Lord Draffut, Lord of Beasts

Draffut, The Lord of Beasts

(based on Fred Saberhagen's The Empire of the East and the Book of Swords series)

Draffut is one of the "New Gods", god-beings and entities who have ascended to their exalted status from more humble origins, and who are becoming more common in the Megaverse as new cultures and races emerge. Draffut, the Lord of Beasts, by his own admission, was originally nothing more special than a dog, the pet of human scientists on an alternate Earth that were experimenting with groundbreaking, revolutionary technologies that blurred quantum physics and what most societies regard as "magic". When a catastrophic, reality-shattering war wiped out civilization on this alternate Earth, the pup Draffut was abandoned, accidently sealed within a massive automated medical/research facility that was devoted to bio-energy studies. One of the breakthroughs that the complex had made was in producing and refining a form of bio-energy/P.P.E.: the "Lake of Life" (see below), that showed incredible potential in medical applications.

Trapped inside the Lake of Life facility, the dog was subjected, long term, to the energies of the Lake of Life. Fed and watered by the complex's machinery, the dog survived, but was forever altered by continued exposure to the subtle but powerful life energies. His life magically extended as a side effect of his exposure, the dog gradually mutated over the long centuries of his confinement, gaining in size.....and intelligence.....until eventually he became Draffut: sentient, cognizant, and god-like.

However, Draffut never lost his loyalty to humanity. Though, with his greatly expanded intellect and powers of perception, Draffut knows that humans are not the omnipotent, god-like beings he once saw them as in his puppyhood, he still regards them with something approaching affection and respect.

Draffut has since become something of a minor protector-deity of humanity and the environment. Using the knowledge and powers he acquired in the medical complex, Draffut does what he can to alleviate the suffering of humans (and those like them) and animals, as well as thwart the plans of evil beings, particularly self-styled "gods". Draffut himself never claims to be anything but a servant of a greater cause, and only accepted the title "Lord Draffut" rather than offend the superstitious humans who foisted it on him. Oddly enough, the humans most fanatically loyal to Draffut do so, not because they think he is a god, but because he denies godhood.

Draffut will try not to engage in direct combat, unless the cause is truly desperate, or he is cornered. He knows he is a minor power compared to other god-entities (he once took on a demon-lord by the name of Zapranoth on his homeworld, and ultimately got his ass whipped). Instead, Draffut prefers to hang back and observe, trying to discover an enemy's weaknesses, providing aid and comfort to the needy, and aiding heroes and adventurers who champion Good.

Alignment: Principled. Height: 30 ft (9.1 m). Weight: 3 tons. Gender: Draffut has always refered to himself as a male.

Physical Appearance: Few would recognize any canine ancestry in Lord Draffut's appearance; he appears more ursinoid if anything. A giant, bipedal mass of dark-shimmering fur and muscle, hunched back, massive jaws, and shadowed eyes.
Disposition/Attitudes: Gruff, slightly cynical, yet surprisingly softspoken. When angered, Draffut is a terror to behold, possessed of a bestial temper, and a bark and bite that are equally fearsome. When at ease, Draffut comes across as a weary, slightly annoyed father-figure, exasperated with the petty antics of others, but tolerant and gentle. Sees both the great genius and the dangerous stupidity of humans, but ultimately, Draffut likes humans. He is also very tolerant of D-bees, other beings, and particularly animals and mutant animals. Draffut absolutely hates Undead, vampires, and arrogant, manipulative, beings who would style themselves as gods.
Attitude towards Technology: Technology, being the product of intelligence, is both good and bad. While it has allowed humans (and those like them) to perform miracles, it has also led to great horrors. Draffut realizes, though, that technology gives humans an important edge in their fight against the evils besetting them, and thus, while he doesn't use (much) technology himself, he will give any tech items or weapons that come into his possession to worthy people.
Physical Attributes: IQ 25, ME 25, MA 18, PS 55 (Supernatural), PP 15, PE 30, PB 5, SPD 88 (60 MPH/97 KPH).
Horror/Awe Factor: 14.
Hit Points/SDC (Non-MDC worlds): 1200 SDC and 800 Hit Points.
MDC: 20,000 MDC (5000 MDC on Rifts Earth; when immersed in the Lake of Life, Draffut has his full MDC of 20,000).
Natural Abilities (No PPE/ISP cost):

1. Nightvision----300 ft
2. See Aura
3. See the Invisible
4. Sense Evil
5. Sense PPE
6. Turn Dead
7. Regenerates 1d6x10 MD per minute
8. Teleport 60%
9. Does double damage to Undead, HP damage to vampires
10. Telepathy: Can effectively speak/understand any spoken language
11. Animal Empathy Link: Can effectively read the minds of any animals in a 2 mile (3.2 KM) radius of him, allowing Draffut to know what a particular animal is sensing, or has experienced. Note that this applies only to wild or domestic animals, not bonded familiars. Also, animals ensorceled against their will, get a saving throw (with a bonus of +2) to break the spell when in the presence of the Lord of Beasts.
12. One with Nature: Lord Draffut has the uncanny ability of being able to mystically become one with the wilderness, be it tropical rain forest or tundra. This allows Draffut to not only be aware of the general health of the ecosystem (including fires, blight, toxic waste spills) with a 100 mile (161 KM) radius of himself, but also allows him to prowl/travel without leaving any discernable tracks or other signs of his passage.