Konstantin Shkel
Character Name
Engine dev.
Class
Graphics
Subclass
Chaotic Good
Alignment
(still) Human
Race
23
Level
4.5Y
Experience
Armor
Class 18 RAII
Plate
Class 18 RAII
Plate
Hitpoints
42
Current
42
Max
Heal
Coffee
Quick
Successful profile
Long
Proficiency Bonus
+2
Throughput
+0
Modifier
10
Score
+0
Saving throw
+2
Legacy code
Reflexes
+3
Modifier
16
Score
+3
Saving throw
+5
Debugging
+3
Hotfixes
+3
Fast typing
Uptime
+3
Modifier
17
Score
+3
Saving throw
+5
Night owl
Systems Knowledge
+4
Modifier
18
Score
+6
Saving throw
+4
Rendering pipeline
+6
Operating systems
+4
RAII
Judgment
+2
Modifier
15
Score
+2
Saving throw
+2
Trade-offs
+2
Backlog
+2
Smell detection
Communication
+1
Modifier
12
Score
+1
Saving throw
+3
Documentation
+1
Performance
+1
Interviews
Equipment proficiencies
Equipment training
C++
Rust
Vulkan
RenderDoc
perf & gdb
CMake
CI/CD
C++
Junior
Middle
Senior
Debug
C++
Shaders
Drivers
Perf
Skills
Arcana:
Vulkan, graphics pipeline, shaders
Vulkan, graphics pipeline, shaders
Investigation:
root-cause analysis, perf profiling, flamegraphs
root-cause analysis, perf profiling, flamegraphs
Stealth:
finding heisenbugs without scaring them away
finding heisenbugs without scaring them away
Survival:
Linux debugging in production environments
Linux debugging in production environments
Animal Handling:
GPUs, drivers, and CI runners
GPUs, drivers, and CI runners
Sleight of Hand:
linking errors, dependency wrangling
linking errors, dependency wrangling
Initiative
+3
Sprint
2w
Climb
Walls of
tech debt
tech debt
Passive perception
17
Background
Raised by Linux
error messages
error messages
Weapons and attack spells
Name
Profiling strike
Build breaker
Test intimidation
Hit
+7
Critical
Bonus action
Damage type
1-5ms/frame
1/include
1/mental
Notes
Based on the moon phase
Reveals the one include that ruined everything
Stares at CI until it behaves
Prepared spells
| Cantrips | |
| git bisect | Reveals the root of the Evil |
| printf Debugging | Ancient magic, still works |
| Shader Nudge | Adjusts one float, changes reality |
| Level 1 | |
| Hot Reload Ritual | Faster iteration, slight chance of summoning demons |
| Fix Build | Consumes 1 hour and 1 sanity. Fixes build, though |
| RenderDoc Vision | Sees through materials and lies |
| Level 2 | |
| Descriptor Set Summoning | Binds resources from the Abyss |
| Regression Smite | Adds tests, prevents future summoning |
| CI Blessing | Allies gain +2 "it passes on my machine" |
| Level 3 | |
| Performance Exorcism | Banishes stutters, sometimes also features |
| Let There Be Light | Makes an object shine. Does not alert performance demons |
| Driver Appeasement Ceremony | Prevents spontaneous GPU tantrums |
Class features
Regression Smite
When a bug is slain, immediately creates 3–7 unit tests to prevent resurrection.
RAII Ward Automatically closes doors behind itself: files, handles, and emotional availability.
Profiler’s Third Eye Can see invisible enemies: wrong descriptors, stalls, and "why is it slower on Wednesdays?"
Summon Debug View At will: toggles Normals / Albedo / Roughness / Wireframe / "What Is Even Happening".
Pact of Determinism Swore an oath: "If it can’t be reproduced, it doesn’t exist." (This has made enemies.)
RAII Ward Automatically closes doors behind itself: files, handles, and emotional availability.
Profiler’s Third Eye Can see invisible enemies: wrong descriptors, stalls, and "why is it slower on Wednesdays?"
Summon Debug View At will: toggles Normals / Albedo / Roughness / Wireframe / "What Is Even Happening".
Pact of Determinism Swore an oath: "If it can’t be reproduced, it doesn’t exist." (This has made enemies.)
Inventory
Rubber Duck of Peer Review (rare, legendary)
Scroll of StackOverflow (tattered, cursed)
Bag of Holding (filled with screenshots of profiler)
Cat Familiar (main character; judges all code)
Emergency Coffee Potion x3
One (1) perfectly working shader (kept in a locked box)
Scroll of StackOverflow (tattered, cursed)
Bag of Holding (filled with screenshots of profiler)
Cat Familiar (main character; judges all code)
Emergency Coffee Potion x3
One (1) perfectly working shader (kept in a locked box)
Ideal
Fast and correct is possible (I've seen it in visions!)
Bond
Will not let the shader compiler win
Flaw
Can optimize the wrong thing with terrifying enthusiasm
Quirk
Apologizes to inanimate objects before recompiling