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Post by Cassiel on Feb 10, 2009 16:34:40 GMT -6
Character Types are the very core of the character, the life and lot they were born into. The Character Type is the literal genetic makeup of the character, separating humans from the Tribes of the Moon. Further, a Character's Type will determine how much knowledge of the Nightbreed he or she has, as well as their ability to coexist in Natural and Nightbreed society. There are three Character Types to choose from, as well as five Breeds under one of the Character Types. Record your Breed under Character Type on your Character Sheet rather than the "Nightbreed" Character Type. The following Character Types are available for play. Detailed information on the Breeds is provided in full below. NightbreedThe Nightbreed, or the Tribes of the Moon, are monstrous beings that are a breed wholly apart of anything else in the world. They possess otherworldly powers and primal compulsions that mark them as clearly alien to humanity. Terrible Deformities and weird abilities mark them as different, and are the cause for their elusive nature. They hide from humanity because if their presence were to be discovered, they would be hunted out of fear and revulsion. The following Breeds are used for gaming purposes only; the Nightbreed do not categorize and label amongst themselves as all are of the Tribes of the Moon. Mystics - Mystics are the arcane witches and mages of the Nightbreed, able to conjure elements from the ether and read the thoughts and emotions of others. Beasties - Primal and violent, Beasties are often the soldiers and enforcers of the Nightbreed, though like other Breeds there is more to them than meets the eye. Undead - Those Nightbreed that, through conquering death, have become walking revenants with preternatural resiliency and the flesh of the corpse. Shapeshifters - Creatures of ephemeral nature, both in mind and body, Shapeshifters are masters of the metamorphic arts and can become nearly any animal they wish. Aberrants - Hideously disfigured and inhuman, Aberrants use unnatural appendages and weird physical abilities to do things that no other Nightbreed can. NaturalsAll humans that inhabit the world and are unaware of the Nightbreed are Naturals. They are created by the natural processes of biology, through normal sexual reproduction. This makes them living beings, but their sentience sets them apart from the other animals. This is why they are Naturals. Some Breed would say they are Naturals because they posses no Deformities and are able to walk in both day and night. Others say they are Naturals only because some pompous Mystic wanted to codify those not of the Tribes of the Moon. Beasties would argue that they are Naturals because they taste best raw: no condiments needed! Naturals come from all walks of life and can be street bums to politicians, drug dealers to firefighters, children to the elderly. FamiliarA human that is aware of the Nightbreed, for good or ill, is called a Familiar. They may have only briefly seen a Nightbreed in passing or have an unhealthily extensive knowledge of their society and nature. Regardless of their level of knowledge of the Nightbreed, once the veil has been lifted the Natural becomes a Familiar. Some Familiars may help and aid the Nightbreed, doing what they can to protect this fantastic and terrible creatures from extinction. Others may hunt them down like the animals they are, using firearms and faith to put the torch to the witches and demons. The majority of Familiars, however, will try their very best to forget all about those...things they saw. Most will try therapy, drugs, alcohol, and worse to forget what they saw, but in honesty nothing can erase those memories of the Nightbreed.
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Post by Cassiel on Feb 11, 2009 13:05:06 GMT -6
Mystics
Description: The Mystics are the mages, witches, and warlocks of the Tribes of the Moon. They wield the wyrd, manipulating the forces of the unseen to produce fantastic and terrible manifestations of their will. Mystics have given rise to the legends of mortals who have sold their soul to the devil for unholy power, mages who use otherworldly knowledge to gain immortality, and other stories of despicable mortals toying with arcane energies. Conversely, fantastic myths about wise old sages and druids have been derived from the movements and activities of Mystics. Merlin, Baba Yaga, and Circe could have very well been Mystics, using their influence and magic to become legendary figures.
Deformity: Mystics generally look vaguely human, but anyone who gets a good look at them will know something is off. Pale flesh, gaunt features, and arcane sigils right in the flesh are common, as are odd hair colors and eye colors. Some Mystics have features related to eldritch superstitions, such as a third eye or more, sharp teeth, and weirder features. One of the oddest Deformities of the Mystics has to be the unreal sense that permeates their presence. Strange winds, familiar but out of place smells and sounds, and even classic witchmarks such as the curdling of milk or the wilting of flowers are common.
Prime Affliction: Mystical Persuasion – Mystics are innately in sync with the supernal world and can influence otherworldly energies with great ease. While other Breeds can affect the world around them, none can master bewitchments like a Mystic.
Burden: Frailty – Mystics are the weakest of the Nightbreed with regards to the tangible world. Mystics are often sickly and fragile when compared to other Breeds, but this is a relative observation. The average Mystic is no weaker than a Natural, although they often appear to be.
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Post by Cassiel on Feb 11, 2009 13:19:32 GMT -6
Beasties
Description: Beasties are violent, passionate, and animalistic, as befits their title. While most view them is ravenous beasts only bent on filling their gullet, they must remember that Beasties can also be noble savages. Beasties are often the first line of defense between Nightbreed and a world that would rather see them brought before the vengeful Sun. Beasties will hold a grudge to their graves, but will also respond with loyalty, respect, and even affection to those that can look past their brutal appearance and temperament. Raging Beasties have spawned legends of werewolves, Wendigo, and other bloodthirsty creatures of the night. It is with little surprise then that when Naturals are confronted by the Nightbreed, they find the Beasties the most unsettling of all. It must be their fight or flight reflex…
Deformity: Beasties posses extremely obvious Deformities that are fitting with their moniker. Fur, scales, and leathery hides adorn the muscular bodies of the Beasties, who are without a doubt the biggest and strongest of the Nightbreed. Beasties will often have the features of several different animals mixed together, making them look like bizarre animal hybrids straight out of mythology. Not all Beastie Deformities are cosmetic, however, as Beasties hunt with deathly sharp fangs, claws, and stingers.
Prime Affliction: Unholy Strength – Beasties live by tooth and claw, fighting for survival in a world that would see them extinct. As such, a Beastie possesses a prowess unmatched by any man, beast, or any other Breed. Beasties fight like the monsters they are with natural weapons sharper and deadlier than any mortal implements.
Burden: Fevor – Beasties are a Breed marked by intense passion which they find hard to ignore. Whether rage, hunger, vice, or sin, a Beastie is hard-pressed to disregard his or her preternatural addiction.
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Post by Cassiel on Feb 11, 2009 13:35:14 GMT -6
Undead
Description: The Undead are at both exuberant and sullen creatures, having escaped the grips of Death itself. However, they feel the cost of their victory heavily on their decaying shoulders. Some feel that they have become a breed apart from the Tribes of the Moon, though there is great debate as to whether this is a good thing or not. Regardless, the Undead do possess the ability to endure tremendous amounts of physical trauma with no ill effects aside from cosmetic damage. Interestingly enough, while the Undead are known for disfiguring themselves they are loathe having their flesh damaged by other forces. They will usually do their best to save their hides despite the fact they are near impervious to harm. The Undead have undoubtedly inspired stories and legends concerning their rising from the grave. Vampires, ghouls, zombies, wraiths, ghosts…all are likely relatable to the nocturnal activity of the Undead.
Deformity: The Undead, driven by an unusual distaste for their flesh, are usually gruesome creatures. They often will cut away the flesh from their faces and bodies, leaving raw, red muscles to show through. Signs of obvious passing are apparent in the Undead; grayish flesh, cloudy eyes, purple lips. Sometimes the Undead will have the features of well-known revenants, such as the gaunt, predatory features of the Romanian Vampir or the green-hued flesh of the Zombie of Voodoo legends.
Prime Affliction: Unnaturally Resilient – The dead have little to fear from injury or harm, and the Undead are no exception. While all Nightbreed possess a supernatural fortitude, the Undead can take damage that would fell even the greatest Beastie. Gunshots, blunt trauma, and even electricity and fire are easily shrugged off by the Undead.
Burden: Dead Flesh – While the Undead can take the most grievous wounds without pause, their flesh is that of the cadaver. The Undead do not heal from these wounds, though they do not suffer any detriments from the injuries. Bullet holes and lacerations will mar the flesh of the Undead for the length of their half-lives, showing pale muscle and viscera beneath the grayed skin.
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Post by Cassiel on Feb 11, 2009 13:52:58 GMT -6
Shapeshifters
Description: Shapershifters are extremely capable skinchangers that can take on the form of a variety of different animals. They simply breath a new form over their body in a puff of heavy gray fog. Nearly any animal is possible, from a mighty jungle cat to a tiny mouse. Stranger yet, certain Shapeshifters can take on the form of odd creatures that seemingly exist only in mythology. Some Nightbreed scholars posit that Shapeshifters may be the cause of those very same unreal beasts. Shapeshifters are of simple minds, however, and while never dumb or inept, they can behave as a child. This means that Shapeshifters may be charmingly sweet or selfish brats. They exist on a pre-conventional level and often act with only their overdeveloped Id in mind. However, Shapeshifters are also socially-minded creatures and will do their best to protect and aid whoever they see as apart of their pack. Shapeshifters are the Western and Eastern therianthropes of ancient epics and stories, as well as the urban legends and cryptids in modern minds.
Deformity: Shapeshifter’s Deformities are much more subtle than other Nightbreeds, as befits the chameleon Breed. However, Shapeshifters posses an off-putting essence about them that puts Naturals ill at ease. Perhaps Naturals can sense the animal deep within the Shapeshifter’s soul or simply realize from interacting with the simple creatures that they are not entirely human. One common physical Deformity of Shapeshifter Breed is animalistic eyes, such as yellow lamplight eyes of a wolf or hourglass shaped pupils like a goat. Most Shapeshifters bear an appearance reminiscent of their favored animal form. Prime Affliction: Transfiguration – While other Breeds are capable of shapeshifting into a facsimile of a single animal, Shapeshifters can readily take on the form of any animal they wish. Shapeshifters know the primal secrets of metamorphism and shift with a fluidity unmatched by other Breeds. What’s more, while other Breeds have some unnatural tell about their animal form, a Shapeshifter can affect an absolute and identical transfiguration.
Burden: Simple Mind – Like the beasts that they mimic, Shapeshifters possess a straightforward and primal mindset. While they are clever and cunning, long term planning, deception, and other humanistic concepts are alien to Shapeshifters. They prefer to think in terms of black and white, with more emphasis on the present than the past or future.
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Post by Cassiel on Feb 11, 2009 14:03:57 GMT -6
Aberrants
Description: Aberrants are disgustingly deformed monsters that could never exist in the world of the Naturals. They are too grossly disfigured to even pass for remotely human, but are able to use their disfigurements to do amazing things. No two Aberrants will look the same or have the same Abnormal Afflictions. One Aberrant may be a long serpent covered with feathers while another may resemble a mechanical angel, fluttering wings of steels ribbons. While they may possess fantastic and beautiful Deformities, an Aberrant is an inhuman creature in appearance if not mind. Aberrants are either incredibly bitter about their sometimes debilitating Deformities, while others are more positive about them. After all, they are the most unique of the Breeds, that makes them special and marvelous. Aberrants have inspired stories of all kinds, although they are most likely horror stories. Conversely, some Aberrants may have inspired religious beliefs and theological creatures. Either way, Aberrants have certainly spawned the most varied and interesting of legends with their unique appearance.
Deformity: Aberrants have the most obvious Deformities out of any of the Breeds. Sometimes these Deformities can be debilitative, leaving the Aberrant unable to move without aid. Most of the time, however, while disgusting and painful looking, most Aberrant Deformities are incredibly useful. The imagination is the only limit when designing Aberrant Deformities.
Prime Affliction: Abnormal Form – Aberrants exhibit some of the most interesting, albeit disturbing, forms that have preternatural utility. The most outlandish limbs and extremities allow the Aberrant to move in unnatural ways, while odd organs allow them to produce disgusting yet useful secretions. Aberrants are the only Breed that have access to more than one Abnormal Afflictions.
Burden: Abomination – Aberrants are extremely disfigured wretches, even by the standards of other Nightbreed. By no means, even with the best makeup or heaviest clothes, can an Aberrant pass for anything but a monster.
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