A Living Spycraft Mission for Level 2 Agents A Living Spycraft Mission for Level 2 Agents

Lockdown Lockdown
by Steve Crow by Steve Crow

his is a standard RPGA Network tournament

T for a team of four to six 2nd-level agents

(though the serial’s challenges and XP rewards
are tiered so that the serial can be played by up to six
agents of levels 7, 12, or 17 as well). See the Living
Spycraft website, or the most recent Living Spycraft
Master Rules Document, for which agents may play at
each of these target average agent levels. Set aside a
four-hour time block for this event. Instruct the play-
ers to leave the character sheets face down until you
have read the introduction.
The actual playing time should be about three hours.
Make sure to let the players use the last 20 to 30 min-
utes of the event time block to briefly describe their
characters for each other, and to vote on each others’
performances during the mission. Use the standard
RPGA Network voting procedures. Make sure you have
finished voting before you collect the players’ voting
sheets, so you won’t be influenced by their votes and
comments.
A note about the text in this module — some of it is
written so that you may present it to the players, while
other text is for your eyes only. Text for the players is
presented in shaded boxes throughout the serial. It’s
strongly recommended that you paraphrase the player
text, instead of reading it aloud; some of the text is
general and must be adapted to the specific situation
or to the actions of the agents

L I V I N G L I V I N G
TM TM

Requires the use of the Spycraft™ Espionage Handbook, Requires the use of the Spycraft™ Espionage Handbook,
published by Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc., and the published by Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc.,
Dungeons & Dragons® Player’s Handbook, and the Dungeons & Dragons® Player’s Handbook,
Third Edition, published by Wizards of the Coast.® Third Edition, published by Wizards of the Coast.®

1800-20
© 2004 Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
 1 2

How to Use This Product GC Introduction

Abbreviations The Agency “administrator” known as Asylum — the
This adventure uses standard Spycraft NPC abbreviations, “Ninth Man” and head of Agency internal security — is in
as follows: fact a traitor within the organization. As a member of the
Atk Attack Invisible Hand criminal organization, Asylum obtained his
Def Defense position through blackmail and coercion, and has since used
Fort Fortitude his position to conceal the Hand’s activities as they acquire
Init Initiative advanced technology. For more information about Asylum,
Ref Reflex see the Living Spycraft website’s Agency pages. For more
Spd Speed information about the Invisible Hand, see Tengu Conspiracy
SV Save and Condemned serials.
v/wp vitality/wound points Now, the Invisible Hand is ready to make a major world-
Will Willpower wide move against the Agency, but requires one final piece
Ability scores are abbreviated as normal (see the Spycraft rules). of technology — an Agency decoder unit. To acquire this
device, the villains target the Agency’s San Francisco base of
To prepare to run this serial, you should read it completely at operations, a communications hub for its U.S., Pacific, and
least once. You may wish to print extra copies of the fashion show East Asian offices. They must take care to ensure that the
hall and the Aurora Vale yacht maps for ease of use as well. Agency doesn’t discover that its device has been stolen, or
the codes will be changed. The Hand’s solution is to destroy
the base during the theft — along with everyone in it.
Spycraft Asylum anonymously contacts a local crime boss, Madame
This module requires the use of the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS® Zhu, and helps her create an organization capable of posing
PLAYER’S HANDBOOK, THIRD EDITION, published by Wizards of a worldwide threat. After assisting her for six months, he
the Coast,® and the Spycraft™ Espionage Handbook, published by covertly arranges for a team of agents — the players — to
Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. You won’t be able to run this capture her and bring her to the San Francisco headquarters,
adventure without it. timing the operation to occur when Zhu’s first lieutenant,
Spycraft, Shadowforce Archer and all related marks are ™ and Peng Lao, is elsewhere in the city. Then Asylum provides
© 2004 Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Peng Lao with his superior’s location and the Agency HQ’s
security codes. When Peng Lao launches a counterattack,
Asylum sneaks down to the building’s fourth sub-level and
LockDown removes the decoder unit, sets a charge to destroy the build-
Author: Steve Crow ing’s computer, and triggers the building’s self-destruct sys-
(based on a idea by Patrick Kapera) tem to cover his escape.
Art Director: jim pinto Asylum also lures the Director of D-3: Computer
Brand Manager: Patrick Kapera Espionage, Jason Daniels, to the San Francisco base — for two
Editor: Patrick Kapera purposes. First, Asylum knows that some Agency personnel
Creative Director: Mark Jelfo don’t trust Daniels because of his commitment to social
Graphic Design: Justin Lawler reform, and he hopes to scapegoat Daniels with planted evi-
Cover Illustration: A4H Designs dence tying the Director to the base’s destruction. Second,
Cartography: Cris Dornaus the Invisible Hand believes that it can best accomplish its
goals by eliminating Daniels, the Agency’s most technically
capable administrator.
Armed with Asylum’s information (and some heavy hard-
ware), Peng Lao attacks the Agency base with his technical
expert, Xu Ching-Lee, and six squads of elite moshuh nanren
(“shadow warriors”). He assigns three squads to the second
and third sub-levels, then he and Ching-Lee go to Zhu’s cell
and bypass the electronic security system. They’re unaware
that Asylum plans to destroy the entire base and everyone in
it — including them.
 3 4
Serial Synopsis
Lockdown follows the standard Living Spycraft serial for-
mat, and is divided into an opening sequence, an introduc-
tion, and two scenes.
Opening Sequence: Recovery. The serial begins with the
agents in San Francisco, just after they capture the criminal
mastermind Madame Zhu. The agents must escape Zhu’s
headquarters and evade guards intent upon recovering their
mistress. Following the agents’ escape, they deliver Zhu to
the nearby Agency hub center and meet with Control for
debriefing. The debriefing is interrupted, however, as a squad
of Zhu’s shadow warriors break into the conference room and
kill Control.
Mission Briefing and Gearing Up: This mission’s “briefing”
is the agents’ chance to assess the situation — it’s clear to
them that the shadow warriors work for Zhu and are here to
rescue her. The Agency headquarters building has gone into
“Lockdown” and the team can’t exit the facility or communi-
cate with the outside world, though they can make their way
to the nearby equipment shop and scavenge some gear. Their
choices are somewhat limited, however, due to an explosive
exchange between the intruders and Agency security.
Scene 1: The Survivors. Once the agents pick up their gear,
they can either make their way to Zhu’s cell on Sub-Level 3
or engage the shadow warriors directly. In the process, they
may discover clues suggesting that an insider helped Zhu’s
operatives enter the base. If the agents head to Zhu’s cell,
they arrive just as she is freed. The scene concludes as the
headquarters is rocked with a massive explosion.
Scene 2: The Traitor. Asylum sets off the explosion at the
end of Scene 1 in order to blow open the room containing the
Agency’s computer core on Sub-Level 4. He acquires the
decoder unit and trips the base’s self-destruct mechanism,
then heads for the garage exit on Sub-Level 4, where he uses
a forged security override to escape before the base detonates.
(He doesn’t want to use his own security code, lest the Agency
discover that he left before the base’s self-destruction.)
Opening Sequence:
Recovery
Agent Description
Read the following aloud to begin this serial — before the
mission briefing. Do not let the players discuss the serial or
take any other actions before leaping into the action.
You stand over the unconscious body of Madame Zhu, leader
of the most powerful Triad gang in San Francisco. Your team
managed to sneak into her Chinatown base in the sewers
beneath Bush Street and subdue her. Unfortunately, she trig-
gered an alarm before you got to her and her warriors are no
doubt converging upon your location. Your vehicles are
parked on the street outside and during your initial entry, you
discovered a tunnel leading to the docks near the Bay Bridge.
Either way, you need to get out — now!
GC Description
Each agent starts with his personal and signature gear (i.e. he car-
ries no mission gear, and may not spend mission budget at this
time). Each agent also starts with 1 encrypted tactical radio and
1 gadget costing 2 GP or less. This gadget may only be chosen
from the following list.
• Explosive pen (1 GP).
• Heads Up Display (H.U.D.) lenses (1 GP).
• Standard armor liner clothing (1 GP), possibly with taser cufflinks option
(1 GP each, 2 GP per pair).
• Standard grapple belt (1 GP), possibly with razor’s edge or sword options
(+1 GP each).
• Standard laser watch (1 GP), possibly with explosive or garrote options
(+1 GP each).
• Standard micro-grenade earrings (1 GP each, 2 GP per pair).
• Standard sensor shoes (1 GP per pair), possibly with blade or rollerblade
options (+1 GP each).
• Threat lenses (1 GP).
As the agents head toward any exit, 4 guards wearing tra-
ditional Chinese warriors’ clothing and wielding standard
greatswords charge into the room and attack! Following this
brief combat, the agents may exit, prompting an additional 4
guards to chase after them.
The chase’s initial lead is 2d6+8 lengths, minus 1 per
round the agents spend fighting the initial 4 guards in the
throne room. Maneuver checks are made using Balance dur-
ing this chase. Whether the agents head to their vehicles or
through the sewers, the terrain is considered tight. If the
guards successfully perform a finishing maneuver, they catch
up with the agents and engage them in combat, after which
an additional 4 guards arrive every 1d3+3 rounds thereafter.
In this case, the agents’ only way out is to capture or kill 1
squad of guards, +1 additional squad of guards per tier
beyond the first.
Map Key: Madame Zhu’s Throne Room
This room is decorated in a 17th Century Chinese motif,
with false windows and air conditioning to make it more
comfortable.
1. Zhu’s Throne: This impressive seat of power is adorned
with medieval Chinese engravings of dragon heads
surrounded with gold inlay. With a successful Search check
(DC 20/25/30/35), the agents discover a fully loaded Daewoo
DP 40 service pistol hidden in the throne’s right arm rest. No
additional ammunition is present.
2. Tapestries: These 17th Century Chinese hangings illus-
trate the courts of the four major Emperors of the era.
Each tapestry possesses a hardness of 1, 1 wound point, and
no Break DC. With a successful Strength check (DC
15/15/15/15), an agent may pull a tapestry off the wall and
use it as a melee weapon that inflicts no damage, but entan-
 5 6
gles any successfully attacked target (see the Spycraft
Espionage Handbook, page 177). A character entangled in
this fashion must make a successful full action Escape Artist
check (DC 20/20/20/20) to escape. One tapestry conceals a
secret door, which may be located with a successful Search
check (DC 15/20/25/30). If the agents find and use this door,
their chase lead is increased by an additional 1d8 lengths.
3. Partitioned Area: The panels making up the throne
room’s west wall feature traditional Chinese battle scenes.
When Zhu meets with someone, she stations her guards
and/or Peng Lao in this area to listen in and provide addi-
tional security if her visitors become… unruly. Four standard
large swords are mounted on this area’s east wall, each may
be removed with 1 half action
Threats
The 4 guards who initially attack the agents use swords,
but once the agents (presumably) demonstrate their superior
firepower, all guards switch to firearms. The guards fire upon
all agents except those carrying Zhu, then engage in an all-
out melee when and if they reach the team.
Within the throne room, the guards work in teams of two,
flanking a single agent when possible and striking simulta-
neously using Wolf Pack tactics. During the chase, however,
the guards abandon this tactic, as the base’s corridors are
only 10 ft. wide, leaving no room for flank attacks.
Given their loyalty to Zhu, the guards are immune to
morale effects.
Events
If the agents remain ahead of the guards for 6 chase
rounds (and have not yet successfully performed a finishing
maneuver), they emerge into the city at the start of Round 7.
At this point, the chase continues under conditions deter-
mined by the agents’ initial actions, as follows.
If the agents fled to their cars, Zhu’s guards switch to
vehicles themselves and keep up the pursuit. Two squads of
guards continue the chase, each in a standard luxury car. The
lead remains unchanged (both groups needing to get in vehi-
cles and start them up), and the city streets are considered
close terrain.
If the agents fled to city streets (away from their cars), the
foot chase continues through the streets of San Francisco.
The lead remains unchanged, but the terrain automatically
shifts to close.
If the agents fled to the Bay Bridge, the agents must
hotwire one of Zhu’s speedboats. This requires a successful
Mechanics check (DC 10/15/20/25), and costs the agents 1d8
lengths of lead for each try. The agents may also choose to
sabotage one of more of the three remaining boats, a task
that requires a successful Mechanics check (DC 10/15/20/25)
and costs the agents 1d8 additional lengths of lead per boat
sabotaged. If any boats remain operable, Zhu’s guards use
them to continue the pursuit, one squad per operable boat.
The Bay is busy today and is therefore considered close ter-
rain.
In all cases, the guards seek to successfully perform a
crowd maneuver to finish the chase without significantly
injuring their leader.
Once the agents elude pursuit, their standing orders are to
deliver Zhu to the local Agency headquarters, where they are
to receive their debriefing and new mission assignment.
Troubleshooting
If the agents somehow manage to lose Zhu, they should
attempt to retrieve her — recovering her is their top standing
priority. The GC should not activate any critical failure that
forces the agents to lose Zhu.
The GC should also avoid taking action that ends with the
agents captured by the guards, unless there is no way around
it. The opposition here is not meant to present a major chal-
lenge — just enough for the players to have some fun and feel
superior for a while. If the agents are somehow captured, an
Agency strike team rescues them within the next 24 hours
and returns them to headquarters for a stern debriefing and
likely reprimand. They are given the chance to reprove them-
selves when Madame Zhu’s men attack the base in retribu-
tion. The serial continues as scripted from there.
Development
Read the following aloud when the agents return to their
San Francisco headquarters.
The Agency’s San Francisco headquarters is located on the
southeast side of the city, disguised as a shipping company
facing out onto the water. You turn into an alley alongside
the building and trip a switch on your watch, triggering a pri-
vate entrance in the structure’s side wall. The room beyond is
indistinct, without doors or windows, but as the wall behind
you closes, you’re bathed in a pale red glow and “scanned” by
Agency security. A moment later, you hear a low chime, and
the red glow is replaced with soothing illumination from
flanking wall panels. The floor lurches downward, through
the parting floor and into the building’s Sub-Level 1 garage.
You hear a familiar voice over the room’s intercom. “Welcome
back, agents, and good work out there. I see you’ve returned
with a little prize…”
Asylum, head of the Agency’s Internal Security Division. He
must be here to personally interrogate Zhu. She must be more
important than you thought. Armed security operatives con-
firm your suspicions, approaching to take her into custody as
you’re directed deeper into the base.
“Control’s waiting for you,” one of operatives says, smiling.
“Should be good news.”
If any agents are injured, they each receive 1 dose of liq-
uid skin on the way out of the garage.
 7 8
As you shuffle toward Control’s office, you spot Asylum
engaged in an argument with Jason Daniels, Director of D-3:
Computer Espionage. It’s strange to see Daniels him this far
from his Washington D.C., immediately raising warning flags
in your head. Asylum and Daniels step into an elevator as you
pass by, Daniels aggressively arguing some indecipherable
point. “The loyalty of my department is beyond reproach!” he
says. It’s difficult to assess Asylum’s mood behind his
omnipresent black glasses and impassive expression. The ele-
vator doors close and the lift descends.
You reach the assigned conference room to find it empty.
Control barrels in as you’re taking your seats, flustered, her
breath heavy. A short, attractive blonde with straight hair and
unruly bangs, she’s dressed in a garish Swingin’ Sixties-style
dress. She plops into her chair at the head of the conference
table, shrugs, and apologizes for her tardiness. “The Big Brass
are here today. Some kind of security audit. Half the staff are
upstairs trapped in interviews, so we’re operating at minimal
capacity.”
Control doesn’t wait for a response, getting right down to
business in her characteristically casual way. “How was the
mission? You captured Zhu, obviously…”
The agents may give a brief review of their escape. Control
interjects periodically with suppositions and observations.
It seems she’s concerned that Madame Zhu may have in fact
been working for someone else.
Before the agents complete their debriefing, read the fol-
lowing aloud.
The room’s soundproofed door flies open suddenly, the body
of an Agency staffer thrown to the floor in a bloody heap. A
split-second later, a black-clad woman moves into the room,
draws a pistol, and fires a shot directly into Control’s chest,
felling her instantly. Three black-clad men muscle in behind
her as she raises her pistol toward the closest of you…
During this combat, the agents possess only their person-
al gear (having dropped off what little mission gear they had
en route to their debriefing). The intruding shadow warriors
initially split up into teams of two and attempt to flank the
closest of the agents, defaulting to adopt guerilla tactics.
They fight to the death.
Following this fight, proceed to the Mission Briefing.
Mission Briefing
Read the following aloud after the battle in the conference
room.
As you finish off the last of your opponents, a pre-recorded
female voice echoes through the Agency’s intercom: “This is
Base Supervisor Janice Hammond. This cell is now in
Lockdown. I repeat — this cell is now in Lockdown. All per-
sonnel must remain at their current locations until the secu-
rity teams clear them to leave. I repeat — all personnel must
remain at their current locations until the security teams clear
them to leave. ”
After a few moments of silence, you hear a brief torrent of
gunshots and screams, followed closely by a quick grenade
explosion, then more silence.
“This is Base Supervisor Janice Hammond. This cell is now in
Lockdown. I repeat…”
Each agent may make an education check (DC
10/15/20/25). With success, the agent knows of Janice
Hammond, but has never met her. Any agent who beats this
DC by 5 or more has visited the San Francisco base before
and knows the layout of Sub-Levels 1, 2, and 3 (see page 25-
27). Sub-Level 4 is a high-security area and none of the
agents have the clearance required to enter.
The agents can easily make their way back to the armory
(location #6), where they may pick up additional gear (see
Gearing Up, page 9). Alternately, the agents may take the
defeated shadow warriors’ equipment (see page 36). Of par-
ticular interest, each shadow warrior carries 1 encrypted
radio headset (currently set to the intruders’ communication
channel).
The team may also interrogate any captured shadow war-
riors, as described under Threats (see page 15).
When the agents arrive at the armory, read the following
aloud.
Three corpses litter the hallway outside the conference room,
two of them base personnel and the third one of the black-
clad intruders. It’s evident that the two staffers engaged the
intruder in a shootout — and everyone lost. The armory door
is open, the room’s interior devastated by a close-quarters
explosion. Sparks drift to the floor over the shattered rem-
nants of shelving units once stacked high with weapons and
gear.
Beyond the armory door, the garage door is secured. In
Lockdown, four-inch thick metal rods run through all exits,
which are fortified to begin with. Looks like you won’t be
leaving the way you came in…
 9 10
The dead Agency operatives each carry 1 Ruger P89 ser-
vice pistol (dmg 1d10+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, range
25 ft., qualities and mods: RG — 1d8 shots of standard mili-
tary ball ammunition remaining out of 15). Each operative
also possesses 1 extra (full) clip of ammunition for his gun,
as well as 1 encrypted tactical radio (currently tuned to the
Agency’s communication channel, which is different from
that of the intruders).
The shadow warrior carries all the gear listed in his stan-
dard stat block (see page 36).
The grenade blast severely damaged the armory’s contents,
but the agents may still raid it for some equipment. If the
agents linger for more 10 or more minutes, however, two
additional squads of shadow warriors attack them.
Gearing Up
This mission is Code: Red, but here, the mission code mere-
ly represents the gear available to be found amidst the equip-
ment shop’s wreckage. The agents may only requisition pis-
tols, rifles, pistol and rifle ammunition, laptops, laptop
upgrades, medical gear, and the following bundles (which are
pre-packaged and field-ready).
Bundles A, B, or C — 25 BP each (see the Spycraft
Espionage Handbook, page 106).
Demolitions, entry team, or trail bundles — 25 BP each (see
the Modern Arms Guide, page 7).
Command post, ninja, or wetworks bundles — 25 BP each
(see the Fixer/Pointman Class Book, pages 32–33).
Bodyguard, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), or
mechanic bundles — 25 BP each (see the Soldier/Wheelman
Class Book, pages 27–28).
Paranormal operations bundle — 25 BP each (see the
Archer Foundation Chamber Book, page 47).
Interrogation bundle — 25 BP each (see the European
Commonwealth Chamber Book, page 49).
Shocktrooper bundle — 35 BP each (see the Hand of Glory
Threat Book, page 40).
Intrusion or martial arts bundle — 25 BP each (see the Pan-
Asian Collective Chamber Book, page 33).
Only the weapons, standard-issue gear, and bundles the
agents requisition are present. The agents may not exceed
their standard Code: Red mission budget during this serial.
Further, no new bundles are provided in this serial.
Finally, there is no need to determine field expenses.
Recommended Gadgets
Likewise, the mission code represents the only gadgets avail-
able to be found amidst the equipment shop’s wreckage. The
agents may only requisition gadgets from the following list.
Micro-burst gel (4 GP per 5 uses).
Standard armor liner clothing (1 GP), possibly with armor
option (+2 GP).
Standard hologram projector ring (1 GP).
Starlight lenses (1 GP).
Target analysis lenses (2 GP).
Threat lenses (1 GP).
White noise generator backpack (3 GP).
Only the gadgets the agents requisition are present. The
agents may not exceed their standard Code: Red mission GP
during this serial.
Further, no vehicle gadgets are present in the armory.
Finally, the Gearing Up phase may take no longer than 15
minutes.
Three corpses litter the hallway outside the conference room,
two of them base personnel and the third one of the black-
clad intruders. It’s evident that the two staffers engaged the
intruder in a shootout — and everyone lost. The armory door
is open, the room’s interior devastated by a close-quarters
explosion. Sparks drift to the floor over the shattered rem-
nants of shelving units once stacked high with weapons and
gear.
Beyond the armory door, the garage door is secured. In
Lockdown, four-inch thick metal rods run through all exits,
which are fortified to begin with. Looks like you won’t be
leaving the way you came in…
Scene 1: The Survivors
Agent Description
Read the following aloud when the agents enter this scene.
An eerie silence fills the base… You miss the omnipresent
chatter and echoing footsteps as you glance out into the
deathly stillness that has invaded the drab gray corridors and
made them a tomb. You venture out into the base and quick-
ly come across the remains of mutilated base personnel, left
for dead during the insanely rapid attack.
How did it all happen so fast? And what do you do now?
GC Description
All agents are familiar with Lockdown, and the GC should
relate the following to the players accordingly.
Lockdown Trigger: Lockdown occurs by base supervisor
order, either on site or by remote from the Agency home
office in Washington. Alternately, it can occur when a base’s
security system registers an attack. As no alarms have gone
off, presumably either Janice Hammond activated Lockdown
or it was activated remotely. An Agency Lockdown requires
2 full actions to trigger
Communications Lockdown: During Round 1 of Lockdown,
the system severs internal and external communication, and ini-
tiates high-powered jamming gear possessing an ECM signal
power rating of +9.
External Lockdown: During Round 2 of Lockdown, the sys-
tem secures all external doors, and isolates the base’s front
offices (in this case, Sub-Level 1). Unless otherwise specified,
 11
each external door possesses a hardness of 15, 250 wound
points, and no Break DC, and is secured with 4-in. thick steel
rods with a hardness of 15, 150 wound points, and no Break
DC. These doors may not be opened with any skill check.
Internal Lockdown: During Round 3 of Lockdown, the sys-
tem closes all internal doors and purges all temporary and
visitor codes from the system (thus ensuring that only base
personnel move through these doors, and only to areas for
which they possess standard clearance). Unless otherwise
specified, each internal door possesses a hardness of 10, 100
wound points, and a Break DC of 30. These doors may be
opened with a successful Electronics check (DC 15/20/25/30).
Each successful Electronics check opens only 1 door — a new
check must be made to open each subsequent door.
Clearing Lockdown: Lockdown may be cleared from with-
in the base or by remote from the Agency home office in
Washington. Only the base supervisor may clear Lockdown
from inside the facility. Clearing Lockdown requires retinal
and code authentication at a terminal located in the base
supervisor’s office (in this case, Sub-Level 4, location #6). A
device is implanted in all base supervisors to monitor their
vitals. This device sends word to the Agency home office in
Washington if the supervisor dies, at which point Lockdown
may only be cleared by Agency home office personnel with
the proper clearance.
This scene begins with the agents exploring the base. It’s
assumed that they move toward Madame Zhu’s cell to pre-
vent her release, as it should be fairly obvious from the shad-
ow warriors’ garb and weapons that they’re in her employ
(though notes are provided for alternate routes — see
Troubleshooting, page 18).
Map Key: Sub-Level 2
The walls of this level are light gray and illuminated by
indirect lighting (which may be shut down from the electrical
closet — see location #10). Each door bears a plaque identi-
fying the room’s function (e.g. “Office — [Name]”,
“Conference Room [Letter]”, “Electrical Closet”, etc.).
1. Conference Room A: This room contains a long table, 8
comfortable leather chairs, and a wide-screen monitor. The
agents are debriefed here (see page 1-7).
2. Conference Rooms B, C, and D: Each of these rooms con-
tains a long table, 8 comfortable leather chairs, and a wide-
screen monitor.
3. Offices: Each of these rooms contains a telephone and
a desktop computer with a power rating of +3. When the
agents enter each room, there is a 1 in 4 chance that they
find a corpse within, and a 1 in 6 chance that the corpse
clutches a Ruger P89 service pistol with 1d10+5 shots
remaining. All remaining staffers are either off-shift and live
off-site, or undergoing an intelligence audit on Sub-Level 1.
4. Prep Cells: Each of these rooms is assigned to a Control
or an agent team when they assemble intelligence data for a
mission, briefing, or debriefing.
12
5. Garage: The agents enter the base through this location.
It is inaccessible for the remainder of this serial.
6. Armory: The agents visit this location during the
Gearing Up phase (see page 9). It is devastated by a high-
charge fragmentation grenade during the agents’ debriefing.
7. Men’s Restroom.
8. Women’s Restroom.
9. Break Room: The corpses of 2 base staffers are found
beneath this room’s table. Neither is armed.
10. Electrical Closet: With a successful Electronics check
(DC 20/25/30/35), the agents may shut down the lights for
the entire floor from this location. This skill check requires
2d4 rounds.
11. Broom Closet: This small room contains harmless
chemicals, wooden broomsticks, and similarly mundane
items. An agent possessing the ingenious class ability gains
+2 BP for the first action die he spends to appropriate gear
from this location. Likewise, an agent may use the improvi-
sation class ability to appropriate gear from this location, up
to a value of $100 rather then the standard $25.
E1. Elevators: These elevators typically go to Sub-Levels 1
and 3, but do not visit Sub-Level 4. During Lockdown, the
elevator doors don’t open, though they may be forced with a
successful Strength check (DC 20/20/20/20). Further, the ele-
vators don’t respond when called or if the agents climb into
them through the roof access, though the controls may be
overriden with a successful Electronics check (DC
25/25/25/25). Ascending or descending the shaft ladder
requires a successful Climb check (DC 15/15/15/15). The GC
should roll 1d4 to determine the sub-level at which each ele-
vator is fixed at the serial’s start, with a result of 4 indicat-
ing that the car is located between sub-levels. Finally, while
the agents are in an elevator shaft, the GC need not roll for
random shadow warrior encounters — instead, when each
agent moves through this location, he must make a Move
Silently check opposed by the shadow warriors’ Listen skill.
With failure, the shadow warriors notice the team, alert their
teammates and allies, and coordinate a two-pronged attack
upon the team from the floors above and below.
E2. Elevators: These elevators typically go to Sub-Level 1
only, but do not visit Sub-Levels 3 or 4. During Lockdown,
the elevator doors don’t open, though they may be forced
with a successful Strength check (DC 20/20/20/20). Further,
the elevators don’t respond when called or if the agents climb
into them through the roof access, though the controls may
be overriden with a successful Electronics check (DC
20/20/20/20). Ascending or descending the shaft ladder
requires a successful Climb check (DC 15/15/15/15). The GC
should roll 1d3 to determine the sub-level where the elevator
is fixed at the serial’s start, with a result of 3 indicating that
the car is located between sub-levels. Finally, while the
agents are in an elevator shaft, the GC need not roll for ran-
dom shadow warrior encounters — instead, when each agent
 13
moves through this location, he must make a Move Silently
check opposed by the shadow warriors’ Listen skill. With fail-
ure, the shadow warriors notice the team, alert their team-
mates and allies, and coordinate a two-pronged attack upon
the team from the floors above and below.
S. Stairwell: These stairs go to Sub-Levels 1 and 3, but do
not visit Sub-Level 4. The internal doors leading to this loca-
tion are secured in the same fashion as all standard interior
doors during Lockdown (see page 10).
Map Key: Sub-Level 3
The walls of this level are light blue and illuminated by
indirect lighting (which may be shut down from the electri-
cal closet — see location #11). Each door bears a plaque iden-
tifying the room’s function (e.g. “Office — [Name]”,
“Conference Room [Letter]”, “Electrical Closet”, etc.).
1. Communication Center: Each of the doors leading into
this room features higher security, requiring a successful
Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40) to open. Once inside, the
team may access the intercom without a skill check. For
security reasons, this room’s computers aren’t linked directly
into the base’s security systems, nor are they linked to the
Sub-Level 4 core computer (see page 19). However, with a
successful Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40), the agents
may rig these computers to gain limited communication with
the outside world — enough to send up to 10 words of voice
or text to the Agency home office.
If the agents attempt to make a voice call, the line is auto-
matically intercepted by the intruders’ communications spe-
cialist, Xu Ching-Lee, who opens the channel to the intrud-
ers’ leader, Peng Lao (see page 38-41 for more about these
characters). Peng Lao tries to bluff the agents long enough
for Ching-Lee to summon 2 squads of shadow warriors to the
team’s location. The warriors arrive in 1d6 rounds. Failing
that, Peng Lao assures the agents that they can’t stop him —
and would be better off just staying out of his way. The
henchman is mobile throughout this exchange, speaking
through a makeshift connection between his headset and the
base communication system. Following this conversation, all
remaining shadow warriors on Sub-Level 3 gain a +5 cir-
cumstance bonus with all skill checks made to determine
awareness during the next 10 minutes.
If the agents gain access to the computers in this location,
they may make a Computers check (DC 25/30/35/40) to mon-
itor the base phone lines. With success, they notice unusual
traffic — someone is transferring a large data-packet from a
secure computer on Sub-Level 4. The agents can’t determine
the nature of the transferred data.
2. Security Center: Each of the doors leading into this
room features higher security, requiring a successful
Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40) to open. Once inside, the
team discovers that the base’s security systems have been
sabotaged and cannot be accessed. With a successful
Computers check opposed by Asylum’s Computers skill bonus
of +7/+10/+12/+14, the agents may recover the security
14
recordings leading up to the Lockdown, which clearly show
Asylum sabotaging the cameras in this room. If either or both
parties possess 5 or more ranks in Surveillance, they gain a
+2 circumstance bonus with this opposed skill check.
3. Holding Cells: Each of the four cells in this location con-
tains 1 cot, 1 chair, 1 toilet, and 1 sink. Each cell door may
be opened from a control panel in location #4, or bypassed
with a successful Electronics check (DC 20/25/30/35).
4. Holding Cells — Outer Office: This room contains a desk,
a wall-mounted control panel, and the corpse of 1 dead
staffer clutching a Ruger P89 service pistol with 1d10+5
shots remaining. Madame Zhu, Peng Lao, and Xu Ching-Lee
stand over the body, readying to leave as the agents arrive
(see The Showdown, page 18).
5. Offices: Each of these rooms contains a telephone and
a desktop computer with a power rating of +3. When the
agents enter each room, there is a 1 in 4 chance that they
find a corpse within, and a 1 in 6 chance that the corpse
clutches a Ruger P89 service pistol with 1d10+5 shots
remaining. All remaining staffers are either off-shift and live
off-site, or undergoing an intelligence audit on Sub-Level 1.
6. Communication Office: This room contains a telephone
and a desktop computer with a power rating of +3. A base
officer alternating as the cell’s head of the communications
is stationed here. With a successful Search check (DC
15/20/25/30), the agents find a slip of paper taped beneath a
drawer, upon which is written the current keypad combina-
tion for the doors leading into the communication center
(location #1).
7. Security Office: This room contains a telephone and a
desktop computer with a power rating of +3. A base officer
alternating as the cell’s head of the security is stationed here.
The desk drawers are locked, but may be opened with a suc-
cessful Mechanics check (DC 15/20/25/30), and contain the
officer’s notes about the base’s surveillance system. Any
agent who spends 1 full action reading these notes gains a
+5 circumstance modifier with all skill checks made to access
the surveillance tapes in the security center (see location #2).
8. Men’s Restroom.
9. Women’s Restroom.
10. Break Room: The corpse of 1 base staffer lies beneath
a table in this location. He is unarmed.
11. Electrical Closet: With a successful Electronics check
(DC 20/25/30/35), the agents may shut down the lights for
the entire floor from this location. This skill check requires
2d4 rounds. Department 3 Director Jason Daniels is found
here (see Finding Daniels, page 17).
12. Broom Closet: This small room contains harmless
chemicals, wooden broomsticks, and similarly mundane
items. An agent possessing the ingenious class ability gains
+2 BP for the first action die he spends to appropriate gear
from this location. Likewise, an agent may use the improvi-
 15
sation class ability to appropriate gear from this location, up
to a value of $100 rather then the standard $25.
E1. Elevators: These elevators typically go to Sub-Levels 1
and 2, but do not visit Sub-Level 4. During Lockdown, the
elevator doors don’t open, though they may be forced with a
successful Strength check (DC 20/20/20/20). Further, the ele-
vators don’t respond when called or if the agents climb into
them through the roof access, though the controls may be
overriden with a successful Electronics check (DC
25/25/25/25). Ascending or descending the shaft ladder
requires a successful Climb check (DC 15/15/15/15). The GC
should roll 1d4 to determine the sub-level at which each ele-
vator is fixed at the serial’s start, with a result of 4 indicat-
ing that the car is located between sub-levels. Finally, while
the agents are in an elevator shaft, the GC need not roll for
random shadow warrior encounters — instead, when each
agent moves through this location, he must make a Move
Silently check opposed by the shadow warriors’ Listen skill
bonus of +1/+1/+1/+1. With failure, the shadow warriors
notice the team, alert their teammates and allies, and coordi-
nate a two-pronged attack upon the team from the floors
above and below.
E2. Elevators: These elevators typically go to Sub-Level 4
only, but do not visit Sub-Levels 1 or 2. During Lockdown,
the elevator doors don’t open, though they may be forced
with a successful Strength check (DC 20/20/20/20). Further,
the elevators don’t respond when called or if the agents climb
into them through the roof access, though the controls may
be overriden with a successful Electronics check (DC
20/20/20/20). Ascending or descending the shaft ladder
requires a successful Climb check (DC 15/15/15/15). The GC
should roll 1d3+2 to determine the sub-level where the ele-
vator is fixed at the serial’s start, with a result of 5 indicat-
ing that the car is located between sub-levels. Finally, while
the agents are in an elevator shaft, the GC need not roll for
random shadow warrior encounters — instead, when each
agent moves through this location, he must make a Move
Silently check opposed by the shadow warriors’ Listen skill
bonus of +1/+1/+1/+1. With failure, the shadow warriors
notice the team, alert their teammates and allies, and coordi-
nate a two-pronged attack upon the team from the floors
above and below.
S. Stairwell: These stairs go to Sub-Levels 1 and 2, but do
not visit Sub-Level 4. The internal doors leading to this loca-
tion are secured in the same fashion as all standard interior
doors during Lockdown (see page 10).
Threats
The invading forces have a personnel rating of 2, and the
GC should roll 1d20 every 20 minutes and each time the
agents enter a new room. With a result of 7 or less, the agents
encounter 1 squad of shadow warriors. The GC should use the
standard awareness rules to determine whether each group
notices the other, and continue the scene accordingly (see the
Spycraft Espionage Handbook, page 228). If the agents mon-
16
itor the shadow warriors’ encrypted radio channel, they gain
a +5 circumstance bonus with all skill checks made for this
purpose.
Five squads of shadow warriors patrol the base — two on
Sub-Level 2 and three on Sub-Level 3. Although each shad-
ow warrior is equipped with a radio headset, the intruders
maintain radio silence unless attacked, in which case, one
warrior within the target group spends 1 half action calling
for reinforcements. Thereafter, all but one squad of shadow
warriors on each floor converge on the attack location as
quickly as possible. Further, all remaining shadow warriors
on the same floor gain a +5 circumstance bonus with all skill
checks made to determine awareness during the next 10 min-
utes.
If the agents capture and successfully interrogate one or
more shadow warriors, the GC may read the following aloud
or summarize, as appropriate
“We work for Peng Lao, the Mistress’s first lieutenant. He led
us here and ordered us to kill everyone in the building. He’s
on the third floor now, trying to free the Mistress. Peng Lao
is a skilled fighter — no man can stand before him in single
combat. He will defeat you!”
With a second successful interrogation, the GC may read
the following aloud or summarize, as appropriate.
“Your defenses were strong. We couldn’t have entered with-
out inside help.”
For interrogation rules, see the Fixer/Pointman Class
Guide, page 74. If this book is unavailable, the agents may
gain this information with a successful Intimidate check
opposed by the shadow warriors’ Bluff skill bonus of
–1/–1/–1/–1.
Security
Unless otherwise specified, each external door possesses a
hardness of 15, 250 wound points, and no Break DC, and is
secured with 4-in. thick steel rods with a hardness of 15, 150
wound points, and no Break DC. These doors may not be
opened with any skill check.
Unless otherwise specified, each internal door possesses a
hardness of 10, 100 wound points, and a Break DC of 30.
These doors may be opened with a successful Electronics
check (DC 15/20/25/30). Each successful Electronics check
opens only 1 door — a new check must be made to open each
subsequent door.
The assault team’s technical expert, Xu Ching-Lee, moni-
tors the base security system for any alert, and automatical-
ly notices any failed attempt to open a door, sending the
nearest remaining squad of shadow warriors to the team’s
location. For 10 minutes thereafter, all remaining shadow
warriors on the same floor gain a +5 circumstance bonus
with all skill checks made to determine awareness.
 17
Further, a tripwire protects each elevator and stairwell
door on Sub-Level 3. Finding each of these tripwires requires
a successful Search check (DC 15/20/25/30), and disabling
each requires a successful Mechanics check (DC
15/20/25/30). Ching-Lee automatically notices when any of
these are triggered, with the result described earlier in this
section.
Events
The following events are intended to spice up the scene, as
needed. Two have suggested insert points; the third —
Finding Daniels — may be used at any time.
Finding Daniels
The GC may trigger this event whenever he needs to prod
the players forward.
With a successful Spot check (DC 15/20/25/30), the agents
notice a faint trail of blood on the floor and may follow it to
a closet containing an electrical closet (Sub-Level 2, location
#10). Inside, they find Jason Daniels, D-3 Director, uncon-
scious. If the agents check him for wounds, they find a stab
puncture in his side. The wound placement suggests that
Daniels was stabbed from the rear and that he didn’t put up
a struggle. With a successful inspiration check (DC
10/15/20/25), the agents accurately determine that the
weapon is not one of the shadow warriors’ knives.
With a successful education check (DC 15/20/25/30), the
agents believe the wound may have been caused by a
weapon carried by Janice Hammond, a fixer who worked in
the field before her recent promotion into base administra-
tion. Her favored method of attack was to silently approach
from the rear. (This is a red herring — Asylum attacked
Daniels using Hammond’s favored attack method to throw
suspicion away from himself.)
The agents may stabilize Daniels with a successful First
Aid check (DC 15/15/15/15). With failure, or if the agents
choose not to help Daniels for 5 rounds after they find him,
he dies. Regardless, he does not gain consciousness during
this serial.
Shockwave!
At the start of this scene, the GC should roll 2d20 and add
the result to 140. The total is the number of minutes into this
4-hour round that this event occurs. Alternately, it may hap-
pen when the agents encounter Zhu and her rescuers on Sub-
Level 3. At the designated or chosen time, Asylum removes
the decryption unit from the base’s primary computer on
Sub-Level 4 (location #s 4–5), flees toward the garage on the
same level (location #11), and triggers an explosive charge to
destroy the computer and cover his tracks.
Each agent suffers 1d6/3d6/5d6/7d6 normal damage. With
a successful Reflex save (DC 16/18/20/22), each agent may
reduce the damage he suffers to 1/2 standard (rounded
down). If this serial is being played at Tier 4, Asylum’s chain
reaction ability prevents the agents from reducing this dam-
age below 1/2 standard (see page 43).
18
It’s immediately obvious to the agents that the explosion
clearly came from Sub-Level 4.
The Showdown
This event automatically occurs when the agents enter
Sub-Level 3, location #s 3 or 4.
Madame Zhu’s henchmen free her 2 minutes before the
agents arrive. If the agents have yet to alert the intruders of
their presence, they may make Move Silently checks opposed
by Ching-Lee’s Listen skill bonus of +7/+12/+17/+22. With
success, the team gains 1 half action surprise round; other-
wise, combat ensues with no surprise round.
During Round 1, Ching-Lee spends 1 half action to sum-
mon the nearest squad of shadow warriors as reinforcements
while Peng Lao attempts to defend Madame Zhu. The mas-
termind holds a kama given to her by Peng Lao, but feigns
incompetence with it during this round in order to perform a
feint action.
Once any of the villains suffers 1 or more wounds, they all
choose to fight defensively (see the Spycraft Espionage
Handbook, page 171). At this point, the agents may convince
the villains to surrender with a successful Diplomacy check
opposed by Madame Zhu’s Diplomacy skill bonus of
+6/+7/+9/+10. The agents gain a circumstance bonus with
this check equal to 1/4 the combined wounds the villains
have suffered (rounded up). Further, if the agents mention
that they believe that a traitor is operating against both they
and the villains, they gain an additional +4 circumstance
bonus with this check. Finally, if Asylum’s explosive charge
has already gone off (see page 17), the agents gain an addi-
tional +4 circumstance bonus with this check. The agents
may not re-try this Diplomacy check.
If the agents’ Diplomacy check is successful, Madame Zhu
surrenders and orders her men to stand down (she is in unfa-
miliar territory, with little knowledge of the Agency, and
convinced she has a better chance of living to fight another
day by yielding). If the check results in a critical success and
Asylum’s explosive charge has already gone off, Madame
Zhu realizes that she’s been double-crossed and orders Peng
Lao to accompany the agents and “bring the traitor to justice
— my justice.”
Madame Zhu and Peng Lao do not know the Agency trai-
tor’s identity, but they can relate that their organization was
built with the support and promises of an anonymous bene-
factor, who also provided the Agency base’s security codes
used during this operation.
Troubleshooting
If the shadow warriors defeat the agents, they search the
team for weapons and then deliver them to the holding cells
on Sub-Level 3 (location #s 3 and 4). This leads the team
directly into the Showdown event (see above), though hardly
under ideal circumstances.
Development
The Shockwave! event marks the end of the scene (see
page 17). Thereafter, the agents’ next moves should be to
 19
deal with Zhu, determine the source of the explosion, and
discover the traitor’s identity, motives, and goals.
Scene 2: The Traitor
Agent Description
Read the following aloud when the agents enter this scene.
In the explosion’s aftermath, it’s clear that there’s another
player in the base — a traitor who knows how to manipulate
the Agency’s Lockdown protocols, with a wholly different
agenda…
GC Description
The agents are faced with 3 primary objectives in this scene.
First, they must stop Asylum before he escapes with the decoder
unit. Second, they must prevent the base’s self-destruction.
Third, they must clear the lockdown.
Map Key: Sub-Level 4
The walls of this level are light brown and illuminated by
indirect lighting (which may be shut down from the electrical
closet — see location #10). The doors here are unlabeled.
1. Power Plant/Maintenance: Each of the doors leading
into this room features higher security, requiring a successful
Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40) to open. This location
provides power, air conditioning, heating, and other utilities
for the entire base. Nothing of value is found here.
2. Guest Office: This room contains a telephone and a
desktop computer with a power rating of +4. Hammond
assigned this office to Daniels, but he hasn’t moved in yet.
3. Guest Quarters: The door leading into this room is
unlocked. This room contains 1 bed, 1 desk, a small bath-
room, and a kitchenette. Hammond assigned these quarters to
Daniels, but he hasn’t moved in yet.
4. Core Computer Terminals: The door leading into this
room was also destroyed in the blast, and the agents may
enter without any skill check. This location typically provides
direct access to the base’s core computer, but Asylum’s
explosive charge caused extensive damage to the system. The
computers cannot be repaired, and nothing of value is found
here.
5. Core Computer: This massive computer processor and
storage bank lies in ruins. Nothing of value can be salvaged
from this location.
6. Base Supervisor’s Office: Each of the doors leading into
this room features higher security, requiring a successful
Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40) to open. This room con-
tains a telephone, a desktop computer with a power rating of
+5, and a retinal scanner. This computer may be used to trig-
ger or clear Lockdown and the base’s self-destruct sequence.
20
Either of these tasks requires 1 full action, Hammond’s reti-
nal scan, and the proper code (known only by Hammond).
The code may be forged with a successful 4-round Computers
check (DC 25/30/35/40). If an agent possesses 5 or more
ranks in Forgery, he gains a +2 synergy bonus with this
check. The retinal scan may not be forged.
7. Base Supervisor’s Living Quarters: The door leading into
this room is unlocked. This room contains 1 bed, 1 desk, a
small bathroom, and a kitchenette.
8. Conference Room: This room contains a long table, 8
comfortable leather chairs, and a wide-screen monitor. Janice
Hammond uses this room to meet with visiting Agency offi-
cials and teleconference with the Washington home office.
The teleconferencing gear is inactive due to Lockdown, but
with a successful Electronics check (DC 25/30/35/40), the
agents may rig it to gain limited communication with the
outside world — enough to send up to 10 words of video to
the Agency home office. The agents may not use this gear to
access the base’s intercom system or monitor the base’s
phone lines.
If the agents attempt to make a video transmission, the
line is automatically intercepted by the intruders’ communi-
cations specialist, Xu Ching-Lee, who opens the channel to
the intruders’ leader, Peng Lao (see page 38-41 for more
about these characters). Peng Lao tries to bluff the agents
long enough for Ching-Lee to summon 2 squads of shadow
warriors to the team’s location. The warriors arrive in 1d4
rounds. Failing that, Peng Lao assures the agents that they
can’t stop him — and would be better off just staying out of
his way. The henchman is mobile throughout this exchange,
speaking through a makeshift connection between his head-
set and the base communication system. Following this con-
versation, all remaining shadow warriors on Sub-Level 3
gain a +5 circumstance bonus with all skill checks made to
determine awareness during the next 10 minutes.
9. Broom Closet: This small room contains harmless chem-
icals, wooden broomsticks, and similarly mundane items. An
agent possessing the ingenious class ability gains +2 BP for
the first action die he spends to appropriate gear from this
location. Likewise, an agent may use the improvisation class
ability to appropriate gear from this location, up to a value
of $100 rather then the standard $25.
10. Garage: This room contains 2 sports cars and 1 speed-
boat in various states of repair (none are operable). The doors
to location #s 13 and 14 open automatically when anyone
comes within 20 ft.
11. Machine Shop: This room contains various vehicular
gadgets and improvements, none of which may be used out-
side of a vehicle, and none of which may be installed in a
vehicle during this serial’s limited timeframe.
12. Weapons Shop: This room contains various vehicular
ordnance, none of which may be used outside of a vehicle,
and none of which may be installed in a vehicle during this
serial’s limited timeframe.
 21
13. Ground Staging Area: This room contains 1d6 modern
sports cars, 1d4 classic sports cars, and 1d4 racing motorcy-
cles (one of which Asylum steals if he flees the base via this
route, per the GC’s discretion). A tunnel leads away from this
room, rising slowly and exiting through an abandoned fac-
tory near the freeway and major roads.
14. Water Staging Area: This room contains 1d6 speed-
boats, 1d4 one-man jet skis, and 1 one-man hovercraft
(which Asylum steals if he flees the base via this route, per
the GC’s discretion). A tunnel leads away from this room, ris-
ing slowly and exiting through an abandoned fishery near
the Bay.
E2. Elevators: These elevators typically go to Sub-Level 3
only, but do not visit Sub-Levels 1 or 2. During Lockdown,
the elevator doors don’t open, though they may be forced
with a successful Strength check (DC 20/20/20/20). Further,
the elevators don’t respond when called or if the agents climb
into them through the roof access, though the controls may
be overriden with a successful Electronics check (DC
20/20/20/20). Ascending or descending the shaft ladder
requires a successful Climb check (DC 15/15/15/15). The GC
should roll 1d3+2 to determine the sub-level where the ele-
vator is fixed at the serial’s start, with a result of 5 indicat-
ing that the car is located between sub-levels. Finally, while
the agents are in an elevator shaft, the GC need not roll for
random shadow warrior encounters — instead, when each
agent moves through this location, he must make a Move
Silently check opposed by the shadow warriors’ Listen skill
bonus of +1/+1/+1/+1. With failure, the shadow warriors
notice the team, alert their teammates and allies, and coordi-
nate a two-pronged attack upon the team from the floors
above and below.
S. Electrical Closet: With a successful Electronics check
(DC 20/25/30/35), the agents may shut down the lights for
the entire floor from this location. This skill check requires
2d4 rounds.
Threats
If the agents manage to convince Zhu to surrender or join
forces at the end of Scene 1, the GC need not bother with per-
sonnel checks during this scene. Otherwise, the invading
forces have a personnel rating of 2, and the GC should roll
1d20 every 20 minutes and each time the agents enter a new
room. With a result of 7 or less, the agents encounter 1 squad
of shadow warriors. The GC should use the standard aware-
ness rules to determine whether each group notices the other,
and continue the scene accordingly (see the Spycraft
Espionage Handbook, page 228). If the agents monitor the
shadow warriors’ encrypted radio channel, they gain a +10
circumstance bonus with all skill checks made for this pur-
pose.
Three squads of shadow warriors patrol this sub-level.
Although each shadow warrior is equipped with a radio headset,
the intruders maintain radio silence unless attacked, in which
case, one warrior within the target group spends 1 half action
22
calling for reinforcements. Thereafter, all but one squad of shad-
ow warriors on each floor converge on the attack location as
quickly as possible. Further, all remaining shadow warriors on
the same floor gain a +5 circumstance bonus with all skill checks
made to determine awareness during the next 10 minutes.
If the agents capture and successfully interrogate any
shadow warriors, the GC may read the following aloud or
summarize, as appropriate.
“We work for Peng Lao, the Mistress’s first lieutenant. He led
us here and ordered us to kill everyone in the building. He’s
on the third floor now, trying to free the Mistress. Peng Lao
is a skilled fighter — no man can stand before him in single
combat. He will defeat you!”
With a second successful interrogation, the GC may read
the following aloud or summarize, as appropriate.
“Your defenses were strong. We couldn’t have entered with-
out inside help.”
For interrogation rules, see the Fixer/Pointman Class
Guide, page 74. If this book is unavailable, the agents may
gain this information with a successful Intimidate check
opposed by the shadow warriors’ Bluff skill.
Asylum knows the fate that awaits Agency traitors and
fights to the death to avoid capture. The GC should spend
remaining action dice to boost Asylum’s Defense. Asylum
makes full use of all gadgets on his person and activates crit-
ical successes to wound or kill agents whenever possible.
Security
Unless otherwise specified, each internal door possesses a
hardness of 10, 100 wound points, and a Break DC of 30.
These doors may be opened with a successful Electronics
check (DC 15/20/25/30). Each successful Electronics check
opens only 1 door — a new check must be made to open each
subsequent door.
If the agents have already encountered Madame Zhu and
her henchmen during Scene 1, Xu Ching-Lee is either no
longer monitoring the base security systems or is doing so in
cooperation with the agents. Otherwise, she automatically
notices any failed attempt to open a door, sending the near-
est remaining squad of shadow warriors to the team’s loca-
tion. For 10 minutes thereafter, all remaining shadow war-
riors on the same floor gain a +5 circumstance bonus with all
skill checks made to determine awareness.
Further, a tripwire protects each elevator and stairwell
door on Sub-Level 3. Finding each of these tripwires requires
a successful Search check (DC 15/20/25/30), and disabling
each requires a successful Mechanics check (DC
15/20/25/30). If Ching-Lee still observes the base security
system, she automatically notices when any of these are trig-
gered, with the result described earlier in this section.
 23 24

Madame Zhu’s Throne Room

Partitions
Secret Door

2 2

3 Swords

❐ = 5 Feet
 25 26

Sublevel 2 Sublevel 3

E1 E1 S 11 E1 E1 S
10
3
5
6
3
3
2 1
3
1
6
3 7
2 2
3
4
3 7 8

5 9
3 4 4 8
5 2 10
3 9
4 4
3 3 5 5

3 3 5 5

11 E2 E2 S 12 E2 E2 S

❐ = 5 Feet ❐ = 5 Feet
 27 28

Finally, if this serial is being played at Tiers 2, 3, or 4,

Asylum has rigged explosives to go off when the elevator or
stairwell tripwires are triggered. Finding each of these rigged
explosives requires a successful Search check (DC —
/20/25/30), and disabling each requires a successful
Mechanics check (DC —/20/25/30). With failure, of when the
Sublevel 4 explosives are set off, each charge inflicts —/3d6/5d6/7d6
blast damage with a blast increment of 1 square. If this seri-
al is being played at Tier 4, Asylum’s chain reaction ability
prevents the agents from reducing this damage below 1/2
standard (see page 43).

Events
This scene follows a strict timeline. As the agents enter
Sub-Level 4, Asylum has captured Janice Hammond in her
office (location #6), and is interrogating her for the
Lockdown code.

15 Round 5
Hammond breaks, providing Asylum with the Lockdown
code.

12 Round 6
14 11 Asylum knocks Hammond unconscious.

Round 7
13
Asylum lifts Lockdown and triggers the base’s self-
destruct sequence by holding Hammond’s eyes up to the reti-
nal scanner in her office. The process of clearing Lockdown
2 takes 3 rounds and is audible to everyone in the base.
6 Asylum sets Lockdown to re-engage after 5 rounds (at the
start of Round 12), and the self-destruct sequence to trigger
3 at the start of Round 18.
1
7 Round 8
4
Asylum heads to the Sub-Level 4 garage (location #11).
Any agent located in the Sub-Level 4 corridors may make a
8 Listen check (DC 15/20/25/30) to notice Asylum’s passing.
5
The self-destruct sequence alert is heard throughout the base:
9 E2E2 10

“This is Base Supervisor Janice Hammond. This facility will

❐ = 5 Feet self-destruct in 1 minute. I repeat — this facility will self-
destruct in 1 minute. All personnel should evacuate immedi-
ately. I repeat — all personnel should evacuate immediately.”

This self-destruct sequence counts down by the round

until the self-destruct sequence is halted or the base is
destroyed at the conclusion of Round 18.

Round 9
Asylum heads to either the ground or water staging area,
per the GC’s discretion.
 29
Round 10
Lockdown clears and Asylum grabs one of the vehicles in
the chosen staging area and makes his escape. At this point,
the agents still have a chance to catch him by engaging him
in a chase. From this point on, Asylum’s starting lead
increases by 1d8 lengths per round.
Round 12
The process of re-engaging Lockdown begins and is audi-
ble to everyone in the base.
Round 15
Lockdown re-engages. If the agents are still located in the
base, they have no chance to catch up with Asylum.
Round 16
Asylum is too far out of range for the agents to catch him
even if they escape Lockdown.
Round 18
Unless the self-destruct sequence is halted (see Security,
page 22), every corridor and room is flooded with an exper-
imental napalm gel, which is detonated at the conclusion of
this round, collapsing the entire facility. Every agent within
the facility suffers 6d6/10d6/14d6/18d6 and every remaining
NPC instantly dies. Each agent may make a Reflex save (DC
15/20/25/30) to reduce this damage to 1/2 standard (round-
ed down). If this serial is being played at Tier 4, Asylum’s
chain reaction ability prevents the agents from reducing this
damage below 1/2 standard (see page 44). Any agent who
survives this damage is assumed to be trapped within a small
pocket of air, then rescued in the serial’s debriefing (see page
22).
Throughout this serial, Asylum is tuned into the shadow
warriors’ communication channel, and adjusts his plan
accordingly. If he is aware that the agents are interfering
with his plans, he strives to provide them with as many
obstacles as possible, to distract them long enough for him to
escape. The self-destruct sequence and the limited window of
opportunity to follow Asylum out of the base are two such
obstacles. Others might include the following, per the GC’s
discretion.
If Peng Lao accompanies the agents during this scene, he
aids them to the best of his ability but does not unduly
endanger his life. He kills Asylum if the opportunity arises,
unless the agents persuade him not to (an action that requires
a successful Diplomacy check opposed by the henchman’s
Will save bonus).
Rewards
Keep track of the agents’ accomplishments throughout this
serial and reward them with the following XP at its end. In
this serial, the GC should give out the first-tier reward if this
serial if played at 5th-level, the second-tier reward if the ser-
ial is played at 10th-level, the third-tier reward if the serial is
played at 15th-level, and the fourth-tier reward if the serial
is played at 20th-level.
30
All XP rewards have an associate letter (“A”, “B”, “C”, etc.),
indicating their difficulty and benefit within a ‘mini-tree’ of
XP rewards. Though the agents might complete multiple
objectives within a tree, they only ever earn the XP for the
highest letter of any tree for which they qualify.
Example: When an agent completes a “C”-class objective,
he earns the “C”-class reward only. He may not also gain the
XP reward for any other lettered objective in the same mini-
tree (in this case, he may not also earn the rewards for either
the “A”-class objective or the “B”-class objective.
Note: Living Spycraft experience is never earned until the
end of a serial, and agents may never gain levels during the
course of a Living Spycraft serial.
Action Dice
Each player gains the following XP rewards, as well as an
amount of XP equal to the number of action dice you award-
ed him × 25 XP (to a maximum of their agent level × 25 XP).
Opening Sequence
A. Defeating the first squad of guards in the throne room:
25/50/75/125 XP per agent.
A. Escaping Madame Zhu’s compound: 50/100/150/250
XP per agent. per agent.
A. Killing one or more guards on the way out:
50/100/150/250 XP per agent. per agent.
B. Capturing one or more guards on the way out (and tak-
ing them to the Agency base): 100/200/300/500 per agent.
Scene 1
A. Successfully tapping into the base’s communication
system: 25/50/75/125 XP per agent.
B. Noticing the batch-transfer and reporting it to the home
office: 50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
A. Successfully tapping into the base’s security system:
50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
A. Finding Daniels: 50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
B. Finding and reviving Daniels: 100/200/300/500 XP per
agent.
A. Killing Madame Zhu: 50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
B. (Re)capturing Madame Zhu: 100/200/300/500 XP per
agent.
C. Persuading Madame Zhu to assist the team:
150/300/450/750 XP per agent.
A. Killing Peng Lao: 50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
B. Capturing Peng Lao: 75/150/225/375 per agent.
A. Killing Xu Ching-Lee: 25/50/75/125 XP per agent.
B. Capturing Xu Ching-Lee: 50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
A. Killing one or more shadow warriors: 25/50/75/125 XP
per agent.
B. Capturing one or more shadow warriors:
50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
C. Killing or capturing one or more shadow warriors with-
out alerting the other shadow warriors: 75/150/225/375 per
agent.
 31
D. Eluding all shadow warriors and remaining undetected
throughout this scene: 100/200/300/500 XP per agent.
A. Successfully interrogating one or more shadow war-
riors*: 25/50/75/125 XP per agent.
* This award may only be gained once during this serial,
even though it’s repeated in multiple scenes.
Scene 2
A. Halting the self-destruct sequence: 200/400/600/1,000
XP per agent.
A. Clearing Lockdown: 100/200/300/500 XP per agent.
A. Killing Asylum: 100/200/300/500 XP per agent.
B. Capturing Asylum: 200/400/600/1,000 XP per agent.
A. Killing one or more shadow warriors: 25/50/75/125 XP
per agent.
B. Capturing one or more shadow warriors:
50/100/150/250 XP per agent.
C. Killing or capturing one or more shadow warriors with-
out alerting the other shadow warriors: 75/150/225/375 per
agent.
D. Eluding all shadow warriors and remaining undetected
throughout this scene: 100/200/300/500 XP per agent.
A. Successfully interrogating one or more shadow war-
riors*: 25/50/75/125 XP per agent.
* This award may only be gained once during this serial,
even though it’s repeated in multiple scenes.
Debriefing
The main goals of the scenario are to capture or kill
Asylum, and to halt the self-destruction sequence. Clearing
the Lockdown is a close third. Asylum’s status and the state
of Agency resources at the conclusion of this serial determine
fallout, as follows.
If the agents capture Asylum, the Agency takes him into
custody. After extensive interrogation, Asylum reveals all he
knows about the Invisible Hand and the Agency sets up a
sting operation to penetrate the criminal organization and
bring it down. This resolution may be featured in a future
Living Spycraft serial.
If the agents kill Asylum, the Agency is unhappy but
eventually uncovers information about the Invisible Hand
from the mole’s belongings and recent activities.
If Asylum escapes but the agents save the base, the
Agency eventually discovers Asylum’s involvement with the
Invisible Hand during the subsequent investigation, but has
little information with which to thwart future Invisible Hand
operations.
If Asylum escapes and the base is destroyed, the Agency
fails to discover the traitor’s activities, and holds Daniels
responsible for the attack. The Agency writes Asylum off as
deceased and launches an extensive investigation into D-3
and all of its operatives, with D-1 Director Gideon Church at
the helm.
Regardless of Asylum’s status following this serial, D-0
and D-1 Directors Sapphire Wells and Gideon Church tem-
32
porarily take on his duties until they can find a replacement
from the Agency’s own ranks. They take a somewhat more
liberal approach then Asylum ever did, much to the relief of
most agents.
If there is extra time, feel free to role-play the debriefing
and have Control assess the group’s performance. Then have
the players fill out their RPGA forms and wrap up the ses-
sion.
Statistics
Special Note: Though this serial was not designed using
the Mastermind System, mastermind point (MP) costs are
included for all characters herein so that you can easily port
them into your Mastermind System-designed home games
with ease.
Opening Sequence: Recovery
The following NPCs are encountered during the opening
sequence and later as described in the serial text.
Madame Zhu
“Madame Zhu” was born to a poor San Francisco family.
Despising her poverty, she left them and ventured out on her
own to join the local Chinatown Triads. She worked her way
up through the ranks until she ruled a small empire, and with
Asylum’s anonymous help she destroyed several rivals and
established business relationships with the most powerful of
Hong Kong’s crime lords. Her global organization cemented
her reputation as a force to be reckoned with among crimi-
nal power players.
Zhu is fascinated with ancient China, or at least the fan-
tasy version portrayed in Hong Kong cinema. She surrounds
herself with minions dressed in traditional 17th Century
Chinese garb and wears similar clothing herself. She studies
the martial arts, and uses her unimpressive appearance to
catch targets by surprise.
Although Zhu can be ruthless — some claim that she killed
her entire family to conceal her common origins — she
understands the art of compromise and is willing to cuts her
losses rather then risk her life. She is a crime boss, not a
would-be world-ruler, and avoids taking things personally.
She’s content with the empire she has and isn’t looking to
expand.
Madame Zhu (first-tier — target average agent level 2), 3rd-
level pointman (henchman — 6 MP): Department: Organized
Crime/Triad. CR 3. SZ M; v/wp 22/11; Init +2 (+1 Dex, +1 class); Spd
30 ft.; Def 12 (+1 Dex, +1 class); Atk: fist/punch +2 (dmg 1d6 nor-
mal, error 1, threat 20), kama +2 (dmg 1d8 normal), Daewoo DP 40
service pistol with standard suppressor +3 (dmg 1d8+2 normal,
error 1–2, threat 20, range 25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots
of standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1
square; SA None; SQ assistance (1/2 time), generous, lead 1/session,
versatility (Appraise, Computers, Gather Information, Innuendo,
Intimidate, Move Silently); SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5; Str 10, Dex
12, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 15; Skills: Appraise +5, Bluff +7,
 33
Bureaucracy +5, Computers +5, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information
+7, Innuendo +4, Intimidate +5/+7, Knowledge (Underworld) +7,
Languages +4, Move Silently +4, Profession (Crime Lord) +6, Sense
Motive +6. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Martial
Arts, Throwing Basics, Undermine, Weapon Group Proficiency
(Handgun, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, traditional Chinese garb,
33 BP. Gadgets and Vehicles: None, 2 GP.
Madame Zhu (second-tier — target average agent level 7),
6th-level pointman/1st-level martial artist/1st-level goodfella
(henchman — 16 MP): Department: Organized Crime/Triad. CR 8. SZ
M; v/wp 49/11; Init +5 (+1 Dex, +4 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 15 (+4
class, +1 Dex); Atk: fist/punch +5 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1, threat
20), kama +5 (dmg 1d8 normal), Daewoo DP 40 service pistol with
standard suppressor +6 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20,
range 25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of standard military
ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ
assistance (1/2 time), generous, lead 2/session, omerta, strongarm,
tactics 1/session, this thing of ours +4, versatility (Appraise,
Computers, Gather Information, Innuendo, Intimidate, Move Silently,
Spot, Tumble); SV Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 10, Dex 13, Con 11,
Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 16; Skills: Appraise +7, Bluff +9, Bureaucracy
+7, Computers +6, Diplomacy +7, First Aid +4, Forgery +5, Gather
Information +8, Innuendo +8, Intimidate +15/+15, Knowledge
(Underworld) +9, Languages +6, Move Silently +4, Profession (Crime
Lord) +8, Sense Motive +11, Spot +8, Tumble +6. Feats: Armor
Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Martial Arts, Political Favors,
Throwing Basics, Undermine, Weapon Group Proficiency (Exotic —
Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts, Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear:
Weapons, traditional Chinese garb, 51 BP. Gadgets and Vehicles:
None, 4 GP.
Madame Zhu (third-tier — target average agent level 12),
7th-level pointman/3rd-level martial artist/3rd-level goodfella (hench-
man — 26 MP): Department: Organized Crime/Triad. CR 13. SZ M;
v/wp 73/11; Init +8 (+1 Dex, +7 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 19 (+1 Dex, +8
class); Atk: fist/punch +10 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1, threat 20), kama
+10 (dmg 1d8 normal), Daewoo DP 40 service pistol with standard
suppressor +11 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, range 25 ft.,
qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of standard military ball ammuni-
tion); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak attack +1d6; SQ assis-
tance (1/2 time), cross-class ability (evasion — no damage with suc-
cessful save), generous, lead 3/session, life of discipline (Discipline of
the Body), omerta, strongarm, tactics 1/session, this thing of ours +4,
versatility (Appraise, Computers, Gather Information, Innuendo,
Intimidate, Move Silently, Spot, Tumble); SV Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +12;
Str 10, Dex 13, Con 11, Int 14, Wis 14, Cha 17; Skills: Appraise +10,
Bluff +15, Bureaucracy +11, Computers +7, Diplomacy +9, First Aid
+6, Forgery +6, Gather Information +8, Innuendo +9, Intimidate
+18/+18, Knowledge (Underworld) +11, Languages +7, Move Silently
+4, Profession (Crime Lord) +10, Sense Motive +14, Spot +11, Tumble
+9. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Clockwork Tactics,
Combat Instincts, Martial Arts, Political Favors, Throwing Basics,
Throwing Mastery, Undermine, Weapon Group Proficiency (Exotic —
Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts, Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear:
Weapons, traditional Chinese garb, 62 BP. Gadgets and Vehicles: None,
7 GP.
34
Madame Zhu (fourth-tier — target average agent level 17),
10th-level pointman/5th-level martial artist/3rd-level goodfella
(henchman — 36 MP): Department: Organized Crime/Triad. CR 13.
SZ M; v/wp 104/11; Init +10 (+1 Dex, +9 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 18
(+1 Dex, +10 class); Atk: fist/punch +14 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1,
threat 20), kama +14 (dmg 1d8 normal), Daewoo DP 40 service pis-
tol with standard suppressor +16 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2,
threat 20, range 25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of stan-
dard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA
sneak attack +1d6; SQ assistance (1/2 time), cross-class ability
(bonus combat feat, evasion — no damage with successful save),
generous, lead 4/session, life of discipline (body), omerta, ploy
(Sidestep), serendipity 1/session, strongarm, tactics 2/session (+2
bonus), this thing of ours +4, versatility (Appraise, Computers,
Gather Information, Innuendo, Intimidate, Move Silently, Spot,
Tumble); SV Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +15; Str 10, Dex 14, Con 11, Int
14, Wis 14, Cha 17; Skills: Appraise +10, Bluff +18, Bureaucracy
+13, Computers +7, Diplomacy +10, First Aid +8, Forgery +8,
Gather Information +8, Innuendo +12, Intimidate +23/+23,
Knowledge (Underworld) +14, Languages +8, Move Silently +5,
Profession (Crime Lord) +13, Sense Motive +19, Spot +16, Tumble
+15. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Clockwork
Tactics, Combat Instincts, Hard Core, Martial Arts, Open Stance,
Political Favors, Sidestep, Throwing Basics, Throwing Mastery,
Undermine, Vital Point Basics, Vital Point Mastery, Weapon Group
Proficiency (Exotic — Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts, Handgun,
Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, traditional Chinese garb, 73
BP. Gadgets and Vehicles: None, 10 GP.
Open Stance: Madame Zhu may enter this stance as a half
action, and loses the benefits of this stance when she
becomes prone. While Madame Zhu is in this stance, if an
opponent’s melee or unarmed attack misses her, she may
immediately draw her attacker into her square and make a
grapple or trip attack against him as a free action. She may
benefit from this effect only once per round, and may not
combine this effect with any additional attacks gained from
her Combat Instincts feat. Also, she may not charge or run
while in this stance.
Vital Point Mastery: This feat grants Madame Zhu the fol-
lowing abilities.
Nerve Jam: When using this attack, Madame Zhu inflicts
subdual damage with her unarmed attacks. If she scores a
threat, the attack paralyzes the target until the start of her
initiative count during the following round.
Vitalize: As a full action, Madame Zhu may restore 1
wound and 1d6 vitality to herself or any adjacent character.
She may only target each character — including herself —
once per session.
Zhu’s Guards
These men devote themselves entirely to Madame Zhu,
relentlessly fighting to the death for her. They dress in tradi-
tional 17th Century Chinese garb, complete with intimidating
“devil masks.” Despite their outdated appearance, the guards
use firearms as effectively as swords.
 35
Zhu’s Guards (first-tier — target average agent level 2),
2nd-level standard minions (minions, squads of 4 — 15 MP): CR 1.
SZ M; v/wp 9/11; Init +2 (+2 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 11 (+1 class);
Atk: fist/punch +3 (dmg 1d3+1 subdual, error 1), large sword +3
(dmg 1d12+1 normal, error 1, threat 19–20, qualities and mods: 2-
h), .38 Special Phillips & Rogers Medusa Model 47 service revolver
+2 (dmg 1d8+1 normal, error 1, threat 20, range 20 ft., qualities
and mods: DP, MC, RG — 6 shots of standard military ball ammuni-
tion); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ None; SV Fort
+4, Ref +2, Will +0; Str 12, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10;
Skills: Balance +2, Climb +1, Driver +2, First Aid +1, Intimidate
+4/+3, Jump +2, Profession (Security Guard) +2, Spot +4, Tumble
+2. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy),
Greatsword Basics, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled,
Melee, Rifle, Tactical). Gear: Weapons, traditional Chinese garb.
Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Zhu’s Guards (second-tier — target average agent level 7),
5th-level standard minions/2nd-level martial arts mooks (minions,
squads of 4 — 22 MP): CR 6. SZ M; v/wp 26/11; Init +5 (+5 class);
Spd 30 ft.; Def 13 (+3 class); Atk: fist/punch +7 (dmg 1d3+1 subd-
ual, error 1), large sword +7 (dmg 1d12+1 normal, error 1, threat
19–20, qualities and mods: 2-h), .38 Special Phillips & Rogers
Medusa Model 47 service revolver +6 (dmg 1d8+1 normal, error 1,
threat 20, range 20 ft., qualities and mods: DP, MC, RG — 6 shots of
standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square;
SA None; SQ None; SV Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +1; Str 12, Dex 10, Con
11, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10; Skills: Balance +6, Climb +3, Driver +5,
First Aid +4, Intimidate +7/+6, Jump +4, Knowledge (Martial Arts)
+2, Profession (Security Guard) +4, Spot +6, Tumble +5. Feats:
Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy), Greatsword Basics,
Martial Arts, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee,
Rifle, Tactical), Wolf Pack Basics. Gear: Weapons, traditional Chinese
garb. Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Zhu’s Guards (third-tier — target average agent level 12),
8th-level standard minions/4th-level martial arts mooks (minions,
squads of 4 — 29 MP): CR 11. SZ M; v/wp 44/11; Init +8 (+8 class);
Spd 30 ft.; Def 15 (+5 class); Atk: fist/punch +12 (dmg 1d3+1 subd-
ual, error 1), large sword +12 (dmg 1d12+1 normal, error 1, threat
19–20, qualities and mods: 2-h), .38 Special Phillips & Rogers
Medusa Model 47 service revolver +11 (dmg 1d8+1 normal, error 1,
threat 20, range 20 ft., qualities and mods: DP, MC, RG — 6 shots of
standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square;
SA None; SQ None; SV Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +3; Str 12, Dex 10, Con
11, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10; Skills: Balance +9, Climb +5, Driver +7,
First Aid +7, Intimidate +10/+9, Jump +6, Knowledge (Martial Arts)
+4, Profession (Security Guard) +6, Spot +8, Tumble +8. Feats:
Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy), Greatsword Basics,
Kicking Basics, Martial Arts, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun,
Hurled, Melee, Rifle, Tactical), Wolf Pack Basics. Gear: Weapons,
traditional Chinese garb. Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Zhu’s Guards (fourth-tier — target average agent level 17),
11th-level standard minions/6th-level martial arts mooks (minions,
squads of 4 — 36 MP): CR 15. SZ M; v/wp 61/11; Init +13 (+13
class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 18 (+8 class); Atk: fist/punch +16 (dmg
1d3+1 subdual, error 1), large sword +16 (dmg 1d12+1 normal,
36
error 1, threat 19–20, qualities and mods: 2-h), .38 Special Phillips
& Rogers Medusa Model 47 service revolver +15 (dmg 1d8+1 nor-
mal, error 1, threat 20, range 20 ft., qualities and mods: DP, MC, RG
— 6 shots of standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square;
Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ None; SV Fort +11, Ref +8, Will +5;
Str 12, Dex 10, Con 11, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 10; Skills: Balance +12,
Climb +9, Driver +9, First Aid +12, Intimidate +15/+14, Jump +12,
Knowledge (Martial Arts) +6, Profession (Security Guard) +8, Spot
+10, Tumble +11. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium,
Heavy), Greatsword Basics, Kicking Basics, Martial Arts, Weapon
Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle, Tactical), Wolf
Pack Basics. Gear: Weapons, traditional Chinese garb. Vehicles and
Gadgets: None.
Greatsword Basics: When one of Zhu’s guards wields a
chainsaw, half-staff sword, large sword, scimitar, or two-
handed sword, he gains the benefits of the Cleave feat.
Further, he may, as a free action, accept a –4 penalty with his
current initiative count to gain an additional +1d4 damage
modifier with all his attacks until the end of the current
round. The guard may perform this free action up to twice
per round.
Moshuh Nanren
(Shadow Warriors)
Peng Lao recruits these warriors from martial art schools,
street fighting arenas, and Japanese and Chinese backstreet
bars, then conditions them to be absolutely loyal to himself
and his mistress. Like rabid dogs, these men are prone to fits
of extreme violence when let loose in an enemy complex.
Moshuh Nanren (first-tier — target average agent level 2),
2nd-level standard minions (minions, squads of 4 — 16 MP): CR 1.
SZ M; v/wp 9/10; Init +3 (+1 Dex, +2 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 12 (+1
Dex, +1 armor); Atk: fist/punch +3 (dmg 1d3+1 subdual, error 1),
butterfly sword +3 (dmg 1d6+1 normal, error 1–2, threat 19–20,
qualities and mods: SG), Daewoo K1A assault rifle +3 (dmg 4d4
normal, error range 1–2, threat 20, range 125 ft., qualities and
mods: CS, SS — 20 shots of standard military ball ammunition);
Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ DR 4/CEM; SV Fort +3,
Ref +3, Will +1; Str 12, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9;
Skills: Balance +4, Climb +3, Demolitions +2, Driver +3, First Aid
+2, Intimidate +4/+3, Jump +3, Spot +4, Tumble +3. Feats: Armor
Group Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy), Weapon Group
Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle, Tactical). Gear:
Weapons, black clothing with hood and gloves, ballistic vest,
encrypted radio headset. Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Moshuh Nanren (second-tier — target average agent level
7), 4th-level standard minions/3rd-level shadow warriors (minions,
squads of 4 — 24 MP): CR 6. SZ M; v/wp 27/10; Init +6 (+1 Dex, +5
class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 12 (+1 Dex, +1 armor); Atk: fist/punch +7
(dmg 1d3+1 subdual, error 1), butterfly sword +7 (dmg 1d6+1 nor-
mal, error 1–2, threat 19–20, qualities and mods: SG), weighted
chain +7 (dmg 1d4/1d4 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, 2-h, RH, TP),
Daewoo K1A assault rifle +7 (dmg 4d4 normal, error range 1–2,
threat 20, range 125 ft., qualities and mods: CS, SS — 20 shots of
standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square;
 37
SA None; SQ DR 4/CEM; SV Fort +5, Ref +6, Will +4; Str 12, Dex
12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9; Skills: Balance +6, Climb +5,
Demolitions +3, Driver +5, First Aid +3, Intimidate +6/+5, Hide +4,
Jump +5, Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Open Lock +3, Spot +7,
Surveillance +3, Tumble +6. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light,
Medium, Heavy), Traceless, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun,
Hurled, Melee, Rifle, Tactical). Gear: Weapons, black clothing with
hood and gloves, ballistic vest, encrypted radio headset. Vehicles
and Gadgets: None.
Moshuh Nanren (third-tier — target average agent level
12), 6th-level standard minions/6th-level shadow warriors (min-
ions, squads of 4 — 32 MP): CR 11. SZ M; v/wp 41/10; Init +10 (+1
Dex, +9 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 12 (+1 Dex, +1 armor); Atk:
fist/punch +11 (dmg 1d3+1 subdual, error 1), butterfly sword +11
(dmg 1d6+1 normal, error 1–2, threat 19–20, qualities and mods:
SG), weighted chain +11 (dmg 1d4/1d4 normal, error 1–2, threat 20,
qualities and mods: 2-h, RH, TP), Daewoo K1A assault rifle +11
(dmg 4d4 normal, error range 1–2, threat 20, range 125 ft., quali-
ties and mods: CS, SS — 20 shots of standard military ball ammuni-
tion); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak attack +1d6; SQ DR
4/CEM, evasion; SV Fort +7, Ref +9, Will +6; Str 12, Dex 12, Con 10,
Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9; Skills: Balance +7, Climb +6, Demolitions +4,
Driver +7, First Aid +4, Intimidate +8/+7, Hide +7, Jump +6, Listen
+4, Move Silently +7, Open Lock +4, Spot +9, Surveillance +4,
Tumble +8. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy),
Traceless, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle,
Tactical). Gear: Weapons, black clothing with hood and gloves, bal-
listic vest, encrypted radio headset. Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Moshuh Nanren (fourth-tier — target average agent level
17), 8th-level standard minions/9th-level shadow warriors (min-
ions, squads of 4 — 40 MP): CR 15. SZ M; v/wp 62/10; Init +12 (+1
Dex, +11 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 12 (+1 Dex, +1 armor); Atk:
fist/punch +15 (dmg 1d3+1 subdual, error 1), butterfly sword +15
(dmg 1d6+1 normal, error 1–2, threat 19–20, qualities and mods:
SG), weighted chain +15 (dmg 1d4/1d4 normal, error 1–2, threat
20, qualities and mods: 2-h, RH, TP), wolf spear +15 (dmg 1d12+1
normal, error 1, threat 18–20, qualities and mods: 2-h), Daewoo
K1A assault rifle +15 (dmg 4d4 normal, error range 1–2, threat 20,
range 125 ft., qualities and mods: CS, SS — 20 shots of standard
military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak
attack +1d6; SQ DR 4/CEM, evasion; SV Fort +9, Ref +11, Will +7;
Str 12, Dex 12, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9; Skills: Balance +9,
Climb +8, Demolitions +5, Driver +9, First Aid +5, Intimidate
+10/+9, Hide +10, Jump +8, Listen +6, Move Silently +10, Open
Lock +6, Spot +12, Surveillance +6, Tumble +11. Feats: Armor Group
Proficiency (Light, Medium, Heavy), Traceless, Weapon Group
Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle, Tactical). Gear:
Weapons, black clothing with hood and gloves, ballistic vest,
encrypted radio headset. Vehicles and Gadgets: None.
Scene 1: The Survivors
The following NPCs are encountered during Scene 1 and
later as described in the serial text.
38
Peng Lao
A skilled martial artist and former Tong leg-breaker, Peng
Lao betrayed his organization to hand it over to Madame
Zhu. He is deeply in love with his mistress, and though he
realizes that they can never have a romantic relationship,
he’s dedicated himself to serving her as long as he draws
breath.
Peng Lao (first-tier — target average agent level 2), 3rd-
level martial artist (henchman — 6 MP). CR 3. SZ M; v/wp 28/14;
Init +5 (+2 Str, +1 Dex, +2 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 14 (+1 Dex, +3
class); Atk: fist/punch +5 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1, threat 20),
kama +5 (dmg 1d8 normal), seven piece sword +5 (dmg 1d6+2 nor-
mal, error 1, threat 19–20), shuriken (×27) +4 (dmg 1 normal,
threat 19–20, range 10 ft., qualities and mods: SL — 1 shot each),
smoke grenades (×2) +4 (dmg special, error 1–4, range 15 ft. — 1
shot each); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ life of dis-
cipline (Discipline of the Body), unyielding; SV Fort +4, Ref +3, Will
+3; Str 14, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 12, Cha 10; Skills: Balance
+6, Climb +5, First Aid +3, Hide +5, Intimidate +6/+4, Jump +6,
Knowledge (Martial Arts) +4, Sense Motive +5, Spot +6, Tumble +6,
Use Rope +4. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium),
Blocking Basics, Chi Strike, Discipline of the Body, Martial Arts,
Weapon Group Proficiency (Exotic — Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts,
Hurled, Melee). Gear: Weapons, matte black sports bag, black cloth-
ing with hood and gloves, climbing kit, lockpicking kit, foot spikes,
tiger claws, 3 doses of paralytic poison, encrypted radio headset, 8
BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: Standard grapple belt.
Peng Lao (second-tier — target average agent level 7), 5th-
level martial artist/3rd-level fixer (henchman — 16 MP). CR 8. SZ M;
v/wp 63/14; Init +7 (+2 Str, +1 Dex, +4 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 18
(+1 Dex, +7 class); Atk: fist/punch +9 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1,
threat 20), kama +9 (dmg 1d8 normal), seven piece sword +9 (dmg
1d6+2 normal, error 1, threat 19–20), shuriken (×27) +8 (dmg 1
normal, threat 19–20, range 10 ft., qualities and mods: SL — 1 shot
each), smoke grenades (×2) +8 (dmg special, error 1–4, range 15 ft.
— 1 shot each); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak attack
+1d6; SQ life of discipline (Discipline of the Body), ploy (still stand-
ing), unyielding; SV Fort +7, Ref +7, Will +4; Str 14, Dex 12, Con
14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10; Skills: Balance +10, Bluff +2, Climb +8,
Escape Artist +3, First Aid +4, Hide +7, Intimidate +8/+6, Jump +9,
Knowledge (Martial Arts) +6, Listen +3, Move Silently +4, Open
Lock +3, Search +3, Sense Motive +6, Spot +10, Tumble +10, Use
Rope +5. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Blocking
Basics, Blocking Mastery, Chi Strike, Discipline of the Body, Holding
Basics, Martial Arts, Vital Point Basics, Weapon Group Proficiency
(Exotic — Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts, Handgun, Hurled, Melee,
Rifle). Gear: Weapons, matte black sports bag, black clothing with
hood and gloves, climbing kit, lockpicking kit, foot spikes, tiger
claws, 3 doses of paralytic poison, encrypted radio headset, 13 BP.
Vehicles and Gadgets: Standard grapple belt with razor’s edge
option, iris lenses, suction shoes.
 39
Peng Lao (third-tier — target average agent level 12), 8th-
level martial artist/5th-level fixer (henchman — 26 MP). CR 13. SZ
M; v/wp 98/14; Init +11 (+3 Str, +1 Dex, +7 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def
21 (+1 Dex, +10 class); Atk: fist/punch +14 (dmg 1d6 normal, error
1, threat 20), kama +14 (dmg 1d8 normal), seven piece sword +14
(dmg 1d6+2 normal, error 1, threat 19–20), shuriken (×27) +12
(dmg 1 normal, threat 19–20, range 10 ft., qualities and mods: SL —
1 shot each), smoke grenades (×2) +12 (dmg special, error 1–4,
range 15 ft. — 1 shot each); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA
master’s touch (Adrenaline Burst and Spike), sneak attack +2d6; SQ
life of discipline (Discipline of Body), ploy (still standing), uncanny
dodge (Dexterity bonus to Defense), unyielding, wuxia +5; SV Fort
+9, Ref +9, Will +6; Str 16, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10;
Skills: Balance +14, Bluff +3, Climb +12, Escape Artist +4, First Aid
+5, Hide +12, Intimidate +11/+8, Jump +18, Knowledge (Martial
Arts) +9, Listen +5, Move Silently +6, Open Lock +4, Search +4,
Sense Motive +8, Spot +14, Tumble +18, Use Rope +7. Feats: Armor
Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Blocking Basics, Blocking
Mastery, Chi Strike, Combat Instincts, Discipline of the Body, Eagle
Stance, Holding Basics, Martial Arts, Vital Point Basics, Weapon
Group Proficiency (Exotic — Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts,
Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, matte black sports
bag, black clothing with hood and gloves, climbing kit, lockpicking
kit, foot spikes, tiger claws, 3 doses of paralytic poison, encrypted
radio headset, 18 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: Standard grapple belt
with razor’s edge option, dummy line (for seven piece sword), iris
lenses, suction shoes, taser cufflinks (disguised as arm bracers), 2
GP.
Peng Lao (fourth-tier — target average agent level 17),
11th-level martial artist/7th-level fixer (henchman — 36 MP). CR
18. SZ M; v/wp 133/14; Init +16 (+4 Str, +2 Dex, +1 Int, +9 class);
Spd 30 ft.; Def 27 (+2 Dex, +15 class); Atk: fist/punch +20 (dmg
1d6 normal, error 1, threat 20), kama +20 (dmg 1d8 normal), seven
piece sword +20 (dmg 1d6+2 normal, error 1, threat 19–20),
shuriken (×27) +18 (dmg 1 normal, threat 19–20, range 10 ft.,
qualities and mods: SL — 1 shot each), smoke grenades (×2) +18
(dmg special, error 1–4, range 15 ft. — 1 shot each); Face 1 square;
Reach 1 square; SA master’s touch (Adrenaline Burst and Spike),
sneak attack +3d6; SQ improved reach (10 ft.), life of discipline
(Discipline of the body, Discipline of the Mind), ploy (still standing),
special ability (stow it), uncanny dodge (Dexterity bonus to
Defense), unyielding, wuxia +5;SV Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +8; Str
18, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 12, Wis 13, Cha 10; Skills: Balance +20,
Bluff +4, Climb +16, Escape Artist +6, First Aid +6, Hide +18,
Intimidate +15/+11, Jump +20, Knowledge (Martial Arts) +12,
Listen +7, Move Silently +9, Open Lock +6, Search +5, Sense Motive
+10, Spot +19, Tumble +20, Use Rope +10. Feats: Armor Group
Proficiency (Light, Medium), Blocking Basics, Blocking Mastery,
Blocking Supremacy, Chi Strike, Combat Instincts, Crane Stance,
Discipline of the Body, Eagle Stance, Holding Basics, Holding
Mastery, Martial Arts, Vital Point Basics, Weapon Group Proficiency
(Exotic — Archaic, Exotic — Martial Arts, Handgun, Hurled, Melee,
Rifle). Gear: Weapons, matte black sports bag, black clothing with
hood and gloves, climbing kit, lockpicking kit, foot spikes, tiger
claws, 3 doses of paralytic poison, encrypted radio headset, 32 BP.
40
Vehicles and Gadgets: Standard grapple belt with razor’s edge
option, dummy line (for seven piece sword), iris lenses, suction
shoes, taser cufflinks (disguised as arm bracers), 5 GP.
Blocking Supremacy: This feat grants Peng Lao the fol-
lowing abilities.
Closing the Center: Peng Lao gains 2 points of damage
reduction against all types of ability damage.
Hand of God: Whenever Peng Lao is unsuccessfully
attacked with a melee, unarmed, or hurled attack, he may, as
a free action, make a Reflex Save (DC equal to the failed
attack result). With success, and if his Reflex save result
exceeds his attacker’s Defense, he inflicts his standard
fist/punch damage upon the attacker. Peng Lao may only use
this ability when he’s fighting defensively and when he ben-
efits from the total defense action.
Crane Stance: Peng Lao may enter this stance as a half
action, and loses the benefits of this stance when he becomes
prone. While in this stance, Peng Lao retains his Dexterity
and dodge bonuses to Defense even while grappling. Further,
he benefits from one-half cover while grappling if he won
the last opposed grapple check. Peng Lao may not charge or
run while in this stance.
Discipline of the Body: Peng Lao adds his Strength modi-
fier to his initiative rolls. Further, he may spend 1 action die
to use each of the following abilities.
Endure: Peng Lao gains 5 points of damage reduction
against heat and cold damage for 10 rounds (1 minute).
Hold Breath: Peng Lao may go without breathing for a
number of minutes equal to his Constitution modifier while
performing actions, or for a number of hours equal to his
Constitution modifier while remaining still.
Withstand: When Peng Lao spends 1 action die to increase
a Fortitude save result, he rolls and adds the results of 2 dice
instead of 1. The action die spent to use this ability counts as
the action die spent to increase the Fortitude save result.
Discipline of the Mind: Peng Lao adds his Intelligence
modifier to his initiative rolls. Further, he may spend 1 action
die to use each of the following abilities.
Focus: Peng Lao automatically succeeds with 1
Concentration check.
Ignore Pain: Peng Lao gains 5 points of damage reduction
against subdual damage for 50 rounds (5 minutes). This dam-
age reduction stacks with damage reduction gained from
other sources.
Quick Reflexes: When Peng Lao spends 1 action die to
increase a Reflex save result, he rolls and adds the results of
2 dice instead of 1. The action die spent to use this ability
counts as the action die spent to increase the Reflex save
result.
Eagle Stance: Peng Lao may enter this stance as a half
action, and loses the benefits of this stance when he becomes
prone. While in this stance, Peng Lao is considered to be
crouching (see the Modern Arms Guide, page 11). Further,
the DCs of all break checks he makes are reduced by 2.
Finally, if Peng Lao scores a threat with an unarmed attack,
 41
he may gouge his opponent, inflicting his standard unarmed
damage and causing him to lose 1 additional vitality point
per round (though never additional wounds). These vitality
points are lost immediately, before the gouged target’s first
action during each round. This vitality loss may only be halt-
ed with a successful First Aid check (DC 20). This First Aid
check requires 1 minute to perform. Peng Lao may only
gouge each opponent once, regardless of the number of
threats he scores.
Master’s Touch: Peng Lao gains the effects of his
Adrenaline Burst and Spike martial arts at the cost of 1
action die. The effects of both abilities last until the start of
his initiative count during the following round.
Ploy (Still Standing): Peng Lao gains a +6 circumstance
bonus with Fortitude saves made to remain standing after
being hit by an attack with the takedown quality (see the
Modern Arms Guide, page 17).
Unyielding: Whenever Peng Lao spends 1 action die to
recover vitality, he rolls and gains the results of 2 dice
instead of 1. Further, the refresh combat action is considered
a half action for him.
Vital Point Basics: This feat grants Peng Lao the following
abilities.
Atemi: Peng Lao may choose to strike his opponent’s vital
points and energy centers with any unarmed attack, inflict-
ing subdual damage. If he scores a threat, the attack also
inflicts 1 point of temporary Strength, Dexterity or Wisdom
damage (GC’s choice).
Spike: The threat ranges of Peng Lao’s unarmed attacks
are increased by 1.
Wuxia: Peng Lao’s jumping ability — both horizontally
and vertically — is no longer limited by his height. Further,
he gains an additional +5 competence bonus with all Jump
and Tumble checks.
Xu Ching-Lee
Madame Zhu pays this young woman extraordinarily well
to ensure her loyalty. Although Ching-Lee initially had no
interest in medieval China, she has since learned to tolerate
her employer’s whims. As a personal amusement, she has
started training with Peng Lao, and thus has moderate com-
bat skills.
Xu Ching-Lee (first-tier — target average agent level 2),
3rd-level snoop (henchman — 6 MP). CR 3. SZ M; v/wp 21/12; Init
+4 (+2 Dex, +2 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 15 (+2 Dex, +3 class); Atk:
fist/punch +1 (dmg 1d3, error 1), short sword +1 (dmg 1d6 normal,
error 1, threat 19–20), Daewoo DP 40 service pistol with standard
suppressor +3 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, range 25
ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of standard military ball
ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ astute,
flawless search, intuition 1/session, jury-rig +2; SV Fort +2, Ref +4,
Will +2; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 10; Skills:
Computers +11 (threat 19–20), Concentration +7, Cryptography +11
(threat 19–20), Electronics +9, Hide +9 (threat 19–20), Knowledge
(World War II encryption) +8, Listen +7, Mechanics +10 (threat
19–20), Move Silently +8, Search +9, Sense Motive +7, Spot +7,
42
Surveillance +7. Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light),
Mathematical Genius, Stealthy, Weapon Group Proficiency
(Handgun, Melee). Gear: Weapons, casual clothes, laptop computer
(+5 power rating), tactical radio, 2 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: None,
3 GP.
Xu Ching-Lee (second-tier — target average agent level 7),
6th-level snoop/2nd-level fixer (henchman — 16 MP). CR 8. SZ M;
v/wp 48/12; Init +7 (+2 Dex, +5 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 19 (+2 Dex,
+7 class); Atk: fist/punch +4 (dmg 1d3, error 1), short sword +4
(dmg 1d6 normal, error 1, threat 19–20), Daewoo DP 40 service pis-
tol with standard suppressor +6 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2,
threat 20, range 25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of stan-
dard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA
None; SQ astute, back door, evasion (no damage with successful
save), flawless search, intuition 1/session, jury-rig +3, procure, spe-
cial ability (intercept communication); SV Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +4;
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 12, Cha 10; Skills: Climb +4,
Computers +17 (threat 19–20), Concentration +7, Cryptography
+17 (threat 19–20), Electronics +16, Hide +15 (threat 18–20),
Knowledge (World War II encryption) +9, Listen +12, Mechanics
+15, Move Silently +15 (threat 18–20), Search +14, Sense Motive
+8, Spot +12, Surveillance +10. Feats: Advanced Skill Mastery
(Stealthy), Armor Group Proficiency (Light), Mathematical Genius,
Stealthy, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle).
Gear: Weapons, casual clothes, laptop computer (+5 power rating),
tactical radio, 6 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: None, 8 GP.
Xu Ching-Lee (third-tier — target average agent level 12),
6th-level snoop/5th-level fixer/2nd-level hacker (henchman — 26
MP). CR 13. SZ M; v/wp 76/12; Init +13 (+2 Dex, +7 class, +4 feat);
Spd 30 ft.; Def 22 (+2 Dex, +10 class); Atk: fist/punch +7 (dmg 1d3,
error 1), short sword +7 (dmg 1d6 normal, error 1, threat 19–20),
Daewoo DP 40 service pistol with standard suppressor +9 (dmg
1d8+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, range 25 ft., qualities and
mods: TD — 13 shots of standard military ball ammunition); Face 1
square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak attack +2d6; SQ astute, back
door, custom-built system, evasion (no damage with successful
save), flawless search, intuition 1/session, jury-rig +3, procure, spe-
cial ability (intercept communication), synchronize (solo), uncanny
dodge (Dexterity bonus to Defense); SV Fort +6, Ref +11, Will +7;
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 10; Skills: Climb +9,
Computers +22 (threat 19–20), Concentration +15, Cryptography
+22 (threat 19–20), Electronics +21, Escape Artist +6, Hide +20
(threat 18–20), Knowledge (World War II encryption) +9, Listen
+17, Mechanics +15, Move Silently +20 (threat 18–20), Search
+19, Sense Motive +8, Spot +16, Surveillance +13, Tumble +12.
Feats: Advanced Skill Mastery (Stealthy), Armor Group Proficiency
(Light), Blind-Fight, Improved Initiative, Mathematical Genius,
Stealthy, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle).
Gear: Weapons, casual clothes, laptop computer (+5 power rating),
tactical radio, 18 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: None, 13 GP.
Xu Ching-Lee (fourth-tier — target average agent level 17),
6th-level snoop/5th-level fixer/4th-level hacker/3rd-level ninja
(henchman — 36 MP). CR 18. SZ M; v/wp 103/12; Init +17 (+2 Dex,
+11 class, +4 feat); Spd 30 ft.; Def 26 (+2 Dex. +14 class); Atk:
fist/punch +9 (dmg 1d3, error 1), short sword +9 (dmg 1d6 normal,
 43 44

error 1, threat 19–20), Daewoo DP 40 service pistol with standard the Agency Oversight Committee. He used this edge to force
suppressor +11 (dmg 1d8+2 normal, error 1–2, threat 20, range 25 the Committee to appoint him the Agency’s independent
ft., qualities and mods: TD — 13 shots of standard military ball internal auditor, and has since used his position to direct
ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA sneak attack +2d6; valuable information to the Hand and eliminate anyone who
SQ ambusher (targets remain flat-footed), astute, back door, cus- might learn his secret. Now the Hand is ready to strike and
tom-built system, evasion (no damage with successful save), flaw- Asylum plans to leave the Agency for good with one last
less search, intuition 1/session, jury-rig +3, ki sense (Spot), lockout hurrah.
(single), procure, sift, special ability (intercept communication), syn-
Asylum (first-tier — target average agent level 2), 4th-level
chronize (solo), uncanny dodge (Dexterity bonus to Defense); SV
faceman (mastermind — 20 MP). Department: D-0: The Power
Fort +7, Ref +12, Will +8; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 14,
Brokerage. CR 4. SZ M; v/wp 31/12; Init +5 (+2 Dex, +3 class); Spd
Cha 10; Skills: Climb +14, Computers +27 (threat 18–20),
30 ft.; Def 14 (+2 Dex, +2 class); Atk: fist/punch +3 (dmg 1d3 sub-
Concentration +19, Cryptography +27 (threat 18–20), Electronics
dual, error 1), knife +3 (dmg 1d4 normal, error 1, threat 20), .45
+24, Escape Artist +6, Hide +25 (threat 18–20), Knowledge (World
ACP Beretta 8000 Cougar backup pistol with standard suppressor
War II encryption) +9, Listen +22, Mechanics +20, Move Silently
+5 (dmg 1d12 normal, error 1, threat 19–20, range 25 ft., qualities
+25 (threat 18–20), Search +22, Sense Motive +8, Spot +20,
and mods: TD — 8 shots of standard military ball ammunition); Face
Surveillance +17, Tumble +17. Feats: Advanced Skill Mastery
1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ +2 bonus with action die
(Mathematical Genius, Stealthy), Armor Group Proficiency (Light),
results, adaptable, backup 1/session, cold read 1/session, linguist
Blind-Fight, Blindsight 5-ft. Radius, Improved Initiative,
+3, quick change 1/session; SV Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 11, Dex
Mathematical Genius, Quick Use (Computers), Stealthy, Weapon
14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 17; Skills: Bluff +8, Bureaucracy +7,
Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons,
Computers +7, Craft (Recording) +8 (threat 19–20), Diplomacy +7,
casual clothes, laptop computer (+5 power rating), tactical radio, 27
Disguise +7, Forgery +8, Gather Information +9, Hobby (Reading)
BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: None, 17 GP.
+5 (threat 19–20), Innuendo +7 (threat 19–20), Languages +5,
Custom-Built System: Ching-Lee’s personal, custom-built Perform (Acting) +5, Profession (Lawyer) +6 (threat 19–20), Read
machine is considered to have a +2 power rating when she uses Lips +7 (threat 19–20), Search +5, Sense Motive +9 (threat 19–20),
it, above and beyond the computer’s standard power rating. Spot +4. Feats: Field Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium),
Lockout: Ching-Lee may make an opposed Computers Operative, Ordinary Past, Traceless, Weapon Group Proficiency
check opposed by the target user’s Computers skill. With suc- (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, business suit, sun-
cess, she locks the target user out of the system for a num- glasses, laptop computer (power rating +5), encrypted radio head-
ber of rounds equal to the difference between the Computer set, 18 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: Iris lenses.
check results. With a critical success, Ching-Lee locks the tar-
Asylum (second-tier — target average agent level 7), 7th-
get user out of the system for as long as she remains logged
level faceman/2nd-level mole (mastermind — 45 MP). Department:
on. Ching-Lee may use this ability a number of times per ses-
D-0: The Power Brokerage. CR 9. SZ M; v/wp 52/12; Init +9 (+2 Dex,
sion equal to her class level.
+7 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 17 (+2 Dex, +5 class); Atk: fist/punch +6
Sift: When Ching-Lee makes a Gather Information check
(dmg 1d3 subdual, error 1), knife +6 (dmg 1d4 normal, error 1,
while using the Internet, she may never completely fail, even
threat 20), .45 ACP Beretta 8000 Cougar backup pistol with stan-
if she suffers an error. Further, his opponent must spend 1
dard suppressor +8 (dmg 1d12 normal, error 1, threat 19–20, range
additional action die to activate Ching-Lee’s critical failures
25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 8 shots of standard military ball
with these skill checks.
ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ +3
Synchronize: Ching-Lee may grant 1 teammate or ally a
bonus with action die results, adaptable, backup 1/session, cold
+2 bonus with all skill checks made to penetrate a security
read 1/session, deep cover +1, fake it 1/session, jack-of-all-trades,
system controlled by a computer system onto which she’s
linguist +3, quick change 3/session, versatility (Computers,
logged. This bonus applies to all rolls made to bypass or dis-
Demolitions, Hide, Move Silently); SV Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9; Str
able said security. If Ching-Lee works from a dedicated ter-
11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 17; Skills: Bluff +14,
minal inside the secured site, this bonus is increased by an
Bureaucracy +9, Computers +10, Craft (Recording) +8 (threat
additional +2 (for a total bonus of +4). If Ching-Lee possess-
19–20), Demolitions +5, Diplomacy +9, Disguise +8, Forgery +15,
es root access, this bonus is increased by an additional +2
Gather Information +12, Hide +6 (threat 19–20), Hobby (Reading)
(for a total bonus of +4 if she works from outside the site, or
+6 (threat 19–20), Innuendo +9 (threat 19–20), Intimidate +3/+6,
+6 from a dedicated terminal inside the site).
Languages +6, Move Silently +6 (threat 19–20), Perform (Acting)
Scene 2: The Traitor +7, Profession (Lawyer) +7 (threat 19–20), Read Lips +8 (threat
19–20), Search +6, Sense Motive +13 (threat 19–20), Spot +6.
The following NPCs are encountered during Scene 2.
Feats: Armor Group Proficiency (Light, Medium), Field Operative,
Asylum Flawless Identity, Ordinary Past, Stealthy, Traceless, Weapon Group
Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, busi-
A founder of the Invisible Hand organization, Asylum
ness suit, sunglasses, laptop computer (power rating +5), encrypted
used advanced surveillance techniques and gear to obtain
radio headset, 31 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: Dummy line (for Beretta
blackmail information about a few highly placed members of
8000 Cougar backup pistol), iris lenses, standard sensor shoes with
 45 46

blade option. Proficiency (Light, Medium), Explosives Basics, Explosives Mastery,

False Start (Demolitions), Field Operative, Flawless Identity,
Asylum (third-tier — target average agent level 12), 8th-
Improved Initiative, Ordinary Past, Police Training, Stealthy,
level faceman/5th-level mole/1st-level saboteur (mastermind — 70
Traceless, Undermine, Weapon Group Proficiency (Handgun, Hurled,
MP). Department: D-0: The Power Brokerage. CR 14. SZ M; v/wp
Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, business suit, sunglasses, laptop com-
91/12; Init +12 (+2 Dex, +10 class); Spd 30 ft.; Def 20 (+2 Dex, +8
puter (power rating +5), encrypted radio headset, 58 BP. Vehicles
class); Atk: fist/punch +9 (dmg 1d3 subdual, error 1), knife +9 (dmg
and Gadgets: Dummy line (for Beretta 8000 Cougar backup pistol),
1d4 normal, error 1, threat 20), .45 ACP Beretta 8000 Cougar back-
iris lenses, standard sensor shoes with blade and shock tip options,
up pistol with standard suppressor +11 (dmg 1d12 normal, error 1,
taser cufflinks, 5 GP.
threat 19–20, range 25 ft., qualities and mods: TD — 8 shots of
standard military ball ammunition); Face 1 square; Reach 1 square;
SA None; SQ +4 bonus with action die results, adaptable, backup
2/session, cold read 1/session, deep cover +1, fake it 2/session,
insider (rating), jack-of-all-trades, linguist +4, quick change 3/ses-
sion, versatility (Computers, Demolitions, Hide, Move Silently); SV
Fort +8, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 14,
Cha 18; Skills: Bluff +19, Bureaucracy +12, Computers +12, Craft
(Recording) +8 (threat 19–20), Demolitions +14, Diplomacy +12,
Disguise +12, Forgery +18, Gather Information +15, Hide +12
(threat 19–20), Hobby (Reading) +6 (threat 19–20), Innuendo +11
(threat 19–20), Intimidate +5/+9, Languages +6, Move Silently +12
(threat 19–20), Perform (Acting) +10, Profession (Lawyer) +7 (threat
19–20), Read Lips +8 (threat 19–20), Search +6, Sense Motive +14
(threat 19–20), Spot +7, Surveillance +3. Feats: Armor Group
Proficiency (Light, Medium), Explosives Basics, False Star
(Demolitions), Field Operative, Flawless Identity, Ordinary Past,
Stealthy, Traceless, Undermine, Weapon Group Proficiency
(Handgun, Hurled, Melee, Rifle). Gear: Weapons, business suit, sun-
glasses, laptop computer (power rating +5), encrypted radio head-
set, 43 BP. Vehicles and Gadgets: Dummy line (for Beretta 8000
Cougar backup pistol), iris lenses, standard sensor shoes with blade
and shock tip options, taser cufflinks, 1 GP.

Asylum (fourth-tier — target average agent level 17), 10th-

level faceman/5th-level mole/4th-level saboteur (mastermind — 85
MP). Department: D-0: The Power Brokerage. CR 19. SZ M; v/wp
124/12; Init +19 (+2 Dex, +13 class, +4 feat); Spd 30 ft.; Def 23
(+2 Dex, +11 class); Atk: fist/punch +13 (dmg 1d3 subdual, error 1),
knife +13 (dmg 1d4 normal, error 1, threat 20), .45 ACP Beretta
8000 Cougar backup pistol with standard suppressor +15 (dmg
1d12 normal, error 1, threat 19–20, range 25 ft., qualities and
mods: TD — 8 shots of standard military ball ammunition); Face 1
square; Reach 1 square; SA None; SQ +5 bonus with action die
results, 1,000 faces 1/session, adaptable, backup 2/session, burrow
(Undermine), chain reaction, cold read 1/session, deep cover +2,
fake it 3/session, “if you see me running…”, insider (rating), jack-of-
all-trades, linguist +4, quick change 4/session, versatility
(Computers, Demolitions, Hide, Move Silently); SV Fort +10, Ref +8,
Will +12; Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 18; Skills:
Appraise +6, Bluff +21, Bureaucracy +16, Computers +14, Craft
(Recording) +8 (threat 19–20), Demolitions +25, Diplomacy +14,
Disguise +16, Forgery +20, Gather Information +17, Hide +16
(threat 18–20), Hobby (Reading) +6 (threat 19–20), Innuendo +11
(threat 19–20), Intimidate +5/+9, Languages +6, Listen +6, Move
Silently +16 (threat 18–20), Perform (Acting) +12, Profession
(Lawyer) +7 (threat 19–20), Read Lips +8 (threat 19–20), Search +6,
Sense Motive +16 (threat 19–20), Spot +9, Surveillance +5, Tumble
+5. Feats: Advanced Skill Mastery (Stealthy), Armor Group
Deep Cover: Whenever Asylum creates or is assigned a
cover identity, the power rating of his cover identity is
increased by an additional +1.
Insider: When Asylum spends at least 8 hours moving
around within 1 or more buildings of a target facility, he may
make a Surveillance check (DC 20 + the facility’s personnel
rating). With success, he learns the personnel rating and the
name(s), class(es) and level(s) of all minion types stationed at
the facility. Asylum may retry this check repeatedly, each
attempt spending another 8 hours scouting the facility.
Jack-of-all-Trades: As a free action, Asylum may spend
and roll 1 action die to increase the result of any one Craft,
Hobby, Knowledge, Perform, Profession, or Sport skill check
by the action die’s result. This action die does not explode.
Asylum is considered to be trained with the boosted skill for
the duration of this check.
 47

The Open Game License

The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards
of the Coast, Inc (“Wizards”). All Rights Reserved.
1. Definitions: (a) “Contributors” means the copyright and/or trademark owners who have
contributed Open Game Content; (b) “Derivative Material” means copyrighted material
including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages),
potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation,
abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or
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display, transmit or otherwise distribute; (d) “Open Game Content” means the game
mechanic and includes the methods, procedures, processes and routines to the extent
such content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior
art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor,
and means any work covered by this License, including translations and derivative works
under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) “Product Identity”
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and any other trademark or registered trademark clearly identified as Product identity by
the owner of the Product Identity, and which specifically excludes the Open Game
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used by a Contributor to identify itself or its products or the associated products
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means to use, Distribute, copy, edit, format, modify, translate and otherwise create
Derivative Material of Open Game Content. (h) “You” or “Your” means the licensee in
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2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content that contains a notice
indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this
License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms
may be added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the License
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using this License.
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indicate Your acceptance
of the terms of this License.
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this License, the
Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive license with
the exact terms of this License to Use, the Open Game Content.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing original material as Open
Game Content, You represent that Your Contributions are Your original creation and/or
You have sufficient rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.
6. Notice of License Copyright: You must update the COPYRIGHT NOTICE portion of this
License to include the exact text of the COPYRIGHT NOTICE of any Open Game Content
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7. Use of Product Identity: You agree not to Use any Product Identity, including as an
indication as to compatibility, except as expressly licensed in another, independent
Agreement with the owner of each element of that Product Identity. You agree not to
indicate compatibility or co-adaptability with any Trademark in conjunction with a work
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The owner of any Product Identity used in Open Game Content shall retain all rights,
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8. Identification: If you distribute Open Game Content You must clearly indicate which
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15. COPYRIGHT NOTICES
Open Game License v1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc. System Rules
Document Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Jonathan Tweet, Monte
Cook, Skip Williams, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
Star Wars roleplaying game, Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast and Lucasfilm Ltd.;
Authors Andy Collins, Bill Slavicsek, JD Wiker. Spycraft Espionage Handbook, Copyright
2002, Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc.; Authors Patrick Kapera and Kevin Wilson.
Shadowforce Archer Worldbook, Copyright 2002, Alderac Entertainment Group, Inc.;
Authors Patrick Kapera and Kevin Wilson.