The villainous Gemini from Thundarr the Barbarian For Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition

 Bringing the 80s Saturday-morning post-apocalyptic swagger of Thundarr the Barbarian into the gritty, OSR-style mechanics of Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition is an awesome cross-genre mix.

Gemini is the ultimate Thundarr antagonist: an evil, ancient-tech-wielding cyborg sorcerer with a literal split-personality. His head rotates 180° beneath his visor to switch between a short-tempered, aggressive tactical persona and a cold, calculating, diplomatic side.

Here is how you can stat and run Gemini as a major planetary warlord or cosmic threat using the Sword of Cepheus system.

Gemini — Cyber-Sorcerer Warlord

Gemini functions beautifully as a high-tier Sorcerer boss who balances brutal raw physical power with high-tech Sorcery (which, in a Thundarr setting, is a mix of genuine magic and hyper-advanced pre-collapse tech).

Attributes & Basic Stats

• STR: 11 (+1)

• DEX: 9 (+0)

• END: 13 (+2)

• INT: 10 (+0)

• EDU: 9 (+0)

• SOC: 12 (+2) — Warlord/Sorcerer-King status

• Stamina: 25

• Lifeblood: 13

• Armor: 8 (Heavy Cybernetic Powered Frame / Visor)

Skills

• Sorcery-4

• Combat (Unarmed)-2

• Leadership-2

• Tactics-2

• Deception-2

• Vehicles (Grav/Flying)-1

Dual-Persona Mechanics (The Two Faces)

Gemini’s most famous feature is his rotating head. In Sword of Cepheus, this acts as a unique tactical shift. At the start of any round, Gemini can spend a minor action to rotate his head, immediately switching his active combat profile.

Face Mode	Tactical Effects
Aggressive Face (Furious & Short-tempered)	Gemini gains +2 to all Melee Damage rolls and becomes immune to morale checks or psychological manipulation. However, he suffers a -1 penalty to Sorcery checks as anger clouds his focus.
Calm Face (Diplomatic & Cold)	Gemini gains +1 to all Sorcery checks and +2 to Deception/Leadership tasks. He prefers to let his minions fight while he channels devastating energy attacks or plots a strategic escape.

Special Powers & Cyber-Sorcery

Because Sword of Cepheus models magic through distinct spells, Gemini's cartoon abilities translate directly into potent Sorcery effects. He uses INT as his casting characteristic.

• Beam-Eyes (Energy Blast): Gemini can fire destructive red laser beams from his eyes.

  • Mechanic: Range 30m, Damage 3d6, uses Sorcery skill to attack.

• Immobilization Beam: A crimson tractor-like beam that freezes targets in place.

  • Mechanic: Target must succeed on an END check (Difficulty: 10) or be paralyzed for 1d6 rounds. Gemini must maintain concentration to keep them pinned.

• Sorcerous Barrier: A blazing wall of blue magical flame.

  • Mechanic: Creates a physical barrier blocking movement and ranged attacks. Anyone attempting to cross takes 2d6 energy damage.

• Flight (Thundercloud): Gemini can manifest a dark cloud to hover and fly at speeds up to 60 km/h.

Arsenal & Forces

Gemini rarely fights alone. He rules from a high-tech fortress on stilts in the swamps near the ruins of "Manhat" (New York), commanding an army of mutants and robots.

• The Groundlings: Rat-like mutant underlings. Give them Combat (Slug Throwers)-1 or Combat (Melee)-1, and equip them with scavenged pre-collapse motorcycles and Beam-Clubs (treat as maces with an extra +1d6 energy damage).

• Robotic Knights: Gemini's elite mechanical shock troops. They have Armor 6, Stamina 15, are immune to mind-altering magic, and carry metallic energy weapons or pilot pre-collapse attack helicopters.

GM Running Tip: Play up the cartoon villainy! Gemini is arrogant, cruel, and cannot tolerate failure from his Groundlings. If a player manages to damage or Jam his helmet visor, a Hard (-2) Athletics or Combat check can force his head to lock halfway between rotations—leaving him completely disoriented and unable to use his face abilities for 1d3 rounds!

Here are the full Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition NPC stat blocks for Gemini's Robotic Knights and his rat-like mutant underlings, The Groundlings.

Both are designed to scale smoothly inside a classic Thundarr-inspired science-fantasy sandbox.

1. Robotic Knights (Elite Shock Troops)

These mechanical enforcers are the backbone of Gemini's heavy terror operations. They look like towering, blank-faced medieval knights forged from polished chrome and black polymer, completely silent until they strike.

Unlike the bumbling Groundlings, the Robotic Knights are cold, relentless, and tactically precise.

Attributes & Basic Stats

• STR: 12 (+2)

• DEX: 8 (+0)

• END: 12 (+2)

• INT: 8 (+0) (Advanced Combat Logic AI)

• EDU: 0 (-3)

• SOC: 0 (-3)

• Stamina: 16

• Lifeblood: 12

• Armor: 6 (Integrated Heavy Plasteel Chassis)

Skills

• Combat (Energy Weapons)-2

• Combat (Heavy Blades)-1

• Athletics-1

• Recon-1

Traits & Abilities

• Construct: Robotic Knights are entirely mechanical. They are completely immune to poison, disease, suffocation, vacuum, and mind-altering magic or illusions. They cannot heal naturally and must be repaired using the Repair skill.

• Internal Targeting: When using built-in or synced energy weapons, they ignore the first -1 penalty from range or concealment.

Equipment & Attacks

• Heavy Laser Rifle: Range 150m, Damage 4d6, Magazine: Internal power pack (20 shots).

• Vibro-Broadsword: Damage 3d6+2 (ignores 2 points of physical armor).

• Built-in Comms: Linked directly to Gemini's fortress mainframe.

2. The Groundlings (Mutant Foot Soldiers)

The Groundlings are craven, rat-faced beastmen who worship Gemini out of sheer terror. They are numerous, loud, poorly disciplined, and survive entirely on scavenged pre-collapse scrap.

They are best used in large packs to overwhelm the party's frontline or ambush them on motorized skiffs.

Attributes & Basic Stats

• STR: 8 (+0)

• DEX: 10 (+0)

• END: 9 (+0)

• INT: 6 (-1)

• EDU: 4 (-1)

• SOC: 2 (-2)

• Stamina: 8

• Lifeblood: 9

• Armor: 2 (Scavenged tire-tread leather and scrap metal plates)

Skills

• Combat (Slug Throwers)-1

• Combat (Unarmed)-1

• Survival-1

• Stealth-1

• Vehicles (Grav/Ground)-1

Traits & Abilities

• Pack Tactics: Groundlings are cowards alone but vicious in numbers. They gain a +1 bonus to hit in melee for every other Groundling adjacent to their target (maximum +3).

• Craven Morale: If their pack drops to half its original numbers, or if a Robotic Knight supervisor is destroyed, the remaining Groundlings must pass an Average (+0) END or INT check or immediately flee, surrender, or scatter into the ruins.

Equipment & Attacks

• Scavenged Autopistol: Range 25m, Damage 2d6+2.

• Spiked Club / Scrap Cleaver: Damage 2d6.

• Scavenged Junk-Cycle: Rough terrain motorcycle used for desert or ruin patrols.

Encounter Design Tip: A standard Gemini strike team consists of one Robotic Knight acting as a cold, unyielding commander over a squad of 4–6 Groundlings. The Knight will ruthlessly coordinate the fire of the Groundlings, using them as a meat-shield while keeping its heavy laser rifle trained on the party's heavy hitters or sorcerers. 

Robert E. Howard's Conan From "The Tower of the Elephant" and "Rogues in the House" AS NPC For Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition

 In Robert E. Howard’s original stories—specifically "The Tower of the Elephant" and "Rogues in the House"—Conan’s time as a thief in the cities of Zamora and Corinthia features a distinct version of the character. He isn't yet the seasoned general or king; he is a raw, hot-blooded, powerful teenager (around 17–18 years old) navigating the decadent, civilized "Maul" of Arenjun.

He lacks the refined street-smarts of a master rogue, but he completely makes up for it with peerless, cat-like barbarian reflexes, unmatched climbing ability, and an instinctual hatred for magic.

The following build details Conan during his Thieving Phase tailored specifically for the 2d6 OGL mechanics of The Sword of Cepheus (2nd Edition).

Gary Nord 2007 artwork 

Character Profile: Conan of Cimmeria (The Thief)

Age: 18

Species: Human

Career History: Barbarian (1 Term), Thief (1 Term)

Characteristics

Attribute	Score	Modifier	Notes
STR (Strength)	11	+2	Massive, muscular frame; devastating melee damage.
DEX (Dexterity)	10	+1	Cat-like, pantherish speed and climbing ability.
END (Endurance)	10	+1	Hardened by a brutal childhood in Cimmeria.
INT (Intelligence)	7	+0	Shrewd and observant, but unfamiliar with complex civilization.
EDU (Education)	4	-1	Illiterate at this stage; relies entirely on street wisdom.
SOC (Social Status)	3	-1	An outlander and a common rogue living in the slums.

• Stamina: 21 (END 10 + STR 11)

• Lifeblood: 10 (Equal to END)

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Skills

In Sword of Cepheus 2e, skills are tight and impactful. Conan’s skill list reflects his survival instincts from his homeland layered over his new urban thievery.

• Athletics-2 (Running, leaping, and scaling sheer walls like the Tower of the Elephant)

• Combat (Blades)-2 (Wielding broadswords, hunting knives, and cutlasses with lethal force)

• Stealth-2 (Moving silently in the shadows of the Maul)

• Survival-1 (Tracking, hunting, and enduring elements)

• Recon-1 (Danger sense, spotting traps, noticing ambushes)

• Streetwise-1 (Navigating fences, taverns, and city scum)

• Carouse-0 (Spending every single piece of stolen silver on wine and women immediately)

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Character Traits (2e Selection)

Under the 2nd Edition rules, characters earn Traits to specialize their capabilities. For a 2-term young Conan, the following two traits represent his iconic Howardian strengths:

Cat-like Reflexes

Conan possesses the uncanny agility of a mountain panther.

Benefit: You gain a +1 bonus to all Dexterity checks involving balance, dodging, or leaping. When determining initiative, you may roll twice and take the better result.

Barbaric Will

A fierce, unpolluted mind that actively rejects and resists the unnatural pull of sorcery.

Benefit: You gain a +2 DM to all saving throws or task checks made to resist psychic attacks, sorcerous illusions, or mind-controlling spells.

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Equipment & Combat Stats

At this stage in his life, Conan travels light. He despises heavy armor because it restricts the silent, fluid movements he relies on for survival.

• Armor: Leather Jerkin or Loincloth (Armor 1). Note: He often strips entirely naked or down to a loincloth when executing a major heist to ensure maximum silence.

• Primary Weapon: Broadsword (Damage: $3d6 + 2$ from STR modifier).

• Secondary Weapon: Hunting Knife / Dagger (Damage: $1d6 + 2$, easily concealed, can be thrown).

• Gear: Sturdy hemp rope, grappling hook, a pouch containing a few stolen silver coins (if he hasn't drank them away yet).

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Playing "Thief-Phase" Conan in Cepheus 2e

When roleplaying or running this version of Conan as an NPC, keep these core behaviors in mind to stay true to Howard's writing:

1. The Overconfident Outsider: He openly mocks civilized thieves. In The Tower of the Elephant, he laughs at the "master thieves" of Zamora because they are too afraid to climb a tower. He relies on raw muscle and daring over intricate tools.

2. The "Spendthrift" Economy: Conan should almost never have money on his character sheet between adventures. He is driven by a cycle of: Get a massive hoard of gold $\rightarrow$ spend it all in a magnificent week of drinking and carousing $\rightarrow$ wake up broke $\rightarrow$ plot a new heist.

3. Instinctive Magic Hatred: He does not look at a sorcerer and think "what an interesting magical encounter." He looks at a sorcerer with visceral disgust and attempts to put a blade through them before they can finish chanting.

Red Sonja The She Devil With a Sword The Marvel Era As a Sword & Sorcery NPC for Sword of Cepheus 2nd Edition

 Bringing the She-Devil with a Sword into a Sword of Cepheus (2nd Edition) game requires balancing her legendary prowess with the grounded, often lethal mechanics of the 2D6 system.

In Sword of Cepheus, a character like Red Sonja functions as a high-tier Heroic NPC or a veteran Player Character with significant career terms in Barbarian and Mercenary.

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Red Sonja

Description: A fierce Hyrkanian warrior sworn to a goddess of battle. She is a master of the blade, characterized by her crimson hair, chainmail armor, and a refusal to be bested by any man.

Attributes

Stat	Value	Modifier
STR	11	(+1)
DEX	12	(+2)
END	11	(+1)
INT	08	(+0)
EDU	06	(+0)
SOC	05	(-1)

• Stamina: 22

• Lifeblood: 11

Skills

• Combat (Blades): 4

• Combat (Unarmed): 2

• Athletics: 3

• Survival: 2

• Recon: 2

• Leadership: 1

• Tactics: 1

• Carouse: 1

Traits & Special Abilities

• Battle-Hardened: Sonja gains a +1 DM to all Initiative checks and ignores the first point of Fatigue damage in any encounter.

• The Vow: Sonja receives a +2 DM on any Task check to resist being bribed, coerced, or magically charmed if it contradicts her personal code of honor.

• Counter-Strike: Once per round, if an opponent misses a melee attack against her, Sonja may spend her next Reaction to make an immediate free attack at a -2 DM.

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Equipment & Combat Stats

Sonja relies on speed and precision rather than heavy plating.

• Armor: Light Mail / Leather Bikini (Protection 2). Note: In Cepheus, this is low, but her high DEX and Skill levels are her primary "armor" via the Parrying mechanics.

• Primary Weapon: Broadsword

  • Damage: 3D6+1

  • Range: Melee

  • Weight: 2kg

  • Traits: None

• Secondary Weapon: Dirk (Dagger)

  • Damage: 2D6

  • Range: Melee/Thrown

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Roleplaying Tips in Cepheus

• The "Parry" Action: In Sword of Cepheus, combat is deadly. Use Sonja’s high Combat (Blades) skill to perform Parries frequently. Her +4 Skill level makes her nearly impossible to hit for average soldiers.

• Social Standing: Her SOC 5 reflects her status as an outsider and a "barbarian" in civilized lands. She doesn't care for courtly manners, preferring to let her sword do the talking.

• Sorcery: Sonja has a deep-seated distrust of magic. She should receive a +1 DM to any saving throws (END or INT) against hostile sorcery due to her sheer willpower and experience fighting wizards.

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Suggested Wildcard Encounter

To keep the world feeling expansive, you might consider how she interacts with the local guilds or mercenary bands. Does she currently lead a small troop of sellswords, or is she hunting a specific sorcerer who has crossed into these lands?