Kulgarv Heavy Industries

Kulgarv Heavy Industries, based in Gotland, is the primary manufacturer of robotics for agricultural purposes. The corporation was originally a joint economic venture between the Swedish and German governments, with the goal of fertilising and maintaining a chain of artificial islands in the Baltic Sea with minimal human workforce. They quickly expanded into more general agrarian commerce.

The first president, Otto Fassbinder, was previously a German Talinz engineer instrumental in the design of the first generation sports models. Somewhat disillusioned by the cynical motivations of his managers, whom he accused of ‘taking the easy way out’ by trying to placate the populace with sport rather than good work, he laid out the plans for Kulgarv. It was simple: Affordable, robust Talinz units to feed the people of a world in recovery. The German government leapt on it, and the Swedes were only too happy to help provide the land for construction and testing, in exchange for profit and credit. As one of the first post-treaty companies, Kulgarv expanded rapidly, snapping up government grants and subsidies wherever it could to try and ensure that the Talinz name was not sullied by its military technology.

Ironically, considering its foundations, Kulgarv became one of the most popular brands for the early post-treaty amateur fighting leagues. The affordable chassis and easily weaponisable nature of many agricultural tools made them easy to repair and replace, perfect for an enthusiastic fan with little to spend on a new hobby.

In the present day, the company is run by the great grandson of Otto, Paul. A middle aged revolutionary, Paul radically changed the company after his father’s death. His first act as president was to move against the board of directors and commission the first sports-class Kulgarv frame. His second was to begin very publically donating to Talinz equal rights groups. The media exploded with debate overnight. Was Kulgarv changing its ‘no fun’ public face? What was all this support about? Who was Paul seen with last night? Who were the board of directors grimacing at?

Following up on the media capital, Kulgarv Heavy Industries gifted their first frame, Sanshin, to a young Korean pilot, Park Min-Jun. Only a boy at the time, he had excelled in high school and university championships with club owned machines, and was rapidly making a name for himself as ‘The boy that cared about his Talinz’. Kulgarv became ‘The Company that Cares’ almost overnight. The controversy fuelled business. Some remain suspicious of Fassbinder’s motives, whilst others simply disagree with his public opinions. Rumblings have been heard from Kulgarv head offices that he has been trying to introduce some sort of adoption assessment to ensure his frames go to a good home… How much is rumour has yet to be ascertained…

Character Profiles

Below I have included the character profiles for Otto, Paul, Sanshin and Min-Jun. With Paul in particular, I have also included an extra cynical version, for those who fancied making him a bit grimmer or manipulative. All the NPCs have a high concept and another aspect, a set of skills, and one stunt, but feel free to expand them beyond that skeleton if you want, and indeed, tell me how you made those profiles bigger in your games, I’m intrigued.

Otto Fassbinder, founder of Kulgarv Heavy Industries
High Concept: Devoted Humanitarian Engineer
Aspect: Haunted by the War
Skills: Great (+4) Robotics Engineer, Good (+3) Commerce, Fair (+2) Medicine, Average (+1) Demolitions
Stunts: Overflowing enthusiasm: When Otto Fassbinder attempts to convince someone of the importance of his work, his outpouring of knowledge can be baffling and somewhat blinding to another individual. He may use his skill as a Robotics Engineer instead of a relevant social skill.

Paul Fassbinder, president of Kulgarv Heavy Industries (Extra cynical version after the slash)
High Concept: Concerned Businessman/ Masterful Market Reader
Aspect: Renowned Philanthropist/ Eyes and ears everywhere  
Skills: Great (+4) Commerce, Good (+3) Charm, Fair (+2) Wealthy, Average (+1) Empathy
Stunts: Play to the camera: Paul has been blessed with an unparalleled ability to twist the modern media around his finger. +2 to charm during a situation in which the media’s eyes are on him.

Park Min-Jun, Pilot prodigy
High Concept: Socially-minded Robot Pilot
Aspect: Sanshin’s best friend  
Skills: Great (+4) Public Speaker, Good (+3) Athlete, Fair (+2) Education, Average (+1) Politics
Stunts: Expert on Talinz: Park Min-Jun knows all there is to know about the history of the Talinz units, and the in-depth working of their AI systems. He gains a +2 bonus to any Education rolls made about Talinz.

Sanshin, Park Min Jun’s partner
High Concept: The first Kulgarv Sports frame
Aspect: Bulk is Brawn
Skills: Great (+4) Robust construction, Good (+3) Firearms, Fair (+2) Fighting, Average (+1) Athletics
Stunts: High Quality Alloy: Sanshin is the newest, heftiest breed of Talinz yet, his armour built to shrug off all but the heaviest weaponry like it was nothing. Sanshin can use Robust Construction to defend against firearms, but always takes 1 shift of stress on a tie (As per Take the Blow, in the FATE SRD)