Generic Gourgaz fighter
Context
The Fighting Fantasy gamebooks were one of the big nerd things of the 1980s.
It was choose-your-own-path gamebooks that introduced the basics of tabletop role-playing games to many. Concepts such as heroic fantasy worlds, the use of dice, game statistics, the basics of playing a character, etc.
Several lines of similar gamebooks soon followed. One of the better-remembered ones was Lone Wolf . It chronicled the struggle of an heroic fantasy monk with psychic warrior powers and a magic sword against the forces of evil.
IIRC the Gourgaz monster is encountered fairly early during the first book of the series.
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Powers & Abilities
Gourgazes are large, very strong, cold-blooded lizard-men.
They often are seasoned fighters wielding a pole axe, bardiche or other large melee weapon to deadly effect.
A Gourgaz is fearless and essentially immune to psychic attacks, such as the “mindblast” of Kai monks.
Furthermore they exude a pheromone from under their tail that can inspire great ferocity in an humanoid species called the Giak. Giaks form the bulk of the Darklords’ forces.
Gourgazes are anthropophagous. I’d imagine they are often paid in human corpses and prisoners.
History
Gourgaz tribes reportedly live in a treacherous area called the Maakenmire swamps, about which little is known. Most contacts have been with mercenaries working for the Darklords, as Gourgazes excel as NCOs of a sort for groups of Giaks.
The Darklords are the lieutenants of the god of evil. They were given physical form and infused with evil by this god, and set out to conquer the world after building up their power base.
A major Darklord army attacked the Magnakai monastery, killing most of these holy warriors. The onslaught further ravaged the region. One of the Gourgazes and his Giaks even attacked Prince Pelathar.
The Gourgaz slew the noble, but was killed in turn by Silent Wolf, a survivor from the Magnakai monastery. Silent Wolf would soon rename themselves “Lone Wolf” to mark the loss of their fellow Kai monks.
Description
The known Gourgaz specimen had grey skin.
Personality
Bloodthirsty killers and ravagers.
The known Gourgaz specimen did not seem to speak any language intelligible to others – perhaps even to the Giaks. It just hissed angrily.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Generic Gourgaz fighter
| Dex: 04 | Str: 05 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 01 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Mercenary |
| Inf: 03 | Aur: 02 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 001 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 005 |
Powers:
Broadcast Empath: 04, Magic field: 06, Mental field: 06
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Broadcast Empath has No Range but has an Area of Effect (2 APs).
- Broadcast Empath only works on Giaks, and can only inspire courage and aggression.
- Magic Field and Mental Field both only protect against effects targeting MIN or SPI.
- Magic Field and Mental Field can also protect persons affected by Broadcast Empath if desired, but only half their APs will be applied.
Skills:
Charisma (Intimidation): 04, Military science (Survival): 03, Weaponry (Melee)*: 04
Advantages
Iron Nerves.
Connections:
Usually none.
Drawbacks:
Attack Vulnerability (-1CS OV/RV vs. cold-based attacks), MPR (cold-blooded).
Equipment:
Pole axe, bardiche or similar [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 02 (cap is 08), Descriptor: Slashing, Recommended STR 03].
Source of Character: Lone Wolf 1: Flight from the Dark gamebook.
Helper(s): Lone Wolf wikia (no idea how reliable it is, but given the lack of information…).
Writeup completed on the 18th of December, 2015.