Coalition States
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Leadership
Emperor Karl Prosek
- Big Bad: For pretty much any campaign set in the middle of North America.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Loves his wife (who is not evil) and son (who is).
- Even Evil Has Standards: Though many of his views are the result of him believing his own lies, and he's second in pure evil only to his son, he staunchly refuses to allow human experimentation. It's also hinted that he would have been disgusted by the Death Camps created without his knowledge during the Siege on Tolkeen, despite his hatred of D-Bees and mages.
- Evil Overlord: The self-professed savior of humankind is content to kill any human who betrays humanity or oaths of loyalty. He prioritizes a strong military over lifting people out of poverty so that they will join his army in the hopes of a better life. He declared war on Free Quebec when they refused to conform to standardized military hardware (controlled by Chi-Town), instead keeping dangerous pre-Rifts weaponry such as Glitter Boys because they feared that adopting his standards put too much power in the hands of one man. He doesn't hate D-Bees and practitioners of magic anywhere near as much as he claims, he simply prioritizes the welfare of humanity over that of alien invaders. They are also a convenient target towards which he channels his people's aggression and militarism.
- Pragmatic Villainy: At least when it comes to humans. Despite being the classic example of The Empire in the game, citizens of the Coalition States have it pretty good. Prosek doesn't just use Bread and Circuses to keep the people happy, he also makes sure they have a high standard of living, and are safe and comfortable. Even the ban on literacy is more a guideline than an actual law. Anyone can learn to read if they want to, but most people refuse to do so as a sign of loyalty. He's a classic iron fist in a velvet glove, and one secret to his power is that the people of the Coaltion don't realize they're ignorant and oppressed.
- President Evil: In practice he is really The Emperor, but since he "upgraded" from the position of "Chairman" he holds his position via popular acclaim, even though this was achieved via AstroTurf planned out when he was in charge of propaganda.
- Villain with Good Publicity: At least within the Coalition States, where he is practically deified and his name and face are on nearly everything (even bottled beer!). Almost everybody else hates him with a passion. Even his erstwhile allies in the New German Republic view him with distrust, because they are very much aware of exactly who he is emulating, and only put up with him because they need the food and raw materials the CS trades with them.
- Well-Intentioned Extremist: Subverted. While Prosek genuinely does believe that his vision for humanity is the best possible one, it does not change the fact that he is in it for the personal power and glory, and that anyone who opposes his authority, even if they share his human supremacist attitudes, is an enemy to be crushed. Had the war against Free Quebec not been the first truly unpopular thing he had done in years, and if they had not given him a graceful way to back out of it, he would still be trying to enslave them.
Joseph Prosek II
- Almighty Janitor: While a member of the Emperor's cabinet, his military rank is only Colonel. As the Emperor's son and heir, his responsibilities are significantly in advance of his seniority.
- The Chess Master: One of the reasons that Joseph is even more evil than his father is that he sees running the Coalition as a big game. Karl Prosek is rotten to the core, but he does care for the Humans he protects. His son sees them as pawns.
- Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas: Like his father, he was devestated when the Federation of Magic kidnapped his mother Jo Anna. He was overjoyed when she was returned to them.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: He and Karl both care for each other and act like a typical father and son would... if a typical father and son were power hungry madmen, that is.
- Even Evil Has Standards: He's not remotely on board with Dr. Bradford's illegal human experimentation, but he's unable to take any action. Bradford is too good at burying any evidence, and since he and the Emperor grew up together, Joseph knows it will take a lot to convince his father.
- Hypocrite: Unlike his father, he doesn't actually believe in the human-supremacist, anti-magic attitude of the Coalition. It's just a tool for him, and he'll happily use mages or D-Bees to achieve his goals.
- Overlord Jr.: He shares the same human supremacist views as his father and is viewed as a worthy successor by virtually everyone in the CS government.
- Undying Loyalty: His bio mentions that he is %100 loyal to his father and genuinely loves him.
- Villain with Good Publicity: Just like dear old dad, though not quite to the same extent. His father is still the emperor but Joseph has plenty of fans of his own. It helps that he is in charge of Propaganda.
Military
Commanders
General Cabot
A high-ranking CS official who serves as military counsel to Emperor Prosek himself. General Cabot has been a long time friend of the Prosek family and has been with the Coalition States since the beginning. Despite his advanced age he has managed to hang on to many of his military honed skills and abilities and is a formidable foe in his own right.
- Cyborg: He has several cybernetic implants, including a few organ replacements.
- General Ripper: He's a bit more subtle than General Underhill but is still an anti D-Bee fanatic who sees "calculated ruthlessness" as a virtue.
- Intergenerational Friendship: With Karl Prosek. He served with Karl's father and has known him since he was a boy.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He serves as a more cool and calculated individual compared to General Underhill.
General Ross Underhill
The commander of four SC mechanized divisions who is seen as a great hero to the Coalition States due to his long history of military service and loyalty to his men.
- Cyborg: He shares a few of the same cybernetics as General Cabot along with some unique ones like enhanced hearing.
- General Ripper: A more obvious example than Cabot due to his more loud and flamboyant methods. He may show loyalty to humans and the CS but he won't hesitate to hunt down magic users, dimensional beings or any other people he sees as enemies of humanity.
- Red Oni, Blue Oni: He's a lot more brash and outspoken compared to General Cabot.
- Undying Loyalty: He inspires fanatical loyalty in his men and shows the same dedication to normal humans and the Coalition States.
Colonel Thaddius Lyboc
Head of the Chi-Town espionage division for the CS. Colonel Thaddius is a cunning and resourceful little man who uses his position to engage in thievery, contraband smuggling and many other criminal activities while blackmailing his fellow high level officials into keeping quiet about it. It's heavily implied that the emperor knows about his illegal activities but keeps him around because he gets results and keeps things orderly.
- Cyborg: He has several cyber parts installed, including a few illegal ones such as a MD finger gun.
- Finger Gun: He has an illegal finger gun cybernetic that deals several points of mega damage when fired but only has two shots.
- Karma Houdini: The Juicer Uprising resulted from his Coalition Juicer plan blowing up directly in the Coalition's face. His role in events was swept under the rug so the Coalition could pin everything on alien interference, and while he was unofficially in the doghouse for a few years, he was rehabilitated to headline Operation Hellbender - which involves even more use of enhanced humans, both Juicers and Borgs. As one officer complained, he's "an alley cat with nine lives who knows how to play in the garbage and come up smelling like a rose."
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: Most of the higher ups in the Coalition States know of his illegal activities but can't say anything due to a combination of him blackmailing them and doing his job well enough to motivate the emperor to keep him around despite his many shady dealings.
- Secret Police: He governs the espionage division in Chi-Town and apparently does a good enough job that his bosses are willing to look the other way on his illegal activities.
- The Spymaster: He runs the Chi-Town espionage division for the Coalition States but abuses his position to attain more wealth and power for himself. It's implied that some of the higher ups know about this but haven't taken action yet since he actually does a pretty good job and keeps things running smoothly for them.
Lieutenant Colonel Carol Black
A charismatic and powerful psychic who founded Psi-Battalion Alpha and now leads the newly expanded Psi-Division for the Coalition States military. Carol is a very experienced and intelligent woman who sees psychics like herself as a natural evolutionary defense against the supernatural and has notably won the support of Joseph Prosek II and many other CS higher ups in expanding her work, though Emperor Karl Prosek himself is a bit more skeptical and cautious on fully allowing psychic soldiers to serve in the CS military. Using her research she has an ongoing mission to gain more endorsement for psychics like herself and achive more military equality and acceptance with the other CS troops like Dog Boys and Borgs.
- Almighty Janitor: She's a division commander and a Lieutenant Colonel. She's on the shortlist for Brigadier General, though.
- Badass Bookworm: Unlike most of the other soldiers in the Coalition States she has a very high level of literacy, a vast amount of lore knowledge of both D-Bees and psychics like herself and even has Speed Reading as one of her many psychic abilities.
- Dark Action Girl: She's a very powerful woman who has worked hard to earn her high position in the CS military.
- Psychic Powers: She has many psionic abilities and is seen as a great hero to most other psychics in the CS military for her work in attaining greater support for their integration and attempting to achive full military equality with the other troops.
- Token Good Teammate: She's a high-ranking Coalition officer, on the fast track to even higher rank. She's also a good person, an unwavering defender of humanity and open-minded by Coalition standards.
- Twofer Token Minority: Most of the other CS officials are normal men with no special powers or abilities aside from some cybernetics. She herself is a woman and a powerful psychic.
Troops
Coalition Grunts
The backbone of the mighty Coalition States Army, as well as their most basic soldier. Nicknamed "Dead Boys" by their many foes, due to their black body armor and skull-shaped helmets. Grunts serve the Coalition States proudly in many day to day operations all across their homeland, and beyond. Equipped with a modest amount of firepower, decent armor and a deep patriotic loyalty to their leader and nation. They typically serve as recurring enemies across virtually any campaign set in or around North America. Of course, they can also serve as a well-meaning but often misguided player character class for people who sympathize with the Coalition States and its mission to protect the remnants of humanity.
- Appropriated Appellation: "Dead Boys" was originally a slur from enemies of the Coalition. The grunts liked it and now call themselves that.
- Boring, but Practical: Most CS Grunts are illiterate, only have a basic amount of military training, no particular special abilities and are generally somewhat weak compared to most of the other threats encountered on Rifts earth. However, what they do have is a decent set of armor that comes standard, some moderately potent weapons and enough sheer numbers to win a war against some very powerful magic users. Their fanatical loyalty and willingness to tackle death head on also makes them a surprisingly potent threat in certain circumstances.
- Cool Helmet: Their iconic black skull helmets which have earned them the nickname "Dead Boys" from their enemies.
- Faceless Goons: Their full body armor and helmets reinforce the idea that they are meant to be Rifts answer to Imperial Stormtroopers.
- In-Universe Nickname: "Dead Boys" due to their skull helmets.
- Mook: They were designed to serve as a low-to-moderate threat to Player Characters. The books include types of squads that would typically be encountered outside the walled cities of the Coalition, to give GMs an idea of how to deploy them against the party.
- Never Learned to Read: The Coalition States discourages its citizens from learning how to read, since this limits their access to information that would undermine CS propaganda. Dead Boy armor is able to scan and audibly recite written text for its wearer, preventing them from needing to learn how to read.
- Punch-Clock Villain: Most of the basic CS Grunts are decent enough people who genuinely believe in their mission to protect humanity at all costs. Unfortunately, years of propaganda and brainwashing have left them fanatically loyal to their corrupt leader and genuining believing the lie that all D-Bees and magic users are evil monsters that need to be exterminated for the good of the human race.
Coalition Elite RPA
The Coalition Elite RPA (Robot Power Armor) "Sam" is an elite class of pilot soldier usually tasked with manning SAMAS power armor and other Coalition military vehicles and combat robots. As such, they get many skills related to piloting and robotic combat. If the group is ever under attack by big black skull-faced robots or military tanks or airships there is a good chance one or more of these guys is behind the wheel. Aside from their special class abilities they often have similar stats to that of the common CS Grunt soldiers.
- Ace Pilot: Their main skillset is based around piloting various Coalition vehicles and war machines from simple hovercycles to giant combat robots.
- BFG: Their SAMAS suits come packing some pretty heavy firepower.
- Elite Mook: They're basically a typical CS soldier with the added ability to pilot military aircraft, vehicles, power armor and combat robots which makes them a much more deadly threat than the standard Grunts.
- In-Universe Nickname: "Sam" mostly because they commonly pilot SAMAS power armor.
Coalition Military Specialist
The CMS are highly trained soldiers that primarily specialize in espionage and reconnaissance opperations. Unlike most other members of the Coalition States Military they are allowed a few non-medical cybernetics right from the beginning of their careers to better complete their jobs with while otherwise behaving similarly to the basic grunts. Despite essentially serving as scouts and spies they are implied to wear the exact same highly visible armor as other CS soldiers along with the addition of a special helmet that identifies them as an elite unit.
- Cool Helmet: According to the original Rifts RPG book they appear to wear special fancy helmets that indentify them as elite military officers.
- Cyborg: They are the only Coalition States soldier class in the base game to get easy access to cybernetics at the first level.
- Elite Mooks: They serve as a sort of elite military spy agent for the Coalition States. They even have special helmets to prove it.
- Overt Operative: They heavily implied to wear the same "Dead Boy" skull armor as their fellows... along with a helmet that explicitly indentifies them as an elite military officer.
Coalition Technical Officer
One of the more elite soldier classes the Coalition States has to offer. CTO are highly trained fighters that choose a particular field of interest to specialize in from a few separate categories and then select most of their class skills based on the choice they make. This gives them a pretty wide range of adaptability and resourcefulness and can make them a bit unpredictable to their opponents.
- Communications Officer: Any CTO who chooses the Communications MOS class will become one, naturally.
- Cool Helmet: Like all highly ranked and elite CS soldiers they get a special helmet design to distinguish them from the basic grunts.
- Elite Mook: All types of CTO are elite but special mention should go to the Weapons MOS class since they get a large amount of extra W.P. which makes them masters of combat even among the Coalition States.
- The Engineer: CTO soldiers that take the Engineering MOS class are functionally combat engineers with several skills in Electronics and Mechanics.
- Walking Armory: A CTO that takes the Weapons MOS can choose up to five extra W.P. in addition to their basic Technical Officer class W.P. in both Energy Pistols and Energy Rifles, for a total of seven.
Scientists & Researchers
Doctor Desmond Bradford
The head scientist of the Lone Star Complex, the premier genetics laboratory in the Coalition States. Lone Star was responsible for the creation of the Psi-Hounds (better known as "Dog Boys"), the famous humanoid dogs used by the CS military. A childhood friend of Emperor Prosek, Dr. Bradford is impossibly intelligent and coldly charismatic. Unfortunately, he is also completely insane.
- Arc Villain: He's a central threat in both the Lone Star world book and the Machinations of Doom comic/sourcebook.
- Creating Life Is Awesome: Firmly believes this, and is extremely proud of his work.
- Faux Affably Evil: He likes to present a friendly demeanor, but he's a dangerous psychotic, and gives off an air of evil.
- A God Am I: Quite literally believes that he is a god, with power over the creation of life. The only thing that keeps him even somewhat in check is that he believes that Emperor Prosek is also a god.
- He Knows Too Much: Inspectors who press him too much on what he's actually doing in Lone Star tend to be "killed by bandits" before they can get back to Chi-Town.
- Mad Scientist: The man is as brilliantly gifted as he is completely batshit insane. Just looking at a handful of his ideas and creations in the Lone Star world book shows that his particular specialty is in mutant science and spliced genetics. Even Emperor Karl would be horrified at what he saw.
- Pet the Dog: When he successfully uplifted chimpanzees, the CS ordered them used as military grunts. Bradford considered this a monstrous waste of potential, and had a small group of them hidden away from the CS, training them as lab assistants. He treats them with great respect, and in return they are utterly loyal to him - not because it's bred into them (like with the Dog Boys), but because they just respect him that much.
- Scary Black Man: A 6'2", muscular, incredibly intelligent and utterly insane black man, no less. And according to his write-up, on the infinitely rare occasion he has to settle things physically, he knows how to operate Powered Armor.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: His long-time friendship with Emperor Prosek means that there is almost no oversight over Lone Star's activities, allowing Bradford to do things in the labs that would utterly horrify the Coalition States if they ever came to light.
- The Unfettered: Since he believes he is a living god, Dr. Bradford doesn't worry about petty things like morality or decency. He routinely engages in experiments that even Emperor Prosek would find horrifying if he knew about them.
Doctor Frederick Alexander
One of the top scientists at the Lone Star Complex. Doctor Frederick Philip Alexander Jr is an extremely gifted surgeon, cyber-doc and genetic engineer who is forced to work against his will to create various mutants and other abominations for the Coalition States by Dr. Desmond Bradford, whom he hates with a fiery passion. Having become little more than a slave for over a decade Dr. Alexander is a man who struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts daily and does everything he can to undermine his corrupt boss and his insane experiments in any way possible. He's almost given up all hope of ever being freed from Bradfords control, but will still gladly lay down his life to put an end to his madness once and for all should the oppertunity ever present itself...
- Cyborg: He's a 12th level Cyber-Doc and has a few cybernetic implants himself.
- Death Faked for You: Dr. Bradford faked his death to keep his capture and forced servitude a secret from his family and the rest of the Coalition States. Dr. Alexander himself is constantly haunted by the thought that his family has moved on without him and would take to drinking and using pills if he were allowed to by his superiors.
- Explosive Leash: An implanted bomb keeps him under Bradfords control, though Dr. Alexander is always looking for new ways to screw over his boss covertly. He worries that if he goes too far with this he may one day end up as one of Bradfords next experiments.
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: He has skills in everything from genetics and cybernetics to chemistry, anthropology and advanced mathematics.
- Super Doc: In addition to skills in both medical and genetic sciences he is considered to be a 12th level Cyber-Doc.
Doctor Laura Cunningham
An even crazier (if you can believe it) scientist than Bradford himself, whom she adores and idolizes for his immense skill in genetic technology. Despite her gifted mind she is a fearsome and dangerous individual who won't hesitate to kill (or die) to protect Dr. Bradford and his research. She is already a very ruthless and nasty woman to begin with, but should someone or something take her beloved "god" or her research away from her she will immediately go completely off the deep end and hunt down the offender for use in her more painful and nightmarish experiments.
- Cyborg: Like many of the Lone Star Complex scientists she has a few cybernetics to assist her with her work.
- Mad Scientist: Oh yes. She had a personal hand in the creation of the Xiticix Killer and her opening bio text outright calls her crazier than Bradford himself.
- Omnidisciplinary Scientist: Similar to Dr. Alexander and the other researchers at Lone Star she is highly skilled in many different fields of science.
- Psycho Supporter: According to her profile she views Bradford as a god and idolizes him to the point she'd gladly kill or die for him and his research.
- Super Doc: Her main area of expertise is genetics but she's skilled in several other medical categories as well.
Special Agents
Kyle Wilport
A vicious mercenary employed by Colonel Thaddious Lyboc as a freelance agent and bounty hunter for the Coalition States. Known for his sadism and brutality Wilport and his gang of headhunters are feared throughtout Chi-Town and are always ready to make an ill-gotten bit of cash. Despite his fierce reputation he can be cautious and discreet when the need arises, which makes him a deadly foe if underestimated.
- Artificial Limbs: Both his hands and arms have been replaced by bionics, which gives him enhanced strength and a few other abilities.
- Blade Below the Shoulder: He has a retractible vibro-blade installed in his left arm.
- Blood Knight: He's a violent mercenary who is described as bold and a lover of high risk situations as well as a fan of torture and intimidation.
- Cyborg: He has several combat bionics installed to give him an edge in combat.
- Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: His connections to Lyboc give him and his crew free reign over the area of Chi-Town they've set up in and most criminals and CS agents know to steer clear of their territory.
Titan the Mutant Brown Bear
A mutant brown bear that serves as a member of Wilport's Headhunters.
- Bears Are Bad News: A large mutant brown bear not scary enough for you? How about a large mutant brown bear armed to the teeth with deadly weapons!
- BFG: His size and strength lets him pack some serious firepower.
- Dumb Muscle: Well yeah, he's just a mutant brown bear after all. In addition to barely being able to speak he has a much lower than average I.Q. stat.
- Natural Weapon: As a brown bear he can use his own teeth and claws in combat.
- Ninja Pirate Zombie Robot: He's a mutant brown bear bounty hunter.
- Undying Loyalty: His bio describes him as being completely loyal to his leader Kyle Wilport.
Silent Death the Psi-Stalker (AKA Si)
A Psi-Stalker that serves as a member of Wilport's Headhunters.
- Dark Action Girl: One of the two promenient female members of Wilport's Headhunters.
- Dumb Muscle: Her I.Q. is half as high as her P.S. and she's noted to be illeterate.
- Psychic Powers: She's a "wild" Psi-Stalker so it comes with the territory.
- Undying Loyalty: She's described as being just as loyal to Kyle as her friend Titan is.
Firefly the Burster
A Burster that serves as a member of Wilport's Headhunters.
- Brainless Beauty: Downplayed. She has slightly above average P.B. and slightly below average I.Q. but its not particularly extreme in either case.
- Dark Action Girl: The other promenient female member of Wilport's Headhunters.
- It's All About Me: Though fairly loyal to Kyle she primarily cares about herself and prefers to act stylish and worldly when not on the job, dressing in expensive clothes and jewelry.
- Psychic Powers: She's a Burster after all. Her specialty is pyrokenisis.
Archibald Simonson the Juicer
A Juicer that serves as a member of Wilport's Headhunters.
- Affably Evil: He's described as good natured, cheerful and gets along well with each of his squadmates.
- Blood Knight: His bio states he is always cheerful and smiling, even during combat.
- The Brute: As a Juicer he's pretty clearly the heavy of the group.
- Dumb Muscle: His I.Q. is about average but its clear he favors his immense physical attributes over his mind. He's also illiterate.
