When working on Quality Gear 6: Poles & Polearms one entry was for the Moon Spear Jumonji Yari. Part of the entry included a mention of a Twilight Lancer, and a Twilight Knight before that, and this got us thinking. Have we ever published a Magical Transforming Character like Sailor Moon, or He-Man? The answer was surprisingly, no. With that, the idea of Twilight Lancer moved from part of an item’s description, into the character we meet today.
How To Use Twilight Lancer
As written, Twilight Lancer is devoted to defending the world from the Shadow Blight, a dark force slipping into our world. This can make for an excellent cameo for the character, especially if the characters ever take a vacation to Tokyo. Adventures like Between a Demon and a Fool and Re: Generation X can provide examples of how GMs might introduce a cameo without overshadowing the PCs.
Alternatively, Twilight Lancer is a ready to play character, and broadening her mission from the Shadow Blight to a broader and more ambiguous darkness allows her to jump into virtually any campaign. Players should take a close look at the Playstyle though, Lancer is a well rounded character, but lacks the specialization of some other heroes. More on this below.
Twilight Lancer (Lancer) AKA Kotono “Koto” Moore
Power Level: Classic
- Attributes: Balanced
- Talents: Competent
Background
Born in Tokyo, Kotono Moore is the daughter of American born professor Franklyn Moore, and Japanese theoretical physicist Sakura Moore. This unique parentage fostered an equally unique upbringing as Koto often felt disconnected, watching from the sidelines, or pouring herself into following in her parents footsteps. As she transitioned to college though, Koto did not realize just how much her life was about to change.
Unbeknownst to Koto, she was also the current incarnation of the Twilight Knight. A soul dating back over a thousand years blessed, and cursed, by Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto, the moon god, to defend the world in times of need. When a malevolent being, known as the Shadow Blight, emerged from the depths of the cosmos blotting out the sky over Tokyo, the danger triggered Koto’s first transformation.
Awakening to memories of past lives, Koto went from school girl to warrior, as her body was reforged along with the Midnight Armor and Moon Spear. Imbued with the lunar energy, the spear and the newest welder, Twilight Lancer have been given the strength to combat the growing darkness. Along with old memories came skills, and a combat prowess she never knew she possessed. These along with the other gifts of the moon gave her the strength to defeat the Shadow Blight, sending it back to the darkness.
Who Am I?
However, the being was only a herald of things to come. The first incursion from the void, a dimension of dark nightmares, in over forty years. While able to drive the Blight into the void, the event had changed Koto.
In the months that followed, she has tried to find a balance between her heroic endeavors with her curriculum. Before becoming the Twilight Lancer, Koto had felt distant, now memories float on top of memories as she struggles with simple acts such as greeting people or interacting with modern technology. Names of things come and go, thankfully a tablet is still a tablet. Nevertheless, Koto would never shy away from her responsibilities, even if she relishes isolating herself in the college library or dorm room to study.
Issue 0 – Inaricho Station
The neon from the stores around her had gone dark. The streets, empty except for parked cars. The last train, long gone. Koto had gotten lost in the stacks and if not for the maintenance person, might have spent the entire night in the library. Now she was looking at the closed train station and the reality of a long walk home. Or was she?
Would it be an abuse of power? It couldn’t be. How does one fight the forces of darkness without a good night’s rest? Twisting in a glow of silver and pearl, Koto donned the Midnight Armor becoming Lancer before leaping into the sky. There had to be some perks to fighting a never ending war to save the planet.
From the air, Koto saw the city around her, lights from the more popular districts still aglow. Except, not entirely. Now, mid-flight, Koto could see the growing inkstain in the night sky. Something inside her knew at an almost instinctive level, this was blight. Blight she could have never seen if she had not fallen asleep at school. Blight she would have never known of had she not been so flippant with her powers.
Was this fate? As the Twilight Lancer, did one truly have freewill or were they simply a tool to be used by the gods above? Questions for another time. If Koto did not act, there were innocent people that would be hurt.
As if riding a beam of moonlight, Koto disappeared from Inaricho station. Twilight Lancer was needed.
Appearance
As Twilight Lancer, Kotono’s armor is a dark blue-violet color, studded with silver and a large moonstone gem at the center of the helmet. The Moon Spear is engraved and lacquered like a cloudy night sky, with a silver blade and moonstone in the center. In this form, her hair changes from black to blue.
Powers
Reincarnated
The soul of Twilight Lancer is immortal, Koto is simply the current incarnation of the eternal warrior. This manifests in a wisdom she herself rarely understands, and the ability to summon the tools of Tsukuyomi’s chosen. These are other advantages to being Reincarnated, but Koto has only just begun to understand her powers. While already enhancing Koto’s ability to defend herself, as she learns more about her nature (gaining experience) she may come to learn the fighting techniques locked within her soul.
Moon Spear Jumonji Yari
This long yari is tipped with a crescent blade along with its central point. The shaft is engraved with a cloud pattern except where it meets the blades in a circle-in-circle design made from a milky white gem, possibly representing the moon god Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto. The Moon Spear is said to empower the wielder, granting them enhanced speed, the ability to fly, and greater prowess so long as the light of the moon shines.
Midnight Armor
This silver and moonstone armor not only protects the Lancer but enhances their physical abilities, honing their senses. This allows Koto to perform superhuman feats while as the Lancer. Like the Moon Spear Jumonji Yari, the armor is summoned when Koto transforms into Twilight Lancer.
Playstyle: Mobile Striker
The Moon Spear enhances Twilight Lancer’s speed, allowing her to rush into battle striking quickly, then reposition. This allows her to slip in and out of danger keeping slower foes at bay. Between her yari and armor, Twilight Lancer is exceptionally difficult to hit and has a good ability to absorb damage. However, she lacks the Impervious nature of more dedicated tanks or trickier offensive abilities. Lancer will need to be careful not to overextend herself against some opponents and can serve as more of a support role in tougher battles. When in a pinch, Lancer can create a Moonbeam blast giving her a ranged option, but this can wear her down quickly, and is typically reserved for if she needs a back out of a closer engagement.
Attributes
History 11 Strength 5 Dexterity 15 (1 AP) Constitution 7 Sense 10 (1 AP)
Fortune 7 Wisdom 10 (1 AP) Intelligence 7 Mental 13 (2 AP) Expression 7
Backgrounds
Origin: Reincarnated Warrior (Immortal – Venerable) 11
Catalyst: The wheel of karma is an endless loop 8
Drive: Recursions in life 5
Drive: How can I use my powers? 1
Education 3
Talents
Acrobatics 9 Concentration 2 Cryptography 9 Forensics 9 Herbalism 5 (1 AP) Intuition 9 Occult 9 Perception 9 Religion 9 Science 9 (S) Formal Science 5 (1 AP) Tracking 9
Boons
Combo: Lunge: Move – Attack TY
Gear MA16
Cost: 1 + 32 = 6 Selections + 23 AP
Powers
Reincarnated 12
- Parent Attribute: Mental
- Primary Role: Support: Wisdom
Alter: Summon Raiment of Night MA
Secondary Role: Defense MA
Secondary Role: Offense MA
Cost: 1 Power + 6 Selections
Moon Spear Jumonji Yari 15
- Parent Attribute: Dexterity
- Primary Role: Offense
Ranged MA
Devastating (Boost Devastation) MA2
Secondary Role: Defense (Full Role) MA2
Secondary Role: Support: Dexterity MA
New Movement: Flight (Boost Speed, Rapid Acceleration) MA3
- (S) Combo: Lunge 4
- (S) Moon Might 4
- (S) Willpower Actions 4
Extra Stamina TY
Limited: Danger Close: After being hit by a melee attack, all actions suffer a -20 Penalty until moving to a different Range, foregoing the spear, or a successful Active Defense with the Penalty.
Limited: No use of Secondary Role Support During the Day.
Limited Uses: Recovery Required
Cost: 17 + 6 + 12 + 12 + 6 + 18 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 3 – 3 – 3 – 6 = 80 / Gear (8) = MA10
Midnight Armor 10
- Parent Attribute: Mental
- Primary Role: Defense
Armor (Boost Armor) MA2
Passive Defense MA
Secondary Role: Support: Strength MA
Added Support: Constitution, Senses MA2
Cost: 12 + 12 + 6 + 6 + 12 = 48 / Gear (8) = MA6
Stamina 15
Willpower Current: 6 Max: 11
Starting AP 30
Attributes 5 + Talents 2 + Boons 23 + Powers – Drawbacks
Action Scene Notes
Initiative: 33 (Dexterity 15 + Intuition 9 + Perception 9) Dice 3
Defense
Surprised Defense: 17 (Fortune 7 + Midnight Armor 10) Dice 3 Armor 7
Normal Defense: 48 (Dexterity 15 + Secondary: Reincarnated 6 + Moon Spear 15 + Midnight Armor 12) Dice 3 Armor 9
Mental Defense: 13 (Mental 13) Dice 2 Armor 2 Notes Science
Defense Notes
Cryptography: Gain 2 free levels of Armor whenever an Opponent repeats an attack.
Herbalism: Increase the Damage healed from the Flesh Wound Feature by 1. May be used once per session.
Intuition: Once per session, use Intuition (9) with Surprised Defense.
Perception: Once per session, use Perception (9) as a Supporting Characteristic for Normal Defense.
Religion: Gain 2 free levels of Armor when dealing with Supernatural Threats or Magic.
Tracking: Once per session, use their Normal Defense instead of Surprised Defense in any Combat where the character has already seen their Opponent.
Offense
Favored Attack: Diving Strike 30 (34) (Dexterity 15 + Secondary: Reincarnated 6 + Moon Spear 15 + (S) Combo: Lunge 4 – Maneuver Penalty: Combo 10 (+ Moon Might 4)) Dice 4 Range * / Close Damage – / 15 (17) Notes Lunge: Move – Attack. Move to Short Range or Medium Range with a final Attack Value of 40 or greater. Values in parenthesis () apply when under direct Moonlight.
Secondary Attack: Spear Thrust 36 (40) (Dexterity 15 + Secondary: Reincarnated 6 + Moon Spear 15 (+ Moon Might 4)) Dice 3 (4) Range Close Damage 13 (15) Notes Values in parenthesis () apply when under direct Moonlight.
Additional Attack: Spear Throw 36 (40) (Dexterity 15 + Secondary: Reincarnated 6 + Moon Spear 15 (+ Moon Might 4)) Dice 3 (4) Range Long Damage 13 (15) Notes Recovery required. Values in parenthesis () apply when under direct Moonlight.
Additional Attack: Moonbeam 40 (44) (Dexterity 15 + Secondary: Reincarnated 6 + Moon Spear 15 + (S) Willpower Actions 4 (+ Moon Might 4)) Dice 4 Range Long Damage 15 (17) Notes Moon Spear emits a bolt of lunar energy. Requires 1 Willpower, Ignores Recovery Required. Values in parenthesis () apply when under direct Moonlight.
Offense Notes
Forensics: Once per session, use Forensics (9) as a Supporting Characteristic for Bypass Armor and a follow up Attack.
Occult: Add 2 Damage when dealing with Supernatural Threats or Magical Creatures.Formal Science: Once per session add either 1 free Level of Armor, or 1 additional Damage.
