Character - HK-47
Character - HK-47
An Expanded Universe Character from Star Wars: Knights
of the Old Republic
Cory Herndon
WARNING: The following contains character spoilers for the Knights
of the Old Republic roleplaying videogame. Major spoilers are
confined to Gamemaster Notes and HK47's special qualities.
HK47 is a simple protocol droid caught up in the middle of the events
ofStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Of course, he also has amnesia
and just wants to blast a few meatbags. The droid isn't sure
exactly whyhe wants to do that. Or for that matter, why he's so well
equipped to eliminate meatbags and why he does so with glee whenever
ordered into the fight. He just does.
Unfortunately, HK47's memory circuits were wiped at some point in the
recent past, leaving only fragments linked to a backup memory core with
an independent power source. Therefore, he cannot immediately recall
any masters who may have owned him before coming into the
possession of an Ithorian meatbag in Anchorhead. The droid himself has
inferred that whoever owned him before he came to Tatooine assuming
he came from elsewhere, which seems likely designed HK47 for
violence. He is fully combatready and more than prepared to kill, though he also serves as an excellent, if
grudging, translator. Strangely enough, he has even been programmed with the arcane and unintelligible
dialect of Tatooine's sand people.
HK47 is a killer but not a rogue. He will obey his master to the letter of the instruction, even if the meatbag just
wants to tinker around in his chest and try to unlock some of his hidden memories and capabilities. Even if all of
his memories are restored, HK47 will still show perfect obedience meaning allies are safe as long as they
stay on the good side of his master.
Gamemaster Notes
HK47 was modified into a deadly assassin droid by a mysterious master he cannot remember, but as a
modified protocol unit, he is far more intelligent than the average fourthdegree droid. The Ithorian that runs the
droid shop in Anchorhead (circa 4,000 BBY, or in another era of the GM's choosing) will ask 5,000 credits for
HK47. A successful Intimidate or Diplomacy check can reduce the cost to 4,000 credits, and unscrupulous
Forceusers might bring the Ithorian down another thousand. Unlike most droids for sale, HK47 has heroic
levels and therefore no unspent skill points, though these may be reallocated through normal use of the Repair
skill as described in the Droids chapter of the Star Wars Roleplaying Game revised core rulebook.
Upon purchase, the droid's restraining bolt is removed, and HK47 will immediately offer to kill the Ithorian for
his new master. If the new owner allows this, he or she takes a Dark Side point. HK47 will never attack his
master physically (verbal taunts are to be expected), but if, perhaps by an overly literal interpretation of the
master's use of assassination protocols (see Core Level 4), he kills his owner, HK47 immediately shuts down
and cannot be reactivated without a DC 15 Repair check. In such a case, HK will revert to his original status
described in the stats below, but his independent core memory will remain intact, as with a failed Level 4
Repair attempt.
HK47 (ready for sale): Fourthdegree walking protocol/assassin droid, Diplomat 1/Soldier 3/Scoundrel 5: Init
+6 (+2 Dex, +4 Improved Initiative); Defense 16 (+2 Dex, +4 class); Spd 10 m; VP/WP 35/14; Atk +8/+4 melee
(1d6+3, unarmed strike) or +7/+3 ranged; SQ Assassination protocols, illicit barter, lucky (1/day), precise attack
+1, protected memory core; SV Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +5; SZ M; FP 0; DSP 12; Rep +0; Str 16, Dex 14, Con 11, Int
14, Wis 12, Cha 10. Challenge Code C.
Equipment: Encrypted comlink (installed), environmental compensator, heuristic processor, locked access,
restraining bolt (removed upon purchase), rust inhibitor, secondary battery, selfdestruct system (disabled),
sensors (improved package, infrared vision, motion, sonic, and telescopic), translator unit, vocabulator.
Skills: Bluff +14, Computer Use +6, Demolitions +14, Diplomacy +6, Gather Information +6, Hide +10, Intimidate
+ 9, Knowledge (Tactics) +6, Listen +13, Move Silently +10, Read/Write Basic, Repair +4, Sense Motive +5,
Speak Basic*, Speak Sith, Speak Tusken, Spot +16.
*This droid is also equipped with a translator unit.
Feats: Armor Proficiency (light, medium, heavy), Dodge, Improved Initiative, Low Profile, Persuasive, Point
Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Skill Emphasis (Spot), Toughness, Trustworthy, Weapon Group Proficiency (blaster
pistols, blaster rifles, heavy weapons, simple weapons, vibro weapons).
Special Qualities: Assassination Protocols Assassination protocols may only be unlocked through a
successful Core Level 4 Repair check (see below) and grant HK47 an additional +2 bonus on attack rolls and
a +2 bonus to Defense when in combat against his target or targets. Only the master may name the targets, of
which there can be no more than five, and HK47 will pursue their elimination to the exclusion of all other
duties until the task is completed. This bonus stacks with the target bonus granted by any bounty hunter levels
he might gain.
Protected Memory Core By careful use of the Repair skill, HK's master, and only the meatbag he calls
"master," can unlock his memories and hidden abilities. HK47 himself may not make the attempt since his
programming prevents it. This use of the Repair skill is unique to HK47, though you may choose to incorporate
a similar system into another droid character.
Each attempt takes more time and skill the deeper one digs. HK's repair protocols dictate that the master must
have ranks in the Repair skill to convince the droid to reveal his delicate circuitry for probable mishandling. If
the master has ranks, HK will never refuse to open his heart, even if previous attempts have led to damage.
The memories recovered are up to the GM. Anyone who has played through Knights of the Old Republic may
wish to use the plot of that game for HK's memories. But you can also use HK47 in your own adventures
even those in the three "modern" Star Wars eras by coming up with startling memory core revelations of your
own.
Core Level 1
Success HK47 gains an immediate +2 permanent increase to Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution (master's
choice). Memory of currently malfunctioning "assassination protocol" and of master before Anchorhead Ithorian
restored.
Failure No result.
Core Level 2
Success HK47 gains an immediate +4 permanent increase to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (master's
choice). Memories of another previous master restored.
Failure HK47 suffers a permanent 2 loss to Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution (use 1d3 for random
selection).
Core Level 3
Success HK47 gains an immediate +2 permanent increase to the attribute of the master's choice, and a
permanent +2 bonus to Defense. Memories of yet another deceased master restored. Immediately add one
bonus feat for free from the soldier's bonus feat list.
Failure HK47 suffers a permanent 2 loss to Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (use 1d3 for random
selection), and a permanent 1 penalty on all attack rolls.
Core Level 4
Success Assassination protocols, selfdestruct system, and memory core fully restored. Memory of original
master returns. HK47 receives permanent +2 increases in all abilities, a +1 bonus on attack rolls, and a +1
bonus to Defense. If HK47 is not yet 20th level and he meets the requirements for the class, add free levels of
the Bounty Hunter prestige class until he is. If the original and current masters are not one and the same (which
the GM can arrange), HK47 will immediately attempt to return to his original builder, as violently as possible.
Failure System reboot. HK47 reverts to whatever state he was in when purchased (indicated by the statistics
above) and must begin the process of rediscovery anew. Penalties from previous failed Repair checks as well
as bonuses are erased, though the independent core remains intact.
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