From: [r--dd--n] at [ttidca.TTI.COM] (John Redden) Subject: Other Suns : 11 ------------------ OS.11 ---------------------------------------- This is being posted to the net by myself for Niall Shapero. Others Suns is copyright by Niall Shapero. This gaming material is distributed on a shareware basis. If you do not use the material you owe the author nothing. If you do use it please pay him what you think it is worth at a fair price becasue it took a damn lot of work to develop and playtest. The USmail address is: Niall Shapero 2536 Short Ave Los Angeles CA 90066 USA Those of you with modems can dial into his BBS using this phone number: (213)822-6729 Please email any comments to my electronic mailing address and I will pass them on to Niall. ---------------- end of preamble ------------------------------------------- SPECIES DESCRIPTION FOR OTHER SUNS 9.2.13 Khromatai Char. Dice Expected Species Max. STR 3D6+2 12.5 24 INT 2D6+6 13 21 WIL 3D6 10.5 21 CON 2D6+6 13 21 END 3D10+10 26.5 44 DEX 3D6+6 16.5 28 CHA 3D6 10.5 21 LEN 6D10+120 153 240 BLD 1D4+2 4.5 7 SIZ --- 16 26 TSC 3D6 10.5 N/A TPR 3D6 10.5 N/A Expected Bonuses: Accuracy = +19% Attack = +21% Damage Bonus = 0 Dodge = +24% Hit Points = 15 Knowledge = +6% Luck = 12 Manipulation = +19 Observation = +6% Parry = +20% Persuasion = +2% Stealth = +23% Armor = 2 points fur (impact protection only) Expected Mass = 41 kilograms (90 lbs) Natural Weapon's damages: claws on hands - 1D4 bite - 1D6 claws on feet - 1D6+1 9.2.13.1 BRIEF BACKGROUND The Khromatai are a bipedal telempathic race capable of quadrupedal movement. The race is more of a family than one race, which will be detailed further later. Khromatai as a whole are a mammilian, omnivorous race modified by genetic engineering. Thrae, the world of their origin, has a surface gravity of 1.25 times that of Earth, and orbits an F5 star (Illiyha) somewhere beyond the frontiers of the Hegemony. Speculation and old records place the Illiyhen system somewhere in the Large Megellanic Cloud. These same records indicate that the Khromatai attained sentience during their journey of unknown length inside their great "star swimmers" and were genetically created, but no records exist as to who created them. What is known is that about 1000 years after `The Awakening' they reached their current home in the Pleiades cluster. The Khromatai are decended from a number of mammilian species modified to the extent that individual physical differences are mostly cosmetic while the physiology is nearly homogenus. There are eight distinct phenotypes that have evolved, along with a ninth phenotype combining the dominant traits of the other eight and is so called the `mixed' or homogenus tribe. Seven phenotypes vaguely resemble terran mammals and have `common names' describing their features: Felids, Cervids, Ursids, Mustelids, Lepids, Vulpids and Rodentids. The last phenotype was once an offshoot of the larger mustelid tribe, is now a separate group of ermine. Each phenotype has a distinctive society akin to pre-Imperial Earth. Although the Khromatai as a race are not as gregarious as humans, they are still a very social race. All Khromatai walk bipedally digitgrade but are capable of running quadruped. This later ability is apparently a holdover in their evolution and is slowly being phased out by sucessive generations. The Khromat tail is somewhat prehensile, and has been known to act as extra finger when necessary, though it has no strength to lift anything over a kilogram. A crest of mane- like fur runs from the forehead to just below the shoulder blades, fading into the denser body fur, and is culturally cut styled to suit the individual's aestetics. A Khromat has a natural ability (30% base) to alter the color of the fur, allowing the Khromat to blend in with the natural surroundings, as well as express emotions. Khromatai live an average of 480 years. The Khromatai settled space as a loose confederation of planets, with the original group of planets divided up one for each kafaren (the phenotype `tribes'). The central world, Evwol, is the gateway to the rest of the Cshastei, including: Astraea, cultural center of the Cshastei and omafar ("first-home") to the Mus'Chirlai; Bait A'Jausa, omafar to the Vak'Pannlai and Manufacturing capital; Euterpe, omafar of the Hles'Chirlai; K'Velen of the Emkharnae and the Diplomatic Corps; Medenagan, agricultural center and omafar to the Kerv'Dirlai; Mystriah of the Femilirilai and trade center for the Cshastei; Pallmarrica, nominally `first-home' to the S'Chasslai but more important in its scientific reasearch; Simfasudan, first world of the Rusagralai, and Vrrt'Fiheit of the T'Chiklai; there were just over 90 worlds within the Cshastei at the time of its assimilation into the Hegemony. There has always been a strong sense of competition between the kafarai with little of the bloodshed of human history, although some bloodly confrontations have been known. The Khromat Cshastei, their intersystem ruling body, is a republican democracy, as well as are most of the local governments. Those governments not patterned like the Cshastei can be just about anything from a monarchy to anarchy to a few that has no analog in human politics. The Khromatai are decended from a number of mammilian species modified to the extent that individual physical differences are mostly cosmetic while the physiology is nearly homogenus. There are eight distinct phenotypes that have evolved, along with a ninth phenotype combining the dominant traits of the other eight and is so called the `mixed' or homogenus tribe. Seven phenotypes vaguely resemble terran mammals and have `common names' describing their features: Felids, Cervids, Ursids, Mustelids, Lepids, Vulpids and Rodentids. The last phenotype was once an offshoot of the larger mustelid tribe, is now a separate group of ermine. Each phenotype has a distinctive society akin to pre-Imperial Earth. Although the Khromatai as a race are not as gregarious as humans, they are still a very social race. All Khromatai walk bipedally digitgrade but are capable of running quadruped. This later ability is apparently a holdover in their evolution and is slowly being phased out by sucessive generations. The Khromat tail is somewhat prehensile, and has been known to act as extra finger when necessary, though it has no strength to lift anything over a kilogram. A crest of mane- like fur runs from the forehead to just below the shoulder blades, fading into the denser body fur, and is culturally cut styled to suit the individual's aestetics. A Khromat has a natural ability (30% base) to alter the color of the fur, allowing the Khromat to blend in with the natural surroundings, as well as express emotions. Khromatai live an average of 480 years. The Khromatai settled space as a loose confederation of planets, with the original group of planets divided up one for each kafaren (the phenotype `tribes'). The central world, Evwol, is the gateway to the rest of the Cshastei, including: Astraea, cultural center of the Cshastei and omafar ("first-home") to the Mus'Chirlai; Bait A'Jausa, omafar to the Vak'Pannlai and Manufacturing capital; Euterpe, omafar of the Hles'Chirlai; K'Velen of the Emkharnae and the Diplomatic Corps; Medenagan, agricultural center and omafar to the Kerv'Dirlai; Mystriah of the Femilirilai and trade center for the Cshastei; Pallmarrica, nominally `first-home' to the S'Chasslai but more important in its scientific reasearch; Simfasudan, first world of the Rusagralai, and Vrrt'Fiheit of the T'Chiklai; there were just over 90 worlds within the Cshastei at the time of its assimilation into the Hegemony. There has always been a strong sense of competition between the kafarai with little of the bloodshed of human history, although some bloodly confrontations have been known. The Khromat Cshastei, their intersystem ruling body, is a republican democracy, as well as are most of the local governments. Those governments not patterned like the Cshastei can be just about anything from a monarchy to anarchy to a few that has no analog in human politics. The line of decent is more determined by culture than biology, but as a general rule offspring trace their lines through their same-sex parent and/or through that parent whose career the offspring chooses to pursue. Since some cultures have group parenting, open adoption, and other methods of child- rearing, one can never be sure who is the parent of whom. The Khromatai are polygamous by nature and most of their cultures reflect this and all marriage forms --including interratial and interspecial-- are considered respectable (if a bit odd) by the other cultures. The Khromat race has been known of in the Hegemony since the Third Expansion, but since no active attempt was made by the Khromatai to join or fight the Hegemony (seeing that they were content enough by themselves), they were forgotten and all but lost to Hegemonic records until the beginning of the Fifth Expansion. 9.2.13.1.1 Characteristic Differences of the Khromatai Because of their geneticly engineered background, all Khromatai are biologically the same regardless of their phenotype. Natural evolution has been very slow, however, to completely eradicate the racial distinctions between the kafarai, and so there are some minor changes in characteristics that reflect this: Kafaren Modifiers Emkharnae CHA +4, DEX +2, LEN -10 Femlirilai CHA +2, LEN -5, TSC & TPR 3d10 Hles'Chirlai CON +3, LEN -20 Kerv'Dirlai END 4d12, DEX -4, LEN +20 Mus'Chirlai DEX +2 S'Chasslai no modifiers needed T'Chiklai STR -2, DEX +4, LEN -30 Rusagralai STR +6, BLD +3, LEN +30 Vak'Pannlai INT +2, LEN +10 The original characteristics listed is the mean average of the entire race and so, as a result, is the characteristics of the S'Chasslai kafaren, therefore no modifiers are necessary. For those modifiers that are a dice roll, replace the S'Chasslai roll with the modifier. The expected and species maximum numbers should also be changed by the modifiers for the individual kafaren. (For example, the Vak'Pannlai Intellegence maximum is 26 instead of 24 as the unmodified roll of 3d6+2 is now 3d6+4.) The S'Chasslai are a special kafaren for the `mixed' khromatai. The kafarai are the next social group of importance above the extended family, and so they are very important to the khromat psyche. Because of khromat genetics, there is a very high percentage of fertile hybreds from the union of between khromat and any other mammilian. This has caused over the course of centuries enough half-khromatai and mixed-khromatai that would not easily be recognized within a parent's kafaren to cause emotional duress, and so the S'Chasslai clan was formed. S'Chasslai can look like anything, from a antlered fox to a bushy horse-tailed rabbit to a human with a short nap of polychromatic fur: the only requirement to join the kafaren is proof of at least one Khromat in the applicant's lineage. 9.2.13.1.2 Ancient Weapons of the Khromatai The braidwhip is a series of obsidian balls attached to the neck crest by a leather thong braided into the hair. It is a class H1 type B weapon, 0.8 meters long and weighs 0.5 kilograms. It has 12 hit points, does 1d4 of damage, and its training costs are as follows: 100/150/400/600/800. The braidwhip costs 15 smu. The tailspur is a scythe designed to fit snugly over the end of the tail. It is a class J1 type S/T, 0.6 meters long and weighs 1.8 kilograms. It has 25 hit points, does 1d6+1 damage, and its training costs are as follows: 75/150/300/450/600. The tailspur costs 50 smu. 9.2.13.2 NAMES AMONG THE KHROMATAI A Khromat has three names: a kafaren name, a given name, and a `chosen' or family name. When addressing a Khromat for the first time or as an occassional acquaintance, it is proper to speak their kafaren before their given and chosen names. The kafarai are listed below: common name plural form singular form Ermine Emkharnae Emkharnen Felid Femlirilai Femlirilen Lepid Hles'Chirlai Hles'Chirlen Cervid Kerv'Dirlai Kerv'Dirlen Mustelid Mus'Chirlai Mus'Chirlen 'Mixed' S'Chasslai S'Chasslen Rodentid T'Chiklai T'Chiklen Ursid Rusagralai Rusagralen Vulpid Vak'Pannlai Vak'Pannlen For the majority of the Khromat race, given names are pretty much arbitrary with the only rules being female names end in vowels (a,e,i,o,u, and h in combination with any standard vowel to make a shortened `long vowel' sound, as in Shaneh which is pronounced shaw-NI) and all male names end in soft consonents (r,n,b,d,l,s,kh, and rr which is a purr-sound). Parents usually choose names that reflect something important to them, some event that occured at the child's birth, or the name of someone they wish to remember. For example, Emkharnae Micole and Micah are twins who were born when the Greater Moon of Pallmarrica was rising. Micole is the elder, hence Mi-cole (Mii means `moon' and Acole means `rise') and her sister is Mi-cah (Iicah means `high' or `risen'). In H'Tosslii all vowels are pronounced separately and have no `long' and `short' sound (unless combined with an 'h'), but some of the older tongues have the double vowel sounds, so in the above example their names can be pronounced either /MEE-kol-e/ and /MEE-kaw-h/ or /MY-kaul-e/ and /MY-kay/, depending on the person's liguistic background, but all vowels should be pronounced individually. The 'Chosen' names of Khromatai are titles of record taken at adulthood, and can be one of two different types. The most common chosen name is that of the parent the offspring traces his or her line or career from. Take the chosen parent's name and add one of the following endings: -ica or -ika if character is female (means "Daughter") -isen if character is male (means "Son") -aseh if character is male or female (means "Child") For example, Micole chose to follow in her father's footsteps. Her full name is then Micole Khemarrica, after her father Khemarr. The other type of chosen name is derived from the character's profession or some aspect of it. Some common names include: Frrinsen = Forester (Frrin = `tree') Mik'Farlen = Explorer (Mik' = `study', Afar = `world') Chishasta = Starchaser (Chishe = `hunt' or `chase', Asta = `star') Vinsoonen = Seaman (Vinsoon = `sea') Semasasen = Dancer (Semasa = `[to] dance') Mannasen = Artist (Manni = `art' or `create') Liiafar = Teacher (Liia = `learn', Afar = `world') Akuaseh = Waterchild (Akuu = `water') Nefiir = Firestone (Neh = `stone', Fiir = `fire') Micole's older brother, Jonnathan, became an interpreter for a merchant company. He chose as his full name Jonnathan Asteilii, meaning Jonnathan Many-Stars'-Language (Astae = stars and -lii = language). The Khromat Vak'Pannlai and Kerv'Dirlai have extended family units called clans. Where [P1] is the clan name, [P3] is the given name of the individual, and [P2] is the gender particle (no for females, nen for males), the full name of the individual would be [P1]+[P2]+[P3], not including the kafaren name. If, for instance, you were to meet a female Khromat fox named Semasali from the Akiila clan for the first time, her name full formal name would be Vak'Pannlen Akiila no Semesali. The familiar form would be just her given name, Semesali, or a nickname which maybe the translation of her full name: for Akiila no Semesali it would be Dancing Hawk. For the Kerv'Dirlai, the familiar form would be his or her given name plus the suffix -(a)lie for females and -alin for males to denote belonging to a clan family. Nicknames are common for all Khromatai. 9.2.13.3 KHROMAT LANGUAGES Every khromat speaks at least three languages: 9.2.13.3.1 Kafarai Tongues 85% of all Khromatai speak their kafaren tongue as their native language (the kafaren tongue name is the kafaren root word plus the suffix -lii eg. Femlirilii). There are several languages which have more specialized uses that can also be spoken as a native language, but less than 6% of the population speaks these specialized tongues as a native. The rest of the Khromatai speak H'Tosslii, their non-Khromat parent's language, or speak S'Chasslii even if they are not of that kafaren (it is considered the easiest of the kafarai tongues to learn and so is commonly spoken by everyone dealing with other races). Special note: all Khromatai native to Evwol speak H'Tosslii at their speak/read Own Language base, and their `native' tongue at the H'Tosslii base listed below. A Khromat speaks his or her native tongue at a base of INTx6, and read/writes at a base of INTx5. 9.2.13.3.2 H'Tosslii H'Tosslii, or Universal Khromat, is similar to L'Doran as being an artifical language to standardize the race. The Khromat Cshastei has been slowly converting the race to H'Tosslii as its primary language, and all proper names are written in H'Tosslii. Evwol, being the capitol of the Cshastei, is the first (and currently, only) world to have its population speak H'Tosslii as a `native' language, with the change in language base shown above. A Khromat speaks H'Tosslii at a base of INTx5, and read/writes H'Tosslii at a base of INTx4. 9.2.13.3.3 Khiomemaii Khiomemaii, the language of color, is not a writable language. It uses the Khromat's inherant abilities of camouflage to communicate to one another a complex body-language. Khromatai `speak' Khiomemaii with a 30% base, and is trainable only through their natural camouflage ability, hence the Natural Camouflage skill directly relates on their `speaking' ability of the language. Races with similar camouflage abilities (i.e. Crest Cats) can learn the language and have it listed under Languages, but training is separate from their Natural Camouflage Skill. Non-camouflage races can also learn the language, but will require a `Hololator' (a visual translator computer) to actually 'speak' it. 9.2.13.4 THE KHROMAT OUTLOOK 1) There is a passion for physical pleasure and the investigation of the universe (they are hedonists and are polygamous by nature, although not all choose to be so). 2) The seven cardinal virtues are: curiosity, courage, honor, imagination, empathy, mental agility, and a sense of humor. 3) Strength of will and character, compassion, and tenacity are also considered important. 4) Only these virtues justify power over another intellegent life form. 5) Virtue is both a means to an end and rewarding in its own right. 6) There is a basic natural law governing all intellegent life forms. 7) Under this law, all intellegent life forms are basically equal, though their abilities may differ. Attitudes of the Khromat Upper/Middle Class Characteristic Khromat Attitude `Human' equality Axiomatic World View Optimistic (hedonist) Dignity Reasonable to a degree Poverty No discernable attitude National Memory Long 'World' Domination Incomprehensible Attitudes of the Khromat Elite Characteristic Khromat Attitude Power Evokes Respect Greatest Political Force Oratorical Skill Most great individuals receive Admiration Hero image The Enlightened Teacher Individualism Exalted Primitive Masses are Children Sophisticated, educated aliens evoke Interest Ambition in others Accepted Greatest Weakness Narrow-Mindedness Attitude toward others' culture Interest Dilettanteism Its own reward Leisure A worthwhile goal, but not the only worthwhile goal 9.2.13.5 KHROMAT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS (1) Gravitational Norm and Tolerance Range: 1.25 g, 0-2g, max 5g. (2) Atmospheric Norm and Variation Tolerance: 000-000 mm Hg Oxygen, 010-025 mm Hg Water vapor, 1.30 atmospheres. (3) Temperature Rance Norm and Tolerance: 0 to +30 degrees C mean; -10 to +40 degrees daily. (4) Electromagnetic Range(s) Tolerated: 0-30 lumens per square centimeter; wavelengths greater than 300 Angstroms. (5) Size Range: 3' to 7' tall (6) Chemical Base: Carbon (7) Particle Radiation Tolerance: Less than 0.04 rem steady state (per week), less than 100 rem short term. (8) Sensory Types, location, and sensitivies: (8A) Electromagnetic: Coarse: 7000-10,000 Angstroms; skin Fine: 3000-6500 Angstroms - color vision; eyes (8B) Pressure Differential: Remote: 20-20,000 cycles; ears Contact: skin, muzzle hairs (8C) Chemosensing: Coarse: Depends on substance; skin, tongue Fine: Nasal cavity (slightly more sensitive than human), tongue (8D) Damage Detection: Corrosion: skin Other: internal electromagnetic nervous system (8E) Texture Sensing: skin (8F) Psi Senses: Telempathic communications to an average of 105 meters (10 meters per point TSC). (8G) Other: (9) Substances absorbed: Oxygen, other creatures, fruit, water, miscellaneous trace elements. Omnivorous. (10) Substances emitted: Water, Carbon Dioxide, miscellaneous solid, liquid, and gaseous organic compounds. (11) Reproductive Methods: Typical mammalian; gestation period 360 days (twin birth) (12) Body Shape and Natural Weapons: Varies with phenotype; mustelid, felid, lepid, cervid, ursid, vulpid, rodentid, all bipedal with limited quadrapedal movements, tailed; teeth, hands, feet, retractile claws on hands, non-retractile claws in toes. (13) Periodic Functions: 36-38 hour day/night sleep cycle, varies by kafaren: Hles'Chirlai, Kerv'Dirlai, S'Chasslai, Rusagralai (diurnial); Emkharnae, Femlirilai, Mus'Chirlai, T'Chiklai, Vak'Pannlai (nocturnal); 30-36 day menstrual cycle. (14) Non-sensory Psi Functions: varies with individual. 9.2.13.6 KHROMAT PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS EMKHARNAE: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 45-91 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 30-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 35-81 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 30-51 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 20-71 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 FEMLIRILAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 30-66 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 50-81 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 40-81 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 50-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 30-51 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 45-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 HLES'CHIRLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 20-51 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 90-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 30-51 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 35-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 60-96 KERV'DIRLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 45-81 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 50-91 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 30-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 10-61 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 35-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 MUS'CHIRLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 30-66 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 60-96 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 45-81 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 35-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 70-96 S'CHASSLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 30-66 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 30-51 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 35-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 T'CHIKLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 40-81 Cautious <-> Reckless = 30-66 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 25-56 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 30-71 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 20-41 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 30-61 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 RUSAGRALAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 60-91 Cautious <-> Reckless = 30-66 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 50-81 Humble <-> Arrogant = 40-91 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 40-81 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 35-76 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96 VAK'PANNLAI: Brave <-> Cowardly = 50-91 Cautious <-> Reckless = 40-81 Forgiving <-> Vengeful = 40-71 Generous <-> Miserly = 70-91 Hedonistic <-> Stoic = 80-96 Honorable <-> Treacherous = 70-96 Humble <-> Arrogant = 30-71 Merciful <-> Cruel = 50-91 Optimistic <-> Pessimistic = 70-81 Peaceable <-> Combative = 30-51 Trusting <-> Suspicious = 30-61 Xenophile <-> Xenophobe = 50-96