Post by sonnywalker on Jul 31, 2008 15:11:39 GMT -5
Special Note: The Moreaux aren't truly a race of their own. The term is actually a catch-all for the end results of any number of experiments with humans or human genetic material.
Race name: Moreaux
Attributes: The only unifying theme among Moreaux is that they are all roughly human in shape and stature, and (among the survivors of course) somewhat above average in overall strength and ability. They range from normal human to freakish in appearance - they might fit in well with an old-school carnival freakshow.
They can be divided into three rough groupings: The "humanish," who are simply 'overclocked' humans or who appear more or less human, the "bestial," who fit the 'half man, half whatever' mold, and the "freakish," who bear little resemblance to anything in nature.
History: The earliest "Moreaux" are probably natural-born 'freaks' like conjoined twins, giants, and albinos. These genetic abnormals, combined with science fiction and the runaway pace of scientific advancement probably led to the development of true Moreaux. Similar to Hitler's experiments on the dead, unscrupulous men with a desire to be 'advanced' have tried various methods of 'improving' humans for decades, if not centuries. However, with the current level of scientific knowledge and power, "stable" Moreaux have begun to survive the experiments that create them.
Sub-Classes:
Humanish:
(Though some bestial Moreaux may look more or less human, this entry deals exclusively with Moreaux that did not use animal DNA.)
Strengths: A humanish Moreaux will have one or more natural human ability pushed to or past accepted 'peak' levels for humans. Thus they may be capable of computing complex equations in their head, running a 3 minute mile, or other great feats, or they may just be above average in nearly every way, without extending to inhuman power.
Weaknesses: Relatively few, though those that excel in one area may be weak in others. Also, being able to accomplish what is normally beyond a human may place great strain on the body or mind. Genes are also tied together in curious ways, so having great strength might come at some unforseeable cost. In general, those furthest above the human norm are likely to die young of 'natural' causes, as well as having trouble dealing with other people, and mental imbalance is not uncommon.
Bestial:
(Bestial refers to those spliced with one or more animal DNAs. Appearance may range from almost-human to looking like a misshapen form of the animal(s) in question.)
Strengths: On average, a bestial, or 'classic' Moreaux will be a little more physically endowed than a normal human - stronger, better, faster. Some will have abilities beyond a human's as well - often similar to some creature or other, such as heightened senses, amphibious nature, pheremones, or poisons. These powers are limited to nature's scope, and may come with disadvantages of their own. (For instance, flight would require a smaller and much lighter body, and a high demand for energy).
Weaknesses: Most bestial Moreaux cannot hide their inhuman appearance without a large coat and hat. Some not even then. Depending on the animals chosen and the degree of influence, size may range from a few feet to eight feet and 500 pounds. And don't disregard the usefulness of a human's opposable thumbs. Many cannot speak. Some of their animal traits turn out to be purely vestigial - what good are wings if you can't fly?
Freakish:
(Mixed up to the point of not being recognizable as a human or an animal)
Strengths: A surviving freakish Moreaux could be capable of almost anything (well, not breathing fire). In every category, a freakish might range from impotent to unsurpassed.
Weaknesses: In every category, a freakish might range from unsurpassed to impotent. They might be 'born' with no eyes, but no sonar or other sense to make up for it. They might be incredibly strong, but lack the ability to swivel at the waist. Living as a freakish is hard, before you throw in things like 'society' and 'human interaction.' The possibility of genetic or environmental mental issues is high.
They call me 'Freak,' and laugh, and jeer
If I should howl, they would cheer
But I cannot laugh, nor moan, nor cry
I have no voice, no mouth, no eyes
One thing have I; I have my ear
And every little thing I hear
And every little thing I fear
Note on Playability and Balance: The variety inherent in this guide allows for some powerful characters. It also allows for useless one, but people tend to ignore that. The DM has final approval, but make it easy on him. If your character is only a step above average, no real disadvantages (other than a slight tic, maybe) are needed. If your character is significantly better than a 'lucky' or very hardworking human, there needs to be some noticable issues. And if your character can 'do it all,' there had better be some crippling drawbacks. Bestial Moreaux should be easiest to balance - just consider the natural drawbacks of the animals you've chosen.
Note on Percentages: This guide is geared for playable characters. They represent a sliver of Moreaux, which represents a sliver of 'attempted' Moreaux. Even among simple humanish, mortality rates are double that of natural births. One in ten bestials live a day. (Either unable to survive or terminated by their creators as failures.) To have a surviving freakish in 100 would be lucky - but they tend to be unexpected results of multi-animal bestials anyway. And of all Moreaux created, near half are either not of human intelligence (common among bestials), or offer no tangible improvements on human abilities. Of surviving Moreaux capable of operating on their own, 80% are humanish, 20% are bestial (though this is blurred by human-looking bestials), and less than half of a percent are freakish. (Most humanish live their lives as normal humans, though some are controlled by the 'interests' that created them.)
Race name: Moreaux
Attributes: The only unifying theme among Moreaux is that they are all roughly human in shape and stature, and (among the survivors of course) somewhat above average in overall strength and ability. They range from normal human to freakish in appearance - they might fit in well with an old-school carnival freakshow.
They can be divided into three rough groupings: The "humanish," who are simply 'overclocked' humans or who appear more or less human, the "bestial," who fit the 'half man, half whatever' mold, and the "freakish," who bear little resemblance to anything in nature.
History: The earliest "Moreaux" are probably natural-born 'freaks' like conjoined twins, giants, and albinos. These genetic abnormals, combined with science fiction and the runaway pace of scientific advancement probably led to the development of true Moreaux. Similar to Hitler's experiments on the dead, unscrupulous men with a desire to be 'advanced' have tried various methods of 'improving' humans for decades, if not centuries. However, with the current level of scientific knowledge and power, "stable" Moreaux have begun to survive the experiments that create them.
Sub-Classes:
Humanish:
(Though some bestial Moreaux may look more or less human, this entry deals exclusively with Moreaux that did not use animal DNA.)
Strengths: A humanish Moreaux will have one or more natural human ability pushed to or past accepted 'peak' levels for humans. Thus they may be capable of computing complex equations in their head, running a 3 minute mile, or other great feats, or they may just be above average in nearly every way, without extending to inhuman power.
Weaknesses: Relatively few, though those that excel in one area may be weak in others. Also, being able to accomplish what is normally beyond a human may place great strain on the body or mind. Genes are also tied together in curious ways, so having great strength might come at some unforseeable cost. In general, those furthest above the human norm are likely to die young of 'natural' causes, as well as having trouble dealing with other people, and mental imbalance is not uncommon.
Bestial:
(Bestial refers to those spliced with one or more animal DNAs. Appearance may range from almost-human to looking like a misshapen form of the animal(s) in question.)
Strengths: On average, a bestial, or 'classic' Moreaux will be a little more physically endowed than a normal human - stronger, better, faster. Some will have abilities beyond a human's as well - often similar to some creature or other, such as heightened senses, amphibious nature, pheremones, or poisons. These powers are limited to nature's scope, and may come with disadvantages of their own. (For instance, flight would require a smaller and much lighter body, and a high demand for energy).
Weaknesses: Most bestial Moreaux cannot hide their inhuman appearance without a large coat and hat. Some not even then. Depending on the animals chosen and the degree of influence, size may range from a few feet to eight feet and 500 pounds. And don't disregard the usefulness of a human's opposable thumbs. Many cannot speak. Some of their animal traits turn out to be purely vestigial - what good are wings if you can't fly?
Freakish:
(Mixed up to the point of not being recognizable as a human or an animal)
Strengths: A surviving freakish Moreaux could be capable of almost anything (well, not breathing fire). In every category, a freakish might range from impotent to unsurpassed.
Weaknesses: In every category, a freakish might range from unsurpassed to impotent. They might be 'born' with no eyes, but no sonar or other sense to make up for it. They might be incredibly strong, but lack the ability to swivel at the waist. Living as a freakish is hard, before you throw in things like 'society' and 'human interaction.' The possibility of genetic or environmental mental issues is high.
They call me 'Freak,' and laugh, and jeer
If I should howl, they would cheer
But I cannot laugh, nor moan, nor cry
I have no voice, no mouth, no eyes
One thing have I; I have my ear
And every little thing I hear
And every little thing I fear
Note on Playability and Balance: The variety inherent in this guide allows for some powerful characters. It also allows for useless one, but people tend to ignore that. The DM has final approval, but make it easy on him. If your character is only a step above average, no real disadvantages (other than a slight tic, maybe) are needed. If your character is significantly better than a 'lucky' or very hardworking human, there needs to be some noticable issues. And if your character can 'do it all,' there had better be some crippling drawbacks. Bestial Moreaux should be easiest to balance - just consider the natural drawbacks of the animals you've chosen.
Note on Percentages: This guide is geared for playable characters. They represent a sliver of Moreaux, which represents a sliver of 'attempted' Moreaux. Even among simple humanish, mortality rates are double that of natural births. One in ten bestials live a day. (Either unable to survive or terminated by their creators as failures.) To have a surviving freakish in 100 would be lucky - but they tend to be unexpected results of multi-animal bestials anyway. And of all Moreaux created, near half are either not of human intelligence (common among bestials), or offer no tangible improvements on human abilities. Of surviving Moreaux capable of operating on their own, 80% are humanish, 20% are bestial (though this is blurred by human-looking bestials), and less than half of a percent are freakish. (Most humanish live their lives as normal humans, though some are controlled by the 'interests' that created them.)