Day One Defector
A former Day One operative who has renounced the cause but carries the knowledge and the scars.
A Day One Defector is a former operative of the Fold-ripper cult who has renounced the cause but carries the knowledge and the scars. They are hunted by both Day One (as traitors) and Asset Realisation (as loose ends). The Defector knows the rituals, the safe houses, and the names of the cells. They also know the cost. Most defectors are running from something worse than the ledger.
The Defector is an elite encounter: skilled, desperate, and utterly without sentiment. They do not fight unless cornered; they disappear before the encounter begins. The lever is exposure -- a Defector whose cover is blown is vulnerable, and Day One does not forgive.
Rules Reference
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Abilities / Cha | 12 |
| Abilities / Con | 14 |
| Abilities / Dex | 18 |
| Abilities / Int | 16 |
| Abilities / Str | 14 |
| Abilities / Wis | 14 |
| Armor Class | 18 |
| Base Attack Bonus | 6 |
| Creature Type | Humanoid |
| Flat Ac | 15 |
| Hd Count | 7 |
| Hd Sides | 8 |
| Hit Dice | 7d8+14 |
| Hit Points | 45 |
| Hp Bonus | 14 |
| Initiative | 6 |
| Languages | Trade Cant (native fluency); Core Standard; Day One cipher-cant; Rim slang |
| Psionics | None (but carries Fold-sense from exposure) |
| Resistances | Fold-Scarred (+2 Will vs Fold effects), Ripper Training (+2 vs AR targets) |
| Role Tags | Assassin, Infiltrator, Skirmisher |
| Saves / Fort | 8 |
| Saves / Ref | 10 |
| Saves / Will | 7 |
| Senses | Normal human vision; Fold-sense 30 ft (detects active Fold disturbances); passive Perception 18 |
| Size | M |
| Skills / Athletics | 9 |
| Skills / Deception | 12 |
| Skills / Intimidation | 10 |
| Skills / Notice | 13 |
| Skills / Persuasion | 11 |
| Skills / Security | 12 |
| Skills / Stealth | 15 |
| Skills / Survival | 10 |
| Skills / Tracking | 11 |
| Speed | 30 |
| Threat Rating | 6 |
| Touch Ac | 16 |
| Xp | 1500 |
| Dialogue Path | game/dialogue/npc-dayone-defector.yaml |
Notes
Full Attack: Suppressed Pistol ranged +9 (1d8+2 ballistic; range 60 ft; suppressed; +4 from stealth) or Monofilament Wire melee +8 (2d6+2 slashing; +4 vs flat-footed; crit x3) or Fold-Ripper Blade melee +8 (1d8+2 slashing; ignores 2 AC; crit inflicts Fold-Touched)
Habitat: Rim worlds, Core hive deeps, and anywhere Day One has a cell. Found in hiding, running, or executing a personal mission. Roll 1d6: 1-2 = Defector in hiding (invisible, patient), 3-4 = Defector executing a mission (focused, lethal), 5-6 = Defector compromised (desperate, burn protocol ready).
Morale: Elite (14); disengages when the mission fails or when capture is inevitable; will fight to the death only if cornered with no escape
Tactics: The Defector eliminates the target before the encounter begins if possible. If forced into open combat, they open with Suppressed Pistol from cover, use Monofilament Wire on isolated targets, and save Fold-Ripper Blade for Asset Realisation enforcers. If the cover holds, the Defector fights as a shadow war first and a combat encounter second. If the cover breaks, the Defector uses Burn Protocol and vanishes.
Treasure: Suppressed pistol (600 rek), monofilament wire (400 rek), Fold-Ripper Blade (priceless to Day One; 2,000 rek to the right buyer), Day One cipher-pad (priceless to intelligence services; 5,000 rek to the right buyer), false identity kit (200-500 rek per identity), 3d10 rek in untraceable funds.
Vulnerabilities: Burned asset (Day One hunts defectors; a burned Defector is on their own), Cover dependency (in the Core, without Rim contacts, the Defector is vulnerable), One mission (the Defector has a specific objective; if the objective is irrelevant, the Defector disengages)
Attacks
Suppressed Pistol
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
bonus | 9 |
category | ranged |
damage | 1d8+2 |
damageType | ballistic |
name | Suppressed Pistol |
notes | Integrally suppressed; no audible report beyond 30 ft; first shot from stealth gains +4 to hit |
rangeFt | 60 |
Monofilament Wire
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
bonus | 8 |
category | melee |
damage | 2d6+2 |
damageType | slashing |
name | Monofilament Wire |
notes | Garrote; +4 to hit against flat-footed or grappled targets; critical hit x3 |
rangeFt | 5 |
Fold-Ripper Blade
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
bonus | 8 |
category | melee |
damage | 1d8+2 |
damageType | slashing |
name | Fold-Ripper Blade |
rangeFt | 5 |
notes: Fold-bathed edge; ignores 2 points of armour; on critical hit, target gains Fold-Touched condition (DC 14 Fort save to resist)
Special Abilities
Fold-Sense
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
actionCost | passive |
name | Fold-Sense |
description: Detect active Fold disturbances, psionic powers, and Fold-touched creatures within 30 ft. Sense the emotional residue of recent Fold use (within 1 hour). Cannot be fooled by mundane stealth.
Ripper Training
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
actionCost | passive |
name | Ripper Training |
description: +2 to attack rolls and damage against Asset Realisation targets. +4 to Stealth checks in hive environments. Knows the layout of every Core hive station.
Burn Protocol
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
actionCost | Immediate (1/encounter) |
name | Burn Protocol |
description: When reduced below 15 HP or when capture is imminent, the Defector activates a burn protocol: all Day One equipment self-destructs (1d4 fire damage to adjacent creatures, DC 14 Reflex half), and the Defector makes a Stealth check at +8 to vanish.
Fold-Scarred
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
actionCost | passive |
name | Fold-Scarred |
description: The Defector carries the scars of Fold exposure. +2 to Will saves against Fold effects, but -1 to CHA-based checks with non-Day-One NPCs (the scars are visible).