Music Monday - Bayou Billy Banjo

The Adventures of Bayou Billy (released as Mad City in Japan) is a NES game that was notorious for its difficulty. Don't get me wrong, most old school games were really hard, but for me and many others this went above and beyond that. The game was a mix of side-scrolling beat'em up, rail shooter, and driving game. All of this was highlighted by a killer soundtrack. The main theme slaps and is even better when played on banjo.

For fun check out the original American commercial for it.

The game also had a five issue comic book series released by Archie Comics. These stories expanded on Billy's origin and legend. William Jackson West (aka Bayou Billy) was soldier before returning to the US to become a police officer. When his wife is killed, he teams up with his old squad and becomes a bounty hunter. He takes on mob boss, Giles Gordon, and his two sons. I have issues 2, 4, and 5 of the series and its really fun. It definitely takes some liberties with the character, but overall I think its good stuff. 

I've decided to do something I haven't done in ages and stat a character out for Vigilante City. Billy is an ex-soldier and currently a bounty hunter, so Mercenary seemed like an appropriate class. Since he's a legend I went ahead and made him level 10.

Code Name: Bayou Billy

Real Name: William Jackson West

Alignment: Law

Class: Mercenary

Level: 10

Str: 18 (+3)

Int: 13 (+1)

Wis: 16 (+2)

Dex: 17 (+2)

Con: 18 (+3)

Cha: 10 (+0)

Sur: 15

Courage: 18

Critical: 18

Death: 18

Magic: 14

Mental: 16

Poison: 18

Languages: English

AC: 16 (Dex, Class)

HP: 51

Toughness: +3

Move: 12

Initiate: +3

Combat 

+6 to Melee attacks

+6 to Ranged attacks

+1 damage to surprise attacks

Machete +6 to hit, 1d6+4 dmg

Throwing Knife +6 to hit, range, 50, 1d4-1 dmg

Skills 

Athletics: Basic 3 (+5)

Combat Training 2

Demolitions 1 (+2)

Fighting: Brawling 1

First Aid 1 (+2)

Investigation 4 (+5)

Piloting: Basic 4 (+7)

Ranged Weapons 1

Wilderness Survival 4 (+5) 

Subterfuge 1 (+4)

Special Traits

Extra action per round

+5 to tracking

Die Hard: recovers 1 SUR point a day and gains +1 HP when healed

Seize the Moment +2

Run and Shoot at without penalty (ROF penalties still apply)

Tough as Nails: When making a save roll or attribute check can subtract CON modifier from roll.

Advantage on skill rolls for Athletics: Basic and Survival: Wilderness

May use extra SUR on any failed roll

Equipment: bayou outfit, machete, rope, herbalist bag (with gator repellent)