Earthdawn 4E: Example Character 04 - Elf Sky Raider

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

To say the idea of an elf Sky Raider is unconventional is a bit of an understatement. However, they can be used to take this discipline in interesting directions. Below is a different take on the Sky Raider.

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: Elf

Attributes:
DEX: 20 (8)   STR: 13 (6)   TOU: 13 (6)
PER: 16 (7)   WIL: 13 (6)   CHA: 16 (7)

Characteristics:
Initiative: 4 (Recommended: Crystal Ringlet [-2], Crystal Raider Shield [-2])
Physical Defense: 16 (Recommended: Crystal Raider Shield [+2])
Mystic Defense: 11 (Recommended: Crystal Raider Shield [+2])
Social Defense: 10

Physical Armor: 10 (Recommended: Crystal Ringlet, Forged +6 [10])
Mystic Armor: 8 (Recommended: Crystal Ringlet, Forged +2 [6])

Damage: 19 (Recommended: Broad Sword, Forged +8 [13]); 28 (with Down Strike)

Unconsciousness: 82
Death: 96
Wound Threshold: 8

Recovery Tests: 4
Knockdown: 14
Karma: 32
Karma: Recovery Tests and melee Damage tests.

Talents: 
Battle Shout: 9 (16)
Climbing: 8 (16)
Fireblood: 9 (15)
Melee Weapons: 9 (17)
Sky Weaving: 8 (15)
Avoid Blow: 8 (16)
Great Leap: 8 (16)
Shield Bash: 8 (14)
Wound Balance: 8 (14)
Air Speaking: 6 (13)
Fire Heal: 8 (14)
Danger Sense: 8 (15)
Battle Bellow: 9 (16)
Distract: 8 (15)
Steely Stare: 8 (15)
Tactics: 8 (15)
Down Strike: 9 (15)
First Impression: 8 (15)
Momentum Attack: 8 (15)
Tiger Spring: 8

While the troll Sky Raider is all about bringing the pain at every opportunity, this take on the discipline is more focused around defense and teamwork. In combat, their damage is still respectable, though they will need to rely more on timing and supporting their allies to get the job done. To help them in this task, they have Battle Shout, Battle Bellow, Shield Bash, and Distract to create opportunities to exploit. Offensively, they will do best to Aggressively Attack when an opening presents itself; such as by using Shield Bash at the end of a round, then activating Tiger Spring to go before the target and taking advantage of their prone condition. Keeping their allies on plan will be crucial in implementing Tactics, but it can be a boob.

Their high Physical Defense also helps them to get the most out of Distract. However, their lower armor and toughness mean this character will need to be careful around opponents with high damage. Avoid Blow is going to be their best friend and Karma should always be reserved for use with it. As well, finding the correct opportunities to use Fireblood will be important, as timing with this character is going to be everything.

While every Sky Raider should be wary of spellcasters, this particular character has a little less to be concerned about. They should still be concerned, because a Mystic Defense of 10 isn't great by any stretch of the imagination at this point. Though, without Lion Heart, they may do well to not draw too much attention from control-type effects.

Outside of combat, they bring some social abilities to the group, taking advantage of the elf's natural charisma. This can naturally lead to them being the rallying point in combat, able to direct their comrades and employ their debuffs to direct the flow of the conflict.