I did some thinking about the Iron God in my Dwimmermount campaign, I decided that he was a traveller from an alternate earth resembling a certain classic PC shooter where dimensional experiments inside of a mesa resulted in alien domination. Here is the race I came up with for human working with the alien oppressors:
Race: Combine(d)
Requires a minimum Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution of 9.
Combine(d) are humans from an alternate world who have been altered by bioengineering and cybernetic implantation. With increased cybernetic implantation comes a greater ability to control and access the divine power of law. Combine(d) racial levels stack with divine levels at a rate of Racial Value -1 (e.g. 1 level of divine at Combine(d) level 2).
Combine(d) are also specifically altered to improve their combat abilities. Combine(d) Racial levels stack with Fighter levels at a rate of Racial Value/2 rounded up (e.g. 1 level of fighter at Combine(d) level 1).
Increased alteration comes at the cost of a person’s humanity, creativity, and the ability to cast arcane magics. Combine(d) classes are limited to Arcane Value – Racial Value +1 (e.g. Combine(d) 2 are limited to Arcane 1).
Combine(d) Level 0 – Bioengineering has resulted in changes that are mostly unseen – 100xp cost (3 custom powers – poison immunity = 60 xp).
- Durable – they may roll twice on the mortal wounds table and choose the result.
- Brutal - Combine(d) vocal chords have been altered and changes are made to the aggression centers of their brain. This gives them a +2 for all reaction rolls involving threats or intimidation (intimidation proficiency).
- Poison Immunity – Combine(d) have built in blood and lung filters. As a result, they are immune to all forms of poison.
Combine(d) Level 1 – Additional implants and training allow all Combine(d) levels to stack with levels of fighter at a rate of racial level/2 (rounded up). At this level there are visible ports on the chest and upper arms, but they are easily covered by clothing. (Fighter 1 + 5 custom powers (one at 60 xp) rounded up)
- Longevity – Combine(d) live three times as long as humans
- Fearless – Combine(d) have had the ‘fear center’ of their brain removed
Combine(d) Level 2 – At this level, it is clear that Combine(d) are no longer human. Emotions and impulsive thought are foreign to them. Their lawful minds, however, are more open to the divine power of Law. As a result, all levels of Combine(d) stack with Divine at an amount of racial level - 1. + (Divine 1 + Fighter 1 + 5 custom powers, 1 @ 60 xp - rounded up)
- Immortal – At this level the Combine(d) live 10x a normal human lifespan (no extra cost).
- Engineered - Internal medkits make Combine(d) effectively immune to all forms of disease (1 custom power)
- Inhumanity – Combine(d) receive a -1 to all non-intimidation reaction roles for non-Combine(d) or non-constructs. They receive an equal +1 to all reaction roles for Combine(d) and constructs. (0 custom powers)
- Conditioned Response – Combine(d) were designed for loyalty. Combine(d) receive -1 to saves for charm effects, -2 to saves for charm effects from Lawful beings (-1 custom power).
Combine(d) Level 3 – At this point Combine(d) are more machine and alien physiology than human. (Divine 2, Fighter 2, 8 custom powers, 1 at 60 xp rounded up – 1850)
- Inhumanity - Combine(d) receive a -2 to all non-intimidation reaction roles for non-Combine(d) or non-constructs. They receive an equal +2 to all reaction roles for Combine(d) and constructs. (0 custom powers)
- Cellular Network – Combine(d) may use an action to communicate with any other Combine(d) (even those of lower racial levels) if they are on the same world. (1 custom power)
- Improved Vision – Combine(d) have keen eyesight and can detect secret and hidden doors on 1 roll of 8+ when actively looking, or 14+ on casual inspection (alert prof - 1 custom power)
- Infravision – 30’ (1 custom power)
Combine(d) Level 4 – At this level, Combine(d) are basically human parts inside of either alien or mechanical bodies (Divine 3 + Fighter 2 + 11 custom powers, 1 @ 60 xp rounded down - 2400).
- Inhumanity - Combine(d) receive a -3 to all non-intimidation reaction roles for non-Combine(d) or non-constructs. They receive an equal +3 to all reaction roles for Combine(d) and constructs. (0 custom powers)
- Infravision - 60’ (+1 custom power)
- Construct – No need to breathe or eat. The character may choose to eat or breathe, however (+2 custom powers).
|
Racial Level |
Abilities |
Arcane Limit |
Divine Levels |
Fighter Levels |
XP Cost |
|
Combine(d) 0 |
Durable, Brutal, Poison Immunity |
Limit - Arcane 2 |
none |
none |
+100 |
|
Combine(d) 1 |
+ Longevity, Fearless |
Limit - Arcane 1 |
none |
Fighter 1 |
+675 |
|
Combine(d) 2 |
+ Immortal, Inhumanity, Engineered, Conditioned Response |
No Arcane |
Divine 1 |
Fighter 1 |
+950 |
|
Combine(d) 3 |
+ Infravision 30’, Improved Vision, Cellular Network |
No Arcane |
Divine 2 |
Fighter 2 |
+1850 |
|
Combine(d) 4 |
+ Infravision 60’, Construct |
No Arcane |
Divine 3 |
Fighter 2 |
+2400 |