Earthdawn 4E: Example Character 03 - Troll Sky Raider

This is the third Example Character in an ongoing series about Earthdawn. Introduction and Index.

When many people think of Earthdawn, one of the first images which comes to mind is a troll Sky Raider. They combine a unique take on the fantasy staple, trolls, along with one of the most visible elements of the Earthdawn setting, airships. Below is what an example of an Eighth Circle troll Sky Raider, along with equipment and play suggestions.

Each Circle saw this character improve one attribute and take a new Talent Option. There are no Thread Items on this character, however unlikely it may be. 

Note: The entries in this series may be updated periodically as I master the coding to fit all eight of the Circles in a fashion which doesn't result in eye melting. Consider these living entries. Please leave comments if there is anyway this could be made more useful.

Discipline: Sky Raider
Race: Troll

Attributes:
DEX: 18 (7)   STR: 19 (8)   TOU: 17 (7)
PER: 12 (5)   WIL: 10 (5)   CHA: 16 (7)

Characteristics:
Initiative: 2 (Recommended: Crystal Plate [-5])
Physical Defense: 13
Mystic Defense: 7
Social Defense: 10

Physical Armor: 12 (Recommended: Crystal Plate, Forged +5 [12])
Mystic Armor: 12 (Recommended: Crystal Plate, Forged +3 [10])

Damage: 22 (Recommended: 2x Troll Sword, Forged +8 [14]); 31 (with Down Strike)

Unconsciousness: 90
Death: 105
Wound Threshold: 10

Recovery Tests: 4
Knockdown: 16
Karma: 24
Karma: Recovery Tests and melee Damage tests.

Talents: 
Battle Shout: 9 (16)
Climbing: 8 (15)
Fireblood: 9 (17)
Melee Weapons: 9 (16)
Sky Weaving: 8 (13)
Air Sailing: 8 (13)
Great Leap: 8 (15)
Avoid Blow: 8 (15)
Wound Balance: 8 (16)
Wind Catcher: 8 (13)
Fire Heal: 9 (16)
Danger Sense: 8 (13)
Battle Bellow: 9 (16)
Second Weapon: 8 (15)
Steely Stare: 8 (15)
Lion Heart: 8 (13)
Down Strike: 9 (17)
Tiger Spring: 8
Momentum Attack: 8 (15)
Sprint: 6

Here we have an adept based around wrecking things. They support phenomenal offensive capabilities, with at least two attacks, incredibly high damage, and two debuffs (on of which also buffs allies). They should also be using the Aggressive Attack option every round to further enhance their potential for mayhem.

Defensively, they will be relying primarily on a good offense. Heavy armor was selected to reduce the total need for Fireblood in combat, but it is an option which should be used as needed, particularly with the additional Recovery Tests granted from Fire Heal. This character is not designed to sit around in a slug-fest like a Warrior, but use their enhanced mobility (Great Leap and Sprint) to take down high-value targets, such as Archers and spellcasters. They are the linebackers on the field.

The initiative of this adept is lacking, though Tiger Spring is available for use against adepts with talents which prey on low initiative (Air Dance and Cobra Strike), as well as getting the jump when necessary. However, the biggest weakness is magic. To help mitigate this, crystal plate with good Mystic Armor and Lion Heart have both been selected, however neither of these will fully compensate for this innate problem. This Sky Raider's best solution is to take them down first: the best defense is a good offense.