Prowl Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's Transformers Contact is the Autobot military strategist Prowl.

While assuming the form of a police car, and having a background in security, Prowl is not an Autobot law enforcer or security officer (that's actually Ironhide and Red Alert). No, he's a high-ranking military strategist. Until Elita-1 and Ultra magnus come along, he's actually Optimus Prime's second-in-command.

And, despite how he was portrayed in the original G1 animated series... Prowl is an @$$hole!!!!

"How do you think that, Jacob?" you may ask. And I direct your consideration to his motto:

"Logic is the ultimate weapon."

There are two characters who have this ideology in the TF universe. One is the scientist Shockwave who, due to his strict adherence to logic without regard to ethics, he is placed firmly as an unscrupulous Decepticon who sees other living beings as little more than expendable resources for him to use as test subjects.

Prowl is a logical thinker who HAS ethics. He understands that logic is the key to victory, but also understands that life is precious and worth fighting for. But that doesn't necessarily make him a nice guy. He thinks in a strictly logical manner that is off-putting to those who do not follow such adherence to similar mindsets. Think of Prowl like Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters, or better yet, Spock from Star Trek. If you've ever seen an original series episode where Spock assumes command of the Enterprise, he is a taskmaster of a commanding officer. he demands strictly logical adherence to his orders and precise estimations, not generalities. He's kind of a dick to work for.

And that's basically what it's like to have to work alongside or under Prowl. As the head military strategist, he is also the commander of Autobot intelligence operatives like Bumblebee and Jazz... up until 2005, when he is killed while on a milkrun that he should not have been on in the first place, because you DON'T SEND YOUR HEAD OF MILITARY STRATEGY ON A STANDARD FUEL RUN, PRIME!!!!

[heavy post-rant breathing]

Anyway, after his death, Prowl gets replaced by Bumblebee... erm, Goldbug as head of Autobot Intelligence.

PROWL

“Logic is the ultimate weapon.”

Prowl is the Autobot military strategist. As such, Autobot Commander Optimus Prime keeps Prowl near at hand for his indispensable expertise. Prowl is quiet, competent, loyal, and possessed of almost endless patience.

Prowl's dedication to logic and reason make him an excellent strategist, but not much of a socialite. He really doesn't tend to get along well with his fellow Autobots, many of whom find his strict adherence to military protocol stifling, and his uptight personality sure doesn't help matters. He does not react well to the unexpected, to the point that it can literally scramble his cerebral circuits. The Dinobot commander Grimlock, who is disorder made manifest, especially honks Prowl off, and Grimlock feels pretty much the same way in return, only with more swear words. He's very fond of his acid pellets, though.

Influences

Security: Prowl learned to appreciate rules and discipline during his formative years in Petrex, a strictly functionist town where saying anything bad about your alternate mode could get you thrown in jail. Prowl was a member of Security Operations, working closely under Chromia. His ill-tempered, prickly disposition was so infamous that even Orion Pax would occasionally use Prowl as a measuring stick when describing other people's foul moods.

Origin

Champion: Prowl assumes the alt-mode of a Datsun Fairlady Z Police Car

Role and Focus

Field Commander (Strategist): The Strategist Focus of the Field Commander is the perfect fit for Prowl’s analytical mind.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Athletics +d4, Intimidation +d4, Might +d6

Speed 7: Driving +d4, Initiative +d4, Targeting +d6

Smarts 9: Alertness +d6, Culture (Tactics) +d6, Technology +d4

Social 9: Deception +d6, Persuasion +d6, Streetwise +d6

Gaining name As A Contact

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

Prove Your Worth: Prowl is only interested in results. He has no time for those unwilling to fight for the Autobot cause. If the PCs are at least 10th level, spend a scene during their downtime demonstrating their talents to Prowl, and succeed on four DIF 18 Skill Tests, one from each Essence Score, they gain Prowl as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 6

Contact Perks

Backup (3 Allegiance Points): Prowl knows when his operatives are in over their heads and need assistance. All the PCs’ other allies gain 2 Allegiance Points for the current mission.

Logical Plan (3 Allegiance Points): Few other minds are as strategically calculating as Prowl’s. All PCs gain an Edge on their Skill Tests until the end of the next round.

Strategic Teamwork (3 Allegiance Points): Prowl trains his operatives to function as a team in every situation. All PCs may use Lend Assistance once per turn as a Free Action until the end of the scene.

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