Brainstorm Contact (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

The next Transformers Contact is another NPC from my Transformers: MASK '88 campaign: the Autobot scientist Brainstorm.

Brainstorm volunteered to join the MASK team and function as the land bridge operator and help catalog any recovered Cybertronian technology discovered by the team on their missions. He is secretly making notes regarding the interactions between Transformers and humans in what will eventually become his creation for the Binary Bonding Headmaster process.

This article is unofficial, fan-made content that uses material from the Transformers Essence20 rpg by Renegade Games Studios.

BRAINSTORM

“The strongest tyrant cannot crush freedom of thought.”

Brainstorm was an engineer and teacher with a fearsome reputation and a sharp temper. He was always quick to remember his peers' failings instead of their names. However, when asked to mentor children or students, he took on a more kindly and indulgent nature, welcoming the opportunity to introduce young minds to engineering.

Brainstorm is a never-ending font of ideas. Whether he's in the middle of a battle or consciously working on another of his projects, new ideas are the background noise of his mind, sometimes to such an extent that his brain will overheat. In his zeal to see these ideas realized, Brainstorm sometimes forgets about things like "basic safety" and "proper experimental procedure". He will happily hand out new and untested inventions to less-than-responsible comrades for field-testing. His inventions range from useful biotechnology, to outlandish anti-personnel weapons, to devices that harness the bizarre and unthinkable.

Influences

Binary Bonded, Cybertronian Military (Engineer), Teacher: Brainstorm is at least partly responsible for developing the Headmaster process. It's sometimes hard to tell how much of it was his doing and how much was his Headmaster partner Arcana's, the two work together so seamlessly.

Origin

Seeker: Brainstorm has the alt-mode of a futuristic aircraft that looks similar to an X-Wing starfighter.

Role and Focus

Scientist (Gadgeteer): Brainstorm knows the right tool for the right job. And is just such a tool! Wait a minute…

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 5: Athletics +d4, Intimidation +d4

Speed 9: Driving (Aerial) +d6, Finesse +d2, Initiative +d2, Targeting +d6

Smarts 8: Alertness (Analytics) +d4, Science +d6, Technology +d4

Social 7: Animal Handling +d2, Deception +d4, Persuasion +d6, Streetwise +d2

Gaining Brainstorm As A Contact

Fellow Autobot: If this Contact is on the scene, the PCs can summon him for 1 round.

Smarter Than Perceptor: Brainstorm has a friendly rivalry with his fellow Autobot scientist Perceptor. If the PCs spend their downtime helping Brainstorm with a project to one-up Perceptor, which involves succeeding on three DIF 16 Infiltration, Science, or Technology Skill Checks, they gain Brainstorm as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 3

Contact Perks

Analytical Awareness (1 Allegiance Pont): Brainstorm is deeply perceptive and aware of the strengths and flaws of those around him. A PC learns the Defenses of a single Threat in the scene. Additionally, the PC has ↑1 on their next Attack or Skill Test against that target until the end of their next turn.

Equipment Upgrade (Varies): Brainstorm is ready to provide an Upgrade for his allies at a moment’s notice. For 1 Allegiance Point, a PC gains a Limited Upgrade to one piece of equipment. For 2 Allegiance Points, they gain a Restricted Upgrade. For 3 Allegiance Points, they gain a Prototypical Upgrade. This Upgrade is usable until the end of the scene.

Scientific Genius (2 Allegiance Points): Brainstorm understands that Science can solve any problem. A PC can use Science to solve any Skill Test until the end of the round.

x

If you enjoy this content pleasure subscribe to my Patreon.

Or buy me a KoFi.

'Till All Are One!