Starscream Contact Build (Transformers Essence20 rpg)

Today's article features a Decepticon who is perhaps even more infamous that Megatron himself. Here we discuss the Decepticon Air Commander Starscream!

Starscream functions as Megatron's executive officer; second-in-command to the Decepticon army solely because of his vaunted position as the leader of the Seekers, who form the backbone of the Con Military. Previous to his joining the Decepticon army, Starscream was a less-than-noteworthy scientist who worked alongside Jetfire. Both were persuaded by the anti-Functionist speeches of Megatron during his gladiatorial days, and eagerly joined the Cons as a means to improve their lives. 

Ever the ambitious one, Starscream became envious of Jetfire's position as leader of Megatron's Seekers and constantly sought means to replace his companion. When Jetfire became disillusioned with the atrocities committed by the Cons and joined the Autobots, Starscream immediately placed himself in the position as leader of the Seekers. He made Thundercracker and Skywarp his lieutenants, thanks to their unique powers and warrior skills, and as a means to keep other Seekers from attempting to usurp his position.

Unlike the cartoon series, which depicts Starscream as a conniving schemer and constant betrayer of his own allies, the Starscream of my campaign is a deadly and cunning threat. He is a master of manipulation, who delights in getting others to do his will. As the Air Commander, he is the public face of the Seekers and feigns deep loyalty to Megatron (despite wanting to replace him). To a great degree, Starscream's loyalty is genuine. However, he is also ambitious and will jump on an opportunity to lead, should the chance present itself. 

To this end, Starscream keeps a secret band of Decepticons in his back pocket who are loyal to him. In the context of my personal campaign, these Cons are represented by the Air Strike Patrol (Nightflight, Storm Cloud, Tailwind, and Whisper), the Combaticons, and a handful of other scattered characters (like Knockout). Were I to run a Decepticon-themed campaign, it would likely include the PCs as members of Starscream's personal team.

In 1989, Starscream is gravely  injured in battle and forced to place his spark into a Pretender protoform body. While disgusted by his "weak human form," Screamer finds it has all sorts of uses in creating new human allies.

Starscream also has a secret ally among the humans: the CEO of MARS Industries Laird James McCullen (aka Destro). Through Destro, Starscream is trading Energon weapons and alien technology, maintaining MARS as the top producer of military weapons and technology on the planet. In exchange, Destro provides Starscream with access to fossil fuels and other resources he can use to make his own personal stores of Energon (that science background is really paying off there!). Their partnership will eventually come to an end when the Cons are kicked off Earth and sent packing back to Cybertron (1993-ish).

Then, in 2005, we have the Unicron Sigularity, starting with the Decepticon assault on Autobot City. Megatron is gravely wounded and sent adrift into space by Starscream, who assumes command of the Decepticons... only to be destroyed by Galvatron a few days later at Starscream's coronation.

And you'd think  that would be the end of Starscream.... but no. The due has an Immortal Spark, allowing him to assume a ghostly form of himself with the ability to possess control of the bodies of other robotic beings. Through his continued manipulations, Starscream is able to coerce the head of Unicron to provide him a new physical body.

During the final days of the Decepticon Insurrection, Starscream stays clear of Galvatron's forces (given who succeeded in offing Screamer in the first place) as well as Lord Zarak's Hive (Starscream recognizes a fellow grifter when he sees one). 

Following the final destruction of Unicron and the eventual surrender and exile of Megatron, Starscream is placed on the Council of Worlds as the leader of the Decepticon political faction... where he honestly serves as a good representative leader for his people. Yeah, he's still a conniving dick, but he's got the leadership role he's always wanted, and the respect of millions under his banner. Why risk it for more, when he's at the top of the current political chain of leadership?

STARSCREAM

“Conquest is made of the ashes of one’s enemies.”

Starscream is the treacherous Decepticon Air Commander and the deadliest of the Seekers. The self-proclaimed pride of the Cybertron War Academy, he's famous not only for his incredible skill, but also for his limitless (and troublesome) ambition. Starscream believes that he is more suited for command than Decepticon leader Megatron. Thankfully for Megatron, Starscream's mutinous, power-grabbing plots are almost always transparent, and he can never muster up enough patience to complete a grandiose power play. Even on the few times he has taken command of the Decepticons, he quickly loses control of a situation, but is too arrogant to realize when he's in over his head. He never learns from his mistakes, but then again, Megatron doesn't either, seeing as how he's never turned Starscream into slag. Despite his constant failures, Starscream believes it is only a matter of time before he prevails—his destiny is inevitable.

Starscream's never-give-up attitude extends even to the afterlife: unlike most Transformers, he has a mutant, indestructible spark. His life-force cannot be destroyed and can persist even without a body to contain it. However, there is no indication that Starscream (or anybody else) was aware of this fact prior to his destruction.

Influences

Cybertronian Military (Scientist), Villainous, War Veteran: Before joining the Decepticons, Starscream was a scientist. He was among the earliest recruits to Megatron’s cause.

Origin

Seeker: Starscream assumes the alt-mode of a F-15 Eagle Fighter Jet.

Role and Focus

Field Commander (Mastermind): Starscream is a master manipulator and easily gets others to do his tasks for him.

Essence Scores and Skills

Strength 7: Brawn +d4, Conditioning x1, Intimidation +d4, Might +d4

Speed 10: Driving (Aerial) +d8*, Initiative +d4, Targeting +d6

Smarts 9: Alertness +d6, Culture +d4, Science +d4, Technology +d4

Social 9: Deception (Bluff) +d8, Persuasion (Flattery) +d6

Gaining name As A Contact

Decepticons, Rise Up!: If this Contact is on scene, the PCs can summon them for 1 round.

Flattery Gets You Everywhere: Starscream completely believes the Decepticon military will be better under his command. He’s always on the lookout for Cons who will support him over Megatron’s violent ways. If the PCs spend their downtime flattering Starscream with praise, succeeding on five DIF 17 Culture, Deception, or Persuasion Skill Tests, they gain Starscream as a permanent Contact.

Allegiance Points: 5

Contact Perks

Now I, Starscream, Am Leader of the Decepticons! (3 Allegiance  Points): Starscream is quick to assume command in the event of his superiors’ defeat. At the beginning of the combat scene, a PC selects one of their allies on the battlefield. If this selected ally is Defeated during the combat scene, the PC temporarily gains all the Perks and Powers of the Defeated ally until the end of the scene.

Cowardly Tactics (2 Allegiance Point): Starscream rarely engages against enemies he knows he cannot defeat. A PC who is not currently engaged in melee combat adds +1 to their Toughness and Evasion Defenses until the end of their next turn. While this bonus persists, the PC gains ↑1 with Targeting Skill Tests.

Frantic Assault (2 Allegiance Points): Starscream is never more dangerous than when he is injured. If a PC has at least 1 Wound, they may make 1 additional attack when they take the Attack Action. This ability lasts until the end of their next turn.

x

'Til All Are One!