills: Climb +8, Demolitions +10, Diplomacy +5, Drive +4, Gather Information +7, Hide +8, Intimidate +12, Jump +8, Knowledge (behavioral sciences) +2, Knowledge (tactics) +10, Move Silently +8, Navigate +7, Profession +9, Read/Write Language (Red, Nistaani, Lionish), Sense Motive +10, Speak Language (Red, Nistaani, Lionish, Draconic), Spot +10, Survival +5, Swim +8, Treat Injury +5.
Feats: Advanced Firearms Proficiency, Archaic Weapons Proficiency, Armor Proficiency (light), Burst Fire, Double Draconic Aura, Double Tap, Dragon Cohort*, Frightful Presence, Gunnery, Heroic Surge, Personal Firearms Proficiency, Point Blank Shot, Red Fleet Connections, Renown.
*: feat from Draconomicon
Draconic Auras: Toughness, Vigor*.
*: aura from Player’s Handbook II
Possessions: Officer greatcoat (light autoshields), Hailer longknife, Kuvalda assault shotgun, RKG-75 with magazine of 5.56mm ammo, Sam-79-G with double protoclip of 10mm ammo, 50 shells of 12g API ammo, 2 protocol ammo pouches with magazines for Sam-79-G and RKG-75, 6 thermate grenades, 6 white phosphorus grendades, uniform, protocol enhanced fatigues (+2 equipment bonus to Fortitude saves against extreme temperatures, +3 equipment bonus to Hide and Move Silently checks), night vision binoculars.
The Red Shadow uses the profile of a very young red dragon, who exists in the Spiritrealm and is unable to leave this plane of existence. All his attacks, including his breath weapon, count as infused.
The Red Star and all related characters are ™ and © Christian Gossett. Used with kind permission.
The Red Star Campaign Setting is © Green Ronin Publishing, LLC.
The Red Star und alle verwandten Charaktere sind ™ und © Christian Gossett. Verwendet mit freundlicher Genehmigung.
The Red Star Campaign Setting ist © Green Ronin Publishing, LLC.