Humans Of the Consortium
Type: Core Species
In the 25th Century, in many ways humanity hasn’t changed. They still suffer from the same vices, divide into tribes and find new ways to kill his fellow humans for the same reasons. On the other hand, much has changed considerably to humanity individually. Gone are the days of racism and ethnic differences. Humanity is so blended genetically, they are basically one species with subtle variations. And transhumanism is a thing in this day and age.
Bio-engineering and genetic manipulation as well as eugenics were a large part of human’s early exploration of their solar system. As “democratic” governments gave way to more totalitarian and corporatratic rule, the more people became a resource to be exploited. Humanity manipulated populations to survive in the diverse colonies and environments they were forming within the solar system.
This transhumanism continued through the post Q-Drive years as more and more diverse environments were discovered. Artificially Evolved (AEs) or uplifted animals using human gene splicing were also developed to help humanity explore space. Only recently has the practice eased back as terraforming techniques have advanced.
When a player chooses to be human in Shatterzone, they must choose a Transhuman type from below.
Pure Strain or Vans (Vanilla)
Vans are basic humans from the core rules with a slight adjustment. Pure Strains or Vans have no modification for survival outside Earth and are at high risk of contracting alien diseases, susceptible to alien environmental allergies and struggle with varied gravity situations. In addition to the Core rules, the Pure Strain human must take the following:
Special Weakness to Alien/Non-Earth Environments – At any time in any non-Earth environment, the GM may call for VIgor-2 check and apply conditions accordingly – Fatigues, Vulnerable or Confused, etc (GM’s discretion).
Gain ad addition Novice Edge (for a total of 2 starting racial Novice Edges). The human must meet the requirements of this Edge as well.
Basic Splice (BSers)
Basic Splcers have been given the the basic genetic traits to survive in space. Generally, they can survive on zero G more than most, immune to most alien disease and can handle most known alien environments.
Special Weakness to Alien Environments – At any time in an extraordinarily alien environment, the GM may call for VIgor check and apply conditions accordingly – Fatigues, Vulnerable or Confused, etc (GM’s discretion).
Edge: Gravitic Acclimation
Enhanced (Ennies)
Ennies are a broad spectrum of transhumans that have enhanced something – an Attribute or Skill or both. They are Base Splices with additional enhancements. Mentas are those Ennies that enhance their mental abilities and Brutes are those that enhance their physical abilities. A special version of Brute Ennies called WarBees (War Bunnies) enhance their combat abilities
Special Weakness to Alien Environments – At any time in an extraordinarily alien environment, the GM may call for VIgor check and apply conditions accordingly – Fatigues, Vulnerable or Confused, etc (GM’s discretion).
Enhancement: Choose an Attribute or Skill to enhance. For Attributes, increase by one die type. For skills, gain a +2 to that Skill. This can be done multiple times for different Attributes or Skills, however, but a Negative Alien Ability must be taken to compensate.
Spacers
Spacers are enhanced for the rigors of space travel. Between the long space trips in cold-sleep to the constant exposure to cosmic rays and zero-G, the Space transhuman has been tweaked to handle them. A Spacer must take the following:
Hindrance: Zero-G Worlder (Major, -2)
Bouncer (+2): One part environmental resistance, one part ability, this ability displays the Spacer skill in handling Zero-G situations. The cold zero-G of space is natural to them (+4 to resist negative effects of cold). They not only ignore any penalties from zero-G or the extreme cold, they gain a +1 to the Pace (limited Pace increase) while “flying” in zero-G.
Moreaus
Otherwise known as Uplifted Human-Animal Hybrids (UHAH), these creatures appear as wholly separate aliens but in truth, they do have human DNA that is spliced with animals. Using the Savage World Supplement from DriveThruRPG, Mals: A Human-Animal Hybrid Sourcebook Use Transgenic-Mals or Hybrid Mals.