Shriek Alpha – Dragon Age Conversion (by jaythegreenling)

## Shriek Alpha

(Dragon Age: Origins)

These gaunt and animalistic darkspawn are sometimes known as sharlocks, but most call them “shrieks” due to their loud, wailing cries. The shriek alpha is more intelligent, and therefore possesses more power and influence over the regular shrieks. They are deadly combatants on the battlefield.

### Strategy

Shriek alphas lead their own into battle, always striking where they’re least expected. Like all darkspawn, shrieks prefer to attack at night, when the likelihood of being spotted is even lower, and their Low-Light Vision provides an excellent advantage. They are patient creatures, and would rather spend a little more time hiding than rush their advance and fail.

When approaching their enemies, shriek alphas use their superior stealth to get as close as possible before they launch their deadly attacks. Whenever possible, they try to put the Mark of Death on their first enemy, cross the distance with a Charge major action, and then Backstab them to really make them bleed. If they managed to do this during a surprise round, their enemies are possibly in for a very short and painful fight.

While they lack the rogue’s Bluff class power, shriek alphas don’t generally need it. Their Speed allows them to easily flick from one opponent to the next, backstabbing wherever they go.

Agile as they are, they can perform the Lightning Attack stunt for only 2 SP and use it as many times per attack as they can pay for it. They use this ability whenever they can, and often combine it with the Poison stunt when they feel like an additional attack won’t kill the target outright.

When somehow cornered or outnumbered significantly (2:1 is already too dicey for shrieks), shriek alphas will call out to their own and make a quick escape, even going so far as to leave possible stragglers behind.

Favoured Stunts: Lightning Attack, Poison

Frenzy: Shriek alphas are insanely fast. They can use the Lightning Attack stunt for 2 SP and may purchase it several times if they have the stunt points required.

Low-Light Vision: Shrieks have incredible eyesight. They suffer no penalty in bad light conditions.

Poison, 2+ SP: As a special stunt for 2 or more SP, a shriek can poison the target of a blade attack that deals at least 1 damage point. When poisoned, a victim must make a TN 14 Constitution (Stamina) test at the beginning of each of their turns or suffer 2d6+1 penetrating damage that turn. This lasts for a number of rounds equal to the number of stunt points spent.

Powers: Backstab (Level 1 rogue power), Mark of Death (Specialisation: Assassin – Novice)

Shriek: The shriek alpha’s distinctive shriek requires a minor action, and forces anyone who hears it to make a TN 13 Willpower (Courage) test or suffer a –1 penalty to attack tests and Defence until the end of the encounter. These effects are not cumulative.

Tough Hide: Thanks to their thick skin and coarse leathers, shriek alphas have an Armour Rating of 5.

Weapon Groups: Light Blades

Equipment: Arm Blades

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Optionally, you can give shriek alphas (or other darkspawn) the following stunt: Infect (4 SP) from the Dragon AGE Core Rulebook p. 261. This allows a darkspawn to try and spread the Taint, which, depending on how you handle the Taint in your game, can lead to PC death rather quickly, so use this rule with caution.

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### PDF Download

The link leads to a pdf hosted on mega.nz and contains all the same information as this page, as well as a Dragon AGE stat block.