Hi fellow DMs,
I am in the process of introducing an NPC to my campaign who will join the party temporarily. Without going into too much background she is a Sister of Battle from the Warhammer 40k universe. To give some context - basically the only survivor of a crashed Rogue Trader she was traveling on.
I was after feedback from any D&D DMs who are also familiar with the 40k universe to help flesh her out. Since she will be around for a few sessions only I want her to be as flavourful as possible. But, it has been a long time since I played (or read) anything in the w40k universe.
Here is the draft - Izumi Angililo.
Izumi Angililo - Sister of Battle
I used the DMG for 5th edition (p. 89-91) and used the NPC creating guide there to come up with the following decently fast:
NPC Appearance:
Unusual eye colors (or two different colors), exceptionally beautiful.
Or maybe a very special visible scar (classic)?
NPC Abilites:
High Ability - Wisdom (Perceptive, Spiritual and Insightful)
Low Ability - Intelligence (Slow to take heed to other religions and is utterly focused on her own task)
NPC Talents:
Great at children and animals, or Sings beautifully
NPC Mannerism:
Uses colorful oaths and exclamations (something from here maybe: http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Quotes_Space_Marines)
or, often Stares in to the distance.
NPC Interaction Traits with Others:
Arrogant (fits with the Low Ability) or Hot Tempered or Suspicious
NPC Ideals:
Self-sacrifice and/or Retribution
NPC Bonds:
Out for revenge (a campaign hook maybe?) or maybe even Captivated by a romantic interest for one of the players eventually?
Otherwise, Dedicated to fulfilling a personal goal or hers, for the God-Emperor.
NPC Flaws and Secrets:
Forbidden love or susceptibility to romance (works with the above).
Arrogance?
Foolhardy bravery that led to one of her companions deaths.
____
Take what you want and make it your own.
A Space Marine or a Sister of Battle could easily be made from a Cleric sort of class as well - taking the spells associated with them and so on.
Btw, your link to your draft doesn't work for me.
Thanks for sending me to that site, now I won't get any work done today. 
Space Wolves > Dark Angels
What you want in the NPC kind of depends on the setting you are running and how it relates to the WH40k "world view" (unless the game is already set in the 40k setting). One thing that comes to mind is that a loyal imperial warrior would certainly view spellcasters as tainted by chaos and extremely dangerous to be around. With an overview of the setting it would be easier to think of how a Sister of Battle could intergrate with the party.
Yep. The complete intolerance for any kind of nonhuman, spellcaster, or suggestion of just getting along with the first two groups would put a crimp on things.
She's a fanatic follower of a religion where ignorance, hate and close-mindedness are not just encouraged: they are tenets of the faith.
Thought for the day: Purge the unclean!
If I recall correctly, miracles of faith happening around Sisters of Battle isn't unprecedented. She isn't "casting spells", she is merely uttering a prayer that is answered. I think most Paladin spells are themed well enough for this, and many wouldn't need to look like spells at all.
I don't have much to add to the thread, but I've long thought it would be fun to play as a warforged that basically looks like a Blood Angel in Terminator Armor, and use a Space Hulk mini for D&D.
Hi all,
I updated the NPC, made her CR 10 and added the following abilities. I like this now, I think it works thematically:
Burn the Heretic. Izumi has an affinity for fire. All fire based attacks she makes have their die increased one step (i.e. d6 becomes a d8, d8 becomes a d10 etc).
Miracle. Izumi petitions the Emperor for his healing power. As an action Izumi may heal a target she touches up to 50 hit points. This pool of healing my be used separately or all at once. Alternatively, she can expend 5 hit points from her pool of healing to cure the target of one disease or neutralize one poison affecting it. Once the pool is exhausted she may no longer perform miracle until she has had a long rest.