Loyal Swordmaster Duncan Idaho

Traits: Charismatic Survivor, Ginaz Swordmaster

Talents

• Bold (Battle): Duncan may re-roll a d20 gained from spending Threat on a Battle skill test.
• Driven: After Duncan spends 3 Threat for 1 point of Determination, roll 1d20. If he rolls equal to or under his Discipline rating (by itself), he immediately regains those spent Threat.
• Make Haste: Duncan may choose to suffer one additional complication in a Move test to gain one automatic success. During any conflict, he may spend 1 Threat to take the first action, regardless of who would otherwise act first.
• Master-at-Arms: At the start of a duel, skirmish, or battle, Duncan can spend 1 point of Threat to increase a martial asset he has by +1 Quality for that conflict.

Swordmaster of House Atreides, Duncan Idaho was one of the finest warriors in the universe. Fiercely loyal to the Duke and his son, he was their bodyguard and trusted friend.

Brought up on Giedi Prime, Idaho was trained to be a prey animal, for the entertainment of Rabban Harkonnen, while Duncan was only a boy. However, he managed to escape certain death at the hands of his hunters and find his way to Caladan. When he saw how different the Atreides were from the brutal Harkonnens, he offered his undying loyalty to Duke Paulus. He showed such steadfast Dedication to the Atreides, no matter what task was given to him, that Leto sent him for training with the Ginaz swordmasters, where he excelled.

In the years that followed Idaho proved himself time and again against the Atreides enemies, especially the hated Harkonnens. His deeds were many and fearsome, and he was well-liked by the people of Caladan and the other vassals of the House.

A notably handsome man, Idaho was also known for his many dalliances and love affairs. His reputation, good looks, and irreverent attitude made him a subject of popular attention. Despite this, his seriousness was never in question when it came to his duty. Notable among these duties was his service as fighting instructor, and eventually close friend, to the young Paul Atreides.

Despite his love of the Atreides, he never fully trusted the Lady Jessica. Though he had great affection for her, he privately worried that her ties to the Bene Gesserit might one day compel her against her family.

When Duke Leto accepted the fiefdom of Arrakis, Idaho was among the first envoys he sent to that planet. He hoped that the people of Dune might judge House Atreides on the strength of Idaho’s character, and that the charismatic warrior might be instrumental in forging alliances that their House could count upon in the turbulent times that lay ahead.