Abhuman Character Guide
Something Other Than Human
Table of Contents T a b le
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Using sing Th Thee Abh bhum uman an Char Charac actter Guide uide What Are Abhumans? Chapter 1: The Afriel Strain Creating Afriel Characters Chapter : !eastmen Creating Beastman Characters Chapter 3: #elinids Creating Felinid Characters Chapter 4: $%ngshan&s Creating Longshank Characters Chapter 5: 'eand%rs Creating Neandor Characters Chapter (: 'ightsiders Creating Ni Nightsider Ch Characters
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Chapter ): *gr+n Creating Ogrn Characters Chapter ": -elagers Creating "elager Characters Chapter .: /atlings Creating $atling Characters Chapter 1,: Scalies Creating &calie Characters Chapter 11: S0uats Creating &'(at Characters Chapter 1: Tr%th Creating Troth Characters lite Ad2ance -ac&ages A '%te fr%m the Auth%r Artist Credits
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Table of Contents T a b le
o f C
o n te n
Using sing Th Thee Abh bhum uman an Char Charac actter Guide uide What Are Abhumans? Chapter 1: The Afriel Strain Creating Afriel Characters Chapter : !eastmen Creating Beastman Characters Chapter 3: #elinids Creating Felinid Characters Chapter 4: $%ngshan&s Creating Longshank Characters Chapter 5: 'eand%rs Creating Neandor Characters Chapter (: 'ightsiders Creating Ni Nightsider Ch Characters
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Chapter ): *gr+n Creating Ogrn Characters Chapter ": -elagers Creating "elager Characters Chapter .: /atlings Creating $atling Characters Chapter 1,: Scalies Creating &calie Characters Chapter 11: S0uats Creating &'(at Characters Chapter 1: Tr%th Creating Troth Characters lite Ad2ance -ac&ages A '%te fr%m the Auth%r Artist Credits
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/sing the Abh(man Character 8(ide This g(ide is a set of r(les meant to +ro,ide g(idelines for +laing one of the man Abh(man $aces +resented in the -arhammer %*.*** /ni,erse0 To +ro+erl make (se of this g(ide the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook is re'(ired0 Creating Abhuman Characters Abh(man Characters are still members of h(manit. b(t ha,e traits that are endemic of their di,ergent (+bringing0 As s(ch. creating creating Abh(man Characters is slightl different from creating (man 3+lorers0 Abh(man Characters are created b follo4ing the same ste+s as (man e3+lorers as detailed on +age 1! of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook. 4ith the follo4ing changes noted belo40
Stage 5: Profit actor and Ship Points This ste+ remains (nchanged and (ses the r(les set forth in the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 Stage !: Se"ect E#$ip%ent This ste+ remains (nchanged and (ses the r(les set forth in the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 &ome Abh(man Characters Characters ma recei,e additional e'(i+ment as +art of their racial modifications0 Stage &: P"a' (og$e Trader Congrat(lations. o( ha,e created an Abh(man character and are read to +la $og(e Trader
Stage 1: Generating Characteristics This ste+ remains (nchanged and (ses the r(les set forth in the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 Stage 2: The Origin Path 5o not (se the origin +ath 4hen creating Abh(man characters0 nstead. a++l the racial modifications +resented in this g(ide in each section of this g(ide0 Once this is com+lete. select a Career "ath as normal0 Stage 3: Spend Experience Points Abh(man characters begin +la 4ith the same amo(nt of e3+erience as h(man 3+lorers0 This ste+ remains (nchanged and (ses the r(les set forth in the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 Stage 4: Giving Characters Life This ste+ remains (nchanged and (ses the r(les set forth in the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 Feel free to (se the information information +ro,ided 4ithin this g(ide or create o(r o4n as a g(ideline0
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-hat Are Abh(mans@ A b h (
&o(rce 5isclaimer Lore in this section is from 4h%*k0le3ican(m0com and is taken from n'(isitor $(lebook "art . Necrom(nda O(tlander:s r(lebook. and -arhammer %*.*** 6th dition $(lebook0
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Abh(mans are h(man s(bs+ecies ; descendants of h(mans 4ho ha,e +hsicall e,ol,ed after long +eriods of isolation on 4orlds 4ith ,ario(s e3treme en,ironmental conditions0 The m+eri(m recogni
. the administrati,e bod that deals 4ith Abh(man affairs0 n an m+eri(m 4here genetic m(tation and s+irit(al corr(+tion are often interrelated. abh(mans are a foc(s of m(ch contro,ers0 n more liberal times (nder the m+eror. e,en
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markedl di,ergent abh(mans s(ch as the Beastmen co(ld ser,e in the m+erial 8(ard0 &ince the m+eror:s stasis ho4e,er. onl the lesser de,iants. s(ch as Ogrns and $atlings. are considered m+erial citi. ?(tant &la,e Le,ies =ordinar m(tant sla,es ro(nded (+ for cannon fodder>. Feral Ogrns =e,en nastier and more +rimiti,e than reg(lar Ogrns>. Nightsiders =originating from 4orlds of +er+et(al or near;+er+et(al darkness. little to no abilit to see b(t +erfect 4arriors for Night Fighting missions>. Afriel &train &oldiers =geneticall engineered from 5NA taken from great heroes of the m+eri(m. ,er (nl(ck and (n+o+(lar>. &(bs =relati,el geneticall stable b(t still hideo(sl deformed m(tant s(b;breeds> and 8land -arriors =m+erial 8(ardsmen im+lanted 4ith s+ecial organs and glands that secrete combat;(sef(l chemicals. s(ch as stimms and +ain;killers>0
Cha+ter 1 The Afriel &train So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% and is referenced fro% .hite )+arf 3,3-
The Afriel &train 4as a shado4 e3+erimental +rocess 4hich (sed genetic material from a n(mber of the m+eri(m:s greatest heroes to. in effect. make clones of them0 The legendar ?achari(s 4as among the indi,id(als re+licated in this manner0 The Afriel &train 4as an attem+t to create the +erfect soldier. tho(gh it res(lted in (nforeseen misha+s0 For no reason that their creators co(ld ascertain. the Afriels a++eared to attract the animosit of other 4arriors and s(ffer from the most a++alling bad l(ck0 n each case 4hen the Afriel &train has been fielded. it has met 4ith a +eriod of s(ccess ; for its soldiers are (ndo(btedl s(+erior ; follo4ed b a ra+id decline and destr(ction of the regiment0 Nonetheless. 4hoe,er the creators of the Afriel &train ma be. the contin(e to e3+eriment. fielding their +erfect soldiers across the 4ar
So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore /e'ond this point is fan +ritten and %a' /e $sed or disregarded as neededAfriel Strain in the %r%nus panse 0
8i,en the fl(id nat(re of the go,ernance of the oron(s 3+anse. it 4as seen as a ri+e testing gro(nd to +(sh the limits of the testing of the Afriel &train0 -ith ,irt(all e,er danger in the m+eri(m in relati,el close +ro3imit. de+loment and res(lts can be gained in a matter of months to ears as o++osed to decades to cent(ries. a +rocess that greatl intrig(es those behind the +rocess0 -here e3actl. if an. cloning and testing facilities are located in the oron(s 3+anse remains a mster. b(t from time to time a regiment 4ill be de+loed to fight alongside the m+erial 8(ard or in the ranks of an enter+rising $og(e Trader d(ring an o+eration0 Those 4ho are behind the +roect ha,e managed to remain hidden in the sector. b(t there ha,e been some cl(es (nco,ered as to 4ho is behind it0 &(ch a +roect 4o(ld re'(ire the in,ol,ement of the cclesiarch and the n'(isition to obtain relics for the initial sam+les. and 4o(ld re'(ire the aid of the Ade+t(s ?echanic(s for their mechanical e3+ertise0 This is +(rel conect(re. and it co(ld ,er 4ell be that none of these +arties are in,ol,ed. and an organi
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&econd. consider ho4 m(ch the kno4 abo(t the +roect and their role0 Are the com+letel informed abo(t 4hat the are@ Are the sim+l told the are enhanced soldiers@ a,e the been shielded from the tr(th to obtain (nbiased test res(lts@ Are the a4are of the diffic(lties the 4ill face in confrontations to come@ Third. 4hat is their relation to the +roect no4@ -ith the chaos that f(els the e3+anse. so too is there a (ni'(e o++ort(nit for the Afriel de+loed there0 Be it that in s+ite of the odds the managed to s(r,i,e b(t be declared dead. that the sa4 an o++ort(nit to esca+e the testing facilit and sto4 a4a. that the 4ere sold to an organi
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or lack thereof. of not ha,ing an of their fello4s to hel+ them thro(gh the reection0 &till more might be f(ll a4are of their +(r+ose and d(t. and assigned to a $og(e Trader as +artiall a test. +artiall an informant for those behind the +roect0 Finall. consider ho4 the 4ill react to their +oor rece+tion b the rest of m+erial &ociet0 5o the contin(e to attem+t to lead their fello4s. dri,ing b some innate desire@ 5o the begin to treat the rest of h(manit in the same regard@ 5o the come to some e+i+han that 4as not foreseen@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
Creating Afriel &train Characters Afriel Strain Traits Characteristics: D) to all Characteristics Starting Skills: &kill =An> 32 Starting Traits: Bred for "(r+ose. Fort(ne /nans4ered. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. &ociall Bereft. al(able n,estment Starting Equipment: /+grade one +iece of gear from the Afriel:s Career "ath to Best Craftsmanshi+0 Starting Wounds: 1d)D! D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 1 "e# Traits !red f%r -urp%se Afriel &train embod the best of h(manit from an age long forgotten. and are able to o(t; +erform man other m+erial citi
(nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10 S%ciall+ !ereft Afriel &train characters are not able to interact 4ell 4ith those aro(nd them. and regardless of ho4 the ma so(nd the tend to incite the 4orst in Non;Afriel0 As s(ch. Afriel characters treat an interaction test 4ith a s+ecies other than their o4n as t4o ste+s more diffic(lt than normal. and other s+ecies treat interactions 4ith them as t4o ste+s more diffic(lt than normal0 The +resence of one or more Afriel on a starshi+ ca(ses an a shi+ to red(ce it:s ?oral b 10 These +enalties combine 4ith the Not E(ite (man trait for a total of ! ste+s of diffic(lt increase in either direction and 2 moral red(ction total0 aluable 7n2estment Afriel &train are e'(i++ed 4ith some of the best gear in the m+eri(m. matching their stat(s both as elite soldiers and as 4ell f(nded test s(bects0 As s(ch. Afriel &train ma increase the '(alit of an one +iece of starting gear to Best E(alit. noted in the Afriel &train Traits section abo,e0
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Cha+ter 2 Beastmen So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +arha%%er4,*-+i*ia-co% and is referenced fro%: E'e of Terror 3rd Edition Codex %peria"is 1 st Edition %peria" r%or o"$%e ! .arha%%er 4,* Co%pendi$% 2nd Edition (og$e Trader 1 st Edition .arha%%er 4,* ! th Edition and .hite )+arf 124-
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Beastmen =sing(lar Beastman> =omo sa+iens ,ariat(s> are Abh(mans descended from h(man stock 4ho combine the +hsical a++earances of h(mans and Terran animals. (s(all goats or rams0 Beastmen do not necessaril look alike. and different animal traits can manifest themsel,es in each indi,id(al. b(t a+art from this form of +henot+ical ,ariation the are a geneticall stable h(man s(bs+ecies. and are considered to be a form of Abh(man rather than an act(al m(tant0 The origin of Beastmen is (nkno4n. tho(gh it is likel that the the are the res(lt of e3+eriments in genetic engineering stretching back to the 5ark Age of Technolog before the birth of the m+eri(m of ?an 4ho +roceeded to breed tr(e0 Other m+erial sa,ants claim that Beastmen are Abh(mans 4hose (n(s(al forms 4ere the res(lt of e3+os(re to the infl(ence of the -ar+ b(t that the s(bs+ecies someho4 managed to maintain an (n(s(al degree of genetic stabilit across generations0 n tem+erament as 4ell as a++earance these Abh(mans are often bestial. and +ossess a re+(tation for cr(dit. aggression and bad disci+line0 &tarting in the late !*th ?illenni(m. Beastmen 4ere often recr(ited into the ranks of the m+erial Arm as +art of the massi,e galactic e3+ansion of the b(rgeoning m+eri(m of ?an d(ring the 8reat Cr(sade. 4hich began after circa #**0?!*0 Beastmen in the m+erial Arm 4ere regarded as (sef(l if highl (ndisci+lined 4arriors. and 4ere ideal for s(icidal assa(lts 4here bra4n rather than tactical intellect 4as re'(ired0 Other m+erial troo+s disliked them intentl as the 4ere '(ite ro4d. (nsanitar and generall (n+leasant for baseline h(mans to deal 4ith0 Follo4ing the e,ents of the gala3;4ide ci,il 4ar kno4n as the or(s eres. and the s(bse'(ent restr(ct(ring of the m+erial armed forces b the /ltramarines Legion "rimarch $obo(te 8(illiman according to the dictats of his
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magn(m o+(s. the Code3 Astartes. Beastmen regiments 4ere retained in the ne4born m+erial 8(ard. 4here the 4ere often led b the largest and most +o4erf(l of their kind. kno4n as "ackmasters0 Those Beastmen 4ho ha,e been introd(ced to the m+erial C(lt b the missionaries of the Ade+t(s ?inistor(m +ossess a sim+le b(t fierce de,otion to the m+eror of ?ankind and regard him as a ,engef(l god 4ho demands trib(te in the form of the blood of is enemies0 These fanaticall religio(s Beastmen are dri,en b the need to atone for their original sin of being m(tants b fighting in ser,ice to the m+eror0 n recent cent(ries there has been a +olitical shift 4ithin the m+eri(m and Beastmen are no longer seen in m+erial militar ser,iceG no do(bt the more "(ritan elements of the n'(isition con,inced the 5e+artmento ?(nitor(m that Beastmen co(ld not be so radicall different from the genetic h(man baseline 4itho(t ha,ing been in some 4a affected b the taint of Chaos0 n the late %1st ?illenni(m. Beastmen are often no4 classified as m(tants and as a res(lt are the s(bect of se,ere m+erial +ersec(tion0 The are often h(nted do4n d(ring anti;m(tant +ogroms cond(cted b the Ade+t(s Arbites on those 4orlds 4here +o+(lations of Beastmen are kno4n to e3ist0 This +ersec(tion. of co(rse. has led man Beastmen to seek +rotection in the ser,ice of Chaos. th(s in effect +rod(cing a self;f(lfilling +ro+hec0
Beastmen &ociet To the fearf(l ees of h(manit all Beastmen a++ear the same ;; an (nr(l mass of flesh. f(r and teeth0 n their ignorance the can discern no disting(ishing characteristics that mark the different +hsical and social t+es. nor an kind of social hierarch a+art from the sim+le s(+remac of the strongest0 This is a mistake often made b h(mans. 4hose (dgement of Beastmen is o,er4helmed b the br(tal +o4er and sa,ager of these creat(res0 n fact. Beastmen societ is ,er +recise and ordered. and there are se,eral distinct le,els of class and rank0 The most common t+e of Beastmen are called 8ors. 4ho can be readil disting(ished from more lo4l breeds b their horns0 The n(mber of horns is not im+ortant. altho(gh it is +referable that the sho(ld be on the creat(re:s head0 8ors take great +ride in their horns and often +olish. +aint or decorate them to enhance their nat(ral l(stre or sha+e0 Lo4l breeds look to the 8ors for g(idance and leadershi+. +raising them endlessl in ,ictor. and gr(mbling behind their backs 4hen things are not going so 4ell0 ?ost Beastmen battle; leaders and the to+ 4arriors 4ill be 8ors0 8ors are di,ided into t4o main t+es and a less common third t+e0 The t4o main t+es are the goat;horned Ca+rigors and the b(ll;horned Bo,igors0 The third ,ariet is kno4n as the /ngor. a Beastmen +hrase 4hich means something akin to. not '(ite right 8ors or no;horns0 Caprig%rs The most common t+e of 8or0 The ha,e c(rling or straight horns on their head like a goat or shee+0
A Ca+rigor ma ha,e the entire head of a goat and often has goat:s legs as 4ell0 A Beastman 4ith these m(tations b(t no others is called a Tr(egor0 This title is also shared b some other kinds of 8or0 A Ca+rigor Tr(egor is said to be bigger. bra,er and e,en more cle,er than other Ca+rigors0 !%2ig%rs Not '(ite as n(mero(s as Ca+rigors. a Bo,igor bears cattle horns on his head and ma ha,e the entire head of a b(ll or an o30 f he has a b(ll:s head and either h(man or goat legs he is a Tr(egor0 Bo,igors are ,er com+etiti,e and like to think the are s(+erior to other 8ors0 ?ost Bo,igors belie,e that bra4n is better than brains. and man +ossess a great deal of the former and ,er little of the latter0 Ung%rs /ngors are not as strong or rob(st of frame as the 8ors. b(t the more than make (+ for it in sheer male,olence0 The are +hsicall smaller than other Beastmen and their horns. if the ha,e an at all. are less im+ressi,e and less n(mero(s0 -hile 8ors ma ha,e long and s+ectac(lar horns as deadl as an s4ord. /ngors (s(all ha,e short +rongs or horn b(ds s+ro(ting from their sk(lls. not recognisable as those of a goat or an other t+e ackno4ledged b the 8ors0 As a res(lt the are not considered to be +ro+er Beastmen b other 8ors0 The race of ?ankind. on the other hand. does not dra4 s(ch distinctions0 To them the /ngors are (st as horrible. horns or no. for the are all t4isted abberations of nat(re that li,e to m(rder and des+oil all that is good and 4holesome0
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!ra+ The maorit of Beastmen 4ho are not 8ors are called Bra0 The name refers to the braing. 4hinning. 4hoo+ing caco+hon that Beastmen make 4hen the band together to fight or feast0 A+art from lacking horns. there is ,er little consistenc in a++earance that disting(ishes a Bra from a 8or0 A ,er bra,e. c(nning. and (n(s(all l(ck Bra can rise to become a leader. b(t this is not ,er common0 8ors do not like Bras gi,ing them orders. and a Bra 4ho fails to sho4 a 8or the +ro+er res+ect is asking for tro(ble0
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Turns&in A T(rnskin is a Beastman 4ho 4as born h(man0 The contin(al rate of m(tation amongst the h(man +o+(lation thro(gho(t the gala3 often res(lts in hideo(s m(tations0 (man m(tants are not tolerated in their o4n societies. and most of them are killed 4hen their m(tations manifest themsel,es. or are dri,en from their homes to die lonel deaths0 The to(ghest and most c(nning manage to s(r,i,e their +hsical and +schological reection and come to oin (+ 4ith bands of Beastmen0 $egardless of their +hsical a++earance. a T(rnskin is al4as a T(rnskin rather than a +(re Beastman. 4hich means he is the lo4est of the lo4 as far as the Beastmen are concerned0 f a T(rnskin has horns. the are sa4ed off before he can be acce+ted b other Beastmen. other4ise he co(ld be mistaken for a 8or0
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Shaman &hamans are a ,er s+ecial kind of Beastmen beca(se the +ossess +schic +o4ers0 o4e,er. this fact alone is onl a +art of 4hat makes them s+ecial0 &hamans are the intermediaries bet4een the Beastmen and the $ealm of Chaos itself0 The can s+irit;4alk in the m+rean and talk 4ith the ,er daemons of the Chaos 8ods0 &hamans ne,er lead other Beastmen. b(t the Beastmen:s strongest leaders rel on them for all kinds of ad,ice as 4ell as sorcero(s aid in battle0 ;in%taurs An (n(s(all large and aggressi,e strain of giant Beastman. ?inota(rs are com+arable in +hsical si
!eastmen in the %r%nus panse
!eastmen /%lepla+ing Tips
So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten and %a' /e $sed or disregarded as needed-
So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten-
?an of the Beastmen fled to the o(ter edges of the gala3 as the began to be increasingl +ersec(ted in the rest of the m+eri(m0 Thro4ing in their lot 4ith the man clandestine characters that fre'(ent the area. the managed to find a form of +rotection from those that 4o(ld destro them0 &ome e,en managed to find legitimac for themsel,es b sal,aging long lost -rits of Trade that granted rights to their holder0 For better or 4orse in the ccelesiarch:s ees. the Beastmen ha,e managed to form a some4hat stable ref(ge amongst the stars in the oron(s 3+anse0 There are se,eral colonies and holdings that Beastmen claim for themsel,es. and for the time being at least the ha,e been acce+ted. largel d(e to lack of in,ol,ement of the Core4ard -orlds in the +olitics beond the gala3:s rim0 Not all 4ho inhabit the region are bene,olent in nat(re0 ?an Beastmen ga,e themsel,es to the r(ino(s +o4ers to a,oid being destroed b the m+eri(m0 These forces still h(nt their esca+ed brethren. attem+ting to force them to oin their ca(se0 &e,eral re+orts ha,e confirmed sightings of Beastmen allied 4ith the $(ino(s "o4ers in the oron(s 3+anse. tho(gh the e3act strength of their n(mbers and the nat(re of their allegiance is still (nkno4n0
Beastmen tend to4ards sa,ager. straightfor4ardness. and ha,e a strangel +ragmatic 4a of interacting 4ith the gala30 There are se,eral im+ortant things to consider 4hen +laing a Beastman character0 The first '(estion to ans4er abo(t o(r character is 4hat bro(ght o( to the oron(s 3+anse0 5id o( directl flee the n'(isitorial crackdo4ns that threatened to e3terminate o(r +eo+le@ -ere o( born of +arents 4ho had fled those atrocities@ Are o( the descendant of Beastmen colonists 4ho 4ere sent to the 3+anse long ago. and ha,e onl recentl beg(n to re(nite 4ith the ref(gees 4ho ha,e flooded in@ s there some other reason that bro(ght o( to this section of the gala3@ Another thing to consider is ho4 do o( ,ie4 the m+eri(m of ?an0 5o o( ,ie4 them as largel brothers. tho(gh ones that make things more com+licated than need be most of the time@ 5o o( ,ie4 them as b(tchers r(ining o(r entire +eo+le and their histor@ 5o o( ,ie4 them as those attem+ting to gain control of o(r s+ecies b annihilating e3isting leadershi+ in tr(e Beastman fashion@ Finall. consider o(r character moti,ations and 4hat the 4ish to do0 Are the attem+ting to make a stronger foothold for the Beastmen in the 3+anse@ Are the ind(lging in their +enchant for destr(ction and martial might@ Are the raising defenses for 4hat the see as an ine,itable n'(isitorial in,asion@ Are the attem+ting to re(nite 4ith a lost "ack or famil members@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
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Creating Beastman Characters Beastmen ha,e a ,ariet of s(b;races 4ithin their c(lt(re. each 4ith a different set of traits that defines them0 For more information on the different t+es of Beastmen see entries on the +re,io(s +ages0
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G%rs The most common t+e of Beastmen are called 8ors. 4ho can be readil disting(ished from more lo4l breeds b their horns0 Characteristics: D) -ea+on &kill. D) &trength. ;) "erce+tion. ;) ntelligence. D) Fello4shi+ Skills: Command. ntimidate Talents: Air of A(thorit Traits: m+ro,ed Nat(ral -ea+ons =orns>. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d)D1 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 !ra+ The maorit of Beastmen 4ho are not 8ors are called Bra. disting(ished b their lack of horns and the so(nd the make congregating0 Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. D) Agilit. ;) ntelligence. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: Acrobatics. Caro(se. 5odge Talents: 5ecadence Traits: Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d) D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2
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Turns&in Beastmen born as h(mans and rarel acce+ted into their +arent societ. the often seek o(t Beastment for a slightl im+ro,ed lot in life0 T(rnskin (tili trait. tho(gh the ma decline it0 Shamans &hamans are those Beastmen gifted 4ith a connection to the 4ar+0 Characteristics: ;) -&. ;) To(ghness. D) ntelligence. D) -ill+o4er. D) "erce+tion Skills: Forbidden Lore =An> Traits: Beastman "sker. m+ro,ed Nat(ral -ea+ons =orns>. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d) D 23 To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 ;in%taurs An (n(s(all large and aggressi,e strain of giant Beastman. ?inota(rs are com+arable in +hsical si. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. &i. /nnat(ral &trength =32>. /nnat(ral To(ghness =32> Starting Wounds: 1d)D! D 23 /nmodified To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 1
Ne4 Beastmen Traits !eastman -s+&er Beastmen ha,e different methods of fostering +schic abilit b(t are able to call (+on it as m+erial "skers do0 Characters 4ith this trait are restricted to the Astro+ath Transcendent Career "ath. b(t do not lose access to their sight0 nstead of gaining access to the Tele+ath 5isci+line and t4o +o4ers from it that the meet the +rere'(isites for. the gain a "schic 5isci+line of their choosing and t4o +o4ers from that disci+line0 7mpr%2ed 'atural Weap%ns <9%rns= Beastmen horns are incredibl shar+ and can +ierce e,en ad,anced armor0 Characters 4ith this trait gain the Nat(ral -ea+ons trait =&ee +age !66 of the $og(e Trader Core r(lebook> and remo,e the "rimiti,e '(alit from their Nat(ral -ea+ons0 '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this
trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt o n all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
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s t i a r T n e m t s a e B
Cha+ter ! Felinids F e li n
&o(rce 5isclaimer Lore in this section is taken from 4arhammer%*k04ikia0com and is referenced from -hite 54arf 1*9. Code3 m+erial 8(ard ! rd dition. -hite 54arf 11* and !*!. n'(isitor $(lebook. and the -arhammer %*k 6th dition $(lebook0
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#elinids <9%m% sapiens hirsutus= Felinids are endemic to the m+erial 4orld of Carlos ?cConell0 -hether this is d(e to the +artic(lar biological re'(irements of that +lanet. +rior genetic modifications made to a h(man +o+(lation d(ring the 5ark Age of Technolog or +rior m+erial reg(lation is (nkno4n. b(t the are ,irt(all (nheard of in the m+eri(m at large0 Felinids are h(mans 4ho ha,e had their genomes s+liced 4ith genetic se'(ences deri,ed from ,ario(s s+ecies of Terran felines. and the +ossess man felinoid traits. incl(ding a light co,ering of f(r o,er their entire bod. e3tended canine teeth and s(+erh(man agilit and grace0 &o(rce 5isclaimer Lore from this +oint for4ard is fan 4ritten and ma be (sed or disregarded as needed0
Felinids are an abh(man strain endemic to the m+erial 4orld of Carlos ?cConell0 The e3act location of Carlos ?cConell is a closel g(arded secret ke+t b the Administrat(m and n'(isition0 The declared a '(arantine on the +lanet man ears ago to assess the classification of the Felinid s+ecies. and tho(gh the ha,e officiall been classified as a strain of h(manit. the blockade remains in +lace aro(nd the +lanet0 "rior to the instit(tion of the E(arantine. se,eral Felinids 4ere conscri+ted into the m+erial 8(ard0 After First Contact certain commanders tho(ght to ca+itali
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&ome of the more enter+rising Felinid 4ere gi,en +assage b bartering kno4ledge. technolog. or riches to enter+rising freighter ca+tains and $og(e Traders0 Those that did '(ickl sa4 the benefits of e3+ansion. es+eciall after enco(ntering ho4 the m+eri(m dealt 4ith those it did not +ass bene,olent (dgment (+on0 After managing to transmit this information home. man high ranking officials began to 4ork 4ith those in the m+eri(m 4ho might be bo(ght in an effort to sneak o(t members of their s+ecies after the '(arantine 4as +(t into effect0 Tho(gh still relati,el rare in the core4ard 4orlds. to4ards the rim the Felinid +resence has beg(n to be noticed0 Felinids are h(mans 4hose genomes ha,e taken on se,eral genetic se'(ences deri,ed from ,ario(s s+ecies of Terran felines0 -hether this is do to the biological re'(irements of the 4orld of Carlos ?cConnell or gene s+licing made to the ancestral +o+(lation of the +lanet d(ring the 5ark Age of Technolog nobod can sa for certain0
-hate,er the genesis of their origins. Felinids ha,e se,eral +hsical di,ergences from the rest of h(manit0 These incl(de a co,ering of f(r o,er their entire bod. feline ears located at the to+ of the sk(ll. e3tended canine teeth. and in some a feline tail0 All Felinids ha,e an almost s(+ernat(ral grace in their mo,ements0 Their ees also f(nction more akin to a feline:s. granting increased ,is(al +erce+tion in the dark0
The Felinid ?ilitar is str(ct(red m(ch like the m+erial. 4ith regiments being com+osed of ,ario(s s'(ads and s+ecialties and a hierarch of ranks 4hich direct the troo+s0 Tho(gh less fatal 4ith the absence of the Commissariat o,ersight and +(nishments. their forces are still a 4ell trained fighting force. more than ca+able of matching the statistics of most 8(ard $egiments in the m+eri(m0
#elinid S%ciet+ Felinid &ociet f(nctions m(ch like m+erial &ociet0 n the cities li,es a large +o+(lation 4ith an in de+th series of r(le and reg(lations is in +lace. the +(nishments for breaking them can be harsh indeed0 &ections of the +lanet that +ro,e themsel,es to be +o4erf(l and +rod(cti,e eno(gh are able to ,ote a re+resentati,e to the +lanetar co(ncil. 4hich in t(rn sets +olic for all the recogni
#elinids in the %r%nus panse Felinids are largel (nkno4n in the Core4ard 4orlds d(e to the s(++ression order from the n'(isition that led them to be '(arantined0 -hile the official records state that the +lanet is com+letel '(arantined and none ha,e e,er been off +lanet. this is not the case0 No matter ho4 m(ch the ha,e tried to s(++ress it. the Felinids ha,e made their 4a amongst the stars0 ?an of their n(mber sa4 the benefit in fleeing their home in more clandestine 4as. then making their 4a to safer en,irons on the edges of the gala30 &till more so(ght ref(ge behind ser,ice in the m+erial ?ilitar. 4hich granted them certain +rotections and allo4ed them to become lost 4ithin the rank and file0 -hile the ha,e no shi+s of their o4n. the 4ere '(ick to learn the 4orkings of the ,ario(s oidshi+s of the m+erial Na, and earn their +assage to relati,e safet0 &e,eral colonies of Felinids ha,e been re+orted amongst the e3+anse. mostl on +lanets that mirror the terrain and en,irons of Carlos ?cConell0 These colonies are 4ell defended. and ha,e been able to +(t together a si
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/%lepla+ing #elinid Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten-
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Felinid characters are (st as di,erse as the rest of h(manit. and can find moti,ation and backstor in all 4alks of life0 One of the first things to consider is ho4 the character made their 4a to the oron(s 3+anse0 -ere the bro(ght here after being sm(ggled off 4orld b a $og(e Trader. Free ?erchant. or some other force@ -ere the conscri+ted into the m+erial ?ilitar and bro(ght here as +art of their de+loment@ -ere the able to lea,e +lanet before the '(arantine 4as +(t into effect and made there 4a here seeking other colonies@ Are the seeking to establish or reinforce an e3isting Felinid colon 4ithin the 3+anse@ Felinid societ is ,er m(ch a mirror of m+erial societ. so most ha,e been able to integrate 4ith no iss(es0 s o(r character one of these 4ho has made the transition seamlessl. or ha,e the had an iss(es@ f not. 4hat are the differences that are hard to acce+t@ -h@ t:s also im+ortant to consider their feelings regarding the treatment of their +eo+le b the
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m+eri(m at large0 -hile not as harshl treated as the Beastmen. the ha,e still largel been denied the right as s+ecies to reoin the rest of h(manit0 -hat effect does this ha,e on o(r character@ ?oti,ation is al4as an im+ortant factor in a character. and can be +artic(larl ,aried 4ith the Felinids0 Their moti,ations are as di,erse and (ne3+ected as the rest of the deni
Creating Felinid Characters #elinid Traits Characteristics: D) Agilit. D) ntelligence. ;) "erce+tion. ;1* -ill+o4er. D) Fello4shi+ Skills: Acrobatics. Climb. Contortionist. 5odge Talents: Catfall Traits: 5ark &ight. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d)D1 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
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s r e t c a r a h C d i n i l e F
Cha+ter % Longshanks L o n g
&o(rce 5isclaimer Lore in this section is taken from the 4arhammer%*k04ikia0com and is referenced from the -arhammer %*k 6th dition $(lebook0
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The Longshanks. also kno4n as omo &a+ien longat(s. are a recogni
Longshanks are a strain of abh(mans that e,ol,ed after coloni
1#
4ork force at the time of isolation0 O,er time. their genetics became more and more e3treme as the lo4 gra,it began to take an effect on their biolog. allo4ing for m(ch taller gro4th0 This led to their skeletal str(ct(re becoming more disconnected and less tightl bo(nd. and in the lo4 gra,it made them incredibl nimble and fle3ible0 5(e to the nat(re of these being mining colonies. s(stainabilit 4as ne,er too large a concern0 No longer able to rel on s(++l shi+ments. the had to make do 4ith meager s(stenance that co(ld be +rocessed from the +lanet0 ar,esting an +lants or h(nting an creat(res 4as generall a dangero(s endea,or. b(t ,ital nonetheless0 -hile there 4ere some n(trient +rocessing facilities in their colonies. the 4o(ld not be eno(gh to s(stain the +o+(lation alone0 /nfort(natel. man 4ho co(ld not s(r,i,e on lo4 n(trition began to die off. lea,ing onl those 4ho co(ld f(nction 4ith little n(trition behind to contin(e their +o+(lation0 This 4o(ld be the origin of their +hsical a++earance. 4ith their skin being +(lled tight across their bodies d(e to ,irt(all no bod fat. making them a++ear ga(nt and emaciated0
Beca(se of these changes. the became (nable to s(r,i,e off of these lo4 gra,it en,ironments0 Once the m+eri(m re; established connection 4ith these colonies. m+erial Chir(rgeons began to in,estigate the inhabitants0 The lang(age had not di,erged too m(ch in the inter,ening ears. and establishing a common dialect 4as relati,el eas0 The ne4l d(bbed Longshanks 4ere informed of the effects of their condition. and assimilated into the m+eri(m of ?an at that time0 The 4ere left to r(n their ,ario(s mining colonies across the 3+anse. 4hich 4ere still '(ite +rofitable d(e to the relati,el small si
to lea,e their +lanet and oin the rest of the galactic comm(nit amongst the stars0 There are no4 se,eral additional Longshank colonies across the gala3. and man in the m+erial Na,0 ?an Longshanks decide to take (+ obs in the ngineering section of oid &hi+s. taking ad,antage of the fact that man sections do not ha,e gra,it to concern themsel,es 4ith0 The are also are '(ite ade+t at +erforming 3tra;ehic(lar Acti,ities0 $%ngshan& S%ciet+ Longshank societ is m(ch more democratic than man other m+erial 4orlds0 The relati,el small si
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r o t s i 1 k n a h s g n o L
/%lepla+ing $%ngshan& Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is p$re"' fan +ritten $se or disregard as needed-
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Longshanks are an interesting take on the e3aggerations that certain traits can take on o,er time0 ncredibl emaciated and frail b an m+erial standards. the are nonetheless ,er skilled 4ith technolog and ha,e honed their senses to be able to locate and tro(bleshoot +roblems0 Their o(tlook on the gala3 is fairl o+timistic in com+arison to the maorit of the m+eri(m. and the ha,e set o(t on a mission to redisco,er 4hat has been lost to them o,er the cent(ries0 To flesh o(t o(r character. fig(re o(t 4hat role the ha,e 4ithin the Longshank societ and 4hat has dri,en them from their 4orld0 -ere the c(rio(s to head to the stars and e3+lore@ -ere the formerl a member of the militar and ordered to go@ -ere the forced to lea,e their home4orld at the behest of another@ Ne3t. consider 4hat their moti,ation is for tra,ersing the stars0 Are the ho+ing to fo(nd more Longshank colonies@ Are the looking to disco,er lost Longshank colonies@ Are the ho+ing to find ad,ent(re@ Are the ho+ing to find some retro;,iral m(tagen that 4ill restore their skeletons to a +re,io(s state@ Are the a techno+hile ho+ing to find or de,elo+ some e3citing ne4 technolog@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0 $%ngshan&s in the %r%nus panse Longshanks ha,e f(ll embraced the m+erial idea of ?anifest 5estin 4ithin the oron(s 3+anse0 The ha,e branched o(t into ,irt(all all 4alks of life0 Their +resence incl(des se,eral colonies on lo4 gra,it 4orlds. se,eral colonies in
2*
5(e to the necessit of being constantl ensconced 4ithin oid &(its 4hen not in a Lo4 8ra,it n,ironment. the onl off;+(tting nat(re of the Longshanks +hsicall is often their enormo(s height. 4here the to4er o,er their fello4 h(mans0 This hiding of their more off;+(tting +hsical differences has made their +resence m(ch easier for man m+erials to acce+t them as a +art of h(manit0 -ith the e,er +resent e3+ansion o++ort(nities and b (sing their o4n (ni'(e e,ol(tions to their f(llest abilities. the Longshanks ha,e been establishing a strong foothold 4ithin the oron(s 3+anse0 As time +rogresses it a++ears as tho(gh their niche 4ill onl gro4 more im+ortant. b(t onl time 4ill tell if that comes to fr(ition0
Creating Longshank Characters $%ngshan& Traits Characteristics: ;) &trength. ;) To(ghness. D) ntelligence. D) "erce+tion Skills: Common Lore =Tech>. Tech;/se. Trade =An> Talents: Technical nock Traits: Longshank Biolog. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. &i. oid Acc(stomed =&ee +age 19 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook> Gear: Longshank $einforced Cara+ace. Longshank $einforced oid &(it Starting Wounds: 1d) D 23 To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits $%ngshan& !i%l%g+ Longshank biolog is incredibl fragile after generations of ada+tation to lo4 gra,it en,ironments0 -hen not in lo4 gra,it en,ironments their bodies begin to colla+se on themsel,es ca(sing 1d) +oints of To(ghness 5amage +er ro(nd as their skeleton begins to shatter0 This can be a,oided b 4earing a s(it of armor or ,oid s(it that is designed to s(++ort the Longshank:s 4eight0
Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10 'e Gear $%ngshan& /einf%rced Carapace A$ailabilit%: er $are This is a s(it of nforcer Light Cara+ace Armo(r that is designed to s(++ort the Longshank:s 4eight in normal gra,it en,ironments0 t has the same +rotecti,e abilit as a s(it of nforcer Light Cara+ace b(t 4eighs onl ha,e the normal amo(nt =&ee +ages 1!7; 1!9 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook>0 $%ngshan& /einf%rced %id Suit A$ailabilit%: er $are This is a &elenite;"attern oid &(it =see +age 1%1 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook> that has been modified to s(++ort the skeletal str(ct(re of the Longshanks0
'%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the
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s r e t c a r a h C k n a h s g n o L
Cha+ter ) Neandors So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +arha%%er4,*-+i*ia-co% and is referenced fro% the .arha%%er 4,* ! th Edition ($"e/oo*-
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'eand%rs <9%m% sapiens h+ann%thus= 5escendants of the original base;line h(man colonists of the 4orld of annoth . the Neandors ha,e ada+ted to the +artic(lar ecological demands of their frigid and high gra,it home4orld0 These ada+tations. 4hich incl(de hirs(tism and a m(ch more rob(st skeletom(sc(lar sstem. ho4e,er. +re,ent them from lea,ing annoth easil0 As a res(lt. Neandors are ,irt(all (nkno4n to the 4ider m+eri(m0 So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore /e'ond this point is fan +ritten and can /e $sed or disregarded as needed-
On the frigid and (nforgi,ing 4orld of annoth . a colon 4as formed in the 5ark Age of Technolog0 -hat +(r+ose it might ha,e had has been lost to the ages. and the c(rrent inhabitants of the +lanet ha,e no interest in disco,ering it0 -hat can be said of annoth is that it is a fro
22
?an in both gro(+s 4ere lost to the attacks of 4ild creat(res 4hile the searched for a sol(tion. b(t in the end the 4ere able to +re,ail b(t 4ith hea, losses0 The s(bterranean gro(+ fo(nd a 4a that the co(ld s(r,i,e in the fro
The colonists began to stri+ anthing of a ,ital nat(re that the co(ld from the h(sk of a colon and mo,e it to this ne4 (ndergro(nd location0 The intensit of the mo,ing +ro,ed another fatal blo4 to the colonists0 ?an of them began to colla+se from heart fail(re as their bodies co(ld not ada+t to the high gra,it of the +lanet0 This led to man sim+l dro++ing 4here the stood as their bodies failed0 &tri++ing them of their gear. the +ressed on and set (+ a ser,iceable habitat 4ithin the confines of the earth0 5etermination being the onl thing dri,ing those that remained. the cleared the area aro(nd the ne4 colon as best the co(ld. and set to ens(ring that the 4o(ld not die of star,ation0 -ith some of the minor terraforming e'(i+ment the had bro(ght along. the 4ere able to create a thri,ing ecosstem 4ithin the confines of their colon:s ne4 geothermal +ools0 -hile the colon 4as indeed a safe ha,en. man contin(ed to dro+ dead of heart fail(re (ntil onl the most rob(st remained0 These remaining colonists began to catalog the reso(rces at their dis+osal and came to the concl(sion that this ma ha,e been for the better. since 4ith 4hat the had too large a +o+(lation co(ld not be s(stained0
'eand%r S%ciet+ Th(s 4as the basis of the 4hat 4o(ld be come the Neandor Abh(man strain formed0 O,er the cent(ries. a tribal societ 4o(ld be formed. and those 4ho made their cases for leadershi+ best 4o(ld be a++ro,ed b a r(ling co(ncil0 These leaders became res+onsible for determining the direction societal e3+ansion 4o(ld take. and +(t in charge of e3+loration of the ca,es and s(rface to find additional sites to claim for their o4n0 This 4o(ld hel+ +re,ent o,er+o+(lation and e3ha(stion of reso(rces. and hel+ ens(re that one inc(rsion b beasts 4o(ld not be the death of e,erone on the +lanet0 These e3+edition teams 4ere com+osed of the greatest and most ade+t 4arriors of the tribes. and to be chosen for one 4as an honor indeed0 n addition to se,eral alternate s(bterranean sites. these sco(ts fo(nd se,eral defensible s(rface locations that 4ere. 4hile admittedl still frigid. more shielded from the ho4ling 4inds that c(t across the t(ndras of the +lanet0 O,er time. both o,erland and s(bterranean ro(tes to and from these ,ario(s ne4 tribes 4ere forged and ke+t relati,el safe for tra,elers0 As time +rogressed. certain traits became the dominant ones on this harsh 4orld0 Neandors became incredibl rob(st and strong. both of bod and 4ill0 This also made hirst(tism. the e3cessi,e gro4th of hair amongst both males and females. a fairl common trait amongst their +o+(lace0 The tend to e3hibit a ,er +ragmatic ,ie4 of the 4orld and ,al(e each moment that the e3+erience since the kno4 ho4 '(ickl life can be c(t short0 The are also a bit on the ignorant side and tend to not (nderstand the finer of more ad,anced societies0 This is not to sa that the are L(ddites and do not (se technolog. '(ite the contrar0 5ifferent tribes across the +lanet ha,e become res+onsible for different +ieces of man(fact(ring the ,ario(s 4ea+ons. tools. and +rotecti,e gear that are (sed b the Neandors on +lanet0 &ome are tasked 4ith mining. some are tasked 4ith creating ne4 4ea+ons and tools. and others are tasked 4ith (sing them to +rotect and e3+and their societ0 t is a sim+le one 4ith e,erone ha,ing an incredibl im+ortant and defined role. 4ith no one +erson being de,al(ed0 &(ch is the im+ortance of (nit and m(t(al res+ect on s(ch a harsh 4orld0
2!
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d o r
is
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/+on redisco,er b the m+eri(m. not m(ch had changed for man ears0 &(r,i,al 4as the +rimar as+ect of ci,ili
2%
starshi+s ,er 4ell as it mirrored the nat(re of their c(lt(re and that e,erone has an im+ortant ob to do0 The also +ro,ed incredibl 4ell in combat sit(ations. able to carr more m(nitions in 4ith their incredible strength and strike 4ith incredible +recision and br(talit as 4as re'(ired to s(r,i,e on annoth 0 Beca(se of this o,er4helming s(ccess. more and more Neandor 4ere +ermitted to ser,e amongst the ranks of the $og(e Traders0 As time +rogressed and the became more ac'(ainted 4ith the gala3. those Neandor 4ho had risen to high stations began to see the benefit in coloni
/%lepla+ing 'eand%r Characters: Neandor characters are ,er straightfor4ard. honest +eo+le 4ho ,ie4 each da as a gift to be treas(red0 An da that one s(r,i,es is an e3cellent da. a ,er +ragmatic ,ie4 that hel+ed kee+ those stranded so long ago and has been +assed do4n 4ell o,er the ears0 The are +hsicall might. b(t (nfort(natel not terribl ade+t at the more intellect(al or social as+ects0 -hile the are indeed afflicted b hirst(tism. some choose to trim their hair to better fit in 4ith the rest of the m+eri(m. 4hile others ,ie4 it as a sign of forsaking their origins0 The first thing to consider is 4here o(r Neandor is from0 Are the from one of the colon 4orlds. or are the from annoth itself@ -ere the born amidst the stars (nder the ser,ice of a $og(e Trader@ Are the from some other colon 4ithin the e3+anse or 4itho(t@ Ne3t consider their role 4ithin their societ0
-ere the more in,ol,ed 4ith the ind(strial side of things like mining and forging@ -ere the more in,ol,ed in the martial side like defenses@ -ere the asked to become a sco(t to seek ne4 territories to settle@ -ere the an ad,iser or co(ncilor@ Also consider the moti,ations of the character0 Are the o(t to e3+lore to find ne4 4orlds to settle@ Are the attem+ting to amass +ersonal 4ealth for themsel,es or some +(r+ose@ Are the f(lfilling a command gi,en b their tribal leaders@ Are the attem+ting to integrate more into the m+eri(m@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
2)
r o t s i 1 r o d n a e N
Creating Neandor Characters N e a n
'eand%r Characters Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. D) -ill+o4er. ;) ntelligence. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: &(r,i,al. Tracking Talents: ?elee -ea+on Training ="rimiti,e>. $esistance =Cold> Traits: igh 8ra,it Acc(stomed. Non; m+erial. Not E(ite (man Gear: Best Craftsmanshi+ "rimiti,e -ea+on Starting Wounds: 1d)D2 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2
r
d o C h a ra c te rs
'e Traits 9igh Gra2it+ Accust%med Neandor ha,e gro4n strong on annoth and are able to tolerate high gra,it en,ironments 4ith no diffic(lt0 Neandor ignore all the +enalties for igh 8ra,it 4orlds =&ee +age 269 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook>0 n addition. 4hen not on high gra,it 4orlds the add % to the total of their &trength and To(ghness Bon(s for determining Carring Ca+acit0 '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and
26
histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
Cha+ter 6 Nightsiders &o(rce 5isclaimer Lore in this section is from 4arhammer%*k04ikia0com0
Nightsiders are Abh(mans 4ho li,e o(t their li,es in near or com+lete darkness on 4orlds that either are so far from their +rimar star that little or no light is shed or +lanets that do not rotate and so one side is al4as facing a4a from the s(n0 Nightsiders ma ha,e de,elo+ed larger ees than a normal h(man. almost b(lbo(sG others ma ha,e ,estigial ees 4ith their other senses greatl enhanced to com+ensate for the near;blindness0 &o(rce 5isclaimer Lore in this section is from -hite 54arf !*!0
The +o+(lations of man 4orld 4ithin the m+eri(m li,e o(t their li,es in near. or sometimes com+lete darkness0 &ome +lanets are onl inhabitable on their night side I the o++osite s(rface being e3+osed to the f(ll force of the sstem:s star0 Other +o+(lations e3ist (ndergro(nd. the s(rface of their 4orld being (ninhabitable0 Thro(gho(t the millennia. technolog ma ha,e regressed d(e to ignorance. isolation. or nat(ral disaster and the +o+(lation ma ha,e altered. either b design. thro(gh (nsanctioned genetic mani+(lation. or b accident of nat(re0 &(ch +o+(lations are considered m(tants b man. for the ma s+ort b(lbo(s ees ada+ted to the dimmest conditions. or the ma ha,e onl ,estegial ees. other senses entirel com+ensating for near or total blindness0
allo4ed them to a,oid dangers and for still more the abilit to taste changes in the air. not (nlike a re+tile0 &ome ha,e de,elo+ed a connection of a more000immaterial nat(re ot +ercei,e their s(rro(ndings. not (nlike Astro+ath Trancendents0 -hate,er their means of a,oiding +redators in the dark. all Nightsiders can safel sa one thing the managed to s(r,i,e0 -hat forced them to li,e in darkness ,aries from +lanet to +lanet0 On some Nightsider +lanets. the inhabitants are (nable to li,e on the s(rface d(e to e3treme solar radiation0 &ome s(rfaces are too +oll(ted to safel 4ander (n+rotected so the +refer to li,e in s(bterranean habitation blocks0 &ome +lanets rotate at the same s+eed as their re,ol(tion =not (nlike L(na> and eternall face either the s(n or night. making the cool night side the onl o+tion for the inhabitants to s(r,i,e on0 &ome might be dri,en into the darkest (ngles b deadl local +redators and some ma ha,e sim+l li,ed in the lo4er le,els of a hi,e or starshi+ for so man generations that a
&o(rce 5isclaimer Lore beond this +oint is +(rel fan 4ritten. feel free to (se or disregard it as needed0
Nightsiders are not from an one 4orld in the m+eri(m. b(t a host that all ha,e a similar attrib(te 5arkness0 This darkness has led to a di,ergent strain of h(manit that has de,elo+ed organs that allo4 them to s(r,i,e better amongst the noct(rnal dangers of their home0 &ome de,elo+ o,ersi
27
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Nightsider m(tation has arisen0 -ith the 4ide +otential arrra of origins. the Nightsiders ha,e been a diffic(lt gro(+ to classif0 Nightsider societ is as di,erse as the m+eri(m:s. and man ha,e arisen on m+erial 4orlds0 5(e to this fact. there are some 4ho are '(ite familiar 4ith the m+eri(m:s c(stoms and some 4ho are rather ignorant of them0 5(e to their (ncann +erce+tions. the ha,e been de+loed in the m+erial 8(ard in the +ast as a means of detecting that 4hich the normal troo+ers might o,erlook0 This has been o,erall s(ccessf(l. tho(gh some4hat demorali
The abilit of Nightsiders to locate hidden danger is 4hat first attracted the attention of the $og(e Traders and other +arties in the oron(s 3+anse0 &eeing in them the o++ort(nit to +rotect themsel,es from those 4ho might seek to do them harm. connections 4ere established and Nightsiders 4ere bro(ght to the 3+anse0 Their 4ide ,ariet of sensor abilities ha,e become a highl +ri
2#
/%lepla+ing 'ightsider Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: this is fan +ritten %ateria" Nightsiders are (ni'(e among the abh(mans in that there is s(ch a 4ide ,ariet of +ossible origins for them0 The first thing to consider is 4hat ca(sed o(r character to de,elo+ their m(tation0 -as it a biological ada+tation to e3treme circ(mstances@ s is a res(lt of some kind e3+os(re to the 4ar+@ s it some other origin entirel@ Ne3t. consider hat is the +lanet of origin the are from like@ -as it merel ada+tation to darkness that dro,e them or 4as it esca+e from +redators@ -as it an m+erial -orld on 4hich their abilities de,elo+ed. if so. 4hat kind@ Finall. consider the moti,ations of the character0 -h are the o(rneing into the 3+anse@ Are the seeking +ersonal glor@ Are the seeking a +lace that the can call their o4n@ Are the ho+ing to find freedom from bondage of some kind@ a,e the fo(nd a different moti,ation entirel@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
Creating Nightsider Characters 'ightsider Traits Characteristics: "erce+tion D1*. Fello4shi+ ;) Skills: A4areness. Concealment. &ilent ?o,e Talents: eightened &enses =An> Traits: Nightsider. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d) D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits 'ightsider Nightsiders ha,e an innate abilit to +ercei,e their s(rro(ndings thro(gh means not a,ailable to normal h(mans0 Nightsiders begin +la 4ith the 8rotes'(e ?(tation =see +age !96 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebok> and one of the follo4ing m(tations "ightsider : &ee +age !96 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook &ncann% Senses: 8ain the /nnat(ral "erce+tion trait 4ith a range e'(al to 1*3"erce+tion Bon(s in meters0 This can based aro(nd an of the fi,e senses. b(t 4hate,er sense is selected inc(rs a ;1* +enalt to be (sed 4hen o,er4helmed b too m(ch stim(l(s0 =3 /ncann &enses =&o(nd> 4o(ld inc(r a ;1* +enalt 4hen o,erloaded b too m(ch a(ditor stim(l(s. s(ch as in a large cro4d or man(factor(m0 See With%ut +es: &ee the Astro+ath &+ecial Abilit 4ith the same name on +age 72 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0
Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
●
●
●
'%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0
29
s r e t c a r a h C r e d i s t h g i N
Cha+ter 7 Ogrn So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fro% the On"' .ar (PG specifica""' the Core ($"e/oo*
6r$te force not +or*7 t /eca$se 'o$ not $se eno$gh of it89 ;arg Ogr'n 6one
O g r
n 1
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to r
The Ogrn = =o%o Sapiens Gigant$s> are a h(ge and +hsicall +o4erf(l Abh(man m(tant s(bs+ecies of h(mans. often em+loed as shock troo+ers in the m+erial 8(ard b the m+eri(m of ?an0 Ogrns +ossess man traits +ri
!*
inabilit to (nderstand com+le3 commands and tactics0 This sim+le;mindedness has also contrib(ted to the big Abh(mans: re+(tation as being notorio(sl eas to corr(+t to the ser,ice of Chaos. +artic(larl b the tem+tations of the Blood 8od horne0 ?an Ogrns. for e3am+le. fo(ght in the raksian Traitor ?ilitia d(ring the infamo(s &iege of raks0 Their skin is e3tremel thick and Ogrn can ignore 4o(nds that 4o(ld cri++le or kill a normal man0 As the are br(tal and direct. the fa,o(r kn(ckle d(sters and kni,es for close combat0 The are iss(ed s+ecial. large a(to; shotg(ns kno4n as $i++er 8(ns for ranged combat and cl(bbing at melee0 The (se of Frag 8renades is also +o+(lar among Ogrn0 Altho(gh belie,ed to +ossess e3tremel lo4 intelligence. some Ogrn ma ha,e a slightl higher le,el of intellect than others0 This boosts their chances to be chosen as candidates for the Biochemical Ogrn Ne(ral nhancement +roced(re. also kno4n as BONG 4hich raises their intelligence f(rther0 These relati,el smart Ogrn are gi,en the title Bone:eads. and as the are able to (nderstand more com+le3 orders the are +laced in command of a s'(ad of normal. (na(gmented Ogrns0
The most famo(s Ogrn in m+erial ser,ice is Nork 5eddog0 Nork 5eddog is a legend in his o4n lifetime. an Ogrn 4hose fighting abilities as an m+erial 8(ard soldier are almost as astonishing as mental de,elo+ment that can onl be called +recocio(s for one of his race0 5(e to his (n(s(al mental ac(it. he '(ickl came to the attention of the Commissars of the m+erial 8(ard and Nork soon fo(nd himself +laced on s+ecial d(ties0 Nork:s re+(tation for loalt is (ns(r+assed and his skills as a bodg(ard ha,e been in high demand b m+erial officers across the gala30 *gr+n S%ciet+ and -h+si%l%g+ The ada+tation to the high;gra,it en,ironment as described abo,e is the reason for the Ogrns: thick skin. +o4erf(ll m(sc(lar b(ild and res(lting monstro(s si that ca(sed their m(tation re'(ired onl +rimiti,e s(r,i,al instincts. +art of their ada+tation in,ol,ed the loss of the abilit for more com+le3 intellect(al tho(ght since +hiloso+hical matters 4ere (nnecessar in an en,ironment marked b star,ation and a constant fight for life0 Ogrns are said to be e,en less intelligent than some Orks0 o4e,er. the tr(th is that their intellects did not act(all de,ol,e. b(t became m(ch more foc$sed on matters s(ch as s(r,i,al0 Ogrns are cla(stro+hobic. 4hich means that the can onl 4ith great diffic(lt be loaded into armo(red carrier ,ehicles to be trans+orted to the battlefield. and can onl ride in ,ehicles if a commanding officer is +resent0 As man as half a s'(ad ma be mo(nted on a Chimera0 This slightl slo4s their de+loment s+eed0 Ogrns are large and b(lk. standing bet4een 2K and ! metres tall0 Ogrns ,ar in a++earance according to 4orld. b(t all are to(gh and +o4erf(l0 &ome forms are 4ell; m(scled. 4hile others tend more to4ards grotes'(e obesit0 &t(+id and re+(lsi,el (nhgienic. Ogrns ha,e earned s(ch names as Fats. Flabs. &lobs and &tenches0 Ogrn +o+(lations +rod(ce m(tant indi,id(als to the same e3tent as h(mans0 The +schic m(tation. ho4e,er. is (nkno4n among Ogrns0
r o t s i 1 n r g O
*gr+ns in the %r%nus panse So$rce )isc"ai%er: This section is p$re"' fan +ritten fee" free to $se or disregard as needed-
Ogrn ha,e had a +resence in the oron(s 3+anse for more or less the entiret of it:s e3istence0 Their +resence 4as first kno4n d(ring it:s initial coloni
!1
O g r
n 1
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to r
*gr+n /%lepla+ing Tips Ogrn are ,er sim+le and br(tish. b(t fiercel loal and friendl0 5e+ending on the s+read of o(r statistics. o(r Ogrn co(ld be a sim+le minded fool. an efficient hea, 4ea+on 4ielder. a loal +rotector. or e,en one of the more mentall ade+tG a Bone:ead0 To co(nt as a Bone:ead. o( 4ill need to get o(r Agilit and ntelligence scores to !* or higher0 This re+resents the de,elo+ment of the ne(ral enhancements of the Bone:ead a(gmentation in o(r character. and allo4s them to +la a m(ch more intelligent and creati,e Ogrn0 o4 o( 4ant to +la o(r Ogrn de+ends on man factors0 First. consider 4here o(r Ogrn is from0 Are the from a local colon@ Are the from across the sector@ -hat 4as
!2
their life like before the 3+anse@ s this their first to(r of d(t here@ -hat 4as their home +lanet like@ -as it one com+osed onl of Ogrn@ -hat 4as their life like on their home4orld. if an@ Ne3t. consider their moti,ations0 -hat bro(ght them to the oron(s 3+anse@ 5id the ha,e an choice in the matter. or 4as it more an assigned d(t@ f not. ho4 did the come to this section of the gala3@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
Creating Ogrn Characters *gr+n Traits Characteristics: &trength D). To(ghness D). Agilit ;1*. ntelligence ;1* Talents: 3otic -ea+on Training =$i++er 8(n> Traits: Cla(stro+hobic. Cl(ms. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. /nnat(ral &trength =32>. /nnat(ral To(ghness =32> Gear: Best Craftsmanshi+ $i++er 8(n =$e+laces 4ea+ons normall granted b Career "ath>. one Ogrn si Starting Wounds: 1d)D! D 23 /nmodified To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 1
Clums+ OgrnMs hands are not onl m(ch larger than those of a normal h(man. b(t also far stronger. and most Ogrn ha,e a hard time (sing them to +erform delicate. or e,en normal. tasks0 Beca(se of this. Ogrn cannot (se most 4ea+ons made for h(mans. as the tend to break them 4hen the tr0 An 4ea+on 4hich is not the Frag 8renade. $i++er 8(n. A(tocannon. or ea, &t(bber cannot be (sed b a character 4ith the Cl(ms Trait0 f an Ogrn e,er has !* or more in Agilit AN5 ntelligence. the are considered to ha,e become intelligent eno(gh to handle other 4ea+ons and lose this trait. effecti,el becoming a Bone:ead0
'e Gear 'ipper Gun: Class: ea,. /ange: !*m. /%#: &;6. >am: 1d1*D# . -en: *. Clip: %#. /el: 2 F(ll. Special: &catter. Co(nts as a ?ono -arhammer in Close Combat. ma (se ,ariant &olid "roectile amm(nition. Wt: !)kg. A2ailabilit+: Common
'e Traits Claustr%ph%bic 5es+ite their fearsome and fearless nat(re. Ogrns are e3tremel cla(stro+hobic0 The 4ill not enter ca,es. basements. r(ins. infantr fighting ,ehicles like the Chimera. or e,en smaller than a,erage b(ildings. of their o4n free 4ill0 Commanding Officers can order them into s(ch +laces. b(t s(ffer a I1* +enalt to an Command &kill Tests to do so. and Ogrns s(ffer a I1* to all Tests 4hen so confined0
'%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
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Cha+ter # "elagers So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +arha%%er4,*-+i*ia-co% and is referenced fro% the .arha%%er 4,* ! th Edition ($"e/oo*-
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-elagers <9%m% sapiens %ceanus= "elagers ha,e either e,ol,ed or 4ere geneticall altered d(ring the 5ark Age of Technolog to li,e on Ocean -orlds. those habitable +lanets of the gala3 almost entirel co,ered in li'(id 4ater0 The +ossess a set o f both gills and l(ngs. and other ada+tations for an a'(atic lifestle s(ch as 4ebbed hands and feet0 The are a common sight on s(ch 4orlds of the m+eri(m. b(t ,irt(all (nkno4n e,er4here else0 So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore /e'ond this point is fan +ritten and %a' /e $sed or disregarded as needed-
Amongst a cl(ster of ocean 4orlds 4ere once +laced a gro(+ of e3+loration ,essels designed to monitor and catalog the +iscine life therein to find ne4 t+es of a'(atic s(stenance for the masses of h(manit to cons(me0 5e,oted +rimaril to +lanets com+osed entirel of li'(id 4ater. these floating colonies consisted habitats and scientific e'(i+ment for their ob0 -ho the e3+edition 4as originall f(nded b 4e cannot sa. b(t obser,ation 4as not their onl task on these +lanets0 n addition to this. the e3+edition 4as tasked 4ith the ob of obtaining and cataloging genetic references of all the s+ecies the ac'(ired to create s+liced ,ersions of fish that 4o(ld ha,e all the most desirable traits0 5(ring the later stages of this research 4hen some on site s+licing had beg(n. the 4ar+ storms hit0 This +rom+tl c(t off an chance of res(++l. and more de,astatingl str(ck the shi+s in orbit. ca(sing them to crash into the oceans belo40 el+less. those in the colonies 4ere onl able to 4atch and track as their onl chance of long term s(r,i,al sank beneath the 4a,es0 The records from this +oint for4ard are +roblematic to follo4 at best. b(t a +ieced together histor has been assembled from the remains of those first colonies fo(nd long since s(nken beneath the seas themsel,es0 The colonists initiall began to (tili
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n(trients needed in s(fficient '(antit for e,erone on +lanet to s(r,i,e0 ?aintaining comm(nications bet4een the other o(t+osts on +lanet. +rogress 4as made0 After se,eral failed attem+ts. one s(ccessf(l s+ecies 4as created. and began to be 4idel cons(med across the +lanet0 A maor laborator accident ca(se a large stock+ile of these fish to be released into the oceans at large. and here is 4here the records begin to fall a+art0 One of t4o things seems to ha,e ha++ened based on the re+orts0 -hat is kno4n for certain is that the infl(3 of this ne4 engineered s+ecies attracted a ne4 ,ariet of deadl sea +redator. an am+hibio(s one0 -hat is not kno4n is ho4 the colonists 4ere able to s(ccessf(ll dri,e them off0 &ome re+orts sa that the 4ere act(all a sentient h(manoid race. and 4ere able to. (tili
the o+ened a dialog(e 4ith the local sentient beings. and became a coe3isting comm(nit0 Both comm(nities 4ere able to learn m(ch from each other. and then began to become more of one comm(nit0 As the colonists began to interbreed 4ith the locals. o,er the cent(ries the differences bet4een the t4o 4o(ld change. and a ne4 medi(m 4o(ld be born0 This 4o(ld e,ent(all bring into the fold of h(manit in the abh(mans kno4n as the "elagers0 Other re+orts sa that the loss of the a'(atic food s(++l 4as too de,astating a blo4 for the colonists to reco,er from0 -hile there 4as a small storage of them. star,ation 4o(ld set in ,er soon 4itho(t a sol(tion0 An enter+rising researcher bro(ght forth a +ro+osition that 4as000(ni'(e to sa the least0 The claim 4as that there 4as a secret agenda behind 4hat 4as being done on the +lanet. and that the goal 4as to create 4ea+oni
-hich of these is the tr(th. if either. is still not entirel clear0 An trace of the original machiner and +rocess (tili
$egardless of the method (tili
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-elagers in the %r%nus panse So$rce )isc"ai%er: This is fan +ritten %ateria"
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"elagers ha,e tra,eled the gala3 for an (nco(ntable n(mber of reasons. as the ha,e more freedom than man other Abh(mans0 ?an tend to +(rs(e the roots that first bro(ght them to 4hat is no4 their 4ater home4orlds. the science of biolog0 n s+ite of their some4hat monstro(s a++earance. "elagers are act(all '(ite learned and ade+t at (tili
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e3+ertise and kno4ledge. tho(gh it ma take some time for the shock to 4ear off0 -ith skills as ,aried as the stars in the skies. o( ma find a "elager doing research on a ne4 strain of life fo(nd on a distant +lanet. o( ma find one manning the g(ns on an m+erial Na, Cr(iser. or o( ma find one leading their +eo+le and fo(nding ne4 strongholds thro(gho(t the stars0 &ome ha,e e,en managed to locate ancient -rits of Trade. becoming certified $og(e Traders in their o4n right0 /ntil recentl. the "elagers ha,e been contented to sta mostl on Oceanic 4orlds. b(t 4ith the be, of strange creat(res and fantastic s+ecimens that inhabit the oron(s 3+anse. it +ro,ed too tem+ting a +lace to e3+lore0 This ca(sed man "elagers to head from their home4orlds to the 4ilds of the oron(s 3+anse to achie,e 4hate,er dreams the might ha,e0
/%lepla+ing -elager Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: This is fan +ritten %ateria"
?(ch like their con,entional h(man co(nter+arts. "elagers ha,e a great degree of fle3ibilit in ho4 the embark (+on the gala30 "elagers are generall '(ite smart. +hsicall might. and ca+able of inflicting de,astating damage 4ith their +o4erf(l a4s and teeth0 The are. ho4e,er. some4hat cl(ms +hsicall and ha,e some diffic(lties sociall as their +hsical a++earance is ,er gr(esome for man in the m+eri(m to behold0 All "elagers are also instr(cted in the basics of First Aid and the +hsical sciences. +artic(larl chemistr0 One of the first considerations for o(r character sho(ld be 4here the come from0 Are the from a "elager Colon@ f so. is it one of the colonies f(rther a4a. or one located 4ithin the 3+anse@ Are o( from a gro(+ of "elager 4ho ha,e ser,ed in an m+erial organi
a +rolonged +eriod@ f so. 4ere o( bro(ght into it or born into it@ Another im+ortant consideration is to determine o(r moti,ations0 -hat has bro(ght o( to the oron(s 3+anse. or at least set o( to ,ent(ring o(t into it@ Are o( e3+loring to catalog ne4 forms of life@ Are o( seeking fame and fort(ne@ Are o( +erfecting o(r martial techni'(e@ Are o( attem+ting to reco,er lost technologies@ Are o( seeking to disco,er the tr(th behind the "elager:s origins and histor@ As al4as. remember that the g(idelines set forth abo,e are ne,er set in stone. and o( are free to come (+ 4ith something beond 4hat is 4ritten here and be as creati,e as +ossible0 $emember to sit do4n 4ith o(r 8? and disc(ss the details and nat(re of o(r character. as 4ell as the role and stat(s of the "elager in the cam+aign0
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Creating "elager Characters -elager Traits
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Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. ;1* Agilit. D) ntelligence. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: Chem;/se. ?edicae. &cholastic Lore =Chmistr>. &4im Traits: Am+hibio(s. m+ro,ed Nat(ral -ea+ons =a4s>. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d)D1 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits Amphibi%us "elagers can breathe 4ater as 4ell as air and can sta (nder4ater indefinitel 4itho(t the need to s(rface0 The also gain a D2* bon(s to all &4im =&> Tests. and do not s(ffer an mo,ement +enalties 4hilst acting (nder4ater0 "elagers do still s(ffer +enalties for attem+ting to (tili
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'%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
Cha+ter 9 $atlings So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fro% the On"' .ar Core ($"e/oo*-
$atlings = =o%o Sapiens >ini%$s> are abh(mans. h(mans 4ho follo4ed a different e,ol(tionar +ath. descended from ancient settlers c(t off from larger h(man societ0 This is 4here the similarit to Ogrns ends. ho4e,er0 -hile Ogrns are large. br(tish creat(res. $atlings are incredibl short and ro(nd. and remarkabl cle,er0 5es+ite their ob,io(s (ns(itabilit for militar life. $atlings are ne,ertheless drafted 4holesale into the m+erial Arm0 -hile the cannot fill man of the h(man roles in the m+erial 8(ard. $atlings still +ro,ed incredibl (sef(l0 Their small si
/atling 9ist%r+ So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +arha%%er4,*-+i*ia-co% and is ta*en fro% the %peria" G$ard Codex 3rd and 5th Edition Codex %peria"is Codex Chaos 2nd Edition 6att"ef"eet Gothic poca"'pse and (og$e Trader 1 st Edition-
The m+erial 4orld kno4n as Orns4orld. also referred to as Orn:s -orld. is the +rimar $atling hom4orld located in the &egment(m Obsc(r(s0 $atlings are the smallest t+e of Abh(man kno4n to the m+eri(m. their ancestors ha,ing become st(nted b tho(sands of ears of inbreeding on 4orlds 4ith climates and en,ironments e,en more cond(ci,e to h(man life than ancient Terra and ab(ndant har,ests0 $atlings are short and s'(at. altho(gh not strong 4hen com+ared to normal. baseline h(mans0 The are idle. hedonistic. gregario(s. o,er;friendl and se3(all +romisc(o(s0 Their li,es are s+ent eating (ntil sick. drinking co+io(s amo(nts of into3icating be,erages. and +rocreating (ncontrollabl. almost like Abh(man rabbits0 These small. lo(d. h(ngr and lechero(s creat(res are called $(ntlings. &t(nties. alflings and $atlings b other h(mans. among other. less +rintable things0
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n 1!90?%1. Abaddon the 5es+oiler la(nched his 12th Black Cr(sade. also called the 8othic -ar0 This 4as a ,ast militar cam+aign against the m+eri(m of ?an 4hich 4o(ld last (ntil 16*0?%10 5(ring the initial o(tbreak of hostilities. Orns4orld 4as s(bected to a massi,e in,asion b the Forces of Chaos in search of the malefic artefact kno4n as the e of Night. 4hich consisted of an embedded stat(e of ancient anti'(it 4orshi+ed as a god b the $atlings in the +re; m+erial era0 nitiall. the Chaos forces 4ere dri,en back b the m+erial 8(ard forces. b(t a month later the Chaos ,essels blockaded Orns4orld. la(nching a f(ll;scale in,asion0 ?illions of $atlings died in the ens(ing sla(ghter0 ,ent(all. the Chaos forces fo(nd 4hat the 4ere looking for and de+arted 4ith the Chaotic artefact0 A sad cha+ter in the in,asion of Orns4orld. occ(rred d(ring the &iege of a(+tstemmler ee+. the last bastion of $atling defiance d(ring Abaddon:s in,asion of the $atling home4orld0 A great man Chaos &orcerers gathered to breach the 4alls of the might edifice0 Combining their eldritch +o4ers. the created a +enetratri,e ,orte3 4ith 4hich to smash the adamanti(m;clad gates0 o4e,er.
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se,eral of the &orcerers mis+rono(nced certain ke 4ords of the s+ell and it '(ickl s+iralled o(t of control0 The infl(3 of -ar+ +o4er detonated catastro+hicall. eng(lfing the besieging Chaos arm and t(rning !.*** of its 4arriors into gibbering Chaos &+a4n0 The e3+losion of -ar+ energ also le,elled +art of the north 4all. m(ch to the disma of the m+erial 8(ard and $atling defenders0 The sea of m(tating flesh that assailed the breach soon o,erran the defenders and the kee+ fell to Abaddon0 ,en no4. cent(ries later after Abaddon left the 4orld. rog(e Chaos &+a4n from the siege ha,e to be tra++ed and killed b the $atlings in s(mmer beast h(nts0 n 9990?%1. Orns4orld came (nder attack once again from the Chaos &+ace ?arines kno4n as the nights of Blood0 n a cr(el re+etition of the horrors inflicted d(ring the 8othic -ar cent(ries earlier. o,er ninet +ercent of its +o+(lation 4as massacred before m+erial 8(ard reinforcements arri,ed to bolster the beleag(ered +lanet:s $atling defenders0 ?(ch like the Abh(man co(sins the &'(ats. the $atlings ha,e almost disa++eared from the m+eri(m of ?an in the late %1st ?illenni(m d(e to the inc(rsions of the Tranids into m+erial s+ace0 Tranid in,asions of $atling home4orlds ha,e led to a drastic decrease in $atling +o+(lations0 For this reason. man m+erial 8(ard (nits are being forced to train their o4n sni+ers and infiltrators from among the general soldier of the 8(ard to com+ensate0
/atling S%ciet+ So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten fee" free to $se or disregard it as needed-
$atling societ. if one co(ld call it that before the Chaos in,asions. 4as largel a b(rea(cratic nightmare of do(ble dealing and hedonism0 t 4as more a legall acce+table means of o,erind(lgence than anthing else. as the societ 4as f(ll content to foc(s onl on the material +leas(res of life0 This changed dramaticall 4ith the in,asion of the Chaos and Tranids d(ring their in,asions of Orns4orld0 irt(all all of those fig(rehead leaders died in the initial assa(lts. lea,ing the beleag(ered and ine3+erienced militar commanders to +ick (+ the slack0 f not for the str(ct(re that 4as +ro,ided b the m+eri(m and the fact that some $atlings had s+ent some time 4ith the m+erial 8(ard. it is debatable 4hether or not the +lanet 4o(ld ha,e been able to hold o(t as long as it did0 After the Chaos left the +lanet. the re; str(ct(red their go,ernment to be more akin to the m+erial stle0 -hile there is still a lo,e amongst the $atlings of the finer material ind(lgences. so too is there the e,er +resent reali
There are man $atling Colonies and &trongholds in the 3+anse. and '(ite a fe4 $atlings ha,e managed to make their 4a to the (++er echelons of leadershi+0 &ome ha,e e,en managed to broker thro(gh some means a legitimate -rit of Trade. 4hich greatl aids in their goals of e3+anding their holdings and e3+loring for lost brethren0
/atlings in the %r%nus panse So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten fee" free to $se or disregard it as needed-
-ith the near e3tinction of the s+ecies at the hands of the Tranids. man high ranking officials in the $atling go,ernment sa4 the need to sco(r the gala3 for both lost $atling colonies and s(itable 4orlds for coloni
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/%lepla+ing /atling Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten-
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$atlings ha,e had a diffic(lt histor and relationshi+ 4ith the m+eri(m from the start0 Their lifestle did not initiall mesh 4ell 4ith the m+eri(ms. and 4hile the 4ere able to +ro,e themsel,es o,er time. the stigma of their beha,ior ne,er tr(l ,anished0 The also ha,e tr(l +rofo(nd things to consider as a race. as most of them 4ere destroed b m(lti+le in,asions from different male,olent +arties. lea,ing m(ch of their old li,es in r(in0 The oron(s 3+anse has +ro,ed an e3cellent +lace for the $atlings to thri,e. as their mentalit and desires mirror man of those 4ho ha,e settled in the region. and their ne4 fo(nd needs are m(ch easier to meet 4ith the nat(re of the region0 There are se,eral things to consider 4hen role+laing a $atling Character0 First. consider 4here the are from0 Are the from Orns4orld@ Are the from one of these ne4er colonies@ Are the originall +art of a 8(ard $egiment and 4ere rotated off d(t 4hilst in the 3+anse@ Are the a member of some other organi
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Ne3t. consider 4h the are in the oron(s 3+anse0 Are the +art of a $atling 3+editionar force sent to coloni
Creating $atling Characters /atling Traits Characteristics: D) Ballistic &kill. ;) &trength. ;) To(ghness. D) Agilit. D) "erce+tion Skills: A4areness. Concealment. &ilent ?o,e. Trade =Cook> Traits: Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. &i Gear: Common Craftsmanshi+ Long;Las Starting Wounds: 1d) D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0
'%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
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s r e t c a r a h C g n i l t a $
Cha+ter 1* &calies So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fro% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% and is refererenced fro% the ?ecro%$nda O$t"ander@s ($"e/oo* page 2&-
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&calies are a m(tant strain of abh(man fo(nd in the (nderhi,e 4hich ha,e stabilised o,er time. altho(gh there is still a lot of ,ariation. and are not as stable other abh(mans fo(nd in the m+eri(m. like Ogrns and $atlings0 &calies are massi,e re+tillian m(tants almost as broad as the are tall0 Their d(rabilit and strength are legendar among the +eo+le of the /nderhi,e and ha,e a fearsome re+(tation0 Like some re+tiles the ha,e the abilit to regenerate lost limbs and their thick skin acts as a nat(ral armo(r0 The are rarel seen b(t it is said that the are b far the most n(mero(s deni
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-hen fighting the often (se close combat 4ea+ons and disc(ses or thro4ing a3es0 The are also (sed as hea, 4ea+ons men b &ca,,ies (sing +ortable bolt thro4ers called &+ear g(ns or &catter Cannons. a large form of bl(nderb(ss0 So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in the fo""o+ing sections is fan +ritten and can /e $sed or disregarded as needed-
Scalies in the %r%nus panse So$rce )isc"ai%er: This is fan +ritten %ateria"-
&calies in the 3+anse inhabit the same +lace that the do on Necrom(nda and other i,e -orlds0 The are +ri
Their +osition in the 3+anse has become '(ite a strange one. b(t one that has benefited the gro(+ as a 4hole0 -ith their +enchant for being incredibl to(gh and reso(rcef(l combined 4ith the fact that man +refer not to s+eak has allo4ed man to gain fa,or 4ith those 4ho go on e3c(rsions to dangero(s +laces0 Amongst the man illicit trading acti,ities of the 3+anse there are a s(bstantial n(mber of (nder4orld organi
&calie characters are (ni'(e in that the are com+arati,el common in com+arison to man of the other Abh(mans0 The are also (ni'(e in that the can come from almost an 4alk of life. es+ecial 4ithin the 3+anse0
The first thing to consider is 4here o(r character is from originall0 Are the from a i,e -orld like Necrom(nda@ s it in the 3+anse or from else4here in the gala3@ -ere the born on a ,oidshi+ tra,ersing the stars@ Are the from one of the ne4 &calie colonies that has s+r(ng (+ in the 3+anse@ Are the from some other location in the gala3 entirel@ Ne3t. consider 4hat kind of interaction that the might ha,e had 4ith the m+eri(m0 5id the ser,e in a hi,e gang a hired m(scle@ -ere the bro(ght into a $og(e Trader cre4 earl on as a bodg(ard@ 5id the accr(e eno(gh fa,or to branch o(t on their o4n@ -ere the treated kindl b those 4ho the once and c(rrentl tra,eled 4ith@ Finall. consider o(r characters moti,ation0 -hat has dri,en them to e3+lore the 4ilds of the oron(s 3+anse@ Are the seeking a better life and station for themsel,es@ Are the attem+ting to recr(it colonists from e3isting &calie +o+(lations on m+erial 4orlds@ Are the ho+ing to contin(e a tradition of martial e3cellence and ser,ice@ Are the seeking something else entirel@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
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Creating &calie Characters Scalie Traits
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Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. ;) Agilit. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: A4areness. &(r,i,al Talents: 5ist(rbing oice. ard. ?elee -ea+on Training ="rimiti,e> Traits: Limb $egeneration. Non;m+erial. Not E(ite (man. &cal ide. &i Gear: Common Craftsmanshi+ "rimiti,e -ea+on Starting Wounds: 1d)D2 D 23 To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits $imb /egenerati%n &calies ha,e an (ncann abilit to regenerate limbs if the are se,ered0 An time that a &calie s(ffers a $emo,ed Limb Critical ffect. it is still remo,ed. b(t after 1d); To(ghness Bon(s 5as =?inim(m 1> the limb reforms and all +enalties from the 4o(nd are remo,ed0
'%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
Scal+ 9ide &calies ha,e a to(gh re+tilian hide that is ca+able of absorbing a tremendo(s amo(nt of +(nishment0 &calies gain the Nat(ral Armo(r =2> Trait. 4hich stacks 4ith an 4orn armo(r0
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Cha+ter 11 &'(ats So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% and is referenced fro% .arha%%er 4,* Co%pendi$% Codex %peria"is .arha%%er 4,* Co%pi"ation Codex Titanic$s 2 nd Edition and the .arha%%er 4,* ! th Edition ($"e/oo*-
&'(ats =omo sa+iens rot(nd(s> 4ere short. stock and to(gh abh(mans0 Of all the abh(man t+es. the most closel resembled h(mans0 &'(ats 4ere the descendants of h(mans 4ho colonised the 4orlds aro(nd the galactic core in the far distant +ast0 These 4orlds are some of the oldest in the gala3. formed 4hen the la4s of +hsics had et to be stabilised0 The &'(at ancestors 4ere h(man colonists that reached the mineral rich 4orlds aro(nd the galactic core. d(ring the time of the initial e3+ansion beond arth:s o4n sstem. long before the emergence of the m+eror0 The colonisation came at the right time. as arth:s o4n mineral 4ealth 4as de+leted0 The 4orlds at the galactic core 4ere rich in rare and (ni'(e
minerals. b(t in terms of life 4ere barren and (ns(ited for colonisation0 These 4orlds are dark and bleak0 Their gra,it is great. (s(all t4o or three times that of arth0 Their atmos+heres are either thin or non;e3istent0 ,en those +lanets 4ith atmos+heres are blasted b tremendo(s storms0 These +lanets became ?ining -orlds0 Colonists 4ere forced to become self;s(fficient. +ro,iding their o4n (ndergro(nd gro4n food0 5(e to the com+letel hostile nat(re of the s(rface the colonists formed (ndergro(nd societies0 5(ring the long isolation of the Age of &trife. the &'(at race de,elo+ed. e,ol,ing to s(it their en,ironment. becoming to(gher. more resilient and +hsicall shorter0 &ome sa the real histor of the &'(ats begins in the Age of &trife 4hen their 4orlds 4ere c(t off from Terra and the race de,elo+ed. b(t their act(al origins begin m(ch earlier d(ring the 5ark Age of Technolog. or as the &'(ats called it. the Age of Fo(nding0
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/elati%ns ith the 7mperium So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore here is ta*en fro% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% references at start of sectionAo$ peop"e do +e"" at +ar /eca$se 'o$ treat it as a re"igion- .e do +e"" /eca$se +e treat it as a /$siness- t is B$st a %atter of o$t"oo*.ar"ord =argir son of 6rond Gr$/en Strongho"d
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The m+eri(m first enco(ntered the &'(ats d(ring the age of re(nification called the 8reat Cr(sade as the m+eror:s forces reached the 4orlds near the galactic core0 ?an of these 4orlds 4ere the &'(at home4orlds0 &t(bborn. ins(lar and fiercel inde+endent. 4ar bet4een the &'(ats and the m+erial forces 4as ine,itable0 igh cas(alties s(ffered b the &+ace ?arine Legions led to the de,elo+ment of the ?k0 "o4er "o 4er Armo(r. Armo(r. s(itable for the conditions being fo(ght in ; confined t(nnel com+le3es 4ith little co,er0 The &'(at home4orlds ha,e long been +art of the m+eri(m. b(t eno a le,el of a(tonom greater than the ordinar self;go,erned m+erial 4orld0 The ome4orlds. 4hile go,erning themsel,es 4itho(t interference from the Ade+t(s Terra. Terra. are e3+ected to follo4 m+erial +olic on 4ider iss(es0 The relationshi+ relationshi+ bet4een the ome4orlds and the m+eri(m is generall +eacef(l. altho(gh thro(gh histor has been +(nct(ated b bo(ts of 4ar and bitterness0 The &'(ats and the m+eri(m m+eri(m trade to their m(t(al benefit0 Both races also share man enemies. es+eciall Orks. making it in their best interests to coo+erate0 The &'(ats do not follo4
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the m+erial C(lt. rather the re,ere their ancestors0 &'(ats fighting alongside the m+erial 8(ard often ado+t the m+eror into their beliefs. as a g(ardian of their ancestors0 &'(at technolog is based (+on the hea, mining e'(i+ment the bro(ght 4ith them to the ome4orlds0 5(ring their isolation from the rest of h(manit the ada+ted it for other (ses. notabl e3o;armo(r 4hich 4as engineered from hea, mining s(its0 &'(ats contin(ed to inno,ate and in,ent 4hile h(manit sank into a 5ark Age0 As As a res(lt. the &'(ats ha,e de,elo+ed technologies s(ch as neo;+lasma and 4ar+ cores far in ad,ance of anthing the m+eri(m o4ns0 &ome &'(at technologies 4ere absorbed into the m+eri(m. es+eciall t(nnelling ,ehicles and 4ea+onr s(ch as the Termite0 n -arhammer %*.*** &'(ats had a similar armament to m+erial armies. coming 4ith las and bolt 4ea+onr as standard0 Armies also incl(ded s'(ads in e3o;armo(r s(++orted 4ith bikes and trikes0 &'(ats 4ere characterised characterised in +ic 4ith colossal 4ar machines. incl(ding the Land Train =4hich s(++orted man m an different cars. incl(ding the 5ragon Car. the Berserker Car. the ?ortar Car and the $ad Bomb car>. Le,iathan =(sed as a mobile infantr trans+ort. ca+able of holding almost a h(ndred s'(ats 4ithin>. Cclo+s =a s+aceshi+ 4ea+on mo(nted on a Coloss(s chassis and (sed originall to de,astate ri,al &'(at 4arlord:s 4ar machines> and Coloss(s0
&'(at istor So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore here is ta*en fro% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% +h4,*-"exican$%-co% references at start of section-
S0uat 9ist%r+ &'(at histor is di,ided into fi,e ages. each marked b a dramatic change in both galactic conditions and &'(at &'( at societ0 societ0 These ages are The Age %f #%unding The Age of Fo(nding is e'(i,alent to the 5ark Age of Technolog for h(manit0 h(manit0 This is not technicall the first +eriod of the &'(ats as the had et to e,ol,e. b(t is the time of the fo(nding of the colonies that 4o(ld become the &'(at ome4orlds0 Almost t4ent tho(sand ears ago contact bet4een these +lanets and Terra 4as almost contin(o(s. testament to the im+ortance of these colonies0 Terra Terra also ke+t the 4orlds 4ell s(++lied 4ith that 4hich the co(ld not +rod(ce for themsel,es in ade'(ate amo(nts. +rimaril food0 This +eriod lasted (ntil the Age of &trife0 The Age %f 7s%lati%n The Age of solation corres+onds 4ith the earlier +art of the Age of &trife ; aro(nd ?2!; 2)0 The galactic core 4as c(t off from the rest of h(man s+ace b the de,astating -ar+ -ar+ storms of the Age of &trife0 ?an 4orlds 4ere s4allo4ed b the -ar+ -ar+ and disa++eared fore,er. others 4ere tra++ed in stasis and became lost0 ?ost s(r,i,ed altho(gh the 4ere se+arated from arth and all contact 4as lost 4ith the rest of the gala30 5(ring this time of isolation and danger the &'(at 4orlds still in contact 4ith each other began to organise for their m(t(al defence0 t 4as at this time that the &'(ats began to refer to their 4orlds as the ome4orlds0 The ome4orlds remained isolated for tho(sands of ears and their inhabitants learned to s(r,i,e in a (ni,erse that 4as becoming increasingl hostile0 Those that s(r,i,ed gre4 and +ros+ered0 &ettlements 4ere enlarged and fortified into im+regnable &trongholds0 The soon de,elo+ed alternati,e technologies to make (+ for the lack of s(++lies from arth0 5(ring the isolation the com+le3 sstem of ngineer 8(ilds de,elo+ed0 These 8(ilds 4ere res+onsible for +reser,ing technical kno4ledge and skills as 4ell as training technicians. miners and other s+ecialists necessar for the &trongholds0 The 8(ilds transcended the &trongholds. allo4ing e,er &tronghold to
benefit from the +reser,ed kno4ledge as 4ell as ne4 ad,ances in technolog0 technolog0 5(ring this age the Leag(es first began to de,elo+ from &trongholds allied for trading and defence +(r+oses0 The Age %f Trade .e have a"+a's /een a race of traders- t is nat$ra" to $s that +e sho$"d trade the fighting s*i""s of o$r 6rotherhoods 6rotherhoods- s +e"" as /ringing /ringing $s a profit it a"so a"so a""o+s o$r 'o$ngsters to gain experience and hono$r hono$r and to *eep a"ive the s*i""s +hich o$r strongho"ds %a' one da' need for their o+n defenceLord Gr$%ni 6r$ggen Strongho"d
The Age of Trade took +lace d(ring a slight abatement of the 4ar+ storms d(ring the Age of &trife and led to the &'(ats enco(ntering enco(n tering other races. incl(ding Orks and ldar0 At the beginning of the Age of Trade. some strongholds 4ere attacked. b(t the aliens '(ickl realised that the &'(ats 4ere determined and tenacio(s fighters. and that trade 4as a more +ractical arrangement0 The &'(ats took f(ll ad,antage of their tremendo(s mineral 4ealth. 4hich the traded for 4ea+ons. foodst(ffs and high;technolog sstems0 To this da. &'(at hdro+onic +lants. de,elo+ed 4ith ldar hel+. are among the most efficient food so(rces in the m+eri(m0 The &'(ats remained caref(ll ne(tral in the n(mero(s n (mero(s conflicts bet4een ldar and Orks. maintaining trade links 4ith both sides0 There 4ere ine,itabl small 4ars from time to time. b(t for the most +art the &'(ats: com+le3 str(ct(re of treaties treaties and trade agreements maintained a stable +eace0 The Age %f Wars So Gr$nhag Gr$nhag "ed his host to .'ss .'ss enca%ped $pon the p"ain of S+end- Pro$d Pro$d =argan =argan and rich Er"ach fe"" fe"" destro'ed and ravaged and defi"edDAo$ DAo$ see %' po+erD Gr$nhag #$oth DLet %/ach see and #$a*e in fear and pa' %e treas$re +ea"th and s"avesD he added +ith +ith a sneersneerLord ri sat in %/ach@s %/ach @s ha"" his /ro+ as hard as *notted f"int- D?o Or* sha"" ta*e o$r fo"* as s"aves nor +hat +e +in fro% "aden roc* +hi"e one in %/ach sti"" dra+s /reathD he to"d pro$d Gr$nhag D?othing here is 'o$rs except an Or*shaped Or*shaped ho"e and headstone +ith +ith 'o$r na%e-D Ca""ed %/ach to the vain E"dar DAo$r DAo$r ene%' is at o$r gates- Co%e to o$r aid against 'o$r foes together "et $s "a' the% "o+-D The E"dar never %ade rep"' /$t "eft fair %/ach to the the Or*s- D.e D.e fight a"one thenD thenD ri said DO$r friends "eave $s to dieDExcerpt fro% The a"" of %/ach
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The Age of Trade lasted for nearl three millennia. b(t finall colla+sed 4hen an enormo(s Ork battle;fleet. (nder the command of 8r(nhag the Flaer. attem+ted a f(ll;scale in,asion of the ome4orlds0 Losses on both sides 4ere astronomical. 4ith ,icio(s t(nnel; fights thro(gh the mine 4orkings and blood +itched battles in the &'(ats: (ndergro(nd settlements0 The &'(ats a++ealed to their ldar trading +artners for hel+ against the in,ading Orks. b(t none 4as recei,ed0 The Age of -ars. -ars. as it became kno4n. is regarded b the &'(ats as the blackest cha+ter in their histor. and the do(ble betraal b Orks and ldar ga,e rise to a c(lt(ral enmit 4hich still +ersists0 ?an strongholds 4ere 4i+ed o( t b the Orks. and the traditional e+ic ballad kno4n as The a"" of %/ach commemorates %/ach commemorates one s(ch destr(ction0 ,en toda e3+editions are mo(nted from the &'(at ome4orlds in search of lost strongholds. and these e3+editions are often accom+anied b Ade+t(s ?echanic(s +riests. eager to redisco,er lost &'(at technolog0 The Age %f /edisc%2er+ On one side of %e stand %' =o%e+or"d Strongho"d Strongho"d and 6rotherhoodF On the other %' ancestors- cannot /ehave other+ise than hon o$ra/"'o$ra/"'.ar"ord ;ettri son of Egi" Grinde" Strongho"d
The Age of $edisco,er 4as the most recent +hase of &'(at histor. histor. corres+onding to the 8reat Cr(sade and the c(rrent Age of the m+eri(m0 As the m+eri(m reco,ered from the Age of &trife and began to re(nite the scattered 4orlds of h(manit. the &'(at ome4orlds 4ere redisco,ered and contact 4ith the m+eri(m 4as established0
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The m+eri(m fo(nd that a distinct c(lt(re had de,elo+ed on the ome4orlds. and that the &'(ats had mo,ed o(t4ards thro(gh the gala3 g ala3.. e3tending their domains0 Often the settled harsh +lanets similar to their o4n ome4orlds. b(t the also occ(+ied more con,entional 4orlds able to s(++ort normal (man ci,iliorgin =arad dept$s >echanic$s
The Ade+t(s ?echanic(s are highl interested in the &'(ats and the ome4orlds for se,eral reasons &'(ats +ossess a high le,el of technical e3+ertise 4hich seems to come nat(rall to the race0 Additionall. Additionall. the ome4orlds as a 4hole +ossess the greatest amo(nt of s(r,i,ing &TC e'(i+ment in the m+eri(m0 The &'(ats are said to allo4 the Ade+t(s ?echanic(s free access to &'(at technolog0 o4e,er it is also said the &'(ats kee+ their technolog from other races. regarding the Ade+t(s ?echanic(s as little more than sorcerers mired in s(+erstition0
5(ring their long isolation the &'(ats 4ere forced to become self;s(fficient in order to s(r,i,e the barren en,ironments of their ome4orlds0 The ha,e also managed to maintain technological kno4ledge and e3+ertise. 4hich has allo4ed the race to contin(e to +rogress technologicall0 Accordingl the &'(ats ha,e de,elo+ed their o4n ad,anced technologies. 4hich not e,en the most technicall;ade+t of the Tech;+riests (nderstand0 These incl(de the neo+lasma reactor +o4ered b a 4ar+;core and held in thrall b a
'ear tincti%n The 'o$ng .ar"ord t$rned to the ancient S#$at /eside hi%- (evered ncestor +hat is o$r /est co$rse in this sit$ation79 The Living ncestor ha"fc"osed his rhe$%' e'es- have seen this /$t once /efore- Six h$ndred 'ears /efore 'o$r /irth 'o$r revered ancestor Lord Th'ngri% +hose na%e 'o$ /ear in 'o$r t$rn +as on the +or"d of )ioscis Theta +as 'o$nger then $ndisting$ished a%ongst the %ass of the 6rotherhood-9 nd ho+ did Lord Th'ngri% +in the da'79 as*ed the .ar"ord +ith so%e i%patience- The Or*s +ere getting c"oserThe ncestor shoo* as he ch$c*"ed- cannot te"" 'o$ ho+ to +in as he did /$t if 'o$ don@t %ind $nco%forta/"e tr$ths can te"" 'o$ ho+ to avoid "osing as he did-9 S#$at Para/"e
At first the disa++earance of the &'(at arm from the game r(les 4as e3+lained b a backgro(nd stor describing that the race had been de,o(red b the Tranids =in effect this still ke+t them as +art of the backgro(nd>0 The stor 4ent that the &'(at race had been ,irt(all destroed. and the fe4 remaining ome4orlds 4ere anne3ed b the m+eri(m o,er the h(ndreds of ears after the attacks0 Onl a fe4 scattered and embittered remnants of &'(ats s(r,i,e thro(gho(t the m+eri(m0
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&'(at &ociet So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +h4,*-+i*ia-co% and is referenced fro% .arha%%er 4,,,, Co%pendi$% and Codex %peria"is-
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&trongholds are &'(at settlement centres0 The 4ere generall fo(nded d(ring the original colonisation and those +rod(ced later are kno4n as Ne4holds0 &trongholds also often oin together (nder Leag(es to form defensi,e +acts0 8enerall a &tronghold de,elo+s aro(nd a mine and its associated li,ing '(arter altho(gh some later de,elo+ments 4ere not associated 4ith mining0 A hereditar Lord r(led each stronghold and 4as +rotected and s(++orted b the earthg(ard0 The earthg(ard 4ere the elite of a &'(at arm and the ser,ants to the Lord 4hile also +rotecting the Lord 4hen he 4ent to 4ar0 ach &tronghold had a gro(+ of Brotherhood or -ar;Brethren 4hich formed the core of the &'(at armed forces for the &tronghold0 ,er &'(at had an obligated !*; 7* ear ser,ice +eriod altho(gh the ma not be called (+on to fight (ntil the had sired t4o sons and raised them to mat(rit0 This hel+ed +rotect the contin(it of the race from the &tronghold:s militar acti,ities0 A &'(at co(ld then retire from acti,e d(t 4ith his hono(r and +robabl some 4ealth and take (+ a +osition of res+onsibilit in his famil:s b(siness0 The Brotherhood 4as often also seen as a mercenar force0 n times of +eace 4arriors 4ere traded for reso(rces to either fight for the m+eri(m or for other strongholds0 Another member of the aristocrac 4as the -arlord. a close relati,e of the Lord 4ho 4as there to be +laced in control of the Brotherhood in order to +re,ent Lords from 4ielding too m(ch +o4er
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and sending their troo+s into battles the sho(ld not be fighting0 Other Lords 4o(ld send their Brotherhoods on e3+editions 4hich range from locating other ancient and lost strongholds to a cam+aign against an alien race or +irac0 &ome Brotherhoods had totall t(rned to +irac and become kno4n as &'(at $ea,ers0 -hen the ret(rned to their stronghold the distrib(ted the boot bet4een the +irates and the Lord of the &tronghold0 &'(ats had a re'(irement to +ro,ide forces for the m+erial 8(ard and this often took the form of a detachment of the Brotherhood0 &+ace ?arines ho4e,er ha,e a lo4 tolerance for m(tants and so &'(ats 4eren:t +osted to +laces the 4ere likel to meet the Ade+t(s Astartes0 Leag(es 4ere gro(+s of &'(at &trongholds 4hich 4orked together for a common +(r+ose; (s(all m(t(al defence; trade or dealings 4ith the m+eri(m0 Leag(es ,aried greatl in si
The &'(ats had a strong sense of m(t(al +reser,ation. as it had been kno4n for ri,al leag(es to go to 4ar 4ith each another0 &(ch occasions co(ld lead to lasting enmit. as &'(ats 4ere inclined to remember deeds of infam for man generations0 The Leag(e of Thor and Leag(e of 8rindel fo(ght an (n(s(all bitter 4ar aro(nd 2.*** ears ago 4hen settlers from both sides clashed o,er the e3+loration of the Lost &tronghold of 5argon0 The 4ar that follo4ed res(lted in the destr(ction of se,eral &trongholds and man ke ,ictories for the Leag(e of Thor incl(ding the ca+t(re of t4o other Leag(es0 "eace onl came 4ith the h(ge Ork in,asion of 8r(nhag the Flaer 4hich obliged all the Leag(es to (nif against their m(t(al foe0 Altho(gh the 4ar ended 4ith the ro(t of the Orks. the t4o Leag(es remained distr(stf(l ri,als and both sides considered the other side o4ing them debts of blood and hono(r0 ;no+n Leag$es: E%/erg 4 Strongho"ds Grinde" ;ape""ar 3,,, Strongho"ds ?org'r Thor 3,, Strongho"ds
ngineer Guilds The Techadept re+o$nd the tendri"s into the st$%p of his +rist- DThe nat$re of this device is not c"ear to %e-D The short fig$re at his side /$st"ed $p to the conso"eD.e"" shift 'o$r spanners and "et@s have a "oo* at the thing-D The Techadept sid"ed $nco%forta/"' a+a' and the S#$at peered into the casingD?o+ then- ='drop"astic po+er trans%ission contro"s attached to a ti%er and +hat "oo*s "i*e an encoder a press$re cha%/er at the centre s$rro$nded /'---D The Techadept +ho +as "oo*ing over the S#$at@s sho$"der /' this ti%e shot a %anip$"ative tendri" into the %achine seiHing a fra'ed and /ro*en end of a ca/"e- Df +e re%a*e this Boin---D he /egan enth$siastica""'The S#$at "aid a restraining hand on his ar%- D rea""' +o$"dn@t reco%%end it- Ao$ see interpret this device as an $n$s$a""' co%p"ex p"as%a /o%/ and that ca/"e 'o$@re ho"ding goes direct to the ar%ing %echanis%-D Excerpt fro% Engineer@s G$i"d rchives
The ngineers 8(ilds 4ere im+ortant segments of &'(at societ0 Tracing its origin back to the Age of solation. the &'(ats as a 4hole de,elo+ed a considerable technological e3+ertise in order to s(r,i,e 4itho(t Terran s(++ort. and there 4as reg(lar mercantile tra,el bet4een strongholds0 From this traffic arose a distinct class of tra,elling engineer. mo,ing constantl bet4een strongholds to (ndertake im+ortant technological tasks0 &'(at ngineer 8(ilds arose to +rotect these indi,id(als. 4ho often fo(nd themsel,es ca(ght (+ in inter; Leag(e 4ars bet4een ,ario(s &'(at strongholds0 &oon eno(gh &'(at ngineer 8(ilds de,elo+ed into one of the most +o4erf(l instit(tions of &'(at societ. and ngineers themsel,es enoed more +restige as a res(lt0 t became common+lace for gifted ngineers to be ind(cted to 8(ilds at an earl age0 8(ildmasters are high;ranking fig(res 4ithin &'(at 8(ilds0 A &'(at ngineers 8(ild 3+editionar Force al4as contains at least one 8(ildmaster. 4ho ser,e as engineering s+ecialists0 8(ildmasters are 4ell;+rotected. often 4earing 3o Armo(r and Force Fields0 The are also kno4n to sometimes go into battle on &'(at Bikes0
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$i2ing Ancest%rs Li,ing Ancestors are the "skers of the &'(at race0 The t+ical lifes+an for a &'(at is abo(t !** ears0 o4e,er a small +ortion of the +o+(lation can li,e (+ to #** ears0 This select +art of &'(at societ are treated 4ithe enormo(s res+ect. being kno4n as Li,ing Ancestors or &+irit Lords0 The are treated as li,ing members of the ancestor gro(+ 4hich forms the basis of &'(at religion0 Their long li,es ha,e filled them 4ith 4isdom. as 4ell as enhanced their +schic +otential. 4hich begin to manifest at aro(nd )** ears old0 The fact that +schic +o4ers are +racticall (nkno4n amongst other &'(ats makes the Li,ing Ancestor do(bl ,enerated0 -hen a &'(at reaches Li,ing Ancestor stat(s. he s(rrenders his name and his goods to his descendants. and e,en has a f(neral rit(al held b his clan0 After. the Li,ing Ancestor goes to li,e 4ith the rest of his kind and 4ill often ad,ise Lords of ,ario(s &'(at strongholds0
F(rthering their 4ealth. it 4as traditional for a &'(at -arlord to +resent a earthg(ard 4ith a gift in recognition for their loalt. (s(all s+eciall crafted b the Lord himself0 Beca(se of their richl decorated e'(i+ment and tro+hies. earthg(ards 4ere ,er indi,id(al in their a++earance and did not (s(all 4ear an kind of standardi
S0uat Warl%rd -arlord is the title of &'(at commanders0 -arlords are close relati,es of &tronghold Lords. and take command of a &tronghold:s Brotherhood in battle0 On the battlefield he is accom+anied b a (nit of earthg(ard. dra4n from the Lord:s loal retainers0
9earthguard earthg(ard 4ere elite bodg(ards and 4arriors (nder the +ersonal command of &'(at -arlords0 These 4arrior elite 4ere dra4n from the Lord:s most loal retainers. 4ho formed an aristocratic class in &'(at &trongholds0 Of high stat(s. earthg(ard 4ere la,ishl decorated in ornaments. diamonds. and gold e4elr0
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&'(ats in the oron(s 3+anse So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is fan +ritten and can /e $sed or disregarded as needed-
After their near e3tinction. the Lords of the ,ario(s &'(at &trongholds met to decide the fate of their +eo+le0 -ith the old Leag(es destroed 4ith the Trannic n,asion. a ne4 order had to be formed from the chaos0 Tho(gh it took some time. se,eral ne4 Leag(es 4ere formed0 As a 4hole. the met and ackno4ledged the risk of failing to e3+and their coloni
-ith +lent of ,iable +lanets. re+orts of se,eral lost colonies 4ithin it:s borders. and e3citing ne4 disco,eries being made all the time. it seemed to be the +erfect location for the reb(ilding of the &'(at +eo+le0 -ith ne4 technologies and a na,al force to be reckoned 4ith. the ha,e made a +rofo(nd im+act 4ith the se,eral colonies the ha,e fo(nded amongst the 3+anse:s frontiers0 &e,eral &'(ats ha,e e,en been fort(nate eno(gh to come across ,erified -rits of Trade. becoming certified $og(e Traders in their o4n right0 /%lepla+ing S0uat Characters So$rce )isc"ai%er: This is fan +ritten %ateria"-
&'(ats are a (ni'(e role+laing o++ort(nit in that the ma ha,e been nearl e3terminated. b(t the ha,e the lifes+an. kno4ledge. and technical e3+ertise to be able to reco,er from s(ch an e,ent0 &'(ats tend to be sing(larl minded. and ma not beliefs those 4ho follo4 the s(+erstitions of the m+eri(m and in +artic(lar the ?achine C(lt in high regard. b(t the do ackno4ledge that the can +rod(ce res(lts and the ha,e their +lace0 One of the first things to consider is 4here o(r &'(at is from0 Are the from the original home4orlds@ f so. 4hich one@ Are the from the ne4 colonies that ha,e been fo(nded in the e3+anse@ Are the from the battlefleets that +rotect those colonies@ Are the based off of a standard m+erial colon in the 3+anse@ Another concern is 4hat dro,e them to come to the e3+anse and their moti,ations0 Are the here of their o4n ,olition. or as a +art of the &'(at dri,e to reb(ild@ Are the here fo(nding ne4 colonies. or are the searching for lost ones@ Are the here seeking to b(ild ties 4ith the m+erial agents 4ho make their name in the 3+anse@ Are the o(t to make a name for themsel,es@ Al4as remember that the information +resented here is +(rel a g(ideline to get creati,it started0 The 8ame ?aster is al4as the final arbiter of 4hat is and is not allo4ed in their game. so make s(re to tr and come (+ 4ith a conce+t that 4ill 4ork 4ith the game 4hile sim(ltaneo(sl +ro,iding a character that o( look for4ard to +laing0
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e s n a + 3 2 e h t n i s t a ( ' &
Creating &'(at Characters & ' ( a
S0uat Traits Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. ;) Agilit. D) ntelligence. ;) "erce+tion. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: Common Lore =Tech>. Forbidden Lore =Archeotech>. Tech;/se. Trade =An> Traits: igh 8ra,it Acc(stomed. Non; m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d)D2 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2
t
C h
a ra c te
9igh Gra2it+ Accust%med &'(ats ha,e gro4n strong on their mining colonies and are able to tolerate high gra,it en,ironments 4ith no diffic(lt0 &'(ats ignore
rs
all the +enalties for igh 8ra,it 4orlds =&ee +age 269 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook>0 n addition. 4hen not on high gra,it 4orlds the add % to the total of their &trength and To(ghness Bon(s for determining Carring Ca+acit0 '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions. religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
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Cha+ter 12 Troth So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore in this section is ta*en fro% +arha%%er4,*-+i*ia-co% and referenced fro% the .arha%%er 4,,,, ! th Edition ($"e/oo*-
Tr%ths <9%m% sapiens 2erdantus= Troths are endemic to the 4orld of erdant. and (nable to lea,e it d(e to their +artic(lar ada+tation to it0 The are ,irt(all (nkno4n to the m+eri(m at large0 So$rce )isc"ai%er: Lore /e'ond this point is fan +ritten fee" free to $se or disregard it as needed-
?an cent(ries ago those 4ho li,ed on Terra of old reali
(nlikel that the 4o(ld e,er see another +lanet again0 The finished introd(cing the intended +lant life. and finished 4ith re'(isite animal life to to +ro,ide a stable +lanetar en,ironment0 Once this 4as finished. the colonies 4ere cannibali
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r o t s i 1 h t o r T
T ro th is
1 to r
Their skin contains the necessar chloro+lasts to facilitate +hotosnthesis for the +(r+ose of breathing. and their feet ha,e the abilit to absorb n(trients from the soil0 This allo4ed the Troth to li,e ,er m(ch in harmon 4ith their s(rro(ndings and ha,e a relati,el minimal im+act on the en,ironment as a societ0 For man ears it 4as ass(med that Troth co(ld not lea,e their +lanet. and the in,estigation of their claims to h(manit 4ere intensel scr(tini
The c(rrent Troth societ is a tribal one. 4herein a leader is gi,en a +osition of leadershi+ b the +eo+le0 This leader acts as a mediator and final ,oice in dis+(tes. and gi,es resol(tion if no co(rse of action can be agreed (+on0 The t+icall listen to the ad,ice of lders of a tribe. as man ha,e ser,ed their term as leaders in the +ast0 lders are also tasked 4ith the im+ortant ob of remembering and +assing do4n the lore and histor of the Troth. 4hich 4hile +artiall mired in the de,iations of tho(sands of ears of retelling still +asses on ,ital tr(ths to s(bse'(ent generations on erdant0 f +eo+le are not contented 4ith their leaders. the can be dis+osed d(ring a tribal moot b the 4ill of the +eo+le. or can be ,iolentl dis+osed of0 n the e,ent of the latter.
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the one 4ho +erformed the deed is not a(tomaticall granted +o4er. as a ne4 leader m(st be chosen at the ne3t tribal moot0 iolent remo,als are a ,er rare occ(rrence. and those 4ho ,iolentl o,erthro4 forsake an f(t(re claims the ma ha,e to being a++ointed as a Leader0 $ather than ind(striali
$egardless of indi,id(al stance. Troth ha,e +ro,en '(ick to assimilate into the m+eri(m and ha,e +ro,en incredibl ade+t at +lanetar e3+loration and na,al d(t in +artic(lar0 Tr%th in the %r%nus panse So$rce )isc"ai%er: This is fan %ateria"-
Tho(gh relati,el ne4 to the 3+anse. Troth ha,e beg(n to make their +resence kno4n0 There are se,eral Troth Colonies. and 4hile not as learned in the +recise arts of it their legends and lore do gi,e r(dimentar g(idelines as to the terraforming +rocess that 4as (tili
remain amongst the stars for far longer +eriods of time0 &ome ha,e formed Agri;-orlds to hel+ s(++l the ,ario(s m+erial 4orlds that dot t he sector. and do so in a fashion that is ,er lo4;im+act to the local en,ironment0 /tili
Troth ha,e a bit of a dichotom amongst their societ at the moment0 -hile se,eral of the tribes of Troth on erdant 4ere ha++ to thro4 their lot in 4ith the m+eri(m and o(rne amongst the stars. so too 4ere man disg(sted b the idea of oining those 4ho 4o(ld defile +lanets in s(ch a 4a0 This schism that 4as created co(ld be a ,er interesting as+ect of a Troth Character if so desired. or it can be sim+l a relic of a ding +ast0 t co(ld also be an act of concession. reali
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r o t s i 1 h t o r T
Creating Troth Characters T ro th
C h
Tr%th Traits Characteristics: D) &trength. D) To(ghness. D) Agilit. ;) ntelligence. ;) "erce+tion. ;) Fello4shi+ Skills: &cholastic Lore =Beasts>. &(r,i,al. Tracking Talents: ?elee -ea+on Training ="rimiti,e> Traits: Arboreal. Bio;Organic $eccling. Non; m+erial. Not E(ite (man Starting Wounds: 1d)D1 D 23To(ghness Bon(s Starting ate !oints: 2 'e Traits
rs
a ra c te
Arb%real Troth ha,e certain traits that +lants do. and as s(ch can breathe normall in a carbon; dio3ide rich en,ironment and o3gen one0 The can also absorb n(trients thro(gh small root;like gro4ths from their feet. allo4ing them to s(stain themsel,es reliabl in far more barren climates than most h(mans0 The ma also =at the 8?:s 5iscretion> be able to breathe (nder4ater. +ro,ided that there is s(fficient light to +o4er the +hotosnthetic +rocess0 &ho(ld there e,er not be. the 4ill begin to s(ffocate according to the r(les +resented on +age 261 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 f an atmos+here has ab(ndance of neither carbon;dio3ide or o3gen the begin to s(ffocate as normal0 !i%6*rganic /ec+cling n large gro(+s. Troth can increase the time a shi+ can s+end in the oid b reccling air and cons(ming com+osted ref(se0 An shi+ that has a +ercentage of Troth cre4 ma increase the time the s+end in the ,oid 4itho(t res(++ling b a +ercentage e'(al to the +ercentage of Troth cre4 (+ to fift +ercent0 This means that a shi+ 4ith 2*R Troth Cre4 4o(ld be able to s(r,i,e 2*R longer in the ,oid. and one 4ith )*R 4o(ld be able to s(r,i,e )*R longer in the ,oid0 Anthing more than )*R red(ces this effecti,eness b an e'(al amo(nt. as both Troth and Non;Troth are re'(ired to ha,e this smbiotic relationshi+0 '%n67mperial This Character 4as not raised amongst h(mans. and kno4s little abo(t the c(lt(re and histor of the m+eri(m0 The la4s. traditions.
6*
religion and s(+erstitions of ?ankind are (nfamiliar and alien to Characters 4ith this trait0 The character s(ffers a ;1* +enalt on all Common Lore. Forbidden Lore and &cholastic Lore tests relating to the m+eri(m of ?an0 '%t 8uite 9uman -hile biologicall di,ergent e,ol(tions of h(manit. Abh(mans are still treated 4ith a degree of distr(st b the rest of (manit0 Abh(man characters co(nt all Fello4shi+; based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith creat(res of a s+ecies other than its o4n0 Additionall. those of other s+ecies treat their Fello4shi+;based tests as being one ste+ more diffic(lt 4hen dealing 4ith him0 These +enalties do not a++l 4hen dealing 4ith indi,id(als 4ho ha,e come to tr(st the Abh(man +laer character. for 4hate,er reason =altho(gh the final arbitrator of this is the 8?>0 Finall. the +resence of an Abh(man aboard a h(man ,essel is (nsettling for the cre4. and as r(mo(rs s+read. discontent o,er the alien +resence in their midst becomes noticeable0 The contin(ed +resence of one or more Abh(man +laer characters aboard a shi+ red(ces its ?orale b 10
Ne4 lite Ad,ance "ackages lite Ad,ances allo4 an 3+lorer to gain some abilit not normall allo4ed to their career +ath0 For more information on the +artic(lars of lite Ad,ances. see +age !9 of the $og(e Trader Core $(lebook0 lite Ad,ance "ackages take this conce+t one ste+ f(rther and +ro,ide ne4 and (ni'(e abilities in a single +ackage deal0 For f(rther information on lite Ad,ance "ackages see +age 1*2 of nto the &torm0 -urchasing an lite Ad2ance -ac&age To +(rchase an lite Ad,ance sim+l s+end the 3+erience Cost of the +ackage listed. +ro,ided o( meet all the re'(irements and the 8? has allo4ed for it:s +(rchase0 /+on +(rchasing a +ackage. o( gain all the benefits that +ackage confers and ma +(rchase additional skills granted b the +ackage =if a++licable>0 For more information see +age 1*2;1*! of the nto the &torm &(++lement0
*ne %f the ;asses 'estriction: Onl Abh(man $aces ma +(rchase this ad,ance. and onl at the discretion of the 8?0 A++ro+riate role+laing or backstor ma be re'(ired on the +art of the 3+lorer before +(rchasing this talent. again at the discretion of the 8?0 Cost: )**Q" Effect: 8ain the The -ere The ?ost000(man trait =detailed belo4>0 'e Traits The+ Were The ;%st@@@9uman Thro(gh trial b fire the Abh(man has +ro,en themsel,es to be as h(man as an other member of the m+eri(m0 The ha,e familiari
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s e c n a , d A e t i l 2
A Note from the A(thor A ( th
o s
r:
N o te
After a long 4ait am ha++ to bring o( the Abh(man Character 8(ide 20* as of 2;12;17 =/& 5ate Notation>0 This ,ersion of the g(ide 4as a tremendo(s o,erha(l from the first edition of the g(ide. in no small +art d(e to man incredibl +oor design choices on m +art0 This re,ision incl(des maor changes in art4ork and lao(t. incl(des clarifications for 4hat is and is not officiall 4ritten fl(ff. and +ro,ides all original fl(ff that m o4n 4riting 4as deri,ed from0 There is also a large formatting change to sa,e s+ace. and a com+lete re;balancing of e,er Abh(man strain0 ? +re,io(s ,ersion of the g(ide 4as based aro(nd the fact that m last fe4 games ha,e been f(ll of o+timi
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