| From: | Peter Rogers <DarkAngelI@******.COM> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Shapeshifters: An Overview |
| Date: | Tue, 17 Oct 1995 09:50:52 -0700 |
Having read numerous postings pertaining to "were-creatures", I feel that a
set of realistic rules need to be set forth pertaining to the nature of these
beings.
To begin with, my fellow players and I have created the following table for
"were-creature" creation. Shapeshifters are essentially another type of
Metahuman, therefore in selecting such an archetype for a character requires
setting the race priority as Metahuman, or "A". The use of shapeshifters in
games should be VERY limited. Out of five personal characters, and over
thirty others from fellow players, I have the only shapeshifter as a
character. This is known as GAME BALANCE. At no point in time should more
than ONE shapeshifter be used in an adventure (or should any player have more
than one shapeshifter), unless the opposition is one as well, and even then
it is quite limited. The odds of a person being magically inclined are about
one in one thousand, with the odds of being a metahuman magician even higher.
This doesn't even compare though to the odds of a shapeshifter even existing.
According to the Shadowrun Sourcebooks, the average sentient non- (meta)human
population is around .5-2%. Out of that small percentage, there a vast number
of other creatures, such as vampires, sasquatch, etc. As far as magic and
were's are concerned, it is slightly different from that of the purely human
race. As stated in SRII, all shapeshifters are innate with magic, meaning
simply that they are naturally born with the ability to perform magic. (I'd
like to see someone try to explain shapeshifting via biology,physics or
chemistry.) Therefore, magic is a fully reasonable ability of shapeshifters
(and it is stated in SRII) and would follow the normal character creation
table. (This also includes their dual nature.)
Priotity Race Magic Attributes Skills Resources
A Meta/Were Human 30 40
1,000,000x/50
Magician
B Human Human 24 30
400,000x/35
Adept/Meta
or Were
Magician
C Human Meta/Were 20 24
90,000x/25
Adept
D Human - 17 20
5,000x/15
E Human - 15 17
500x/5
Damage:
Regeneration should be followed as per SRII rules which is basically the
following:FULL REGENERATION AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH COMBAT TURN (not phase).
It's their nature, deal with it. The only change from the SRII rules
pertaining to damage is the death rule. In this case, (so the owners of these
characters don't #1: Go running into the line of fire and #2: Don't storm off
because their character is totally and completely fucked) and in the result
of a deadly wound, a 1D6 must be rolled. If a 1, 2, or 3 is rolled the
character must heal as would a normal character until the damage is at
serious, when its regeneration kicks back in. (This would be the result of an
extremely traumatic wound in which case certain parts of the body are wounded
severely enough to need time to regenerate before the rest of the body.) On a
4, 5 or 6 the character regenerates as normal.
In reference to certain drugs, the metabolism and general body "design" of
shapeshifters allows them an enhanced immune system. Once exposed to a toxin,
its effect is taken down to 25% of its original effectiveness for every
exposure thereafter. (Hey, its a wonderful ability, but wait til I get to the
down sides.)
In animal form, all physical skills (ie. Unarmed Combat, Running,Stealth,
etc.) are represented by the beings reaction. All other skills dealing with
intelligence, willpower, or charisma, are as normal. They also recieve the
increased dice for perception tests in either form, though a +1 modifier
should be used for human form since it is not their natural state.
The Down Side:
At no time whatsoever, can a shapeshifter surgically implant ANYTHING,
cyberware, bioware, or other. Just like a bullet, its a foreign body to them
and their systems will act quickly to expel it. Surgery in itself would be
impossible.
The allergy and weakness of silver MUST remain in place for ALL characters
yet provides no additional bonuses as would a normal character. There is also
no cure.
Food intake is quadrupled for shapeshifters and a +1 target modifier for all
tests up to one hour after eating. Food is necessary requirement for
shapeshifters. A shapeshifter who does not eat at least one meal a day,
regenerates at half the rate. (ie.: Full regeneration every 2 Combat Turns.)
Upon entering a "new" combat situation(anything that is about five minutes
after a previous battle) the shapeshifter must make a willpower(8) check to
see if the first actual wound inflicted is of at least Moderate damage that
he/she takes, forces them into an unwanted transformation. (If the first
wound is only a light, or fully resisted via body test, then this rule can be
ignored.) This is derived from the shock of the wound, causing the charcter
to temporarily lose self control. In the event of a failure, karma can be
used, and if it is still without successes, all clothing the character is
wearing is ripped away and there fore leaves the character without armor as
its animal form. The actual transformation, a complex action, uses up the
next combat phase for the individual if done unintentionally, or during the
phase that the individual "wills" it to happen.
Any non-"You're full of drek" comments would be greatly appreciated.
The Dark
Angel
