Professor Reivax Kipe & XCOM [RPG]

Professor Reivax Kipe was a character I played for a brief period of time in Starfinder Society games.  The inspiration for Kipe was characters like Charles Xavier (X-Men), Captain Pike (Star Trek), and Stephen Hawking (real life!).  Confined to a wheelchair and suffering from a terrible neuromuscular disease, Professor Kipe invented his Extra-Corporeal Manipulator (XCOM) for mobility and interaction in daily life.  In game terms, Kipe was a Mechanic and XCOM was a drone equipped with a riding saddle and some hefty offensive weaponry.

I really enjoyed playing Kipe and particularly enjoyed his innate recklessness and sense of humor.  When you've been gaming for a long, long time like I have, sometimes you have to artificially impose some challenges on yourself to keep things interesting--so figuring out how to make a viable PC with a Strength and Dexterity score of 1 provided me that motivation.  He proved quite up to the challenge in the sessions I played him in.

Tragically, Professor Kipe's tenure as a Starfinder was cut short--and not because of anything that happened within a session!  The head honcho of the Starfinder Society organized play campaign suddenly changed the rules to make it so a character couldn't have reduced ability scores.  In other words, Professor Kipe was effectively banned.  I had invested several Chronicle sheets in the character, so it was a big blow that was announced by an off-hand comment in a forum post.  I tried logic, humor, rhetoric, sarcasm, and everything else I could think of to get this ruling overturned, and ultimately got suspended from the Paizo website for a week!  I think the new rule is a real pity, as good role-playing involves having both strengths and weaknesses, and there are some character concepts that just aren't viable without lowered ability scores.

So for now, Professor Kipe drifts in limbo.  I hope to someday bring him back in a non-SFS game like an adventure path so that his story is able to continue.

Professor Reivax Kipe
238544-702 (Dataphiles)
Mechanic 4
Human
Theme: Roboticist
Homeworld: Aballon

Strength: 1 (-5)
Dexterity: 1 (-5)
Constitution: 12 (+1)
Intelligence: 18 (+4)
Wisdom: 14 (+2)
Charisma: 11 (+0)

Skills
Acrobatics -12
Athletics -12
Bluff +2
Computers +13
Culture +6
Diplomacy +2
Disguise +0
Engineering +12
Intimidate +1
Life Science +11
Medicine +9
Mysticism +3
Perception +6
Physical Science +11
Piloting -1
Profession (Professor) +11
Sense Motive +4
Stealth -12
Survival +2

Combat
Initiative -5
Stamina: 28
Hit Points: 28
Resolve Points: 6
EAC: 13
KAC: 15
Fort Save: +5
Reflex Save: +0
Will Save: +5
Melee Attack -2
Ranged Attack -2

Abilities
Theme Knowledge (Roboticist): Reduce the DC of Engineering checks to ID creatures & tech by 5, Computers is class skill or get +1 bonus.  +1 to Int.
Human (extra feat, extra skill rank, +2 to one ability, 4 hp)
L1: Artificial Intelligence (Ex): Drone (Has Move or Standard, or give my Move to give it both)
L1: Bypass (Ex): +1 insight to Computers & Engineering; increases at L5/L9/L13/L17/L20
L1: Custom Rig (Ex): Tool/Basic Kit for any Computers/Engineering check, Mk1 comm unit, talk drone 2500 feet
L2: Repair Drone (10 minutes repairing drone fixes 25% of maximum hit points)
L3: Overload (standard, adjacent, make tech nonfunctional 1 round; attended items get Reflex save: DC 16)
L3: Weapon Specialization:  Gain Weapon Specialization as bonus feat for basic melee, grenades, and small arms
L4: Energy Shield (standard action, gain temp hp = to Level+Int mod for 1 min/level. Recharge after 10 min. rest)

Feats and Proficiencies
Languages: Common, Brethadan, Vercite, Infernal, Azlanti, Ysoki, Kasatha
Armor Proficiency: Light
Weapon Proficiency: Basic Melee, Grenade, Small Arms
(L1):  Heavy Armor Proficiency
(Human Bonus): Skill Synergy (Life Science class skill, +2 insight Piloting)
(L3 Bonus): Weapon Specialization (add level or 1/2 level to damage)
(L3): Iron Will (+2 to Will saves)

Equipment
Lashunta Ringwear II
Custom Rig
Mk 1 Synaptic Accelerator (Wisdom)
Profession Clothing
Mk 1 Ring of Resistance (magic)
Mk 1 Serums of Healing (x4)

Background: "Professor Reivax Kipe suffers from a terrible biomagical neural disease that has destroyed his ability to control his muscles.  He quests for a cure."

Extra-Corporeal Manipulator
Combat Chassis Drone

Strength 16 (+3)
Dexterity 14 (+2)
Intelligence 6 (-2)
Wisdom 10 (+0)
Charisma 6 (-2)

Skills
Acrobatics -3
Athletics -2
Perception +0
Stealth +4

Modifications
*Reductive Plating (DR1)
*Weapon Mounts (x2)
(L1) Riding Saddle
*Weapon Proficiency (Small Arm)
*Weapon Proficiency (Long Arms)
(L3) Manipulator Arms

Feats and Proficiencies
(L1) Weapon Proficiency (Heavy)
(L3) Weapon Focus: Heavy

Combat
Hit Points: 40
EAC: 15
KAC: 18
Fort Save: +3
Ref Save: +2
Will Save: +1
Aufeis Ice Launcher +6, d. 1d12 B&C [20/4] (60' range') (crit: knockdown)

Equipment
Aufeis Ice Launcher
Batteries
Starfinder Backpack
Field Rations (1 week)
Lantern
Emergency Beacon
Radiation Badge
Professor & Gear

Background: "EXCOM serves as combination wheelchair, bodyguard, and extra set of arms for Professor Kipe."