The Strange Bestiary
Professor James Moriarty originated in 221B Baker Street, a recursion formed by fictional leakage.
James Moriarty is a criminal mastermind whose brilliance eclipses even that of Sherlock Holmes, but Moriarty doesn't advertise his illicit nature. Instead he displays irascible charm, impeccable manners, and a thoroughly engaging manner. His smile seems guileless, his declarations are from the heart, and his absentminded fumbling comes across as endearing. It's an act. Professor Moriarty can go from pleasant to as cold and deadly as an Antarctic blizzard.
Moriarty was the secret kingpin for nearly all the criminals of England, but now that the professor has discovered the existence of the Strange and other recursions, the reach of his evil brilliance and the harm his ugly machinations could ultimately accomplish is unbounded.
Moriarty sports a vengeful streak. Those who wrong him may eventually see his cruel side, right before they die in some painful fashion.
Motive: Control of a cross-recursion criminal empire
Environment (221B Baker Street | Standard Physics): Any recursion where those willing to engage in criminal activity can easily breach holes in civil society
Health 42
Damage Inflicted: Moderate wound (7 points)
Armor: 2
Movement: Short
Modifications: All interaction and knowledge skills as level 9.
Combat: Professor Moriarty carries a small pistol artifact with modifications that allow 308down at a later date? it to deal damage even through Armor. He always carries at least one cypher that, once activated, grants him +5 to Armor for one hour. In addition, he has at his disposal several cyphers that are useful in a variety of circumstances.
Finally, Moriarty's cane is an artifact that allows him to translate to another recursion he has previously visited as an action, as long as he hasn't previously used the cane that day.
Somehow, Moriarty has adapted his pistol and cane so that they translate between recursions when he does.
Moriarty is not a fool and knows when to flee a fight—sometimes even when it seems he might have a good chance of winning. Why risk a potential loss when he can flee and ambush his enemies when their pants are
Interaction: When he translates, he usually uses it as an opportunity to don the perfect disguise, often even changing his gender or race. Thus, those first meeting the professor probably do so under his false pretenses. If the PCs do confront Moriarty, he may be willing to make a deal if significant inducements are offered, but characters should be ready to be double-crossed, especially if they show any disrespect during their interaction.
Use: The PCs are asked to look into a series of crimes on Earth that look very similar to ones conducted in Ruk, where it seems like creatures with the spark are being harvested. (Moriarty is behind the heinous crime, but what he's doing with the creatures or the spark is unclear.)
Loot: Moriarty carries 1d6 cyphers, plus his pistol and cane, both of which are artifacts that travel between recursions. In a PC's hands, the pistol and cane both have a depletion roll of 1 in 1d20.
GM Intrusion: When a PC delivers what seems like a killing blow to Professor Moriarty, the body is revealed as someone wearing a Moriarty mask— the real Professor remains at large.