| From: | Paul Jonathan Adam <Paul@********.DEMON.CO.UK> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: Using Shapeshifters as PCs |
| Date: | Fri, 27 Oct 1995 23:32:40 GMT |
thought I'd share our house rules...
We have several shapeshifter PCs in our game (including a mother and son
pair of leopards). To make them playable, we came up with a rationale
for their abilities which also made them - to us - more challenging to play.
Our HouseRuleShapeShifters' abilities are not magical, but largely genetic.
Their blood is extremely active, every red cell almost a symbiote, tearing
through the body recoding the tissues to repair any damage as it happens
and maintain the shapeshifter's form.
However, the body is almost a flipflop switch: the right triggers cause
the blood to change the tissue structure, altering the shapeshifter from
human to animal form. The process takes some seconds, is physically tiring,
and while it can be consciously controlled, is not completely under the
domination of the shapeshifter... involuntary shapechanges have been
known.
When the body is damaged, the blood rushes to repair (like symbiotes on
speed). Any physical damage taken is converted at once to Stun, as the
wounds close: but quantities of blood, tissue fluid, foreign matter
et cetera are trapped inside the body forming bruises and oedema
(Stun damage).
When the Stun monitor is full, the shapeshifter takes Physical damage
instead (unable to heal the wounds). Resolve recovery from Stun damage
as normal, but mark off Physical boxes instead.
Also, overflow Physical damage requires a Body test of target (number of
overflow boxes): the increased metabolic stress of healing large amounts of
damage rapidly causes raised temperatures, and shapeshifters in these
circumstances easily die of hyperthermia or cardiac arrest.
Magical healing requires a Body test of (number of boxes healed): because
the metabolic overstress is so great, as the magic accelerates the
healing to dangerous speeds. Ditto the application of stimulant patches: the
body tries to heal too fast.
Long-term care for a badly wounded shapeshifter consists of ice packs,
tranquillisers, and large amounts of intravenous nutrition (all to fuel,
and slow, the body's healing tendencies). Lost limbs etc. will regenerate
eventually, but slowly. Only "own tissue" clonal replacements may be
used, as others are attacked as "foreign".
Shapeshifters may use cyberware and bioware, but add +2 to all implantation
target numbers and double the cost (the body must be chilled to retard
healing and allow surgery, making the surgeon's job much harder). Also,
there is a test at the GM's discretion for whether a given clinic knows
how to operate on, and provice medical care for, shapeshifters. Also, all
cyberware must be customised to at least alpha grade and all bioware must
be cultured, or it is attacked and destroyed as "foreign" matter. Some
cyberware in particular (bone lacing, for instance) is simply impractical
for a shapeshifter.
Also, pain editors don't work on shapeshifters. No rules reason except for
game balance :) Silver causes wounds which remain on Physical and are
healed like normal damage (except still no magic) as silver is incredibly
toxic to shapeshifter blood.
Enhanced attributes only apply in animal form, BTW.
These rules work pretty well, especially given the fact that - although
you're much less likely to die - you're also out for longer when hurt.
No Treat spells for shapeshifters: and you can't fix Stun damage with
magic. The one "convenience fix" is a spell to 'vanish' clothes and
personal equipment when in animal form, a present from a Dragon.
And, Jani, Fenris is (in our game) a leopard shapeshifter using these
rules. Luckily he isn't, in your game. Yet :)
--
"When you have shot and killed a man, you have defined your attitude towards
him. You have offered a definite answer to a definite problem. For better
or for worse, you have acted decisively.
In fact, the next move is up to him." <R.A. Lafferty>
Paul J. Adam paul@********.demon.co.uk
