[Thundarr Thursday] Notorious NPCs: Sheriff Korb

Sheriff Korb
5th Level Pure Human

STR: 16 --- INT: 9
DEX: 12 --- WIL: 13
CON: 14 --- CHA: 11
HPs: 78 --- AC: 8
Mutations: none

Sheriff Korb is the sheriff and de facto ruler of what remains of the Ancient city of Atlanta - now merely a walled-in village of huts. He is an overweight pure strain human who speaks with an exaggerated southern accent. He dresses in a tattered Ancient uniform of the office, and he wears a policeman's badge, a sheriff's star, and other law officer insignia on a sash that runs across his chest. He wants there to be no mistake that he is "the law around these h'yere parts."

Sheriff Korb runs the village out of an old jailhouse in the middle of the town. Assisting him is a loyal group of 8 Pigmen (see MF rulebook, page 88) whom he refers to as "his deputies." These deputies are fairly dim-witted, but they follow Korb's orders without question. The deputies and Korb himself are armed with Laser Pistols Mk1 (5d6 hp damage) as well as Stun Batons to keep the peace. Although he appears slow and clumsy, Sheriff Korb is a crack shot, receiving two attacks per round as well as a +1 hit point damage bonus when fighting hand-to-hand. He also has three Ancient Highway Patrol cars at his disposal that are still functional which he will use to chase down and capture fleeing "criminals."

Sheriff Korb is incredibly corrupt. He's a bully, a coward, a cheat, and a thief who uses his position to push around the villagers. One tactic he has used is to commit a crime himself, then frame an innocent villager. Since he's judge, jury, and executioner, the trials move swiftly and no one is the wiser. Sheriff Korb is also in league with the Wizard Artemus, assisting him in his local quest for power. The Sheriff is perfectly happy to secretly support and assist the Wizard, knowing that he will be rewarded once Artemus is in power.

Sheriff Korb can be easily underestimated by a group of PCs. When first encountered, he should appear as a down-south, aw-shucks, clumsy, good-natured oaf. However, Korb is a ruthless criminal who will use those mistaken impressions to his advantage. When the PCs drop their guard, Korb will use his deputies, his weapons, his vehicles, and his position to frame the PCs for a crime he himself committed. A good adventure hook would be for the PCs to escape from jail and avoid recapture, while trying to clear their names!

NOTE: This villain was inspired by the episode "Trial By Terror" from the classic Ruby Spears post-apocalyptic cartoon "Thundarr the Barbarian." Stay tuned each week for "Thundarr Thursday"!